Chapter 12: Into the Depths of Starfall Valley
The journey toward Starfall Valley was anything but peaceful.
Feng Rui and Lan Ruo moved swiftly through the dense forests, their steps light yet purposeful. The golden rays of dawn filtered through the towering trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor. Behind them, the faint rustling of leaves and distant growls of spirit beasts reminded them that they weren't alone.
Feng Rui could feel it—the Bai Clan's hounds were on their trail.
"They're following us," Lan Ruo muttered, her sharp ears twitching. "Three, maybe four people. They're keeping their distance, waiting for an opportunity."
Feng Rui's golden eyes gleamed. "They won't attack until they're sure they can win."
Lan Ruo smirked, flexing her claws. "Cowards."
Feng Rui didn't disagree. The Bai Clan might be furious, but they weren't stupid. They had already suffered embarrassment at the auction house; they wouldn't rush in recklessly. They would wait for reinforcements, for a moment of weakness.
Too bad for them—he had no intention of giving them one.
He shifted Xiao Jin on his shoulder, the small divine beast's golden fur shimmering under the morning light. The cub had grown stronger overnight, its spirit energy stabilizing. Though still young, its presence alone was enough to intimidate weaker spirit beasts.
Feng Rui glanced at Lan Ruo. "We can't waste time dealing with them. We go straight into Starfall Valley."
Lan Ruo frowned. "You do realize that going in blindly could get us killed, right?"
Feng Rui's smirk didn't fade. "Then we just have to make sure we don't die."
Lan Ruo sighed. "You're insane."
And yet, she followed.
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The Entrance to Starfall Valley
By the time they reached the valley's edge, the sun had risen high, casting a harsh glare over the jagged cliffs and dense fog that blanketed the entrance.
Starfall Valley was a place of mystery and death. Legends spoke of ancient beasts that slumbered within its depths, of forgotten ruins that hid unimaginable treasures—and even greater dangers.
But for Feng Rui, it was an opportunity.
"If we disappear into the valley, tracking us will become nearly impossible," he said, scanning the terrain. "Not even Spirit Saints dare to venture too deep."
Lan Ruo nodded, her expression serious. "That also means we have no backup. If we get into trouble, we're on our own."
Feng Rui's smirk widened. "Good. Then we can finally train without holding back."
Lan Ruo blinked before chuckling. "You really are insane."
Without hesitation, they stepped into the mist.
And the hunt began.
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The Valley's First Trial
The moment they entered, the temperature dropped sharply. The thick fog wrapped around them like a living entity, distorting their vision. The scent of damp earth mixed with something… metallic.
Lan Ruo tensed. "Blood."
Feng Rui nodded. "We're not alone."
A low growl rumbled through the mist. Then another. And another.
Glowing red eyes flickered in the darkness as shadows moved swiftly through the fog.
Feng Rui's eyes narrowed. Spirit beasts.
Then, the first attacked.
A massive wolf-like creature lunged from the mist, its fangs glinting with deadly intent. Its fur was dark as the abyss, and its eyes burned with a hunger that spoke of countless kills.
Feng Rui moved.
His Lightning Step activated, his body flickering out of the beast's path in an instant. The wolf snapped at empty air, growling in frustration.
Lan Ruo was already in motion. She met the beast head-on, her spirit energy surging as she slashed at its throat. Blood sprayed, and the creature let out a pained yelp before collapsing.
But there were more.
Four. Five. Six.
The mist swirled as an entire pack of shadow wolves emerged, their eyes locked onto the two intruders.
Feng Rui exhaled. "Looks like we're the main course."
Lan Ruo licked the blood off her claws. "Too bad for them."
The battle erupted.
Feng Rui vanished into the mist, his speed making him a blur as he weaved through the pack. His golden dagger flashed, cutting through tendons and throats with precise, calculated strikes.
Lan Ruo was a storm of claws and fangs, her movements elegant yet savage. Every strike was lethal, every motion honed from years of survival.
But the wolves weren't weak.
The alpha emerged—a beast nearly twice the size of the others, its fur streaked with silver. It let out a thunderous howl, and the mist responded.
Feng Rui's instincts flared. It's not an ordinary beast.
The alpha lunged, its claws glowing with eerie energy as it aimed straight for Feng Rui's heart.
For a brief moment, time slowed.
Feng Rui's golden eyes locked onto the alpha.
He activated his third spirit ability—Phantom Mirage Overdrive.
Three copies of himself appeared, moving in perfect sync. The alpha hesitated, unsure which was real.
That hesitation was its downfall.
Feng Rui struck.
His dagger sank into the alpha's chest just as Lan Ruo landed a devastating kick to its skull.
The beast let out a final, agonized snarl before collapsing, its body twitching before going still.
Silence fell over the valley.
The surviving wolves, seeing their leader slain, fled into the mist.
Feng Rui exhaled, wiping blood from his blade. "Not bad for our first fight."
Lan Ruo stretched. "If this is just the beginning, we're in for a hell of a time."
Feng Rui grinned. "Good."
Because this was only the start.
And in the depths of Starfall Valley, greater dangers awaited.
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End of Chapter 12