The air in the Verdant Wastes grew heavier as Wei Liang and his team ventured deeper into the forest. The faint glow of Qi that infused the environment began to feel oppressive, like a living presence pressing down on them. Each step felt more precarious as the dense undergrowth crackled beneath their boots, and the occasional rustle in the bushes made their nerves taut.
Zhang Fei led the way, her sharp eyes scanning the map and the terrain around them. Han Xun followed closely, his spear resting against his shoulder. Wei Liang brought up the rear, keeping his hand on his sword hilt, ready for another encounter.
The serpent had been a wake-up call. While they had handled it, the toll it took on their stamina and Qi reserves was no small matter. Wei Liang could still feel the faint strain in his meridians from channeling Qi so hastily during the fight.
"Jade-Heart Lilies usually grow near water," Zhang Fei said, pointing ahead. "If I'm reading this map correctly, there should be a stream just beyond that ridge."
Han Xun groaned, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Can we please get there without another spirit beast trying to eat us?"
"Keep your voice down," Zhang Fei snapped. "If there's one thing the Wastes don't like, it's loud idiots."
"I'll take my chances," Han muttered under his breath, though his steps grew quieter.
Wei Liang smirked, but his focus remained on the forest around them. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
---
The Silent Encounter
As the group crested the ridge, they found the stream Zhang Fei had mentioned. It was a narrow, winding ribbon of crystal-clear water, its surface shimmering faintly with the glow of dense Qi. Beside it, tall grasses swayed gently, and nestled among them were clusters of Jade-Heart Lilies. Their translucent, green petals seemed to hum softly, radiating a calming energy.
"There," Zhang Fei whispered, her tone triumphant.
The group approached cautiously. Han Xun knelt by the stream and began carefully cutting the lilies with a small knife, placing them into the satchel provided by the sect. Zhang Fei kept watch, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.
Wei Liang stood slightly apart, scanning the forest for signs of movement. The oppressive silence unnerved him. No birds chirped, no insects buzzed. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
Then, he saw it.
A shadow moved through the trees, low and deliberate. Wei Liang's breath caught. He raised a hand, signaling to the others.
"What is it?" Zhang Fei whispered, her voice tense.
"Something's watching us," Wei Liang said.
The shadow emerged slowly, resolving into a creature unlike anything they had seen before. It resembled a panther but larger, its sleek body covered in black, metallic fur that shimmered faintly with Qi. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto Wei Liang, unblinking.
"A Voidshadow Panther," Zhang Fei said, her voice barely audible. "That's a mid-tier spirit beast."
Han Xun's knife froze mid-cut. "Mid-tier? What's it doing here?"
"Doesn't matter," Wei Liang said, drawing his sword. "It knows we're here, and it's not backing down."
The panther growled, its body coiling like a spring.
---
The Panther's Wrath
The beast moved like lightning, leaping toward Wei Liang with claws outstretched. He barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side as the panther's claws tore into the earth where he had stood.
"Han, flank it!" Zhang Fei shouted, drawing her daggers.
Han Xun gritted his teeth and lunged with his spear, aiming for the panther's side. The beast twisted mid-leap, its claws deflecting the strike with alarming precision.
Zhang Fei darted forward, her movements quick and calculated. Her daggers flashed as she struck at the panther's hind legs, forcing it to pivot away from Wei Liang.
Wei Liang seized the opening. He channeled Qi into his blade and slashed at the beast's flank. The strike connected, leaving a deep, glowing wound that oozed black ichor.
The panther snarled, its amber eyes blazing with rage. It leaped back, circling them with predatory grace.
"It's faster than anything we've faced," Han Xun said, his voice strained.
"Stay together," Zhang Fei ordered. "Don't let it single anyone out."
The panther attacked again, this time targeting Han Xun. Wei Liang moved instinctively, intercepting the strike with his sword. The force of the clash sent him stumbling, but he managed to hold his ground.
"Focus your Qi!" the System urged in his mind.
Wei Liang channeled his energy, his dantian burning as he poured everything into his blade. He slashed upward, his strike catching the panther on its shoulder and driving it back.
Zhang Fei followed up, her daggers striking in rapid succession. The panther hissed in pain, its movements growing sluggish.
"This is our chance!" Wei Liang shouted.
Han Xun roared, driving his spear into the beast's chest. The panther let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing, its body fading into wisps of Qi.
---
The group stood in silence, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Wei Liang leaned on his sword, his legs trembling from exhaustion.
"That… was too close," Han Xun said, wiping sweat from his brow.
Zhang Fei knelt by the stream, checking the satchel. "We have enough Jade-Heart Lilies. Let's get out of here before something worse shows up."
Wei Liang nodded but noticed something in the panther's remains—a faintly glowing shard of black crystal. He picked it up, its surface cool to the touch.
"What is that?" Zhang Fei asked, stepping closer.
"I don't know," Wei Liang admitted, slipping it into his satchel. "But it feels… powerful."
As they began their trek back to the sect, Wei Liang couldn't shake the feeling that the crystal was more than it seemed.
---
By the time they reached the Jade Peak Sect, the sun was setting. The mission overseers inspected their haul, nodding in approval.
"Well done," Jin Yue said, addressing the disciples. "The Verdant Wastes are not forgiving. Those of you who returned with the Jade-Heart Lily have earned merit—and respect."
Wei Liang's team received several nods from the other disciples, though Lin Ziyan, standing off to the side, merely sneered.
As they retreated to the dormitories, Wei Liang pulled the black crystal from his satchel, turning it over in his hand. The faint glow pulsed rhythmically, as if alive.
"What do you think it is?" Han Xun asked, leaning over to get a closer look.
"Something rare," Zhang Fei said, her brow furrowing. "But you should be careful. Powerful things usually come with a price."
Wei Liang nodded, slipping the crystal back into his satchel. Whatever it was, he had a feeling it would play a role in his path forward.
For now, though, he had survived the Verdant Wastes. And with every challenge, he felt himself growing stronger.