The morning fog lay thick over Nightmist Valley, curling around the twisted trees and jagged rocks like silver snakes. Each step the Ye Clan disciples took was cautious. The mist wasn't just atmospheric; it played tricks on the eyes, hiding gnarled roots, subtle depressions, and faint pulses of spiritual energy.
Ye Tian led the group silently, his black robe brushing the dew-soaked grass. Every shadow seemed to ripple with his awareness, and every sound registered sharply. He didn't need to speak — the others followed instinctively.
"Stay close," he murmured finally, his voice calm, authoritative. "Do not touch anything glowing unless I tell you to."
Ye Mei, kneeling to observe a small cluster of faintly luminescent Spirit Blooms, nodded. "Got it… but the flowers are beautiful."
"Beauty often hides danger," Ye Tian replied simply, scanning the mists.
Ye Rong muttered under his breath, "I think he's exaggerating…" but his voice trailed off when a low growl echoed from the depths of the fog.
The group froze. Shapes began to stir in the mist—forms with eyes that glowed like coals, limbs distorted by shadow and fog. The disciples instinctively reached for weapons, but Ye Tian stepped forward, silent and composed.
"Get behind me," he ordered.
The others obeyed without hesitation.
From the thickened mist, a figure emerged — a girl, standing tall and graceful. Her hair was black as midnight, flowing over her shoulders, and her robes were white, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered faintly. A pendant glinted at her throat, catching the dim light.
Ye Tian instinctively positioned himself in front of the group. "Who are you?"
The girl's sharp eyes scanned the group evenly. "I mean no harm," she said softly. "I am Mu Qingyao of the Moonlight Pavilion. I've been sent to gather Spirit Blooms as well."
Ye Tian's gaze sharpened. "Been a while, i couldn't almost recognize you .You're far from your sect. Alone?"
She hesitated, then smiled faintly, polite yet firm. "The mission required stealth. The valley is dangerous. I could not risk being followed."
Ye Tian's eyes flicked over the mists. He sensed faint traces of Qi lingering—not from beasts alone, but from spiritual traps centuries old.
"Not many can move through this valley without leaving traces," he said carefully. "Either you're skilled… or lucky. Guess you've grown huh."
"Perhaps a little of both," she replied evenly.
Though they met after long , as Ye Tian's nature goes, Mu Qingyao understood that he almost forgot about her.
Before anyone could respond further, the mist thickened unnaturally. Shapes began moving—beasts adapted to the valley's deceptive fog, their eyes reflecting faint glimmers of spiritual energy.
Ye Tian's hand twitched. "Get behind me."
The disciples obeyed instantly. He dropped into a low stance; his dagger appeared almost automatically in his hand.
The first shadow lunged. Ye Tian sidestepped, letting it crash into a gnarled tree. Another lunged at Ye Mei—he struck precisely, cutting a shallow wound that left the beast incapacitated without wasting movement.
Mu Qingyao didn't flinch. Drawing a thin, silver-edged sword, she parried two incoming shadows with elegant, lethal movements.
Ye Tian's eyes narrowed slightly. Interesting.
Together, their movements created a deadly rhythm: shadow and steel moving as one. Within moments, the immediate threat was neutralized.
"You handle yourself well," Ye Tian said finally, stepping beside her as if talking to her for the first time.
"And you," she replied with a faint nod matching his tone of not being recognised. "Not many can move through this mist and strike without hesitation."
Ye Mei whispered to Ye Rong, "She's… amazing."
Ye Tian's gaze lingered on Mu Qingyao. There was intelligence in her eyes, a composure that mirrored his own cautious calculation.
"You should come with us," he said quietly. "It's safer to travel in numbers. This valley holds more than just beasts."
Mu Qingyao tilted her head, considering. "I usually do not accept help… but there is wisdom in caution."
"Follow carefully. Do exactly as I say," Ye Tian instructed.
She nodded, stepping in beside him.
---
Deeper in the valley, the terrain became stranger. Trees bent at impossible angles, roots twisting like serpents across the path. Glowing lights danced in the mist—some benign, others hiding poisonous spores or traps.
Ye Tian moved like a shadow, guiding the group past pitfalls and spiritual hazards. Mu Qingyao kept pace, offering advice and warning when danger appeared.
"Careful here," she whispered, pointing to a patch of glowing moss. "Step on it directly and it releases paralyzing spores."
Ye Tian's lips curved faintly. "You've studied the valley well."
"It is my duty," she replied, calm yet proud.
Despite the danger, Ye Tian felt a strange stir. He had spent years relying only on himself, trusting no one. But this girl… she was cautious, calculating, independent—yet willing to align with him when necessary, he started remembering a girl he met,though vivid but clear.
"So you are not ordinary, I finally remember you" he murmured.
"Neither are you, took you long enough" she said without hesitation but a glimpse of smirk.
---
Hours passed. Finally, they reached the heart of the valley, where Spirit Blooms glimmered brighter than elsewhere. The air hummed with spiritual energy.
As the disciples knelt to harvest the flowers, the ground trembled suddenly. A low roar echoed, resonating through the valley.
From the mist emerged a massive Nightmist Serpent. Its black scales reflected light like shards of broken mirrors. Fangs dripped venom; its eyes blazed red. Even seasoned inner disciples would hesitate against such a creature.
Ye Tian dropped into a low stance, dagger ready.
Mu Qingyao moved to his side. "We should coordinate."
"Follow my lead," he said.
The serpent lunged. Ye Tian sidestepped, striking with precise dagger cuts that left shallow, calculated wounds. Mu Qingyao's silver sword flashed in tandem, arcs of steel striking with elegant lethality.
Their attacks flowed together, silent and deadly. Shadow met steel, fang met blade.
After tense moments, the serpent collapsed, dissolving into black mist.
The disciples exhaled collectively.
Ye Tian wiped his dagger. "It was weak."
Mu Qingyao blinked. "Weak? That was a legendary creature!"
He glanced at her. "Weak compared to what comes next."
For the first time, a hint of curiosity touched Mu Qingyao's gaze. She wasn't impressed, nor afraid—she simply recognized the measure of his skill.
That night, they camped at the edge of the valley. The Spirit Blooms were safely stored.
Mu Qingyao sat apart, observing the fire. Ye Tian approached.
"You handled yourself well," he said.
"And you… move as if nothing can touch you," she replied softly. "Are you truly human?"
Ye Tian let a faint smile touch his lips. "Perhaps not entirely."
For a moment, silence reigned—two sharp minds, cautious, assessing one another.
"Tomorrow, we leave," Ye Tian said finally. "Keep your focus. More challenges await."
Mu Qingyao nodded. "I will."
Ye Tian's gaze drifted into the mist. Faint traces of residual energy lingered, remnants of an ancient, hidden power. "This valley has secrets," he murmured. "And I intend to uncover them… in time."
But that was a story for another day to tell..