Chapter 40: The Flames of War
Li Feng's breath came in ragged gasps, each inhale feeling like molten iron searing his lungs. His muscles screamed in protest, his limbs heavy from exhaustion. The Phoenix Sigil had granted him unparalleled power, but at a steep price. His body trembled under its weight, the very essence of fire coursing through his veins, both invigorating and consuming him. He could feel his own limits fraying, his control slipping.
Mei Lian fought beside him, her movements swift and precise as she deflected strike after strike. Blood trailed down her arm, yet her grip remained steady, her eyes filled with resolve. "Li Feng, we can't hold this position forever!" she shouted over the din of battle. "We need a way out!"
Zheng Wei, his robes tattered, held his staff high, chanting incantations to repel the encroaching enemy. Golden runes flared in the air, but even his spiritual energy was waning. "Their numbers are endless! If we stay, we die!"
Li Feng gritted his teeth. He couldn't retreat. Not now. Not when they were so close to turning the tide. He raised his hand, the Coiled Dragon Ring pulsing with latent energy, but the moment he attempted to draw upon its power, agony lanced through him. His vision blurred, his body convulsing as if the ring itself was rejecting him. He stumbled back, gasping.
Jiang Ren saw his moment and lunged.
A blur of steel. A deadly arc aimed for Li Feng's throat.
Mei Lian intercepted just in time, her blade locking against Jiang Ren's with a ringing clash. "Still standing, I see," Jiang Ren sneered, pressing against her weapon with terrifying strength. "But not for long."
Then, the unexpected happened.
A whistle cut through the air—a high-pitched signal that sent a ripple of unease through the Scarlet Iron Sect ranks. For the first time in the battle, the enemy hesitated. Whispers of uncertainty spread among them as figures emerged from the ruins, their presence like shadows coalescing into human form.
A new force had entered the battlefield.
A group of warriors, clad in black and silver armor, stood at the temple's perimeter. They exuded an aura of controlled lethality, their movements precise, their weapons gleaming with an otherworldly sheen. Their leader, a tall figure with piercing silver eyes, stepped forward, gaze locked on Li Feng.
"Li Feng of the Azure Dragon Clan," the figure called, their voice calm amidst the carnage. "Your battle is not ours, yet your power is of interest to us. You stand at a crossroads. Choose wisely."
Jiang Ren scoffed, stepping back from Mei Lian with a dark chuckle. "Ah, so the vultures arrive at last. You waited long enough."
Ignoring him, the silver-eyed warrior turned back to Li Feng. "The Coiled Dragon Ring is a relic of the past. It has enslaved you to an unwinnable war. Join us, abandon the ring, and embrace a path free of its corruption."
Mei Lian's grip on her sword tightened. "Who are you? What is your true aim?"
The warrior's lips curled into a knowing smile. "We are remnants of the forgotten. The last disciples of the Azure Dragon Clan. We fight not for conquest, but for balance. Li Feng, if you value your life and your future, you will come with us."
Li Feng's chest rose and fell with deep, ragged breaths. The battle waged on around them, but this moment stood still, heavy with fate. His mind reeled. Was this another deception? Or was this his only chance to escape a destiny that was slowly killing him?
Then, another voice joined the fray.
"Choose carefully, Li Feng." Lady Yuexiang's voice echoed through the temple ruins, unseen yet ever-present. "For every path leads to fire. It is only a matter of whether you burn or are reborn."
The night air crackled with tension, the flames of war raging higher. Around him, friends and foes alike waited for his answer. Whatever choice he made, there would be no turning back.
Li Feng exhaled, stepping forward.