Chapter 14: Unraveling the Fog
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The ancient altar loomed ominously in the clearing, its glowing symbols pulsing with faint light. The eerie mist that blanketed the forest clung to it like a second skin, as though it were alive. Xu Tian stood at the edge of the stone platform, arms crossed, while the other disciples murmured among themselves.
"So, Senior Sister Luo Ying," he began, casting a glance at the composed figure next to him, "are we sure poking ancient, possibly cursed altars is a great idea?"
Luo Ying, calm as ever, inspected the runes closely. "The spiritual energy here is highly concentrated. This altar might be the source of the mist. If we can unravel its purpose, we might be able to dispel it."
"Or," Xu Tian said, "we could just go back to the sect and forget we ever saw this thing. You know, preserve our lifespans."
Guo Fan chimed in, nervously shifting from foot to foot. "He has a point, Senior Sister. What if this altar summons... something?"
Luo Ying shot them both a stern look. "Cowardice doesn't suit cultivators."
Xu Tian smirked. "Who said anything about cowardice? I prefer to call it 'strategic retreat.'"
[(Host's behavior classified as: Pragmatic avoidance. Highly consistent with personality profile.)]
"System," Xu Tian hissed under his breath, "your sarcasm isn't helping."
The atmosphere grew heavier as Luo Ying traced her fingers over the runes. Her brow furrowed in concentration. "These markings are part of an ancient script," she said. "If I can decipher them, we might understand why this mist is affecting the forest."
Xu Tian crouched next to her, squinting at the glowing lines. "So, what's the verdict? Are we doomed?"
"Not yet," she replied, the faintest hint of amusement in her tone.
[(Observation: Host displays uncharacteristic curiosity. Potential growth detected.)]
"Hey, I'm allowed to be curious," Xu Tian shot back, earning a few puzzled looks from the other disciples.
Just as Luo Ying began to piece together the runes' meaning, a low rumble reverberated through the ground. The altar's glow intensified, and the mist thickened, swirling around them like a vortex.
"See?!" Xu Tian shouted, stepping back. "I told you this was a bad idea!"
The rumbling grew louder, and the glow from the altar coalesced into a single beam of light shooting skyward. The disciples scrambled to maintain their footing as the ground beneath them shook.
The light dimmed, leaving a figure standing atop the altar. It was translucent, like a ghost, its features shifting and indistinct. Despite its ethereal nature, its presence was commanding, radiating power that made even Luo Ying take a step back.
"Who dares disturb the legacy of the Obsidian Sky Sect?" the figure's voice boomed, echoing through the clearing.
"Uh, not us!" Xu Tian blurted, raising his hands defensively. "We're just... passing by!"
The spirit's gaze locked onto him, its eyes narrowing. "Do not lie, mortal. You stand before a sacred relic. Speak your purpose."
Luo Ying stepped forward, her composure unshaken. "We mean no disrespect. The mist emanating from this place has caused disturbances in our sect. We sought to investigate its origin."
The spirit studied her for a moment before nodding. "Very well. You seek the truth, but truth comes with a price."
Xu Tian groaned. "It always does, doesn't it?"
The spirit raised its hand, and the runes on the altar began to shift, rearranging themselves into a series of intricate patterns. "To prove your worth, you must solve the riddle of the altar. Fail, and the mist will consume you."
"Fantastic," Xu Tian muttered. "Nothing like a good death threat to start the day."
The runes glowed brighter, forming a complex puzzle that seemed to pulse with its own energy. Luo Ying examined it closely, her mind racing to decipher its logic.
"Senior Sister, do you recognize this script?" Guo Fan asked, his voice tinged with panic.
"It's similar to ancient array formations," she replied. "But it's more advanced."
Xu Tian glanced at the shifting symbols, his expression skeptical. "Great. So we're dealing with a mystical Sudoku puzzle."
[(Host's assistance recommended. Probability of success increases with teamwork.)]
"Teamwork?" Xu Tian scoffed. "Have you met me?"
The system remained silent, leaving him to sigh in resignation. "Fine. Let's give this a shot."
As Luo Ying worked methodically to unravel the patterns, Xu Tian noticed a peculiar rhythm in the runes' movements. "Wait a minute," he said, stepping closer. "They're repeating... like a cycle. Look."
Luo Ying paused, her eyes following his gesture. "You're right. The sequence resets every thirty seconds."
"Glad you're finally appreciating my genius," Xu Tian quipped.
She ignored his comment, focusing on the puzzle. "If we align the central rune with the outer symbols during the reset, it should stabilize the array."
"And if it doesn't?" Guo Fan asked nervously.
"Then we'll probably explode," Xu Tian said with a shrug.
"Not helping!"
With Xu Tian's observation and Luo Ying's expertise, the pair managed to stabilize the array. The runes stopped shifting, glowing steadily as the mist began to dissipate. The spirit watched silently, its expression unreadable.
"You have proven your worth," it said finally. "The mist was a test, a remnant of my sect's final trial. Those who failed were not meant to inherit our legacy."
"Inherit?" Luo Ying asked, her curiosity piqued.
The spirit extended its hand, and a small, glowing orb appeared, floating toward Xu Tian. "This is the essence of the Obsidian Sky Sect's knowledge. Use it wisely."
Xu Tian stared at the orb, his instinctive distrust battling with his curiosity. "And this won't... curse me or anything?"
The spirit's lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "That depends on you."
As the orb merged with Xu Tian's chest, a rush of knowledge flooded his mind. Techniques, insights, and fragments of memories from the Obsidian Sky Sect flowed through him.
[(Host has acquired Obsidian Insight. New abilities unlocked: Shadow Veil Technique, Enhanced Perception.)]
Xu Tian staggered, his head spinning. "Could've given me a warning!"
[(Host's complaint noted for future updates. Likelihood of such updates: Minimal.)]
Luo Ying approached him, her expression softening. "Are you alright?"
"I'll live," Xu Tian replied, shaking off the dizziness. "Though I might start seeing ghosts in my sleep."
She nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Good work."
As they made their way back to the sect, the disciples buzzed with excitement about their discovery. Xu Tian, however, walked in silence, his mind replaying the spirit's words.
"Legacy, huh?" he muttered to himself.
[(Host has taken a significant step forward. Suggest utilizing acquired knowledge to strengthen sect standing.)]
"Yeah, yeah," Xu Tian replied. "But first, I'm taking a nap."
[(Approval granted. Host's exhaustion level noted.)]
"Don't act like you're doing me a favor," he grumbled.
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To Be Continued...
With the mist dispersed and a new power at his disposal, Xu Tian faces a future filled with greater challenges and, undoubtedly, more absurdity. What secrets will the Obsidian Sky Sect's legacy reveal, and how will it shape the path of the Cosmic Fool?
Stay tuned for the next chapter in Xu Tian's chaotic journey!