Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World

Yuxin tilted her head, watching him from behind the veil. "Still as blunt as ever."

Tian Lei didn't answer. His eyes narrowed as he felt the qi currents ahead grow colder and heavier. The Hollow Mist Valley was close.

The cloud crane gave a low cry as it began to descend. The air here was damp, heavy, and full of mist that seemed to press against them.

Below, the valley stretched out like a wide gorge, thick with rolling fog. The entrance looked dark and unwelcoming, mist spilling out like smoke.

The crane landed on a stone ledge outside the valley. It let out another sharp cry, almost as if it was warning them not to go further.

Tian Lei jumped down first, his hand resting on the sword at his waist. He decided not to draw the bow here—it wasn't the right place.

Yuxin landed lightly behind him, her robes settling as she looked into the fog. "This mist… it blocks spiritual sense. No wonder so many disciples fail."

Tian Lei tested it himself, sending out a small thread of Soul Sense. It was swallowed almost instantly, vanishing after only a short distance. His expression tightened. "We'll need to rely on sight. Stay close."

Yuxin placed a hand on her sword hilt and nodded. "Don't worry. I won't slow you down."

Together, they stepped into the Hollow Mist Valley.

The fog wrapped around them as soon as they entered. It was cold, damp, and so thick it muted every sound. The sunlight above disappeared, replaced by a dull gray glow.

A low growl echoed from somewhere deeper inside.

Yuxin glanced at him, her tone steady. "Looks like something's waiting for us."

Tian Lei drew his sword, his gaze fixed on the mist ahead. "Good. Saves us the time of searching."

They had only walked a short distance into the valley when the fog in front of them began to move strangely. It thickened and pulled together, forming the shape of a wolf made from mist. Its pale eyes glowed faintly as it growled.

Yuxin tightened her grip on her sword. "Mist beast."

Tian Lei lifted his blade. "Of course."

The beast rushed at him. Its long claws stretched unnaturally, aiming for his chest. Tian Lei swung his sword, cutting the claw apart. The mist scattered but came back together at once.

Yuxin moved in quickly, her sword shining faint silver as she cut through the beast's body. Half of it broke apart, but the fog pulled back into shape again.

"It won't stay down from normal attacks," Yuxin said.

Tian Lei lowered his stance. "Then we strike together."

The wolf lunged again. Tian Lei blocked its claw with his blade, forcing it back. Yuxin stabbed at its core, making its eyes flicker.

"Now!" she called.

Tian Lei thrust his sword into the same spot. Their combined strike pierced through the glowing core. The beast shuddered and broke apart, the mist scattering back into the valley air.

The fog went quiet again.

Yuxin lowered her sword. "It looks like we have to destroy the core together. If we fought alone, it would have taken much longer."

Tian Lei wiped his blade. "Then we keep moving."

They walked deeper into the valley. The fog grew thicker, wrapping close around them. Sometimes, a single mist beast appeared, and they cut it down the same way. Other times, two came at once, forcing them to move carefully and fight back to back. Only once did three appear together, and it took both of them fighting with full focus to break through.

But step by step, they pressed on, cutting a path through the Hollow Mist Valley as they searched for the spirit herb.

After fighting their way through the valley for more than an hour, the fog finally thinned slightly. The air grew colder, and faint green light shone through the mist ahead.

Yuxin stopped, pointing forward. "There. The spirit herb."

At the base of a stone ridge, glowing faintly through the mist, a stalk of grass grew from a crack in the rock. Its leaves shimmered with soft light, like jade lit from within. The air around it carried a faint medicinal fragrance.

But before they could step closer, the fog ahead churned violently. Mist poured together, thicker and denser than before. From it formed a beast twice the size of the wolves they had fought earlier. Its body was solid enough to cast a shadow, and its eyes glowed bright white.

"A guardian," Tian Lei said quietly.

Yuxin drew her sword. "This one is stronger."

The beast let out a deep growl, then charged. The ground shook with its steps as its claw swiped toward them. Tian Lei blocked with his sword, but the force behind it pushed him back several steps.

