Sky Star

Chapter 22: The Mysterious Aid Returns

Within the valley, the squad members who had narrowly escaped death stood in stunned silence, gazing up at the sky where the radiant light had vanished. The gentle breeze brushed against their faces, drying the sweat on their foreheads, yet it could not dispel the myriad questions swirling within their hearts. At this moment, the mysterious light loomed over them like an unsolved enigma, enveloping them in its mystery. Confusion and reverence interwove in their eyes, an unspoken awe binding them together.

“Captain, what do we do now?” a young squad member finally broke the silence, his voice still trembling from the ordeal, like a bird startled from its perch. The captain collected himself, his gaze sweeping over the team. Though battered and bruised, their fighting spirit remained unbroken, offering him a small sense of relief. After a brief pause, he spoke in a low, steady voice: “We return to the camp and report this to Lord Xiao at once. This mysterious light is far too strange—we must uncover the truth as soon as possible.” The others nodded in agreement, supporting one another as they trudged towards the camp. Their figures, dwarfed by the vast valley, resembled tiny ants struggling for survival in the wilderness.

Meanwhile, at the campsite, Xiao Chen, Ling Xue, and Yun Yi still fixated on the sky. That brief yet brilliant flash of light had carved itself into their hearts like an eternal imprint. Xiao Chen’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression that of a contemplative scholar lost in thought. He mused to himself: The appearance of this light was no coincidence. There was something eerily familiar about its aura, yet he could not recall where he had encountered it before. Digging through the depths of his memory, he tried to unearth a clue, but nothing surfaced. Frustration burned within him, a fire growing fiercer with each passing moment.

Ling Xue bit her lower lip gently, leaving a faint mark on her soft pink lips, like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow. In a hushed voice, she broke the camp’s silence: “This light doesn’t seem to bear any hostility. Instead, it appeared at a crucial moment to aid us. Could it be the same mysterious white-robed figure who once assisted Brother Yun Yi? But he is here in the camp, so how could it be…?” Before she could finish, all eyes turned towards Yun Yi in unison, filled with curiosity and doubt.

Yun Yi shook his head slightly, his expression calm as a still lake, untouched by the ripples of speculation. “It was not me. This power surpasses my own by far, and its aura is entirely different.” He paused for a moment, his gaze growing distant as if piercing through the boundless void. “However, for someone wielding such immense power to appear precisely at a moment of crisis, it is likely they share our objectives. Perhaps… they are a hidden ally.” His words dropped like a pebble into a tranquil pond, sending ripples through the thoughts of those around him. Speculation regarding this mysterious benefactor stirred in their minds, each one envisioning a different possibility.

As the group continued to discuss, the squad finally dragged their weary bodies back to the camp. The moment they arrived, they were instantly surrounded. The team members spoke over one another, recounting the harrowing events of the valley. Their words, brimming with emotion, painted vivid pictures of the perilous encounter, especially the moment the mysterious light appeared—an event so surreal it felt like a grand scene from a mythical epic. Xiao Chen and the others listened intently, their hearts tightening with each detail. Occasionally, they interjected with questions, eager to grasp every nuance of the unfolding mystery. As the squad described the dire situation they had faced, Xiao Chen’s fists clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white. A heavy wave of guilt and regret surged within him—he loathed that he had not been there to aid them in their time of need.

Once the report concluded, Xiao Chen swept his gaze over the group, his expression one of unwavering resolve, like a general shouldering the weight of his army. “Brothers, thank you for your courage and resilience today. Rest and tend to your wounds first. As for this mysterious light, we must investigate its origins. It may very well shape the future of the Celestial Domain.” Determination flickered in the eyes of the gathered warriors. They nodded solemnly, steeling themselves for whatever challenges lay ahead.

As night fell, a vast expanse of darkness, like a thick black veil, draped over the camp—soft yet inexorable in its embrace. Gradually, the camp quieted as the exhausted fighters retired to their tents. Only the faint footsteps of patrolling guards whispered through the night, like murmurs of the darkness itself.

Xiao Chen, however, remained awake. Sitting alone outside his tent, he gazed up at the starry sky, as though searching for answers hidden among the constellations. Suddenly, a shadow flickered past, swift and silent as a ghost. Instantly alert, Xiao Chen sprang to his feet, about to call out when the figure halted nearby and slowly turned around. Moonlight bathed the figure, revealing a familiar white robe—it was Yun Yi!

“Brother Yun Yi, what are you doing?” Xiao Chen asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with curiosity and concern.

Yun Yi stepped forward, his expression grave. “Xiao Chen, I cannot shake this unease from my heart. Though that mysterious light saved the squad, there are too many unknowns. I intend to return to the scene and investigate further—perhaps I may find some traces left behind.”

Xiao Chen frowned slightly, hesitating to speak. He knew Yun Yi’s temperament all too well—once a decision was made, not even ten wild horses could pull him back. After a moment, he nodded. “Brother Yun Yi, be careful. If anything happens, return to the camp immediately and inform us.”

Yun Yi gave a small nod before turning away. In the blink of an eye, his figure melded into the darkness, disappearing like a shadow swallowed by the night. Xiao Chen remained rooted in place, his gaze fixed upon the direction Yun Yi had gone, as though watching a lone ship set sail upon an uncharted sea…