Chapter 71: The City Beneath the Mountains

The journey to Xianhai takes them through a landscape that grows increasingly treacherous with each passing day. The path north is rugged, the mountains towering above them like ancient sentinels watching over a forgotten world. The weather grows colder, the air thinner, as they climb higher into the mountains, and the quiet, vast emptiness surrounding them feels like the breath of an ancient power, waiting to be unleashed.

Li Wei and Jian make camp one evening as the sun sets behind the jagged peaks, casting the landscape in shades of crimson and orange. The fire crackles between them, the warmth providing a brief respite from the cold. The silence of the mountains feels oppressive, like the land itself is holding its breath, waiting for something.

Li Wei gazes into the fire, her mind still racing with the words of the mysterious man. He had told them that the origin of the curse lay in the ancient city of Xianhai, hidden beneath the mountains far to the north. But what would they find there? And more importantly, what would they learn about the curse and the powers that still sought to control it?

Jian sits across from her, his gaze distant, his thoughts clearly focused on the same questions. "We're close," he says, breaking the silence. "But something doesn't sit right with me."

Li Wei looks up, her brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

Jian shifts, the firelight casting flickering shadows across his face. "We've been following the path, trusting the clues we've been given. But there's something about this place. It feels... different. Like we're walking into something we're not prepared for."

Li Wei nods slowly, her instincts telling her the same thing. The mountains are ancient, their presence heavy with secrets and power. She can feel the pull of Xianhai, but the closer they get, the more she feels as though they're stepping into a trap.

"We have to keep going," she says quietly. "We're almost there. We can't turn back now."

Jian meets her gaze, and for a moment, the weight of their journey hangs between them. Then, he nods. "I know. But we need to be ready for whatever comes next."

The night grows colder as the stars twinkle above, the darkness pressing in from all sides. Li Wei lies awake, her mind racing with thoughts of what awaits them. The city of Xianhai. The origin of the curse. The truth that has been hidden for so long.

The next day, they resume their journey, the air growing sharper and colder with each step. The mountains seem to close in around them, the narrow pass they're traveling through becoming more treacherous. As they reach a high plateau, Li Wei spots something in the distance—a large structure rising from the rocky landscape. It's not a natural formation, but something ancient, something man-made.

"This must be it," Li Wei says, her voice filled with awe.

The structure before them is colossal, its stone walls covered in layers of moss and vines, making it seem like it has grown out of the very mountain itself. Towering spires rise above them, their jagged edges reaching toward the sky, like the remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. The entrance is obscured by thick vines, but beyond them, Li Wei can just make out the faint glow of light.

As they approach, the ground beneath their feet trembles slightly, and the air feels heavy with energy. Li Wei feels a pull, a sense that something is awakening. They are not alone.

"We should proceed cautiously," Jian says, his hand once again resting on the hilt of his sword.

Li Wei nods, her heart pounding in her chest. They've come so far, but now, standing before the gates of Xianhai, she realizes that this is where the real trial begins. The truth about the curse, about the child, about the world—they will all be revealed here.

They step forward, their steps echoing in the silence. The entrance is grand, but as they push aside the vines, they are met with a massive stone door, ancient symbols etched into its surface. The door looks untouched by time, as if it has been waiting for someone to open it.

Without a word, Li Wei places her hand on the stone. The moment she does, the door rumbles and begins to shift, the symbols glowing faintly in the growing darkness. The ground trembles again, and the door opens with a sound like the groan of the earth itself, revealing the path inside.

A cold wind rushes out from the city, carrying with it the scent of ancient stone and forgotten memories. Li Wei and Jian exchange a final glance before stepping inside.

The city is vast, its streets empty, the buildings towering above them, yet eerily silent. The architecture is unlike anything Li Wei has seen before—ornate, ancient, yet strangely modern in design. It feels as though the city was built with a purpose, a purpose that is not immediately clear.

They walk through the city's main avenue, the streets stretching out in every direction, but there's a heaviness in the air, a feeling that they are being watched. The city seems alive, but there's no one here. It's as if the city is waiting for them, anticipating their arrival.

Finally, they reach the heart of the city. In the center stands a massive temple, its structure both imposing and beautiful, the walls covered in ancient inscriptions. The entrance is guarded by two towering statues—figures of warriors, frozen in time, their expressions stern and unwavering.

Li Wei steps forward, her heart racing. "This is it," she whispers.

As they enter the temple, the air grows thick with power, the walls adorned with murals and carvings depicting ancient battles, rituals, and the rise and fall of civilizations. At the center of the temple is an altar, and on it, a stone pedestal. But it's what's on the pedestal that catches Li Wei's attention—a crystal, glowing softly, pulsing with an energy she can feel deep within her bones.

She steps closer, reaching out for the crystal, but as her fingers brush against it, the room seems to come alive. The walls shake, the light dims, and the air grows thick with tension.

Then, a voice—deep, resonant, and filled with ancient power—booms from the very stone itself.

"Do you truly understand what you have come to seek?" the voice echoes. "Do you comprehend the price of the truth you desire?"

Li Wei and Jian freeze, the voice filling their minds, their very souls. The power within the city, within the crystal, begins to awaken, and the weight of its significance presses down on them.

Li Wei looks at Jian, her heart pounding in her chest. This is it. The truth about the curse, the origin of it all. But now, they must face what comes next.

Reader Question:

What do you think the voice is asking Li Wei and Jian?

a) The voice is questioning their willingness to sacrifice everything to uncover the truth.

b) The voice is warning them that the power in the city is more dangerous than they realize.

c) The voice is testing their resolve to destroy the curse once and for all.

d) The voice is offering them the chance to control the power of the curse for their own use.

What do you think the voice wants Li Wei and Jian to understand about the truth they seek?