The morning mist still hung heavily between the trunks of ancient pines as Liang Feng and Bai Xue pushed their way through the dense forest. The sharp scent of resin and dew assaulted their senses, but there was no time to admire the beauty lurking in the forest's silence. Behind them, the pounding footsteps of the Spirit Hunters echoed—dark shadows in relentless pursuit. The howls of spirit weapons cracked through the air, urging them to keep running.
Liang Feng struggled to control his breathing. His right arm still throbbed from the burst of the Tianlong Mark's power and Bai Xue's sudden assistance earlier. His body felt weak, yet the will to survive forced him to dig deep into the reserves of strength left in his chest.
"South! Go south!" Bai Xue shouted from ahead, her voice trembling but still filled with determination. "There's an old tunnel on the hillside! We can hide there!"
The fox girl leapt gracefully over the giant, twisting roots that snaked across the forest floor. Liang Feng followed her, stumbling along, their bodies leaving behind faint trails of golden and silver aura as a guide for their pursuers.
Suddenly, a dark shadow darted overhead. A Shadow Raven swooped low, its claws gripping a crackling spirit whip that sent ripples through the air.
"Run!" Bai Xue cried.
They dashed forward again, their feet pounding fallen leaves. But the Shadow Raven moved too fast. Its whip screamed through the air, aiming straight at Bai Xue.
With incredible bravery, Bai Xue caught the whip barehanded. The sound of tearing rang out, slicing through her fur and scattering white aura into the air. Liang Feng glanced back to see another Spirit Hunter stepping from behind a tree, a skull mask on his face and twin swords in hand.
Without hesitation, Liang Feng channeled the last of his energy into the Tianlong Mark. A spear of light shot from his arm, slicing the dark whip into a cloud of smoke.
The Spirit Hunter recoiled, stunned. "No…! Impossible…"
Bai Xue chanted a protective spell. A silver flash formed into a thin shield, separating them from danger. But as Liang Feng looked behind them, two more Shadow Ravens descended from the treetops, completely surrounding them.
"We're trapped." he whispered, gasping for air.
Bai Xue bit her lip, her face pale. "There's still one way! Follow me!"
She veered sharply to the left, scrambling up a moss-covered slope. Liang Feng nearly slipped, but Bai Xue quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him up. At the top, they stood before a cave mouth hidden behind bushes and jagged rocks. A nearly invisible crevice, once used by sages and shamans to store sacred artifacts.
"I thought this place had collapsed ages ago." Liang Feng murmured as they stepped into the darkness. The smell of damp earth and cold air surrounded them, while the small torch in Bai Xue's hand reflected off the cave walls.
They moved swiftly through the narrow corridor, their footsteps echoing. Bai Xue staggered, her wounds leaving her weak. Though exhausted, Liang Feng supported her, keeping her from falling. The sounds from outside still echoed, a sign that they were not yet safe.
The tunnel forked. Bai Xue paused, taking a deep breath. "Right! There's a lower passage. It's darker but safer."
They crept into the lower tunnel, relying on touch and instinct to navigate the mossy walls. Their footsteps now muffled by damp soil and scattered gravel. But at the bend, a Shadow Raven shrieked:
"They're here!"
A ball of black-red energy shot toward them from around the corner. Liang Feng reacted instantly. The Tianlong Mark on his hand glowed again, unleashing a wave of golden light that shattered the energy ball into shards of shadow.
"Hurry! Shut that stone gate!" Bai Xue shouted.
Ahead stood a massive stone door, partially ajar and blocked by rubble. Bai Xue raised her trembling hand, a silver spell glowing in her palm as she slowly pushed the stone shut. The ground shook with a deep rumble as the door locked in place.
But a narrow crack remained, letting in faint light and the distant howls of enemies. Beyond the gap, three Spirit Hunters in skull masks stared menacingly into the tunnel.
Liang Feng held his breath, biting his lip as pain surged through his arm. "How long can they stay out there?"
Bai Xue didn't answer right away. She knelt, touching the ground. "Too long… but we have to endure."
Using her remaining strength, she pressed her bloody palm to the stone and reinforced it with a shield spell. A dim silver glow flickered, then slowly vanished.
Time seemed to stop. Water dripped slowly from the cave ceiling, one drop at a time. Liang Feng sat in silence, channeling his last strength into the Tianlong Mark.
"What if we surprise them?" he whispered. "Sneak out quietly, then attack them from behind at night?"
Bai Xue shook her head. "Impossible. They already know we're here. If we go out, they could burn the tunnel or use spirit spears from a distance."
She glanced at her scaly arm, as if reading something in the markings. "But… there might still be hope."
Liang Feng turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"There's a secret tunnel." Bai Xue said. "At the end of this passage, near the sacred stone vault. If we make it through, we'll emerge on the other side of the forest, far from the village." She stood and cleared away debris and leaves.
They carefully stepped toward the tunnel's end. Rows of stone chests carved with dragon symbols greeted them, coated in dust and untouched by time.
Bai Xue chanted, channeling light into the carvings. A soft mechanical sound followed as a stone panel shifted, revealing a narrow opening.
"Go! Quickly!" she urged.
Liang Feng had to crouch and crawl to get through. On the other side, a new, narrower tunnel awaited. Quiet and damp. Roots dangled from the walls, creating a strange but peaceful atmosphere.
Behind them, the angry voices of the Spirit Hunters still echoed. Whips cracked against stone, howls rang out. But they couldn't reach this hidden tunnel.
They crawled on, their bodies slick with sweat, breath ragged. The air grew hotter and stifling. Liang Feng clutched his aching thigh, struggling to stay steady.
"Bai Xue… what happens next?" he asked.
She took a long breath. "We have to find one of the sage groups. They can help hide you… or give us an artifact to seal the Spirit Gate temporarily."
She pointed ahead. There, a gentle light glowed through a small crack at the end of the passage.
They stepped further, leaving the sounds of battle far behind.