Chapter 48: Secrets in the Mist

Tang Xiu and his companions reached the edge of the forest as the sun dipped low on the horizon. The sky was painted with streaks of orange and purple, but the calm colors didn't match the tension in the air. Ahead of them was a valley shrouded in thick mist, the kind that seemed unnatural.

"This is the place?" Xu Liang asked, his voice a mixture of curiosity and unease.

Tang Xiu nodded, his sharp eyes fixed on the mist. "The Valley of Mournful Souls. The treasure we're seeking lies at its heart, but it's guarded by the remnants of an old formation. We'll need to be cautious."

Lei Xian shivered, gripping his spear tighter. "Cautious? That mist looks like it wants to eat us alive. Are you sure this is worth it?"

Tang Xiu gave him a faint smile. "If I'm right, the treasure here could speed up my recovery. Unless you're scared, you're free to wait outside."

Lei Xian snorted. "Scared? Me? I just don't want to end up a ghost story."

Without another word, Tang Xiu stepped into the mist. Xu Liang and Lei Xian exchanged a look before following, their weapons at the ready.

The mist was cold and heavy, clinging to their skin and dulling their senses. Visibility was barely a few feet, and the sound of their footsteps seemed unnaturally loud.

Tang Xiu walked with steady confidence, his spiritual sense spread out like a web. He could feel the subtle flow of energy in the mist, the faint pulse of a hidden formation trying to disorient them.

"Stay close," he said. "The mist is laced with illusion energy. If you wander too far, you might not find your way back."

As they moved deeper into the valley, strange whispers began to echo around them. The voices were faint and indistinct, but they carried an eerie, haunting tone.

Xu Liang stiffened. "What's that sound? It's like… people crying."

Tang Xiu didn't stop walking. "It's part of the formation. It's trying to break your focus. Ignore it."

Easier said than done. The whispers grew louder, more persistent, until they seemed to come from every direction. Lei Xian muttered a string of curses under his breath, gripping his spear like a lifeline.

Suddenly, a shadow darted past them, quick and silent. Xu Liang spun around, his bow drawn. "Something's here!"

Tang Xiu stopped, his gaze sharp. "Don't waste your energy. It's just a projection. The real danger hasn't shown itself yet."

Lei Xian groaned. "Real danger? Fantastic. Can't wait to meet it."

After what felt like hours, they reached a clearing in the mist. In the center stood a massive stone pillar, covered in ancient carvings that glowed faintly. At its base was a circular pattern etched into the ground, the formation's core.

Tang Xiu studied the pillar, his expression serious. "This is it. If we destroy the core, the mist will dissipate, and we'll be able to claim the treasure."

Xu Liang frowned. "And what's stopping us from doing that?"

As if in response, the ground trembled. From the shadows of the mist, figures began to emerge—twisted, humanoid shapes made of dark energy. Their eyes burned with red light, and their movements were jerky and unnatural.

"Ah, there's the real danger," Lei Xian said, his voice tight. "I was starting to miss it."

Tang Xiu didn't hesitate. "Xu Liang, keep your arrows ready. Lei Xian, stay close to me. We need to hold them off while I break the formation."

The creatures charged, their shrieks piercing the air. Tang Xiu moved like lightning, his palm strikes precise and devastating. Each blow sent a creature collapsing into a puff of black smoke, but for every one that fell, two more took its place.

Xu Liang's arrows flew with deadly accuracy, each one glowing faintly as it struck its target. Lei Xian fought with brute strength, his spear cutting through the dark figures like a blade through water.

The creatures were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless. For every one they defeated, more emerged from the mist, their crimson eyes glowing with malice.

"How much longer?" Lei Xian shouted, slashing through another shadowy figure. His breathing was ragged, but his spear didn't falter.

Tang Xiu didn't look up. He was crouched by the stone pillar, his hands pressed against the glowing carvings. The ancient runes were complex, and even with his vast knowledge, dismantling the formation wasn't a simple task.

"Almost there," he said calmly, though his eyes betrayed his focus. "This formation has layers of protection. If I rush it, we'll all be trapped here."

Xu Liang loosed another arrow, his brow slick with sweat. "Tell that to these things! They're not slowing down!"

Tang Xiu ignored the complaints, his fingers tracing the intricate symbols. The formation's energy pulsed against his touch, resisting his interference. But Tang Xiu's will was unshakable. He pressed harder, pouring his spiritual energy into the cracks he had identified.

A shrill scream pierced the air as one of the shadow creatures lunged at him. Xu Liang reacted instantly, his arrow piercing its chest mid-air. The creature dissolved into smoke just inches from Tang Xiu.

"You're welcome," Xu Liang muttered, drawing another arrow.

Lei Xian spun his spear in a wide arc, forcing the advancing creatures to retreat momentarily. "Whatever you're doing, boss, hurry up! I'm running out of strength here!"

Tang Xiu smirked faintly, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Hold on just a little longer. The formation's core is crumbling."

The ground trembled again, and the glow of the stone pillar flickered. The creatures screeched in unison, their forms becoming more erratic.

Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed. "Now!" He unleashed a burst of energy, channeling it directly into the heart of the formation. The runes on the pillar flared brightly, then shattered like glass.

The mist began to dissipate, unraveling like threads in the wind. The creatures let out one final, anguished wail before they dissolved into nothingness.

Lei Xian dropped to one knee, using his spear for support. "Finally! I thought we'd be stuck fighting those things forever."

Xu Liang slung his bow over his shoulder, his face pale but relieved. "I don't know what's worse—those monsters or that creepy mist."

Tang Xiu straightened, brushing off his hands. "Both are gone now. Let's focus on the treasure."

As the last of the mist cleared, the valley revealed its hidden secret. At the center of the clearing, where the stone pillar once stood, a small crystal orb hovered above the ground. It pulsed with a soft, golden light, radiating warmth and vitality.

Tang Xiu approached the orb, his gaze intense. "This is it. The Soul Nourishing Pearl."

Lei Xian tilted his head. "Soul Nourishing Pearl? Sounds fancy. What does it do?"

Tang Xiu reached out, the orb glowing brighter as his hand neared. "It's a treasure that can heal damaged souls and strengthen spiritual energy. For someone like me, it's priceless."

Xu Liang whistled low. "No wonder this place was so heavily guarded. Something this powerful would attract a lot of attention."

Tang Xiu nodded, carefully taking the orb into his hands. The moment he touched it, a surge of energy flowed through him, soothing his weary soul. He closed his eyes, feeling the pearl's gentle warmth repairing the cracks in his spirit.

After a moment, he opened his eyes, his expression calm but determined. "We've got what we came for. Let's leave before anyone else shows up."

Lei Xian glanced around nervously. "You think someone's watching us?"

Tang Xiu's lips curled into a faint smile. "This kind of treasure rarely stays hidden for long. If we stay too long, we might find ourselves surrounded by people who want it just as much as we do."

Without another word, they began their trek out of the valley, the tension easing with every step. Though the journey had been dangerous, Tang Xiu's determination had paid off.

As they left the valley, Lei Xian couldn't help but glance at the orb in Tang Xiu's hand. "So, what's next, boss? Back to the city, or are we diving straight into another death trap?"

Tang Xiu chuckled softly. "One step at a time, Lei Xian. First, I need to refine this treasure. After that, the next chapter of our journey begins."

Xu Liang raised an eyebrow. "And by 'next chapter,' you mean more danger and chaos, right?"

Tang Xiu's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Of course. But this time, we'll be stronger."

With the misty valley behind them and the Soul Nourishing Pearl in hand, the trio marched forward, unaware of the new challenges awaiting them just beyond the horizon.