The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, leaving the northern mountains shrouded in darkness. Tang Xiu, Lei Xian, and Xu Liang moved silently through the dense forest, their breaths barely audible over the rustling of leaves. The cool night air carried a faint, metallic scent, making the trio even more alert.
"There's a faint trace of corrupted qi here," Tang Xiu whispered, his sharp senses picking up the lingering energy. "We're close to their base."
Lei Xian gripped the hilt of his blade, his excitement barely contained. "I've been itching for a good fight. Let's storm the place and teach them a lesson."
Xu Liang shot him a glare. "Storming in will get us killed. We need to be smart about this."
Tang Xiu nodded in agreement. "We'll scout the area first. We need to find the weak points in their defenses. Stay low and stay quiet."
The group pressed on, their movements swift and careful. Soon, they spotted faint lights in the distance. Hidden behind a rocky ridge was a sprawling encampment, its perimeter guarded by shadowy figures.
Tang Xiu crouched behind a boulder, signaling for the others to stop. From their vantage point, they could see the Shadow Sect's forces—rows of tents, patrolling guards, and a central altar glowing with an ominous red light.
"That altar," Xu Liang murmured. "It's giving off the same energy as the pendant."
Tang Xiu's expression hardened. "It's a nexus for the corrupted qi. They're using it to channel and amplify the energy from the artifacts they've collected. If we destroy it, we'll disrupt their entire operation."
Lei Xian frowned. "But there are too many of them. We can't just walk in and smash it."
"We won't have to," Tang Xiu said, his mind racing. "We create a diversion, draw their forces away from the altar, and then strike."
Xu Liang nodded. "A solid plan. But what kind of diversion?"
Tang Xiu smirked faintly. "Lei Xian, that's where your love for chaos comes in handy. You'll create a ruckus on the east side of the camp—set fires, knock out guards, anything to draw their attention. Xu Liang and I will sneak in from the west and destroy the altar."
Lei Xian's grin widened. "Now you're speaking my language. Just leave the fun part to me."
Under the cover of darkness, the trio split up. Lei Xian circled around to the east, moving like a predator stalking its prey. As Tang Xiu and Xu Liang waited in the shadows, the first sounds of commotion reached their ears.
A loud crash echoed through the camp, followed by shouts and the clanging of metal. Flames erupted from one of the tents, spreading quickly as Lei Xian wreaked havoc.
"Move," Tang Xiu whispered, and he and Xu Liang slipped through the west side of the camp.
The guards were distracted, rushing toward the chaos Lei Xian had created. Tang Xiu and Xu Liang navigated the maze of tents and supplies, their steps light and purposeful.
When they reached the central altar, Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. Up close, the structure was even more sinister—a crude stone platform etched with glowing runes. On it rested several artifacts, all pulsing with dark energy.
Xu Liang hesitated. "Destroying this won't be easy. The energy protecting it is strong."
Tang Xiu stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "Leave that to me. Just keep watch."
He approached the altar, his hand tightening around the black pendant. The corrupted qi within it responded to his touch, vibrating with a strange intensity.
Tang Xiu focused his will, channeling the energy from the pendant into the altar. The dark energy reacted violently, the runes flaring brighter as the structure began to tremble.
"What are you doing?" a voice roared from behind them.
Tang Xiu spun around to see the masked man from the warehouse, flanked by several Shadow Sect members. His eyes burned with fury as he pointed at Tang Xiu.
"Stop him!"
Xu Liang moved to intercept the attackers, his blade flashing in the dim light. "Tang Xiu, finish it!"
The masked man lunged forward, his palm glowing with dark energy as he aimed a strike at Tang Xiu. But Tang Xiu was ready. He sidestepped the attack with ease, countering with a swift strike to the man's chest.
"You're too late," Tang Xiu said coldly. "This altar is finished."
With one final surge of energy, Tang Xiu shattered the runes on the altar. The structure collapsed in on itself, releasing a wave of corrupted qi that sent everyone staggering.
The masked man screamed in rage, retreating as the camp descended into chaos. Without the altar's stabilizing presence, the corrupted qi began to spiral out of control, engulfing the area in a dark storm.
Tang Xiu grabbed Xu Liang's arm. "We need to leave. Now!"
The two fled the camp, dodging debris and panicked Shadow Sect members. As they reached the forest, they found Lei Xian waiting for them, grinning despite the smoke and ash clinging to his clothes.
"Looks like you had fun too," he said.
Tang Xiu didn't respond, his eyes fixed on the distant camp. The Shadow Sect's forces were in disarray, but he knew this was only a temporary victory.
"This isn't over," Tang Xiu said, his voice firm. "We've disrupted their plans, but they'll regroup. We need to stay ahead of them."
Lei Xian clapped him on the shoulder. "Then let's keep going, Boss.