The Nine Gates Sect buzzed with quiet tension. Word had spread about strange demonic energy rising near the ruins of the Cloud Veil Sect. Once a prestigious name, the sect had fallen years ago, leaving behind shattered stone, broken spirit wards, and rumors of restless spirits. Now, someone—or something—was disturbing it.
The mission was urgent.
Li Feng stood in the courtyard before a group of selected disciples. His crimson robes fluttered in the morning wind, and his sharp eyes scanned each face with military precision.
"This mission is not for glory," he said, his voice cool. "It's for containment. If the source of this demonic energy spreads, we risk corruption reaching even the central provinces. We leave within the hour."
Shen Yun stood quietly to one side, adjusting the new robes he'd been given. They were darker than his old sect's white—a deep, dignified gray-blue. Beside him, Wei Lan tightened the grip on his sword. He glanced at Shen Yun once, expression unreadable.
The journey to the Cloud Veil Sect took a day by flight talisman. Shen Yun flew beside Wei Lan, the clouds rolling beneath them like sea foam. Li Feng remained ahead, his presence cutting through the air like a blade. There was no casual conversation—only the whistle of wind and the pressure of what lay ahead.
That night, they camped at the edge of the forest.
A fire crackled in the middle of their temporary camp. The younger disciples rested or kept watch in turns. Li Feng sat apart, meditating silently with a talisman floating before him.
Wei Lan offered Shen Yun a cup of warm tea.
"You shouldn't be here," he said quietly.
Shen Yun took it, cautious. "Why not?"
"You're still recovering. You don't know how dangerous these missions can get."
"And you do?" Shen Yun asked, not unkindly.
Wei Lan didn't answer immediately. He watched the fire dance.
"I joined Li Feng when I was thirteen. He's more than just a leader. If you're not careful, you'll get burned."
Shen Yun looked across the camp. Li Feng remained perfectly still, framed by shadows.
"Maybe I don't mind the fire," Shen Yun whispered.
By dawn, the team reached the outer gates of Cloud Veil Sect. Vines crept over broken statues. Old wards flickered weakly, trying to hold back the corruption. The air felt heavy, thick with spiritual imbalance.
"Don't step beyond the inner threshold without checking your talismans," Li Feng ordered. "The fog inside is cursed. It feeds off fear."
They entered in formation. Shen Yun stayed close behind Li Feng, alert, his hand near his blade. Wei Lan trailed a few steps behind, his eyes on both of them.
The fog was unnatural.
Shapes moved within it. Sometimes they looked like people. Sometimes they whispered.
They split into two groups.
Wei Lan took a few disciples and circled left.
Shen Yun and Li Feng headed toward the center of the ruins, where the energy felt strongest.
"Is this what your world is always like?" Shen Yun asked softly as they moved.
"No," Li Feng said. "This is worse."
Suddenly—
A sharp hiss. A shadow burst from the ground.
A corrupted beast, long and snake-like, with multiple eyes and rotting scales, lunged at them.
Li Feng struck first, fire erupting from his palm. Shen Yun drew his sword, leaping into motion.
The fight was fierce. Shen Yun moved instinctively, his body recalling the training he thought he'd forgotten. The mark on his wrist glowed faintly, feeding his power.
Li Feng noticed. But said nothing.
After the creature fell, smoking and writhing into dust, Shen Yun collapsed against a broken wall, breathing hard.
Li Feng turned toward him.
"You did well," he said quietly.
Shen Yun looked up, startled. Praise? From him?
But before anything else could be said—a loud explosion echoed across the ruins.
Wei Lan's group.
They ran.
A corrupted formation had activated. Strange puppets made of bones and jade attacked relentlessly. Wei Lan stood in front of two injured disciples, his blade spinning, blood dripping down his arm.
One puppet shot a spear of black energy toward Li Feng as he arrived.
Wei Lan moved without thinking.
He jumped in front of it.
The energy slammed into him, sending him flying.
"Wei Lan!" Shen Yun shouted.
Li Feng didn't pause.
He turned and raised his arm as another puppet lunged at Shen Yun.
A wall of fire burst forth, shielding the younger boy. The blast sent embers flying, Li Feng's robes whipping around him like a storm.
Shen Yun stared at him. "You protected me."
Li Feng didn't look back.
"Stay behind me."
The battle ended quickly after that.
Back at camp, Wei Lan lay unconscious, the curse mark on his shoulder glowing faintly.
Li Feng sat outside, the moonlight silver on his face. Shen Yun approached quietly.
"He saved you," Shen Yun said.
Li Feng didn't respond.
"But you saved me."
Still no response.
Shen Yun looked at him closely. "Why?"
Li Feng finally looked up. His eyes weren't cold for once. They looked… tired.
"You have a part to play."
"Is that the only reason?"
Silence.
Then, softly:
"Don't ask me things I haven't figured out yet."
Far away, someone watched them through a cursed mirror.
The leader of the Shadow Serpent Sect smiled darkly.
"So the boy lives. And the Iron Flame grows soft."
He turned to a masked figure.
"Tell the others. It's time to retrieve the Vessel. Even if we have to burn the Nine Gates Sect to the ground."
End of Chapter - 6....