Chapter 10: The Rising Mist

Ye Huang stood amidst the ruins, his fingers slowly tracing the ancient demon script carved onto the stone tablet. The mysterious voice still echoed in his mind:

"On the Night of Shadows, the Void shall reignite… The Gate of Seals must never be opened…"

What did it mean? Could it be connected to the power of Phantom Night within him?

Not far away, Chi Tong remained alert. Though the dark entity had been vanquished, a trace of vigilance still lingered on his face as his sharp gaze swept across their surroundings.

"Ye Huang, we should leave this place," Chi Tong said in a low voice. "Something feels off."

Ye Huang took a final look at the stone tablet before nodding. "Let's go."

The two moved along the edge of the valley, the night wind carrying the lingering scent of blood. Ye Huang didn't look back, and Chi Tong followed in silence.

After some time, Chi Tong finally broke the quiet. "Just now… how did you do it?"

Ye Huang glanced at him. "Do what?"

"That move." Chi Tong clenched his fists, unable to hide his astonishment. "The moment you struck down the shadow, I couldn't even see your movements."

Ye Huang remained silent for a moment before replying, "In that instant, I felt as if I had completely merged with the darkness. The power of Phantom Night became clearer than ever… as if it had always been a part of me."

Chi Tong furrowed his brows, as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent.

Just as they were about to leave the valley, a disturbance arose in the distance.

Both Ye Huang and Chi Tong stopped, their gazes sharpening as they looked ahead.

Figures emerged under the moonlight, led by a man clad in deep blue robes. Ye Huang recognized him instantly—it was the White Night Alliance member he had encountered earlier.

"We meet again," the man said with a faint smile as he approached.

Ye Huang narrowed his eyes. He had assumed the White Night Alliance had already left. Why were they back?

"You haven't left?" Ye Huang asked coldly.

The man chuckled, his eyes shifting between Ye Huang and Chi Tong before he replied, "We did. But then we realized that this valley hides secrets yet to be uncovered, so we returned."

"Secrets?" Ye Huang frowned.

The man gestured toward the distant stone tablet, his gaze flickering. "Did you understand the text on that tablet?"

Ye Huang didn't answer. He had understood it, but he wasn't about to reveal that.

Seeing his silence, the man didn't press further. Instead, he said, "The Gate of Seals isn't as simple as you think. It concerns more than just you—it concerns the entire demon realm."

Ye Huang's pupils contracted slightly.

"It seems you're beginning to realize something." The man smiled. "But mere realization isn't enough. Ye Huang, have you ever wondered—where does your power truly come from?"

Ye Huang's expression darkened.

The man continued, "If you seek the answer, consider working with us."

Chi Tong stepped forward immediately, positioning himself protectively in front of Ye Huang. His voice was cold. "Why should he trust you?"

The man showed no anger. "You don't have to. But some truths will find their way to you, whether you seek them or not."

Ye Huang pondered for a moment before responding, "I'll find my own answers. I don't need anyone to hand them to me."

The man studied him for a moment before giving a knowing smile. "Very well. Then we shall wait."

With that, he signaled his companions, and the members of the White Night Alliance turned and disappeared into the darkness.

Ye Huang and Chi Tong stood in silence, the wind whispering through the night.

"Ye Huang…" Chi Tong murmured.

Ye Huang exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Let's go."

The words of the White Night Alliance lingered in his mind. He knew now—he had stepped into a much deeper vortex, and the real challenge was only beginning.

Chi Tong caught up, his expression solemn. "Ye Huang… this White Night Alliance business… are we really getting involved?"

Ye Huang thought for a moment before answering, "Whatever their intentions, for now, they're not our enemies. But the Gate of Seals… we must uncover the truth."

Chi Tong nodded. He might not fully understand these shadowy forces yet, but after everything they had been through, he had come to trust Ye Huang completely.

As they continued down the winding path of the valley, the eerie silence pressed in around them. Only the rustling leaves in the wind accompanied their steps.

Suddenly, Ye Huang stopped, his gaze locking onto a stone tablet, half-hidden beneath overgrown weeds. The inscriptions on its surface were eerily similar to those in the shadow's lair.

"Another clue about the Gate of Seals?" Chi Tong frowned.

Ye Huang crouched down, brushing away the dust to reveal the full inscription:

"The night descends, the forbidden shadow awakens… Only the wielder of the Night's Authority may glimpse the truth."

Chi Tong frowned. "Night's Authority? What does that mean?"

Ye Huang didn't answer immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, reaching deep into his core, where his demonic power resided. He could feel it—his energy responding to the tablet, as if resonating with something ancient.

A faint, dark glow seeped from the cracks in the stone, forming a sigil that floated toward Ye Huang's palm.

At that moment, a flood of knowledge surged into his mind.

"The Night's Authority… The true dominion over darkness…"

Ye Huang's golden eyes flickered with a deep intensity. He could sense it—he was one step closer to mastering the Phantom Night's power.

Chi Tong, seeing his silence, couldn't hold back. "Well? Did you figure something out?"

Ye Huang stood, his gaze sharp. "We're going to the White Night Alliance's stronghold."

Chi Tong was taken aback. "You mean… seek them out?"

"They sought us out first," Ye Huang said, a smirk playing at his lips. "But this time, we take the initiative."

…

Before long, Ye Huang and Chi Tong arrived at a hidden cliffside.

The coordinates had been provided by the White Night Alliance. Ye Huang had expected a grand stronghold—but all he saw was an unassuming stone gate.

He stepped forward, pressing his palm against the cold surface. At his touch, dark patterns shimmered to life, and the gate slowly parted.

Ye Huang and Chi Tong exchanged glances before stepping inside.

The moment they crossed the threshold, a chilling energy enveloped them.

Within the dimly lit space, several figures stood waiting.

At the forefront was the same envoy from before, his gaze calm as he studied Ye Huang. "It seems you've begun to grasp the Night's Authority."

Ye Huang smirked. "You seem to know more than I do."

"Of course," the envoy nodded. "But the true test lies ahead."

He raised his hand, dark energy coalescing into a runic sigil.

"If you truly seek the answers… then prove yourself."

Ye Huang could feel the immense power emanating from the sigil.

Yet, instead of hesitation, his lips curled into a confident smile.

"Very well."

The trial was about to begin.