Fog and Betrayal
The Misty Woods swallowed them whole the moment they crossed the boundary line. The air turned cold and damp, and visibility dropped to barely ten feet. Strange sounds echoed through the trees—snarls, chirps, and something that sounded almost like singing.
CRIT PERCEPTION ACTIVATED
Effect: Can See Through Illusions and Fog; Detect Hidden Enemies
Lin Jing's vision cleared instantly. He could see every root snaking across the ground, every bird perched in the branches—and the spiritual beasts moving silently through the undergrowth. He also spotted what others couldn't: hidden traps scattered along the marked paths, and figures in dark robes waiting in ambush.
"Stay behind me," he told Yun Qingyan, keeping his voice low. "The paths aren't safe."
She nodded, staying close as he led her off the trail and into thicker brush. Within minutes, they'd spotted their first beast—a Wind Wolf, its fur shimmering like silver mist, its eyes glowing with green light. It was a Rank 1 spiritual beast, strong enough to take down an untrained disciple.
Lin Jing drew his Crit-Forge Sword. CRIT TRIGGERED: Precision Strike
Effect: Guaranteed Weak Point Hit; Damage ×40
He moved forward in a blur, his sword flashing through the air. The wolf barely had time to snarl before the blade struck home, and it collapsed without a sound. Lin Jing pulled out its core—a small, glowing blue crystal—and added it to his token.
TOKEN UPDATE: 1 Point – Bonus ×10 (Crit Effect)
Hidden Reward: Beast Taming Skill Unlocked
"Jing-ge, that was incredible!" Yun Qingyan whispered, her eyes wide. "You moved so fast—I could barely see you!"
"More are coming," he said, scanning the woods. "And they're not all beasts."
They'd collected three more cores when they heard shouts ahead. Through the mist, Lin Jing saw Chen Hao and two of his followers surrounding a young disciple, forcing him to hand over his cores.
"Give them up, or we'll leave you for the Shadow Panthers," Chen Hao sneered. "After all, only the strong deserve to advance."
Lin Jing stepped forward, his sword at his side. "Leave him alone, Chen Hao."
Chen Hao spun around, his face twisting with fury when he saw who it was. "You again! I should have known you'd be meddling. Hand over your cores, and maybe I'll let you and Yun Qingyan leave with your lives."
"Not going to happen," Lin Jing said calmly.
One of Chen Hao's followers charged forward, swinging a heavy mace. Lin Jing side-stepped easily, then tapped the mace with his sword. CRIT! Weapon Shatter
The mace exploded into pieces, sending shards of metal flying. The disciple stumbled back, staring at his empty hands in shock.
"You think your tricks will work on me?" Chen Hao roared, drawing his own sword—a fine weapon forged from spiritual steel. "Thunder Fist Style: Lightning Slash!"
His blade crackled with electricity as he lunged forward. Lin Jing met the strike head-on, and the clash sent sparks flying through the mist. CRIT! Counterattack Triggered
Effect: Damage Reflected ×20; Lightning Absorbed
Chen Hao cried out as his own lightning energy surged back at him, searing his sleeve and leaving a black mark on his arm. He staggered backward, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"How are you doing this?" he gasped. "You were nothing but trash a few days ago!"
"I'm whatever I need to be to protect what matters," Lin Jing said, moving forward.
Before Chen Hao could respond, a low laugh echoed through the woods. "Well said, young man. But protecting her will be harder than you think."
Elder Ye emerged from the mist, followed by two other disciples in dark robes. Behind them, Elder Chen stepped into view, his face cold as ice.
"Lin Jing," Elder Chen said, his voice like grinding stone. "You've caused quite a lot of trouble. Your sudden power… you must have stolen some forbidden technique. For that crime, you'll be executed on the spot. And Yun Qingyan will come with us—she has a higher purpose to serve."
Yun Qingyan stepped forward, standing beside Lin Jing. "I won't go with you! You're using me for something evil!"
"Evil is just a word for what the weak don't understand," Elder Ye said, his eyes glinting with greed. "The vault beneath Thunder Peak holds the power of the ancient gods. With it, we'll rule the Xuanwu Realm—and you, little one, are the key to opening it."
CRITICAL EVENT TRIGGERED: Boss Battle Initiated
SYSTEM UPDATE
Enemies: Elder Chen (Rank 5 Cultivator), Elder Ye (Rank 4 Cultivator), Chen Hao (Rank 1 Cultivator), 2 Rank 1 Disciples
Temporary Boost: All Stats ×100 (Crisis Mode Activated)
New Skill Unlocked: Infinite Crit Barrage
Lin Jing felt power flooding through him—so much that the ground beneath his feet cracked and golden light wrapped around his body like armor. He placed a hand on Yun Qingyan's shoulder, and a barrier of golden energy formed around her.
"Stay behind the barrier," he said, his voice deeper than usual, carrying the sound of thunder. "No one will hurt you."
Elder Chen drew his sword, a massive blade that glowed with purple qi. "You may have some strange power, but you're still just an Outer Disciple. Face me—and die!"
He charged forward, his sword swinging in a wide arc that split the air itself. Lin Jing met him head-on, his Crit-Forge Sword blazing with golden lightning.
The battle for Yun Qingyan's life—and the future of the sect—had begun.