Yuxin moved in from the side, her blade cutting across its flank. This time, instead of quickly reforming, the mist beast's body held together. Its claw turned, striking back toward her. She parried, sparks flying as the clash rang out.

"It's more solid than the others!" Yuxin called.

Tian Lei steadied himself, breathing slowly. "Then we break its core in one strike. I'll hold it—wait for the opening."

He rushed forward, sword flashing as he blocked and parried the beast's heavy strikes. Every blow rattled his arm, but he forced the monster's attention onto himself.

The white glow in its chest pulsed faintly—its core.

Yuxin's eyes locked onto it. She gathered her qi, her sword glowing bright silver. Then, just as the beast raised its claws high to smash down at Tian Lei, she dashed in.

"Now!"

Tian Lei twisted, forcing the beast's chest open. Yuxin's blade shot forward like lightning, stabbing deep into the glowing core. The beast roared, its body shaking violently.

Tian Lei didn't hesitate. He thrust his sword into the same point, both their weapons piercing the core together.

The glow shattered with a sharp crack. The beast froze, then burst apart into rolling fog that quickly faded into the valley air.

The ground stilled. Only the faint green light of the spirit herb remained, shining calmly from the crack in the stone.

Both of them lowered their swords, breathing heavily.

Yuxin wiped her blade clean. "That one… was close."

Tian Lei sheathed his sword. "Not close enough to stop us."

They walked up to the ridge. The spirit herb's glow shimmered faintly, its leaves giving off a gentle warmth. Yuxin knelt down, carefully cutting the stalk at its root without damaging it. She placed it into a jade box, sealing the light.

The mission was complete.

After sealing the spirit herb, Tian Lei turned toward the valley's edge. "We should return to the sect immediately. The sooner we deliver this, the better."

But Yuxin shook her head, sheathing her sword with a smile that had just a hint of mischief. "No. First, we eat."

Tian Lei frowned. "Eat? We still have half a day's travel to the sect. Why waste time?"

"Because," she replied calmly, already walking ahead, "you fight like a stubborn ox and haven't had a proper meal in days. And I don't feel like chewing dried rations while the scent of roasted meat drifts from a city nearby."

He blinked. "…There's a city nearby?"

"Of course." Yuxin tilted her head toward the north. "Cloudveil City. It's not far from this valley. If you're so worried, we'll just stay long enough for a meal."

Before Tian Lei could argue again, she had already grabbed his sleeve and tugged him forward. He sighed, letting her lead.

Cloudveil City was small compared to the great sect capitals, but lively. Streets buzzed with merchants, spirit cultivators, and the aroma of sizzling food from roadside stalls. Lanterns swayed gently overhead, their light scattering across the stone roads.

Yuxin's eyes lit up as soon as they passed the first food street. "See? Doesn't this smell better than cold bread?"

She dragged Tian Lei straight to a stall where skewers of meat were being grilled over open flame. The vendor sprinkled spirit herbs onto the meat, releasing a rich, spicy aroma that made even Tian Lei pause.

Yuxin didn't hesitate. "Ten skewers," she ordered, tossing a few silver coins onto the counter.

Tian Lei gave her a look. "You didn't even ask if I wanted any."

"You'll eat," she said matter-of-factly, handing him two skewers as soon as they were ready.

Against his better judgment, Tian Lei took a bite. The flavor burst across his tongue—smoky, tender, with a faint medicinal heat from the herbs. His brows relaxed despite himself. "…Not bad."

Yuxin smirked. "Told you."

They sat by the edge of the street, eating as the city life moved around them. For a moment, the tension of the mist valley and their sect's endless duties faded.

"Sometimes," Yuxin said softly between bites, "you have to live a little, Tian Lei. Missions and cultivation aren't everything."

He glanced at her, then back at the busy street. After a pause, he muttered, "Maybe."

But when the vendor brought out another round of skewers and Yuxin handed him three more, he didn't refuse.