Into the Azure Forest
Chapter 19 – Into the Azure Forest
The towering trees of the Azure Forest loomed over them, their thick branches intertwining like the arms of slumbering giants. The deeper they ventured, the denser the vegetation became, and the sunlight struggled to pierce through the canopy.
Jin Wei's senses sharpened. He had read about this place before—it wasn't just an ordinary forest. It was a battlefield of the past, where powerful cultivators had once clashed. The land itself carried the echoes of their battles, leaving behind lingering spiritual remnants and hidden dangers.
"Keep your guard up," he warned. "The deeper we go, the stronger the beasts."
Zhang Rui let out a sigh. "I still don't get why they sent us for this. Shouldn't the inner disciples handle these kinds of missions?"
Qin Yue, walking a few steps ahead, didn't turn back as she replied coldly, "If you're afraid, turn back now."
Zhang Rui smirked. "Afraid? Not at all. I just value my life."
Jin Wei ignored their bickering and turned to Su Lingxi, who was carefully observing the environment. She had always been calm and precise, a trait he admired.
"Sense anything unusual?" he asked.
Su Lingxi nodded. "The spiritual energy here is... strange. It's fluctuating unnaturally. Almost as if it's being manipulated."
Jin Wei's brows furrowed. "Then we need to move carefully. Whatever's causing this might not be a simple beast."
---
A Hunter in the Shadows
A few miles in, the team suddenly came to a halt.
Rustle... Rustle...
The leaves trembled, though there was no wind. A thick, eerie silence followed.
Jin Wei signaled for the group to stop, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Something was watching them.
"Formation," he whispered.
The team immediately moved, forming a defensive circle. Zhang Rui vanished into the shadows, preparing for a sneak attack. Qin Yue unsheathed her sword, her grip steady. Su Lingxi reached into her pouch, pulling out a small alchemy bottle, ready for anything.
And then—
A blur shot out from the trees.
SWOOSH!
A clawed hand slashed toward Jin Wei's head.
CLANG!
He blocked with his arm, channeling his internal energy just in time. The force of the impact sent him sliding back several feet.
Jin Wei's eyes locked onto their attacker.
A Crimson Fang Panther—a high-tier demonic beast with razor-sharp claws and enhanced speed. Its blood-red eyes gleamed with predatory hunger.
"Tch. A mid-stage Qi Condensation beast." Qin Yue muttered.
Zhang Rui appeared behind it in a flash, dagger gleaming.
"Now's our chance—"
But before he could strike, the panther vanished.
"What—?!" Zhang Rui barely reacted as the beast reappeared behind him, claws aiming for his back.
Jin Wei moved.
BOOM!
With a single burst of internal energy, he intercepted the panther's attack, his fist colliding with the beast's ribs. The air rippled as the force sent the panther flying into a tree, cracking its bark.
Su Lingxi followed up, hurling a small alchemy bottle.
HISS!
The moment it shattered, a mist of corrosive poison spread, forcing the panther to retreat. Its fur sizzled where the mist touched.
Jin Wei didn't give it a chance to recover.
"Now!"
His body flashed forward, internal energy concentrated into his fist.
BANG!
He delivered a powerful blow to the panther's skull. The beast let out a strangled cry before collapsing, unmoving.
Silence filled the forest.
Zhang Rui wiped his forehead. "Remind me never to fight one of those alone."
Jin Wei frowned, studying the fallen panther. Something felt off.
Then he saw it—a faint mark carved into the beast's forehead.
His expression darkened.
"This beast… was being controlled."
---
A Sinister Presence
The team quickly checked their surroundings, but no other threats appeared.
"Controlled?" Qin Yue asked, crossing her arms. "You're saying someone deliberately sent this beast after us?"
"Possibly," Jin Wei replied. "That marking on its forehead isn't natural. Someone inscribed it."
Su Lingxi crouched beside the panther, touching the mark. Her face darkened. "It's an ancient beast-taming rune… but it's incomplete. Whoever did this lacks mastery, but they're still strong enough to influence a Qi Condensation beast."
"Which means we're being hunted." Zhang Rui muttered.
Jin Wei closed his eyes briefly, feeling the flow of spiritual energy around them.
Something was watching them.
He suddenly spoke, voice low and calm.
"Reveal yourself."
Silence.
Then—
A chilling laugh echoed through the trees.
A shadowed figure stepped forward, draped in dark robes. His face was obscured by a hood, but his aura was undeniable—powerful, oppressive, dangerous.
"I must say… I'm impressed. Not many can defeat my test subject so quickly."
Jin Wei's muscles tensed. This was no ordinary enemy.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
The figure chuckled. "Names are meaningless to the dead. But since you're all going to die here anyway, I suppose I can entertain you."
He raised his hand. Spiritual energy gathered, forming a swirling dark mist.
"I am called Elder Hei. Remember that name as you take your last breath."
The forest trembled. The air grew heavy with killing intent.
Jin Wei's heart pounded.
A real battle was about to begin.
---
The Clash Begins
Before anyone could react, Elder Hei flicked his fingers.
BOOM!
The ground erupted as multiple shadowy figures emerged.
Dark-cloaked warriors, their faces hidden by masks.
"Assassins!" Qin Yue snapped, immediately brandishing her sword.
Jin Wei didn't hesitate. "Defensive formation!"
The battle erupted in an instant.
Zhang Rui darted between enemies, his dagger slicing through weak points. Qin Yue clashed with a masked warrior, sparks flying as their weapons met. Su Lingxi weaved between them, throwing alchemical bombs, creating bursts of fire and smoke.
And Jin Wei—
He locked eyes with Elder Hei.
The old man smirked. "Let's see how long you last."
BOOM!
Their clash shook the forest.
Jin Wei's fists met Elder Hei's attacks head-on, spiritual energy colliding in a deadly dance. Each blow carried immense force, sending shockwaves through the air.
But something was wrong.
Elder Hei wasn't fighting at full strength.
Jin Wei's instincts screamed. "This is a distraction—!"
Too late.
A deafening howl echoed through the forest.
A second beast emerged, much larger than the panther.
Golden eyes. Pitch-black fur. A mutated Shadow Wolf.
Jin Wei's breath hitched.
Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
An enemy far beyond their league.
Elder Hei laughed. "Good luck."
And just like that—he vanished into the darkness.
Jin Wei clenched his fists.
This was bad.
The Shadow Wolf's glowing eyes locked onto them.
Then—
It attacked.