Echoes of the Seal
The journey pressed on with urgency after the Bloodshade Wolf's attack. The hills began to shift into a plateau, the terrain littered with sharp rocks and patches of dry grass. The wind carried a strange, faint hum, resonating through the air like an unseen force calling to them.
Lin Xuan tightened his grip on his sword as they ascended a ridge. His instincts screamed at him that they were nearing something significant. Beside him, Li Fengxian scanned the horizon, her sharp eyes catching faint traces of movement in the distance.
"Something's ahead," she murmured.
Elder Mo, leading the group, raised his hand. "Hold."
The group stopped in unison. Everyone tensed, their hands on their weapons as they waited for instructions. Elder Mo stepped forward, his expression grave.
"Do you feel it?" he asked, his voice low.
Lin Xuan nodded. The hum in the air had grown stronger, more pronounced. It wasn't just sound; it was an energy that seeped into their bodies, tugging at their very cores.
"It's coming from the seal," Elder Mo said. "We're close. But this energy… it feels unstable."
---
Descending the ridge, the group entered a valley shrouded in mist. The hum grew louder, vibrating through the ground and making the air feel thick and oppressive. Ancient stone pillars jutted out of the earth, their surfaces etched with runes that pulsed faintly with light.
"This is it," Elder Mo said, his voice barely audible over the hum.
Lin Xuan approached one of the pillars, his gaze tracing the intricate symbols. They glowed faintly, as though alive, but their light flickered erratically, like a candle on the verge of going out.
"The seal is weakening," Lin Xuan said, his tone grim. "If we don't reinforce it soon…"
A sudden crack echoed through the valley, and one of the pillars fractured, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. The ground trembled, and a low growl emerged from the mist.
"Defensive positions!" Elder Mo barked, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The group quickly formed a protective circle, weapons drawn. From the shadows, creatures began to emerge—twisted, humanoid forms with glowing red eyes and elongated claws. Their movements were jerky, as if their bodies struggled to hold themselves together.
"Shadow Constructs," Li Fengxian said, her voice cold. "They're drawn to the seal's energy. Be careful—they're fast and hard to kill."
---
The first construct lunged at Lin Xuan with unnatural speed. He sidestepped and countered with a precise strike, his blade slicing through the creature's torso. Instead of falling, the construct reformed, its body knitting itself back together as if mocking his efforts.
"They regenerate!" Zhao Yue shouted, throwing a series of wind daggers that slowed another construct's advance.
"Go for the core!" Elder Mo yelled, slashing through one of the creatures. His sword glowed with spiritual energy, piercing through its chest. The construct let out an ear-piercing shriek before disintegrating into black mist.
Lin Xuan adjusted his strategy. His eyes locked onto the faint glow within the construct's chest—a small orb of concentrated energy. As the next construct charged him, he feinted to the left and drove his blade into its core with a swift, decisive thrust. The creature dissolved instantly.
"Hit the cores!" he called out, his voice cutting through the chaos.
---
The battle raged on as more constructs poured from the mist. Ji Mei unleashed waves of fire, her hands glowing with crimson light as she incinerated clusters of enemies. Wu Tian created walls of earth to block their advances, buying precious moments for the others to strike.
Li Fengxian fought with unparalleled precision, her spear striking true with every thrust. She moved like a whirlwind, her attacks fluid and deadly.
Despite their efforts, the constructs kept coming. Lin Xuan's breathing grew heavy as he cut down another enemy. His movements were efficient, but the unending wave of foes tested his stamina.
"This isn't working," Ji Mei shouted, her flames faltering. "There are too many!"
Elder Mo glanced at the pillars, his expression grim. "They're coming because the seal is unstable. We need to stabilize it now!"
---
Lin Xuan stepped forward. "I'll do it," he said, determination in his voice.
Elder Mo hesitated. "The energy required to stabilize the seal is immense. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"I don't have a choice," Lin Xuan replied, his gaze steady.
Elder Mo nodded. "Fine. I'll guide you. The rest of you, hold the constructs back!"
As the battle continued around them, Lin Xuan knelt before the central pillar. Elder Mo placed his hands on Lin Xuan's shoulders, channeling his energy into the young cultivator.
"Focus on the runes," Elder Mo instructed. "Feel their rhythm, their flow. Match your energy to theirs and stabilize the pattern."
Lin Xuan closed his eyes, his breathing steadying as he concentrated. The hum of the seal filled his mind, drowning out the sounds of battle. He could feel the chaotic energy of the runes, like a storm threatening to tear itself apart.
Slowly, he extended his own energy, weaving it into the runes. The patterns began to stabilize, their flickering light growing steady.
---
The constructs faltered as the seal regained its strength. Their movements became sluggish, their forms less cohesive.
"Keep it up!" Li Fengxian shouted, driving her spear into another core.
Lin Xuan gritted his teeth as the energy of the seal surged through him. It was overwhelming, threatening to consume him, but he held firm.
With a final burst of effort, the runes glowed brightly, their light spreading across the valley. The constructs let out anguished cries as they disintegrated into mist, their energy pulled back into the seal.
The valley fell silent.
---
Lin Xuan collapsed to his knees, his body trembling from exhaustion. Elder Mo helped him to his feet, his expression a mixture of pride and concern.
"You did well," Elder Mo said. "The seal is stable—for now."
Lin Xuan nodded, his breathing ragged. "But for how long?"
Elder Mo's face darkened. "Not long enough. This was only the beginning."
As the group regrouped and tended to their wounds, Lin Xuan couldn't shake the feeling that their journey had only scratched the surface of a much greater danger.
The seals were weakening, and the shadows of the past were stirring.