NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: MARCH INTO THE SHADOWS
Chapter 41: March Into the Shadows
The sun had barely risen when the Azure Sky Sect's forces began their march. Disciples clad in azure robes moved in disciplined formations, their expressions reflecting a mix of determination and trepidation. Beside them marched warriors from the Crimson Blade Sect, their crimson armor gleaming in the morning light, and disciples from the Jade River Sect, their flowing blue garments a stark contrast to the rugged terrain.
Zhang Wei walked at the head of the column, his spear strapped to his back and his senses sharp. Lin Xiyu and Liang Feng flanked him, their presence a source of steadying calm amidst the rising tension.
"This is the largest force the sect has mobilized in decades," Lin Xiyu said, her tone uncharacteristically serious.
"It has to be," Zhang Wei replied. "The Veil of Oblivion isn't like any enemy we've faced before. If we falter, they'll use it to unravel everything we've built."
Liang Feng nodded. "And that's why we won't fail. The unity of these sects is our greatest strength."
The system chimed: Morale levels stabilized. Host must ensure unity remains strong during the march.
Zhang Wei took a moment to address the assembled forces, his voice carrying over the sound of their steps.
"Remember why we're here," he said. "The Veil of Oblivion seeks to destroy everything we hold dear. They think they can divide us, weaken us. But they underestimate our strength. Together, we are unbreakable."
A cheer rose from the crowd, their spirits bolstered by his words.
---
The march took them through rugged terrain, dense forests, and steep cliffs. Along the way, scouts reported signs of Veil activity—abandoned campsites, broken trails, and faint traces of dark Qi lingering in the air.
Zhang Wei stopped at a narrow mountain pass, where the scouts had discovered fresh footprints. He crouched to examine the ground, his enhanced perception picking up faint energy signatures.
"They've been watching us," he said, his tone grim.
Liang Feng frowned. "How close are they?"
"Close enough to know we're coming," Zhang Wei replied. "But not close enough to stop us—not yet."
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The system chimed: Host must prepare for potential ambush. Suggested action: Secure high ground and reinforce defensive positions.
Zhang Wei ordered the forces to set up camp at the base of a ridge, positioning archers and scouts along the higher ground. As night fell, the sects prepared for the possibility of an attack, their weapons at the ready.
Lin Xiyu joined Zhang Wei near the edge of the camp, her eyes scanning the dark forest below. "Do you think they'll come tonight?"
"Possibly," Zhang Wei said. "But if they do, we'll be ready."
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The attack came just before dawn. Shadows moved through the trees, and the first wave of Veil operatives struck with a coordinated ferocity. Arrows tipped with dark Qi rained down on the camp, while enemy cultivators surged forward with deadly precision.
Zhang Wei was already in motion. Activating his Shadow Step Technique, he intercepted the vanguard with a flurry of precise strikes, his spear cutting through their ranks like lightning.
"Form up!" he shouted, his voice ringing over the chaos. "Defend the perimeter!"
The combined forces of the Azure Sky Sect, Crimson Blade Sect, and Jade River Sect responded with practiced discipline. Archers unleashed a volley of arrows, forcing the enemy back, while the frontline held firm against the onslaught.
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The system chimed: Host must eliminate enemy commanders to destabilize their assault.
Zhang Wei spotted a group of Veil operatives coordinating the attack from the treeline. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, his spear glowing faintly as he struck. The commanders fell one by one, their formations crumbling in the absence of leadership.
Lin Xiyu fought beside him, her blade a blur as she dispatched enemies with ruthless efficiency. "They weren't expecting this level of resistance," she said, her tone sharp.
"They underestimated us," Zhang Wei replied. "And that's their mistake."
---
By sunrise, the enemy forces were in full retreat, their dark Qi dissipating into the air as they fled. Zhang Wei stood at the center of the battlefield, his spear stained with the remnants of the fight. Around him, the allied forces regrouped, their expressions a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.
Liang Feng approached, his armor dented but his demeanor steady. "We held them off," he said. "But this was just a skirmish. The main force is still ahead."
Zhang Wei nodded. "Then we keep moving. This was a message—they know we're coming, and they're afraid. We have to press the advantage."
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The system chimed: Quest progress: Successful defense. Morale and readiness increased.
As the forces resumed their march, Zhang Wei couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come. The Veil of Oblivion's retreat wasn't a sign of weakness—it was a calculated move, a preparation for the battle to come.
"They're waiting for us," Zhang Wei thought, his grip tightening on his spear. "But we'll be ready."
The mountains ahead loomed like silent sentinels, their jagged peaks shrouded in mist. Somewhere beyond them lay the heart of the Veil's operations—and the final confrontation that would decide the fate of the cultivation world.