Chapter 8

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Xiang and Wen Shia's Ordeal

Wen Shia took Xiang to a nearby hotel, quickly arranged for a room, and carried her inside. Xiang was burning with fever. Concerned, Wen Shia immediately called for a doctor, who arrived promptly, examined her, and prescribed some medicine before leaving. Wen Shia sat by her bedside, diligently applying a damp cloth to her forehead and giving her the prescribed medicine. Slowly, the fever subsided, but Xiang remained asleep. Exhausted, Wen Shia dozed off in the chair next to her.

Morning arrived with the gentle light of the rising sun. Xiang opened her eyes and found Wen Shia still sitting by her side, asleep. Careful not to wake him, she sat up slowly, her throat dry and parched. Reaching for a glass of water, she drank it quietly. Afterward, she straightened her clothes and decided to take a walk outside.

The cool morning air greeted her as she stepped out. Her mind was restless, filled with fragments of her dream and the events of the previous days. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't make sense of it all. Anxiety began to creep in. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder from behind. Startled, she let out a scream and instinctively reached for her sword, ready to defend herself.

"Xiang, it's me!" Wen Shia's voice cut through her fear. She froze, realizing it was him.

Seeing her shaken, Wen Shia asked gently, "What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?"

Xiang quickly changed the subject, avoiding his question. "What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you that," Wen Shia said. "What are you doing out here in this cold? Your fever has just gone down. If you catch a cold, it could return, and we have a long journey ahead."

Before she could argue, Wen Shia guided her back to the room. He called for the hotel staff and ordered breakfast for the two of them. They ate in silence, the morning sun now fully illuminating the world outside.

After finishing, Wen Shia said, "The weather looks good now. We should head out toward Mount Everest."

Agreeing, they prepared their horses and set off.

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A Mysterious Fog

As they traveled, the clear skies suddenly gave way to a dense fog. Mist engulfed the path ahead, making it impossible to see. In the confusion, they got separated. Wen Shia called out, "Xiang! Where are you?" But there was no response. His voice echoed into the void, and panic set in.

Dismounting his horse, Wen Shia tried to use his magic to dispel the fog. He raised his sword, channeling his energy, but the mist remained stubborn. His strength started to fade, and he wondered, What kind of magic is this? Why isn't my power working?

Meanwhile, Xiang was equally distressed. She tried to shout for help, but no sound came from her throat. It felt as though an invisible hand was choking her. She struggled to make a sound but failed.

Then, a haunting voice echoed through the fog. "Come to me. I can help you. Take my hand, and I will always be with you." The voice was chilling, and darkness surrounded her. Terrified, Xiang began running toward the voice, unsure why.

Suddenly, she screamed. Her voice broke through the oppressive silence, and as if by magic, the fog began to clear. Sunlight pierced through, bathing the surroundings in its golden warmth. Xiang spotted Wen Shia lying unconscious in the distance. Without hesitation, she ran to him.

"Master! Are you okay?" she asked anxiously, kneeling beside him.

Wen Shia opened his eyes slowly, his strength returning with the sunlight. "I'm fine," he reassured her. "But how did the fog disappear so suddenly?"

Xiang hesitated. She didn't want to explain what she had experienced or heard. If I tell him, what will he think of me? she wondered. Instead, she simply said, "I don't know, Master. But we should keep moving."

Wen Shia nodded, and they resumed their journey.

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The Sacred Plant

After traveling a while longer, they reached a valley where the sacred plant they sought grew. Its vibrant green leaves shimmered in the sunlight, and Xiang pointed to it excitedly. "Master, look! The plant! I'll go and pluck it."

Wen Shia immediately stopped her. "No," he said firmly. "Wait here. I'll get it. It could be dangerous."

Before she could protest, Wen Shia dismounted and cautiously approached the plant, his sword in hand.

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