Chapter 57: The Enemy’s True Intentions

The dark mist lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. Villagers coughed and stumbled, their panic rising as the beasts roared louder. Tang Xiu's gaze swept across the battlefield, analyzing every movement.

"This mist is meant to break us," Tang Xiu said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Stay calm! Don't let it control your minds."

Lei Xian wiped blood from his lip, his sword trembling slightly in his grip. "Easier said than done! These things are like demons now."

The beasts were relentless, their claws tearing through anything in their path. The talismans flickered weakly, barely holding the barrier in place. Tang Xiu knew it wouldn't last much longer.

He turned to Yan Rou, who was trying to keep the villagers together. "Get everyone to safety! Take them to the old temple on the hill—it's outside the mist's reach."

"But what about you?" Yan Rou asked, her voice trembling.

"I'll hold them off," Tang Xiu said firmly. "Go, now!"

Yan Rou hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She quickly gathered the villagers, leading them toward the temple.

As the last of the villagers disappeared into the distance, Tang Xiu exhaled deeply. The village square was now a battleground, with only him and Lei Xian standing against the three empowered beasts.

"These things are feeding off the mist," Tang Xiu muttered. "We can't keep fighting them head-on."

Lei Xian grinned despite the situation. "You have a plan, don't you?"

Tang Xiu didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy around him. Though the mist was oppressive, he could still sense faint traces of the land's natural energy beneath it.

"It's weak," Tang Xiu said, "but there's still life here. If I can draw it out, we might stand a chance."

Lei Xian raised an eyebrow. "You can do that? I thought this land was dead."

Tang Xiu opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them. "It's not dead—it's dormant. I'll awaken it."

Tang Xiu planted his staff into the ground, his hands forming complex seals. His body glowed faintly as he channeled his energy, reaching deep into the earth.

The beasts seemed to sense the change. They howled and charged toward him, their eyes burning with rage.

"Keep them off me!" Tang Xiu shouted.

Lei Xian stepped forward, his sword flashing as he intercepted the first beast. The impact shook his entire body, but he held his ground.

"Don't take too long!" Lei Xian growled, slashing at another beast that lunged at him.

Tang Xiu's focus didn't waver. He could feel the land responding to his call, its dormant energy slowly stirring. The ground beneath him trembled, small cracks forming as faint green light seeped out.

"Come on," Tang Xiu whispered. "I know you're still here. Answer me."

The green light grew brighter, spreading outward like roots. The oppressive mist began to thin, the beasts hesitating as the energy disrupted their power.

"It's working!" Lei Xian shouted, cutting down one of the beasts with a powerful strike.

But the remaining two beasts weren't giving up. They roared in fury, their bodies swelling with dark energy as they launched a final, desperate attack.

Tang Xiu opened his eyes just as the beasts closed in. He raised his staff, now glowing with the earth's awakened energy, and struck the ground.

A shockwave erupted, the green light surging outward in a massive wave. The beasts were caught in the blast, their bodies disintegrating as the light consumed them.

The mist dissolved completely, leaving the air clear and fresh. The village was quiet, save for the crackling of broken wood and the soft rustle of leaves.

Tang Xiu staggered slightly, his energy drained from the effort. Lei Xian caught him before he could fall.

"Don't pass out now," Lei Xian said with a smirk. "We're not done yet."

Tang Xiu nodded weakly. "The enemy… they're still out there."

In the shadows of the forest, the cloaked figure watched the scene unfold. Their expression was unreadable, but their eyes burned with anger.

"So, you managed to disrupt my plans," the figure muttered. "Impressive. But this is far from over."

They turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.

Tang Xiu and Lei Xian returned to the village square, where the few remaining villagers cautiously emerged from hiding. Yan Rou ran toward them, her face filled with relief.

"You're alive!" she cried, tears streaming down her face.

"We're fine," Tang Xiu said, though his voice was strained. "For now."

Yan Rou looked around at the destruction. "What happens next? Will they come back?"

"They will," Tang Xiu said. "But we'll be ready. Whoever is behind this won't stop until they get what they want. We need to find out who they are—and why they're targeting us."

Lei Xian sheathed his sword, his expression serious. "Count me in. This isn't just about the village anymore. This is personal."

Tang Xiu nodded. "Good. We'll start by tracking the source of that mist. If we can cut off their power, we might have a chance to end this."

As the villagers began to clean up the aftermath, Tang Xiu stood silently, his mind racing. The battle was over, but the war had just begun. And he would do whatever it took to protect those under his care.