Chapter 38: The Roaring Storm
The morning sun began to peek from behind the mountains, but its light was not enough to fully dispel the lingering darkness that clung to the valleys and cliffs surrounding Jade Mountain Complex. The atmosphere within the complex was more silent than usual— as if even nature itself could sense the deep tension, holding its breath in the stillness before the great storm arrived.
Inside the main meditation hall, Elder Huang sat in contemplation, his eyes closed. His wrinkled face bore the weight of knowledge and wisdom accumulated over the years, while his mind traced the currents of fate that surrounded his disciples. "In darkness, even the smallest light can pierce through," he muttered softly. The words were like a prayer, a reminder that beyond every storm, there was always a flicker of hope that never faded.
Outside the hall, the disciples of Jade Mountain Complex were busy preparing themselves. Every corner of the complex was filled with hushed discussions, precise movements, and the sharpening of weapons—preparations for the full-scale assault that Shadow Sect had now mobilized. The wind from the valley carried the scent of damp earth and the freshness of morning, yet it was laced with an unease that could not be ignored.
Bai Shen stood atop one of the watchtowers, his blind eyes seemingly seeing through the vibrations of the wind and the sounds of nature. In the silence he had mastered so well, a deep internal conflict stirred within him. Each time he used Soundless Path to erase his presence, he felt pieces of himself fading away—parts that once made him human, that once allowed him to laugh, to love. Today, he faced the same relentless questions: Was the power he wielded truly worth the price he had to pay? Could he still save himself from the darkness creeping into his soul?
Meanwhile, beneath the watchtower, Yu Xue walked with steady but anxious steps. Every passing moment, she could see Bai Shen slipping further into solitude, vanishing into the silence that defined him. "You must remember who you are, Bai Shen," she murmured, rubbing her wrist as if trying to bring back the warmth that once existed. In her heart, a firm resolve took shape: she would not let his power turn him into nothing more than a shadow—a ghost known only as the White Phantom.
---
That morning, in the complex's main courtyard, the wind howled as if carrying a message from the heavens. Trees swayed with an unusual rhythm, their leaves falling in a silent symphony accompanying the preparations below. The disciples training in martial arts seemed more anxious than usual. Each time a louder vibration passed through the ground, they paused, listening, trying to decipher the warning nature whispered to them.
Among them, Bai Shen sharpened his senses. The wind's movement, the tremors in the earth, the faintest ripples in the air—he attuned himself to all of them. "I can feel something," he whispered to himself, though his voice was lost in the breeze. "A warning. I don't know what, but their power is drawing near."
At the same time, Yu Xue watched the valley, hoping to see any signs of movement from their enemies. "Perhaps it's just paranoia," she thought, but her heartbeat was unsteady. She knew from past reports that Shadow Sect would never allow Bai Shen to train freely without sending forces to test him—or, if possible, to subdue him.
Moments later, a scout ran through the stone-paved path, his face pale and eyes filled with fear. "A message from the border! Large numbers of Shadow Sect warriors have been spotted—they are approaching at an incredible speed!" he shouted, his breath ragged. His voice echoed across the courtyard, silencing every murmur of preparation as the disciples exchanged tense glances.
Elder Huang descended from the meditation hall, walking calmly yet firmly toward the gathered disciples. "Do not fear, children," he said, his voice soft but commanding. "This message is not to scare you, but to remind you that the darkness we have long faced is now changing form. We must prepare to face the storm that is coming."
---
Within the complex, the tension thickened. Bai Shen and Yu Xue were summoned to an emergency meeting with the training leaders. In the war chamber—simple yet adorned with symbols of wisdom, dragons, and phoenixes carved into the walls—they listened to Elder Huang's instructions.
"We have delayed their attack, but this is only temporary," Elder Huang said gravely. "Shadow Sect has gathered in full force. They do not only want to capture White Phantom—they want to erase everything you have built here. We must unite, using every resource and strength at our disposal to face them."
Bai Shen listened intently, yet within him, unanswerable questions continued to stir. He knew that with every battle, he edged closer to the line between man and something far less human. "I must find balance," he thought. "So that this power does not consume me entirely."
Beside him, Yu Xue gripped his hand tightly. "We'll find the answer together," she whispered with unwavering determination. "I won't let you disappear into the darkness."
The disciples were quickly assigned to different defensive roles. Some were tasked with reinforcing the outer barriers, while others, including Bai Shen and a team of elite disciples, were sent to patrol the borderlands. Their mission: gather intelligence on the enemy's movements so that when the storm finally arrived, they would know exactly how to counter it.
Though the weight on his soul was heavy, Bai Shen accepted the task. He understood that every passing moment was precious in preparing for the inevitable clash. "We must remain vigilant," he said coldly, his voice firm. "Every vibration, every faint sound—those are the signs that they are here."
---
As the early mist settled over the borderlands, Bai Shen led his team through a winding path between the cliffs and thickets. Yu Xue, unwilling to stray far from him, followed closely behind, always keeping a distance that allowed her to intervene if needed.
They tread carefully along the rocky trail, the eerie silence making each step feel heavier. Yet, with unwavering resolve, they moved forward, attuned to the subtlest shifts in the air—the slightest tremors that could signal an ambush.
As they reached a strategic vantage point overlooking the valley, the enemy forces came into view—a disciplined formation of warriors moving like an unstoppable tide. Bai Shen closed his eyes, sensing the vibrations coursing through the ground, deciphering the unspoken messages within them. "They're getting closer," he murmured. "We need to return and report this immediately."
On their way back, the atmosphere grew more oppressive. The fog thickened, and amidst the shifting shadows, the sound of approaching footsteps became clearer. They ran towards the complex, their hearts pounding, fully aware that the long-awaited storm was closing in—fast.
---
By the time they reached the complex, the situation had drastically changed. A wave of tension and urgency rippled through the warriors preparing for battle. At the northern gate, Shadow Sect's forces had drawn alarmingly near, their disciplined march shaking the earth beneath them. The sounds of war drums and clashing steel echoed through the mountains.
Elder Huang swiftly took command. "Hold the northern gate! Remember, we do not only fight to defend this place, but to protect our very souls!" he declared, his voice carrying strength that ignited the will of every disciple.
Bai Shen and Yu Xue were assigned to lead a counterattack, aiming to disrupt the enemy's formation. Behind the towering walls that served as their final defense, they stood side by side, ready to meet the overwhelming storm head-on.
Then, the battle erupted.
And the roaring storm finally descended upon Jade Mountain.