The Heir of the Celestial Diagram

Chapter 23: Eyes in the Shadows

Han Feng felt that something was wrong. Even cultivating in the depths of the Misty Shadow Mountains, where no one should be able to find him, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.

His body had already developed a keen instinct for danger, the result of years hiding his true power and advancing without drawing attention. This time, however, the threat seemed different. It was as if invisible eyes were probing every one of their movements.

To confirm his suspicions, he secretly activated the Celestial Veil Art, concealing his presence as much as possible. Then, he spread spiritual threads over a wide radius around him, trying to catch any strange fluctuations in the Qi of the environment.

Nothing.

Still, the feeling persisted.

— If someone is watching me, then I can't afford to let my guard down — he murmured to himself.

Determined to investigate, Han Feng moved to a higher position where he could better observe the surroundings. He slowed his breathing and blended into the shadows of the dense vegetation, moving like a ghost.

It was then that he felt.

A subtle trace of Qi was disturbed nearby. As minimal as it was, for someone with his keen perception, it was enough to confirm that someone was there.

I can't confront him directly. If they know that I noticed their presence, they might send more dangerous reinforcements.

With this conclusion, Han Feng devised a plan. He feigned ignorance and continued cultivating in his cave as if nothing had happened. But, in secret, he used the Dual Chaos Larva to release a small wave of unstable energy, simulating a failure in his cultivation control.

The spy took the bait.

A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, moving quickly to observe more closely. Han Feng remained motionless, pretending to be too focused to notice anything. When the figure got close enough, he activated a pre-prepared seal, unleashing a curtain of poisonous mist.

The figure reacted quickly, but not quickly enough. Han Feng used that moment of distraction to launch himself into the darkness, disappearing down a hidden path he had prepared in advance.

Far from there, hidden at another point in the mountains, he observed in silence.

— Now I know I'm being hunted... But who sent this spy?

The cult? Some unknown enemy? Or someone who, like him, sought the mystery of the Celestial Diagram?

Whoever it was, Han Feng knew he had to be even more cautious. His advance had to continue in secret. He realized that even his movements needed to be more careful to avoid leaving any trace of his presence.

If he revealed his true strength now, he would lose the only advantage he had.