Chapter 10 : Shadows in the Fog

Chapter 10: Shadows in the Fog

Bai Yuan left the teahouse with his mind racing. The Bai Clan was searching for him, the Crimson Serpent Hall was active, and now the Shadowmoon Pavilion had taken an interest in him. Too many forces were shifting at once, and he was at the center of it all.

Ling Xi was waiting for him in a quiet alley, two bags of supplies slung over her shoulder. "Learn anything useful?"

Bai Yuan exhaled. "More problems. Bai Clan is searching for someone. Could be me."

Ling Xi frowned. "They really don't know when to let go, do they?"

He smirked. "They always saw me as a failure. Now they're chasing after me? Hypocrisy at its finest."

She adjusted the strap on her bag. "So, where to next?"

Bai Yuan glanced at the map in his mind. "Darkwind Valley is still our best bet. Shadowmoon Pavilion might have the answers we need."

Ling Xi sighed. "You're too calm about this. Do you even know what the Shadowmoon Pavilion really is?"

Bai Yuan chuckled. "Not entirely. But we won't find out by standing here."

The journey to Darkwind Valley took two days. The closer they got, the more the air seemed to shift. The vibrant forests gradually turned to misty hills, the roads narrowing into rocky trails surrounded by thick fog.

The valley itself was an eerie sight—ancient trees twisted into unnatural shapes, their gnarled branches reaching toward the sky. The mist slithered through the undergrowth like living tendrils, muffling every sound.

Ling Xi shivered slightly. "This place feels… wrong."

Bai Yuan nodded, his Tactical Awareness on high alert. "There's something here. Something watching."

[Host has entered a High-Density Energy Zone. Caution Advised.]

Bai Yuan frowned. The energy here was different from anything he had encountered before. It felt ancient, sentient.

A sudden rustling in the bushes made them both freeze. Then, without warning, shadowy figures emerged from the mist—cloaked figures, their faces obscured by hoods. Each of them carried a unique weapon, and their presence radiated silent menace.

A voice echoed through the fog. "Outsiders are not welcome in Darkwind Valley."

Bai Yuan stepped forward, holding up the jade token. "I was invited."

A pause. Then one of the figures stepped forward, inspecting the token carefully. "Follow us. But be warned—once you enter the Shadowmoon Pavilion's domain, there is no turning back."

Ling Xi exchanged glances with Bai Yuan. "I have a bad feeling about this."

He smirked. "That makes two of us."

With no other choice, they followed the cloaked figures into the depths of Darkwind Valley, stepping into the unknown.