Chapter 59: Secrets in the Dark

The night was silent, except for the crunch of rocks beneath Tang Xiu and Lei Xian's boots. The narrow canyon stretched endlessly ahead, the thick mist clinging to the walls like a living thing.

Lei Xian glanced around uneasily, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "This place feels cursed. It's like the air itself wants to suffocate us."

Tang Xiu nodded, his gaze sharp. "It's not natural. Someone is controlling this mist, using it to disorient and weaken intruders."

"What kind of power is that?" Lei Xian asked, furrowing his brow.

Tang Xiu hesitated before answering. "It's a technique I've seen before, though it's ancient and rare. It drains qi from the air and infuses it with negative energy. Whoever is behind this is dangerous."

Lei Xian tightened his grip on his sword. "Great. More surprises."

They pressed on, the path narrowing as the walls closed in around them. The mist grew thicker, making it hard to see more than a few steps ahead.

Suddenly, a faint glow appeared in the distance. It flickered like a dying flame, casting eerie shadows on the canyon walls.

Tang Xiu held up a hand, signaling Lei Xian to stop. "Be ready. This could be a trap."

Lei Xian drew his sword, his muscles tense. "I was born ready."

As they approached the light, the mist parted slightly, revealing a small clearing surrounded by jagged rocks. In the center stood a stone altar, its surface etched with strange symbols that pulsed with an ominous red light.

Tang Xiu's eyes narrowed as he examined the altar. "This is a sealing formation. Whoever built this was trying to contain something—or someone."

Lei Xian frowned. "Contain? You think there's something inside?"

Before Tang Xiu could answer, the ground trembled. The symbols on the altar glowed brighter, and a deep, guttural voice echoed through the canyon.

"Who dares disturb my slumber?"

A dark figure began to materialize above the altar, its form shifting and twisting like smoke. Tang Xiu stepped back, his staff at the ready.

"It's a spirit," Tang Xiu said, his tone serious. "One bound to this formation. Be careful—it could be hostile."

The spirit's glowing eyes fixed on Tang Xiu and Lei Xian. "You… are not of this world," it hissed, its voice dripping with malice. "Why have you come here?"

Tang Xiu stood his ground. "I'm looking for answers. Who built this formation? And why are you bound here?"

The spirit laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the canyon. "You ask questions, but you are not ready for the answers."

Lei Xian raised his sword, pointing it at the spirit. "Enough games. Speak, or I'll cut you down."

The spirit's laughter grew louder. "Foolish mortal. You think your blade can harm me? Very well, if it's a fight you want…"

The spirit surged forward, its smoky form expanding and twisting. Tang Xiu reacted instantly, raising his staff and channeling a surge of qi into the air. A glowing barrier appeared in front of them, blocking the spirit's attack.

"Stay back!" Tang Xiu shouted to Lei Xian. "This isn't something you can handle alone."

Lei Xian gritted his teeth but obeyed, stepping behind Tang Xiu.

The spirit recoiled, its form flickering. "Interesting… You wield power beyond this world. Who are you?"

Tang Xiu didn't answer. Instead, he focused his energy, drawing on the remnants of spiritual energy in the air. He chanted an incantation under his breath, his staff glowing brighter with each word.

The spirit shrieked, its form unraveling as Tang Xiu's energy surrounded it. "Stop! You don't understand what you're doing!"

Tang Xiu's eyes burned with determination. "Then make me understand. Who are you? And who sent those assassins after me?"

The spirit writhed, its voice filled with both pain and anger. "I am a guardian… bound here to protect a secret. If you destroy me, you will unleash something far worse than you can imagine."

Tang Xiu hesitated, his grip on his staff tightening. "What secret?"

The spirit's voice dropped to a whisper. "The truth of this world… and the power that lies buried beneath it."

Before Tang Xiu could press further, the spirit let out a final, piercing scream. Its form disintegrated, scattering into the mist. The light from the altar dimmed, and the canyon fell silent once more.

Lei Xian approached cautiously, his sword still drawn. "What just happened? Did we win?"

Tang Xiu lowered his staff, his expression grim. "No. It wasn't a victory—it was a warning. There's something hidden here, something powerful enough to bind a spirit like that. And whoever is behind this doesn't want us to find it."

Lei Xian shook his head. "Great. More mysteries."

Tang Xiu turned toward the path ahead, his eyes narrowing. "We need to keep moving. The answers we're looking for are deeper in these hills. But we need to be prepared—this is just the beginning."

As they left the clearing, the faint glow of the altar faded completely, leaving the canyon shrouded in darkness. Tang Xiu's mind raced with possibilities, each more dangerous than the last.

One thing was clear: whatever lay ahead would test them in ways they couldn't yet imagine. But Tang Xiu was no stranger to challenges.

This time, failure wasn't an option.