The group emerged from the underground chamber into the dense mist of the Mistwood. The oppressive weight of the shard's chaotic energy was palpable as Wei Liang carried it in his hand, wrapped tightly in a cloth to dampen its pulsing glow.
The forest, once silent, seemed to stir around them. The faint rustling of leaves and the occasional low growl from unseen spirit beasts put them on edge. The shard's presence was clearly agitating the forest's natural balance.
"Whatever that thing is, it's making the Mistwood worse," Han Xun said, glancing nervously at the trees.
"It's not just the Mistwood," Zhang Fei replied. "If this shard is left unchecked, the entire region could destabilize."
Wei Liang tightened his grip on the shard. "The elders need to see this. It's too dangerous to leave here—or destroy without understanding it."
Han Xun snorted. "And let me guess, we're the lucky ones who get to drag it back while every spirit beast in this forest wants to kill us?"
"Exactly," Zhang Fei said, her tone sharp but calm. "So keep your guard up."
---
The Forest's Resistance
The journey back through the Mistwood was fraught with danger. The shard seemed to draw spirit beasts toward them like moths to a flame. Wolves, serpents, and smaller creatures they didn't recognize emerged from the mist, their eyes glowing with unnatural aggression.
Wei Liang activated the Lunar-Eye Lens, the world around him shifting as it revealed the beasts' movements and their Qi flows. "Two ahead, three flanking from the right!" he called, dodging as a wolf lunged at him.
Han Xun's spear flashed, striking one of the wolves square in the chest. Zhang Fei darted forward, her daggers slicing through the neck of another.
Wei Liang swung his sword in a wide arc, channeling shadow Qi into the blade. The wolf attacking him faltered as the dark energy struck its legs, sending it tumbling into the dirt.
Even with the beasts dispatched, the forest remained restless. The mist thickened, and the oppressive air grew heavier with each step.
"We can't keep fighting them off forever," Han Xun said, panting as he wiped sweat from his brow. "We need to move faster."
Wei Liang nodded, his gaze focused on the path ahead. The shard pulsed in his hand, its chaotic energy swirling like a storm within the cloth.
---
An Unexpected Ally
As they neared the edge of the Mistwood, a figure appeared in the distance, stepping through the mist with calm, deliberate movements. The man was tall and clad in dark green robes trimmed with gold—a design that marked him as an elder, though his face was unfamiliar.
"An elder?" Zhang Fei whispered, lowering her daggers but not relaxing entirely.
Han Xun frowned. "I don't recognize him. Do you?"
Wei Liang's instincts prickled with unease. The Lunar-Eye Lens highlighted the man's Qi, revealing an aura that was vast and controlled, yet oddly cold.
The elder stopped a few paces away, his piercing gaze settling on the cloth in Wei Liang's hand. "You've found the Shard of the Veil," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge.
Wei Liang gripped the shard tighter. "And you are?"
The man smiled faintly. "Elder Yan is my name. I was once an emissary for the Jade Veil Sect, the origin of that artifact you now carry."
The group exchanged uneasy glances. The Jade Veil Sect had been wiped out long ago. What was this man doing here?
"Why are you here now?" Zhang Fei asked, her tone sharp.
Elder Yan's gaze shifted to her, his smile widening. "To ensure the shard does not fall into the wrong hands. Its power is beyond what any of you can comprehend."
Wei Liang's grip tightened. "And who decides whose hands are 'wrong'?"
Elder Yan's smile faltered slightly, his tone growing colder. "Hand it over, boy. The shard is unstable, and its presence here endangers everyone. I'll ensure it is sealed properly."
Wei Liang's instincts screamed at him to resist. The Lunar-Eye Lens revealed faint cracks in Elder Yan's aura—subtle signs of corruption that mirrored the chaotic energy of the shard.
"No," Wei Liang said firmly. "This shard is going back to the sect. The elders will decide what to do with it."
Elder Yan's eyes narrowed. "Foolish child. You have no idea what you're meddling with."
---
Before anyone could react, Elder Yan raised a hand, and the mist around them surged forward like a living thing. Tendrils of Qi lashed out, striking the ground around Wei Liang and his group.
"Defend yourselves!" Zhang Fei shouted, leaping into action.
Han Xun thrust his spear at one of the mist tendrils, but it passed harmlessly through the vapor. "It's not solid!" he cursed.
Wei Liang activated the Lunar-Eye Lens, the artifact revealing faint glowing patterns within the mist. "The Qi flows—strike where they converge!"
He darted forward, his blade slashing through one of the glowing points. The mist recoiled, dissipating where he struck.
Zhang Fei followed his lead, her daggers flashing as she targeted the weak points revealed by the lens. Han Xun, despite his grumbling, used his spear to strike precise blows, scattering the mist.
Elder Yan's expression darkened. "You're resourceful, I'll give you that. But you can't hope to stand against me."
He raised his hand again, and the ground trembled as a massive spirit beast formed from the mist—a towering figure with glowing red eyes and claws that gleamed like obsidian.
Wei Liang's heart pounded, but he steadied himself. "Together!"
The fight was brutal. The beast's claws raked the air, forcing them to dodge and counterattack in unison. The Lunar-Eye Lens guided Wei Liang's strikes, allowing him to exploit the beast's weak points.
Zhang Fei's daggers found purchase in the beast's joints, while Han Xun's spear drove deep into its chest.
Finally, Wei Liang channeled shadow Qi into his blade and struck a decisive blow at the beast's core. It let out a deafening roar before collapsing into mist.
Elder Yan scowled, his cold composure cracking. "You've delayed the inevitable, but you won't survive much longer."
Before he could attack again, the sound of footsteps approached. Several sect elders, including Elder Cai and Elder Lin, emerged from the mist, their auras blazing with power.
"Elder Yan," Elder Cai growled. "You were exiled for your crimes. Leave now, or we'll finish what was started years ago."
Elder Yan sneered but stepped back. "This isn't over." With that, he disappeared into the mist.
---
Back at the sect, Wei Liang handed the shard over to Elder Lin, who examined it carefully.
"You've done well," she said, her tone unusually warm. "This artifact is dangerous, but bringing it back was the right choice."
Elder Cai nodded. "Elder Yan's appearance confirms our fears. The Jade Veil Sect's remnants are stirring. We'll need to prepare."
Wei Liang felt a weight lift from his shoulders, but he knew this was only the beginning. The shard had revealed more than just its power—it had uncovered secrets about the sect's past and dangers that lay ahead.
As he returned to his quarters that night, the Lunar-Eye Lens pulsed faintly in his satchel. It had been instrumental in their survival, but Wei Liang couldn't shake the feeling that its power—and its cost—were only beginning to unfold.