A Rescue at the Cliff’s Edge

After a perilous escape, Wu Xing and Wan Lingyue finally found a brief moment of reprieve inside a mountain cave. Wu Xing sat cross-legged on the ground, closing his eyes as he worked to regulate the disrupted flow of his spiritual energy. He could feel it circulating gently within, gradually restoring some of his physical strength. Immersed in his meditation, he fought to subdue the fear that lingered in his heart, guiding his energy to his dantian in an attempt to calm his mind. After a few moments, a hint of vitality returned to his face. He slowly opened his eyes, revealing a newfound determination.

"We need to find a way out as soon as possible," he said quietly.

Wan Lingyue nodded silently beside him, a trace of admiration in her eyes. The endless crises along the way had made her fearful, but Wu Xing's calmness and resilience offered her a sense of security. Supporting each other, the two of them moved toward the cave entrance. Inside, the cave was deathly quiet, with only the faint sounds of their footsteps and shallow breathing breaking the silence. Yet within this quiet, an unsettling presence seemed to lurk, a barely perceptible sense of danger hiding in the shadows.

Upon exiting, they found themselves on a narrow trail leading deeper into the forested mountains. The night outside was deep and shadowed, the trees casting shifting patterns in the dim moonlight. Shadows loomed like predators waiting to pounce at any moment. They proceeded with utmost caution, holding their breath, their steps light and soundless, as if any noise might awaken something ominous.

Suddenly, a malevolent aura emerged in the darkness, stealthily flowing around them like an undercurrent. Wu Xing frowned, instantly sensing an icy tinge in the air around him. Without hesitation, he stepped in front of Wan Lingyue and spoke in a low voice, "Something's approaching."

Wan Lingyue, equally aware of the change, had just begun to respond when a thick black mist started to seep out from deep within the cave walls. This eerie mist, curling and coiling like a venomous snake, moved closer, exuding a bone-chilling cold. It seemed to have a consciousness of its own, honing in directly on Wan Lingyue's presence. Wu Xing's eyes narrowed, and he immediately reached out, summoning the spiritual energy within himself to try and shield them from the dark mist. Yet, to his shock, his energy was swallowed by the mist, dissipating into nothingness without a trace.

Seeing the mist creep even closer, Wu Xing grew increasingly anxious. He reached out to grab Wan Lingyue's wrist, pulling her to his side and turning to shield her from the dark energy. The mist struck him in the back, an icy sting penetrating straight to his bones, nearly making him collapse. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep channeling energy in a desperate attempt to resist the mist's insidious grip. However, the coldness spread rapidly, tearing at his willpower.

"Wu Xing!" Wan Lingyue's face was filled with worry as she tried to pull him back, but the dark mist only seemed to intensify its assault. The mist suddenly gathered, preparing for an even fiercer strike aimed directly at Wan Lingyue. Seeing this, Wu Xing acted without hesitation, throwing himself in front of her. In the sudden movement, he lost his balance and slipped backward, only to find himself standing on the very edge of a cliff, the abyss behind him.

"Wu Xing!" Wan Lingyue cried out in alarm, reaching out in a desperate attempt to grab him. But all she could do was watch as he fell into the darkness below. Her face turned pale as she called after him, her voice echoing through the valley, "Wu Xing! Please, don't let anything happen to you!"

Wu Xing's body plummeted rapidly, the wind roaring in his ears as the cold pressed in from all directions. He struggled to regain his balance, but he only fell faster, surrounded by a dark void that seemed intent on consuming him.

Just as he was on the verge of losing consciousness, a warm sensation suddenly emerged within him, radiating from his chest in a soft glow. This warmth flowed through him like a gentle current, gradually enveloping his entire body. His senses slowly returned, and the darkness around him seemed to recede. He felt as though invisible hands were holding him, gently lowering him onto a soft surface.

He opened his eyes slowly. The area around him was still dim, but a faint, peculiar light shone nearby. He found himself lying in a secluded valley, where a light mist hovered and a peaceful aura filled the air. This tranquility soothed his injuries, and it felt as though a mysterious force was gradually healing his pain.

With some effort, Wu Xing sat up and looked around, noticing a large stone beside him that emitted a gentle, soft glow. The light was warm and calm, resonating with the warmth he had felt from his spirit jade. He reached down to touch his chest, feeling the fading heat of the jade, though a lingering energy still circulated within him, helping to restore his strength.

"What... is this?" he murmured to himself, gazing at the glowing stone with a sense of awe and gratitude. Thinking back on the life-or-death moment he had just experienced, he couldn't help but feel a swirl of complex emotions. "Could it be that some unseen power truly protects me?"

Leaning against the stone, he closed his eyes to meditate, focusing on his spiritual energy. As he slipped deeper into meditation, he felt a level of tranquility he had never experienced before, as if he were embraced by nature itself. He could sense each strand of energy flowing through him with ease, stronger and more abundant than ever. He realized that this valley held a rich concentration of spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for cultivation.

Suddenly, he heard faint footsteps approaching. Startled, he opened his eyes and saw a faint figure emerging from the mist. As the person drew closer, the light revealed an elderly man with a kind face, leaning on a staff. The old man approached Wu Xing with a gentle smile and said, "Young man, you are a person of destiny."

Wu Xing was momentarily taken aback, feeling an instinctive respect for the old man. He rose quickly, bowing slightly, and greeted him with reverence, "Elder, may I ask who you are?"

The elder smiled calmly, his gaze warm and perceptive, as though he could see straight into Wu Xing's heart. Pointing at Wu Xing's chest, he said, "That's your spirit jade, isn't it? It seems its power has already awakened."

Wu Xing's heart trembled slightly as he looked down at the jade. That ordinary-looking piece of jade evidently held profound mysteries. And this elder seemed to know all about its secrets. Sensing his unspoken questions, the elder continued with a knowing smile, "The spirit jade has its own mission. It protects you, aiding in your awakening. But remember, the true power lies within yourself. Cultivation does not depend solely on external objects—strength of mind is equally important."

Wu Xing listened intently, his mind gradually calming as he absorbed the deeper meaning in the elder's words. With respect shining in his eyes, he replied sincerely, "Thank you for your guidance, elder."

The elder nodded approvingly, his voice gentle. "Though your wounds are healing, if you wish to leave this valley safely, you will still need to rely on your own strength."