NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Journey to the shrine
The forest was quiet, besides the sound of leaves crunching beneath Zhao Wei's feet as he stepped onto them.Zhao Wei adjusted his mask and glanced at Xue Yan, who was walking a few steps ahead. Her white robe seemed to glow a little with the help of the dim light filtering through the leaves.
"You know," Zhao Wei began, his tone carrying a hint of a smile,
"this whole 'mystic realm' thing would be pretty fancy, If you weren't constantly being chased. You might actually be enjoying the scenery, Don't you think?"Zhao Wei asked.
Xue Yan didn't respond immediately, her gaze fixed on the winding path ahead. "You shouldn't take this place lightly," she said after a moment. "The Emerald Sky Sect isn't the only danger here. There are spiritual beasts far stronger than what we've encountered so far."
Zhao Wei smirked under his mask. "Good to know you're thinking about my safety, Miss Xue Yan. I feel so cared for."
She shot him a glare over her shoulder but said nothing.
The two continued their journey in silence for a while, the tension between them palpable. Zhao Wei had grown used to Xue Yan's cold demeanor, but he couldn't help noticing how her hand occasionally brushed the hilt of her sword, as if ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
Ahead of them, the dense forest began to grew thinner, revealing a wider path that led toward a distant mountain range. The shrine lay somewhere beyond those peaks.
But Zhao Wei knew the journey isn't going to be easy as right now going forward.
"We're getting closer," Xue Yan said, breaking the silence.
"How can you tell?" Zhao Wei asked.
She gestured toward the faint remnants of a path beneath their feet. "This trail was likely made by cultivators heading to the shrine. It's faint, but the energy lingering here is unmistakable."
Zhao Wei raised an eyebrow. "Lingering energy? You mean the kind of thing you can sense with enough cultivation experience?"
Xue Yan gave him a flat look. "Yes. Don't tell me you can't sense it."
"Let's just say my talents lie elsewhere," Zhao Wei replied, his tone light.
They continued walking, but Zhao Wei's mind was far from idle. He was constantly thinking about the different possibilities that could unfold, preparing for the worst. Just as his thoughts grew grim, a rustling sound to their left made him pause. He placed a hand on Xue Yan's shoulder, stopping her mid-step.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice low.
"Something's watching us," Zhao Wei said, his eyes scanning the dense foliage.
The rustling grew louder, and a moment later, a spiritual beast emerged from a branch of a tree. It was a serpent, its scales shimmering with a metallic glow. Its eyes glowed a faint green, and its tongue flicked out as it regarded the pair.
"Metallic Serpent," Xue Yan whispered, her grip tightening on her sword. "Its venom can melt through steel. Be careful."
Zhao Wei sighed. "Why is it always venomous creatures? Can't we ever run into something harmless, like a chicken or like that one boar."
Xue Yan spared him an angry glance. They were in a dangerous situation, and this guy was making jokes?
The serpent hissed, coiling its body as it prepared to strike. Xue Yan moved first, her sword flashing as she slashed at the creature. The serpent dodged to the side, making her blade hit the end part of its tail instead. The blade struck the serpent's body with a clang, leaving deep cuts along its tail.
"I can't beat it alone—help me out," Xue Yan said, holding her sword in a guarded position.
"Keep it busy for a second," Zhao Wei called out.His expression turning serious finally.
"Easier said than done," she snapped, dodging another strike from the serpent.
Zhao Wei stepped back, his mind racing. He didn't want to waste too much energy on this fight—Not with the shrine so close,But he had no choice Xue Yan can't beat it alone. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a talisman inscribed with a detonation symbol.
Focusing his qi into the talisman, the symbol began to glow faintly. Zhao Wei tossed it toward the serpent and shouted, "Duck!"
Xue Yan dropped to the ground just as the talisman exploded in a burst of light and sound. The serpent let out a pained hiss, its body flailing as the blast tore through its scales.
Ding! Host has killed a 3rd level spiritual beast.You have obtained 30 fate points.
Zhao Wei glanced over to the notification,
[That low? the 2nd level spiritual beast gave me the same amount]
[Ding! It is because host's realm has advanced, the fate point is decided according to the realm dispersion]
When the smoke cleared, the serpent lay still, its metallic sheen dulled.
"Not bad," Xue Yan admitted, rising to her feet and sheathing her sword.
"I aim to please," Zhao Wei said with a grin.
They continued on their way, encountering a few more minor obstacles—mostly smaller spiritual beasts that Xue Yan dispatched with ease. Zhao Wei used the opportunity to conserve his energy, though he made a point of collecting any valuable materials from the defeated beasts.
By the time they reached the base of the mountain range, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the landscape.
"There it is," Xue Yan said, pointing to a faint outline in the distance. The shrine's entrance was carved into the mountainside, flanked by two towering statues of robed figures. Near the entrance, two disciples lay sprawled on the ground, their bodies covered in bruises, their expressions grave.
Zhao Wei let out a low whistle. "Imposing. How much do you think the Emerald Sky Sect has looted from this place already?" His tone was filled with sarcasm.
Judging by the disciples' condition, their situation wasn't looking good. Zhao Wei glanced at Xue Yan, trying to gauge her reaction.
"We'll see soon enough," Xue Yan said in a serious tone, though she couldn't hide the grin spreading across her face.
Zhao Wei laughed inwardly. This girl might be crazier than me.
Still, he whispered, "Act natural."
She nodded in reply.
As they approached the shrine, the two disciples noticed them and scrambled to their feet. "Which sect are you from, and state your purpose!" one barked, trying to sound intimidating.
Under their masks, Zhao Wei and Xue Yan shared a sly smile.
"We're from the Yin-Yang Palace," Zhao Wei said smoothly.
Xue Yan stifled a laugh, her shoulders shaking slightly.
The disciples paused, confusion flashing across their faces. Yin-Yang Palace? They had never heard of it. Of course, they hadn't—Zhao Wei had just made it up. But the air of confidence Zhao Wei and Xue Yan exuded gave the disciples pause.
"Why are the two seniors here?" one disciple asked, his tone suddenly respectful.
"Just here to check out the shrine," Zhao Wei replied casually. "Admiring the architecture."
The disciples exchanged glances, then reluctantly stepped aside.
For a moment, it seemed they might make it through unchallenged.The two smiled.
[It seems like getting this treasure will be easier than i thought hahaha]
As if the heaven has heard his arrogant remarks an old voice from behind cut through the air.
"You two. Stop."