Chapter 41: The Path Divides

The first light of dawn painted the battlefield in hues of crimson and gold, casting long shadows over the smoldering remains of the Phoenix Temple. The acrid scent of burnt stone and blood still clung to the air, a stark reminder of the battle that had raged through the night. Amidst the wreckage, Li Feng stood motionless, his gaze fixed on Yan Shun, the enigmatic warrior who had offered him an alliance.

"You have my answer." Li Feng's voice was firm, unwavering. "I will stand with you, Yan Shun. But I will not abandon the Coiled Dragon Ring."

Yan Shun's expression remained unreadable, his silver eyes betraying neither approval nor disappointment. "Then you are walking a razor's edge, Li Feng. That ring is a curse as much as it is a weapon. If you cannot control it, it will consume you."

"I've heard that warning before," Li Feng replied. "And yet, it was entrusted to me for a reason. I won't let it fall into the wrong hands."

A heavy silence settled over the group. Zheng Wei crossed his arms, his skeptical gaze shifting between Li Feng and Yan Shun. "So we're just supposed to trust this guy now? His people watched us struggle against Shen Longwei's forces and only stepped in when it suited them."

Mei Lian remained quiet, though a flicker of relief softened her sharp features. "At least Li Feng didn't agree to follow blindly," she murmured, almost to herself.

Yan Shun turned to address them all. "Whether you trust me or not, Shen Longwei is already on the move. If you waste time debating, you'll be giving him exactly what he wants."

A shadow passed over Li Feng's face. "Where is he headed?"

Yan Shun gestured toward one of his warriors, a lean woman clad in dark armor. She stepped forward, lowering her hood to reveal sharp, fox-like features. "Our scouts have tracked his forces moving toward the Ruins of the Jade Empress," she reported. "The Celestial Mirror is said to be hidden there."

"The Celestial Mirror?" Mei Lian's brows furrowed. "That's one of the ancient artifacts tied to the Dragon's legacy."

Yan Shun nodded. "It's more than just an artifact. Legend says that whoever gazes into the mirror can see the threads of fate itself. If Shen Longwei gets his hands on it, he may find a way to break whatever stands in his path—including you, Li Feng."

The weight of the revelation settled heavily on Li Feng's shoulders. He tightened his fists. "Then we can't let him reach it first."

Zheng Wei sighed heavily. "Here we go again."

Li Feng glanced at him, smirking despite himself. "You're free to leave, Zheng Wei."

The monk scoffed. "And let you charge headfirst into another death trap? Not a chance."

Mei Lian's lips curled into the faintest smile before she turned serious. "We need to move quickly. The journey to the Jade Empress's Ruins will take at least two days if we push hard. But if Shen Longwei has a head start, we may already be too late."

Yan Shun's warriors exchanged glances before one of them spoke. "We know a faster route, but it's dangerous. The path through the Bloodwind Ravine."

Zheng Wei groaned. "That doesn't sound ominous at all."

Yan Shun met Li Feng's gaze. "The choice is yours. A longer but safer route, or a treacherous path that could get us there in time?"

Li Feng exhaled slowly. There was no easy answer, no perfect solution. But hesitation was a luxury they couldn't afford. "We take the ravine. Every second we waste, Shen Longwei gets closer to his goal."

Yan Shun inclined his head slightly. "Then we leave at once."

As the group turned toward their next journey, uncertainty loomed like a storm on the horizon. The uneasy alliance between them had been forged out of necessity, but whether it would hold under the weight of their mission remained to be seen.

The first war drums of their next battle had already begun to sound in the distance.