Jiang Feng stood in the temple courtyard, his grip tightening around his sword. The morning sun barely pierced through the thick mist that clung to the mountain like a restless spirit. The air was heavy—not just with the lingering tension from last night's battle, but with something unseen, something waiting.
The elder monk, standing beside him, watched the sky with a troubled gaze.
"You sensed it too, didn't you?" Jiang Feng asked.
The monk nodded. "That entity was merely the beginning."
Jiang Feng exhaled sharply. "You still haven't told me what they are."
The monk hesitated before answering. "They are neither gods nor devils, yet they claim both titles. Forgotten forces, remnants of something far older than this world. And now, they have taken notice of the celestial maiden."
Jiang Feng's jaw clenched. "Then they'll have to go through me first."
The monk gave him a solemn look. "That is exactly what they are preparing to do."
Before Jiang Feng could ask further, a soft voice interrupted them.
"I want to leave."
Jiang Feng turned to see Li Xue standing at the temple entrance. She was no longer in her ceremonial robes, but a simple white dress that made her look almost ordinary—if not for the golden lotus mark on her forehead that still faintly glowed.
Her golden eyes met his. "I don't want to stay here any longer."
Jiang Feng frowned. "You're still recovering."
Li Xue shook her head. "This place won't protect me forever. We have to move."
The elder sighed. "The celestial maiden speaks wisely. The temple is sacred, but not invincible. If those creatures return in greater numbers, we will not be able to hold them back."
Jiang Feng nodded. "Then we leave at once."
—
A Dangerous Path
The journey down the mountain was eerily quiet.
Jiang Feng walked ahead, his sword always within reach, while Li Xue followed closely behind. The elder monk had insisted on escorting them partway, but even he seemed uneasy, his chants barely keeping the unnatural tension at bay.
They reached a dense forest at the mountain's base, the thick canopy casting long shadows despite the midday sun.
Jiang Feng's instincts flared. "Something's here."
A gust of wind passed through the trees, but it carried no scent, no sound—only an unnatural stillness.
Then, the attack came.
From the shadows, black tendrils shot forward, aiming for Li Xue.
Jiang Feng moved instantly, his sword flashing as he severed the first tendril. The creature hidden within the darkness shrieked—a sound that was neither human nor beast.
More of them emerged. Shadowy figures with glowing white eyes, their bodies flickering between solid and mist.
Li Xue's breath hitched. "They're not from this realm."
Jiang Feng didn't care where they were from. He wouldn't let them touch her.
He lunged forward, slashing through the closest entity, but his blade barely met resistance. The creature twisted, reforming behind him.
The elder monk began chanting, golden symbols forming in the air. "They are not fully here. They exist between realms."
Jiang Feng's mind raced. How do you fight something that isn't fully in this world?
Li Xue took a step forward, raising her hand. The golden lotus mark on her forehead flared, and a pulse of divine energy rippled outward.
The shadowy creatures recoiled, their bodies flickering erratically.
Jiang Feng seized the opportunity. He focused his energy into his sword, channeling every ounce of killing intent into a single strike.
The blade cut through the air, tearing through the shadow creatures with a force that forced them back into the void.
Within moments, the forest fell silent once more.
Jiang Feng exhaled, lowering his sword. "That was too close."
Li Xue swayed slightly, her energy clearly drained.
The elder caught her before she could fall. "Each time you use your divine essence, the awakening accelerates."
Jiang Feng frowned. "What happens if she fully awakens?"
The elder hesitated. "Then she may no longer be able to remain by your side."
Jiang Feng's heart clenched. He looked at Li Xue, who was watching him with quiet understanding.
"I don't care what happens," he said firmly. "I'm not losing her."
Li Xue's lips curved into a soft smile. "Then we'll face whatever comes together."
Jiang Feng tightened his grip on his sword. Let the so-called forgotten gods come. He would cut them down one by one.
But as they continued walking, none of them noticed the pair of glowing eyes watching from the depths of the forest.
Waiting.
Watching.