Chapter 8: The Water Spirit's Trial

The vision lingered in my mind, its details slipping away like water through my fingers. The shadowed figure, the swirling void—it all felt significant, but I couldn't piece together what it meant. Lin Mo watched me closely, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"What did you see?" he asked again, his voice low.

I shook my head, struggling to put it into words. "A void… and a figure. It felt ancient, powerful. And dangerous."

Lin Mo's brow furrowed. "A figure? Did it speak to you?"

"No," I said, "but its presence was overwhelming. Like it was watching me—waiting."

Lin Mo glanced at the altar, his hand resting on the hilt of a small dagger at his belt. "This node is tied to the ley lines, but it's also a gateway of sorts. If you saw something through it, it means the disturbance is deeper than we thought."

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure what that meant. The Serpent's Eye Pendant around my neck pulsed faintly, as if reacting to the lingering energy of the vision. I touched it, feeling its warmth, and wondered if it had somehow amplified what I'd seen.

"We should report this to Elder Wu," Lin Mo said, turning back toward the path. "He'll know what to make of it."

I followed him, my mind still racing. The forest seemed quieter now, as if the spirits themselves were holding their breath. The air was heavy with anticipation, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched.

As we walked, I noticed something strange. The shadows between the trees seemed darker, more defined, as if they were alive. I glanced at Lin Mo, but he didn't seem to notice. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, a low growl echoed through the trees.

Lin Mo froze, his hand tightening on his dagger. "Stay close," he whispered.

The growl came again, closer this time. I turned, scanning the shadows, but saw nothing. Then, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, followed by another, and another. They were low to the ground, moving with a predatory grace.

"Wolves?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. These weren't ordinary wolves.

"Spirit wolves," Lin Mo said, his voice tense. "They're drawn to disturbances in the ley lines. They must have sensed the node's energy."

The wolves emerged from the shadows, their forms shimmering like smoke. Their eyes burned with an unnatural light, and their teeth gleamed like shards of obsidian. They circled us, their growls growing louder.

I reached into the satchel and pulled out another talisman, my heart pounding. Lin Mo did the same, his movements calm but deliberate. The wolves closed in, their movements synchronized, as if they were a single entity.

"On my mark," Lin Mo said, his voice steady. "We strike together."

I nodded, gripping the talisman tightly. The lead wolf lunged first, its jaws snapping at Lin Mo. He sidestepped and threw his talisman, which exploded into a burst of light, forcing the wolf back. I activated mine, creating a barrier of energy that pushed the others away.

But there were too many of them. The wolves regrouped quickly, their eyes locked on us. I could feel the Serpent's Eye Pendant growing warmer, as if urging me to use its power. I focused on it, channeling my energy through it, and felt a surge of strength.

The pendant's glow intensified, and the wolves hesitated, their growls turning to whimpers. I stepped forward, the energy radiating from me, and the wolves backed away, their forms dissolving into mist.

Lin Mo stared at me, his expression a mix of awe and unease. "How did you do that?"

"I… I'm not sure," I admitted. "The pendant—it reacted to them."

He nodded slowly, though his eyes remained wary. "We need to get back to the temple. Whatever's happening, it's bigger than we can handle alone."

We quickened our pace, the forest growing darker as the sun dipped below the horizon. The shadows seemed to stretch and twist, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the figure from my vision was still watching me.

When we finally reached the temple, Elder Wu was waiting for us in the courtyard. His expression was grave, as if he already knew what we had seen.

"The node," he said, his voice low. "What did you find?"

Lin Mo stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Master, the node was guarded by a spirit guardian. She tested us, but we passed. However, something else happened—a vision."

Elder Wu's gaze shifted to me. "Tell me."

I described the void and the shadowed figure, my words faltering as I tried to convey the overwhelming presence I had felt. Elder Wu listened intently, his expression growing darker with each detail.

When I finished, he was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke, his voice heavy with foreboding. "What you saw is no mere vision. It is a warning. The figure you describe—it is an ancient entity, one that has slept for millennia. If it is awakening, then the balance of this world is in grave danger."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "What can we do?"

Elder Wu's eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of fear in them. "We must prepare. The ley lines are the key. If we can stabilize them, we may be able to delay its awakening. But it will not be easy. The entity will not rest until it is free."

He turned to Lin Mo. "Gather the disciples. We must begin the rituals at once."

Lin Mo nodded and hurried off, leaving me alone with Elder Wu. The old man studied me for a long moment, then spoke softly. "You are at the center of this, whether you realize it or not. The system chose you for a reason. Trust in its guidance, but be wary of its price."

I swallowed hard, his words settling like a weight on my shoulders. "What price?"

Elder Wu's gaze was unyielding. "The path to eternal life is paved with sacrifice. Remember that."