The deeper she went into the forest, the heat gradually faded, replaced by an eerie chill that seeped into her bones. Bai Shuo swallowed nervously, feeling a shiver creep over her. This island was nothing like it had been three years ago—it was too strange.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and a pair of hands suddenly landed on her shoulders. Bai Shuo’s eyes widened as her whole body went rigid with fear.
At the same time, Song Feng landed in a streak of light on the island's shore, his face paling as he took in the scene before him.
“Such a strong aura of malevolence!”
Though Bai Shuo couldn’t sense the island’s oddities, Song Feng, with his heightened spiritual power, could clearly see the entire island shrouded in a dark, oppressive aura. It was neither celestial energy nor demonic, but a bloodthirsty, malevolent force. If Song Feng’s cultivation had been a bit stronger, he would have recognized that this aura was just shy of tipping into full-blown demonic energy.
“How could this be?” Song Feng muttered, quickly forming a hand sign to conjure a glowing compass in his palm. The compass needle pointed firmly to the southeast of the island. Without hesitation, Song Feng shot into the sky.
A moment later, he arrived outside the forest. Just as he was about to enter, a shadow flickered, and a blow struck his shoulder, sending him flying back as he coughed up blood, tumbling like a broken kite into the distance. The shadow didn’t relent; a black sword materialized in its hand, and it lunged at Song Feng’s throat. In the moonlight, half of the shadow’s face was revealed. Song Feng’s eyes widened, and he quickly tossed a charm from his sleeve. The charm exploded with celestial energy, forcing the shadow back a few steps. When the light faded, Song Feng had vanished.
The shadow coldly watched the spot where Song Feng had disappeared, then scoffed before vanishing into thin air.
In the Star Pavilion on Miao Miao Island, a flash of spiritual light appeared as Song Feng materialized on a meditation cushion, blood spilling from his mouth, his face as pale as paper. He swiftly formed a hand sign and cast it toward the outside of the hall.
“Hurry to the Star Pavilion!”
The command split into dozens of tiny sparks, flying across Miao Miao Island.
Chong Zhao, who was in seclusion on the back mountain, and the disciples cultivating on the island, all received the summons.
Faces turned serious as they transformed into streams of light, converging on the Star Pavilion.
Chong Zhao was the first to push open the door. Inside, Song Feng lay unconscious on the meditation cushion, and a group of ten or so disciples, including Er Yun, rushed in after him.
“Master!”
“Uncle!”
“Master!”
Everyone crowded around, helping Song Feng up. Chong Zhao urgently channeled his spiritual energy into him. After a moment, Song Feng slowly opened his eyes, and Er Yun’s eyes filled with tears of worry.
“Uncle, what happened to you? How did you get hurt so badly?”
Song Feng barely had the strength to answer Er Yun. He clutched Chong Zhao’s hand tightly.
“Quick, Zhao’er! You, Er Yun, and the other disciples… activate the Heaven-shaking Formation!”
“The Heaven-shaking Formation?” The disciples’ faces turned even graver.
“Uncle, what’s going on? That formation is our island’s ultimate defense! If it’s activated, it signals our sect’s imminent destruction to the Three Realms!” Er Yun exclaimed.
“Go! Activate the formation, and report to the Heavenly Palace… tell them… tell them an evil force has emerged in the Eastern Sea, one that will soon bring calamity to the Three Realms!” Song Feng’s normally calm demeanor had entirely disappeared as he gave his orders with his last ounce of strength.
“Uncle…”
“Yes, Master!” Er Yun wanted to ask more, but Chong Zhao decisively rose to his feet. “Senior Sister, brothers, follow me to activate the Heaven-shaking Formation!”
At Chong Zhao’s command, Er Yun held back her questions and quickly followed him out of the hall.
Meanwhile, back in the forest on the desolate island, Bai Shuo nervously turned her head, peeking through her fingers. She caught a glimpse of the person behind her and blurted out, “What are you doing here?”
0 Comments