Sky Star

Chapter 33: Crisis Temporarily Averted

The three of them collapsed onto the grass, greedily gulping fresh air. The joy of surviving their ordeal felt like the warm spring sun, gradually dispelling the gloom in their hearts. Yet deep down, they knew this was merely a brief respite in the midst of a storm. The dangers ahead lurked like a ferocious beast hiding in the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment.

Xiao Chen forced his exhausted body upright, his gaze piercing through layers of mist as he stared into the distance. Though fatigue was evident in his eyes, an unyielding determination still shone brightly. “Everyone, recover your strength quickly. We cannot stay here for long. The tower must be nearby—we need to find it as soon as possible.” His voice, hoarse as though worn down by sandpaper, remained steady and firm, drifting across the open field like a warning bell, striking his companions’ hearts.

Yun Yi nodded slightly. He tried to circulate his spiritual energy, attempting to stabilise his chaotic internal flow, but each effort felt like moving a thousand-pound boulder—agonisingly difficult. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, stinging his eyes before he wiped them away absentmindedly, scanning their surroundings. “This forest may seem peaceful, but it’s full of hidden dangers. We must be extra cautious.” His jaw clenched, and his words squeezed through gritted teeth, every syllable laced with vigilance—like a wounded yet alert leopard.

Leaning against a tree trunk, Ling Xue gently closed her eyes, her hands forming a spell seal as she silently regulated her celestial energy. Moments later, she slowly opened her eyes. Though fatigue lingered beneath a thin veil, her gaze remained as resolute as ever. “Something feels off around here. It’s as if an unseen force is pulling us forward, yet I can’t tell what it is.” Her voice, soft as a spring breeze, carried a trace of uncertainty, making the mysterious atmosphere even more elusive.

After a brief rest, the three of them helped each other to their feet and pressed onward towards the enigmatic tower. The grassy terrain beneath them gradually thinned, replaced by a desolate expanse of shattered stones. Every step they took elicited a crunching sound, as though the earth itself was groaning in pain. The surroundings grew increasingly barren, with rolling hills resembling slumbering beasts, lifeless and unmoving. Occasionally, a few withered wild grasses trembled in the wind—like the final struggle of a dying soul.

As they entered a valley, a faint buzzing noise, like the whispers of spectres, seeped into their ears. Instantly, all three became alert, halting their steps and assuming a defensive stance, their eyes scanning the area with sharp vigilance. In the distance, a swarm of peculiar insects—glowing with an eerie blue light—swept towards them like a dark cloud. Though tiny in size, they radiated a chilling aura, as if they were messengers from the underworld.

Xiao Chen’s gaze turned sharp, and within him, the power of the stars surged gently, like a constellation gathering its radiance in preparation for battle. “Be careful! These insects may be venomous!” His voice rang out like a bell, reverberating through the valley, attempting to drive away the encroaching fear.

Yun Yi swiftly unsheathed his longsword, its blade shimmering with spiritual energy like a serpent dancing in the sunlight. With a swing, he tried to keep the insects at bay. Each strike whipped up a gust of wind, sending some of the creatures flying. “These damn things are persistent!” he cursed, his face taut with tension, like a bowstring drawn to its limit—strained with urgency and frustration.

Ling Xue’s hands moved like flowing water, her celestial arts pushed to their peak. Ice shards and wind blades shot forth like a heavenly maiden scattering blossoms, striking into the swarm. Yet, the sheer number of insects was overwhelming—an endless tide. As soon as one wave was repelled, another surged forward. They darted through the air like phantoms, agile and relentless. Some even broke through their defences, darting towards their exposed skin.

A sudden sting spread through their bodies—a sensation akin to being pierced by searing-hot needles. The bitten areas quickly reddened and swelled, as if scorched by fire, the pain excruciating. “This won’t work! If this continues, we’ll be poisoned to death! We need a way out!” Xiao Chen’s heart pounded with urgency, sweat dripping down his forehead like scattered pearls, falling onto the barren ground.

Just then, his gaze landed on a narrow cave entrance along the valley wall—like a beacon of hope in the darkness. “Run towards the cave!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos like an arrow piercing through a battlefield. Yun Yi and Ling Xue exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them, before instantly changing direction and sprinting towards the cave alongside Xiao Chen.

After a desperate dash for survival, they finally burst into the cave. Without hesitation, they hastily constructed a crude barricade at the entrance—piling up stones, branches, and vines to form a temporary wall. Though rudimentary, it managed to hold back the pursuing swarm, granting them a momentary respite.

The cave was dark and damp, its air thick with the stench of decay—like an ancient tomb buried beneath the earth. The foul odour was nauseating, but they had no time to care. Slumping onto the cold ground, they gasped for breath, the joy of escaping death washing over them like the warm rays of spring, briefly dispersing the lingering shadows of fear.

Yet before they could even exhale in relief, a deep, guttural growl rumbled from the depths of the cave—a sound like the furious roar of a demon, shattering the fragile silence.

Their faces instantly drained of colour, their blood turning ice-cold as they exchanged horrified glances. A chilling realisation settled upon them—within this cave, an even greater danger awaited…