Chapter 13: Into the Forbidden Mountains

Chapter 13: Into the Forbidden Mountains

The Forbidden Mountains were shrouded in mist, their jagged peaks piercing the sky like the spines of a forgotten beast. Legends surrounding the mountains were as old as the sect itself. Ancient cultivators had vanished within them, their fates sealed by the dangers that lurked within the dense forest and treacherous cliffs. Mei Lan stood at the base of the range, her heart pounding as she gazed upward. Elder Yun's orders had been clear: retrieve the relic hidden deep within the mountains, at all costs.

She had gathered a small group of disciples to accompany her on the mission. Li Wei, though reluctant, had insisted on joining her, his quiet presence a constant reminder that he knew far more than he let on. The other two disciples were skilled, but Mei Lan knew that their true strength would be tested in ways they could not anticipate.

"Stay close," Mei Lan warned as she led the group into the shadowed forest. The trees were dense, their gnarled roots twisting through the ground like serpents. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay, a sharp contrast to the fresh, crisp air of the sect. She had entered the Forbidden Mountains only once before, but that was long ago, and the memory had been enough to keep her from returning.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Mei Lan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Her cultivation space, usually a source of comfort, seemed distant, as if the very land itself was resisting her presence. The relic she carried—a small jade talisman—vibrated faintly, its energy fluctuating like the pulse of an ancient heartbeat. Mei Lan knew that it was the key to unlocking the power that Elder Yun sought, but she could feel that it was far more than just a simple artifact. There was a force, hidden and ancient, tied to it. A force that could not be controlled by ordinary cultivators.

"Why did Elder Yun send us here?" Li Wei asked, his voice low as he walked beside her. "This place is cursed. It's said that no one who enters returns unchanged."

Mei Lan glanced at him, sensing the unease in his words. He was right. The Forbidden Mountains had a reputation for turning even the most powerful cultivators mad. But Mei Lan had no choice. Elder Yun's influence stretched far and wide, and defying him was not an option—at least, not yet.

"I don't know," Mei Lan replied softly. "But I'm starting to wonder if I even know what I'm looking for."

The group pressed on, following a narrow path that wound between massive trees and over rocky terrain. The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became. Even the birds seemed to have abandoned the area, and the only sounds that filled the air were the occasional rustle of leaves and the faint sound of water trickling somewhere in the distance.

Hours passed, and Mei Lan's group came to a large clearing. In the center of the clearing was a stone altar, worn by centuries of neglect. The altar was surrounded by overgrown vines, but what caught Mei Lan's attention was the faint glow emanating from within the stone structure. The relic she carried pulsed in her palm, its energy resonating with the altar in a way that sent a chill down her spine.

"This is it," Mei Lan murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Li Wei stepped forward, his expression grave. "The relic is tied to this altar. But it feels wrong. The energy here... it's unstable."

Mei Lan nodded, her instincts warning her to be cautious. The altar wasn't just a resting place for the relic—it was a seal, and breaking it would likely unleash something far more dangerous than they were prepared for.

Before she could say anything more, a low rumble echoed through the clearing. The ground beneath their feet began to tremble, and the vines surrounding the altar began to writhe as if alive. Mei Lan's heart skipped a beat as a dark energy began to gather around the stone structure. The relic in her hand pulsed violently, as if reacting to the growing power.

"Get back!" Mei Lan shouted.

But it was too late. The altar exploded with a violent surge of energy, sending Mei Lan and the others flying backward. The explosion of power was blinding, and for a moment, the world around Mei Lan seemed to collapse into darkness.

When the light faded and Mei Lan regained her senses, she found herself lying on the ground, bruised but alive. The others were scattered around her, some unconscious, others struggling to regain their footing.

"What was that?" one of the disciples gasped, his voice filled with panic.

Mei Lan struggled to her feet, her gaze locked on the altar. It was no longer intact. In its place was a swirling vortex of dark energy, its center a yawning abyss that seemed to draw everything toward it. The relic in her hand was now completely dark, its glow extinguished. But it was not the relic that had caught Mei Lan's attention—it was what lay within the vortex.

A pair of glowing red eyes stared back at her from the swirling darkness, and Mei Lan felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

"Run!" Li Wei shouted.

But before they could move, the vortex pulsed with a surge of power, and from it emerged a figure. Tall, cloaked in shadow, the figure seemed to materialize out of thin air, its presence a suffocating weight on the atmosphere. Mei Lan's heart raced as she recognized the figure—not just a creature of darkness, but a cultivator, one who had long since abandoned humanity for the pursuit of forbidden powers.

It was a being of the ancient sect, one of the long-forgotten masters who had once ruled these mountains. And now, it was free.

The figure stepped forward, its eyes fixed on Mei Lan. "So, you are the one who has disturbed my slumber," the voice was deep and resonant, sending ripples through the air. "You dare to seek the relic, but you do not understand its true power. You have awoken me, and now you will pay the price."

Mei Lan felt a surge of dread, but also a flicker of determination. This was no ordinary cultivator—it was an ancient being with powers that transcended anything she had ever encountered. But she could not let fear control her. The relic was her responsibility, and if she had to fight to protect it, then she would.

"Prepare yourself," Mei Lan said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "I will not let you destroy everything I've worked for."