Chapter 34: The Hunter and the Prey
The forest was eerily quiet as Zhang Wei moved through its dense undergrowth, his enhanced perception alerting him to every rustling leaf and faint Qi signature. Though he had escaped the Veil of Oblivion's sanctuary in Ironwood Valley, their pursuit had been relentless. He could feel their presence closing in, their dark Qi like a creeping shadow that threatened to engulf him.
The system chimed softly: Host must avoid prolonged engagement. Tactical retreat and strategic misdirection are advised.
Zhang Wei crouched behind a cluster of thick trees, his breathing steady as he analyzed his surroundings. The Veil operatives weren't far—he could sense their auras spreading out in search of him. They were skilled trackers, their movements calculated and deliberate, but Zhang Wei had one advantage they lacked: the system's guidance.
He reached into his pack and retrieved a Qi-dispersing talisman, activating it with a small pulse of energy. The air around him shimmered briefly before his Qi signature vanished, blending into the natural background of the forest.
"They'll come this way soon," Zhang Wei thought, gripping his spear tightly. "But I won't make it easy for them."
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The system chimed again: New objective: Eliminate key pursuers without exposing host's location.
A faint rustling to his left drew Zhang Wei's attention. One of the operatives emerged from the shadows, their hooded figure scanning the area with a focused gaze. Zhang Wei waited patiently, his breathing controlled as he calculated the perfect moment to strike.
When the operative stepped closer, Zhang Wei moved with the precision of a predator. Activating his Shadow Step Technique, he closed the distance in an instant, his spear striking true. The operative crumpled silently to the ground, their Qi dissipating into the night.
The system chimed: One pursuer eliminated. Host must continue misdirection tactics to avoid detection.
Zhang Wei retreated deeper into the forest, his movements swift and silent. He repeated the process with two more operatives, each time using the terrain and his Shadow Step Technique to gain the upper hand. By the time the remaining pursuers realized they were being picked off, their numbers had dwindled significantly.
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Among the remaining operatives was the hooded figure Zhang Wei had encountered in the archives. Their aura was stronger than the others, radiating an oppressive energy that seemed to sap the life from the forest around them.
"You've made a grave mistake, Zhang Wei," the figure called out, their voice echoing through the trees. "You should have heeded our warning. Now, the Veil will make an example of you."
Zhang Wei stepped into the open, his spear gleaming faintly in the moonlight. "You talk too much," he replied, his tone calm but sharp.
The figure chuckled darkly. "Confidence won't save you, boy. The Veil of Oblivion has been weaving its web for centuries. What chance do you have against us?"
"We'll see," Zhang Wei said, his stance steady.
The figure attacked first, their dark Qi manifesting as jagged tendrils that lashed out with deadly precision. Zhang Wei evaded with his Shadow Step Technique, his movements fluid as he countered with a series of precise strikes.
The battle was intense, each clash of their techniques sending shockwaves through the forest. Zhang Wei's spear struck like lightning, but the figure's defenses were formidable, their dark Qi absorbing and redirecting much of the force.
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The system chimed: High-level enemy detected. Host must exploit environmental advantages to gain the upper hand.
Zhang Wei scanned the area quickly, noting the uneven terrain and the dense trees surrounding them. He shifted his strategy, using the forest to limit the figure's movements. With each attack, he forced them into tighter spaces, their dark Qi dissipating against the natural barriers.
Finally, Zhang Wei saw his opening. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance and delivered a powerful thrust, his spear piercing through the figure's defenses. The force of the blow sent them crashing into a tree, their aura flickering weakly.
The figure coughed, their hood falling back to reveal a pale, scarred face. "You think you've won?" they spat, their voice filled with venom. "You've only scratched the surface of the Veil's power. This is far from over."
Zhang Wei stepped forward, his gaze cold. "Then tell me everything you know. Who is leading the Veil of Oblivion?"
The figure sneered. "You'll find out soon enough. And when you do, you'll wish you hadn't."
With that, the figure's body dissolved into a cloud of dark Qi, leaving behind nothing but the faint echo of their laughter.
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The system chimed: Quest objective partially complete. Enemy eliminated, but further intelligence required to progress.
Zhang Wei leaned against his spear, his breathing heavy but controlled. The Veil of Oblivion had proven to be a formidable foe, their operatives skilled and their influence vast. Yet, each victory brought him closer to understanding their true intentions.
"This isn't over," Zhang Wei muttered, his resolve hardening. "I'll unravel their web piece by piece."
As he disappeared into the forest, the rising storm loomed ever larger, its winds carrying whispers of a conflict that would test the very foundations of the cultivation world.