Sky Star

Chapter Twenty: The Journey of Exploration

Tasked with uncovering the secret behind the mysterious glow, an elite squad was swiftly assembled. Each member bore a resolute expression, like warriors embarking on a dragon-slaying quest. Their hands gripped their weapons tightly, knuckles turning pale—a silent testament to the tension and anticipation coursing through them. It was as if they weren’t just clutching cold steel, but the very hope of the Celestial Dominion itself.

Xiao Chen, Ling Xue, and Yun Yi stood solemnly at the entrance of the camp, their gazes filled with concern and unspoken words, much like parents sending their children off to war.

“Brothers, proceed with utmost caution. If danger arises, do not act recklessly—return to the camp immediately and report.” Xiao Chen took a step forward, his voice deep and commanding. Each word landed with weight, resonating within the hearts of the squad members, carrying both authority and reluctance. He knew full well that this mission was fraught with uncertainty. Behind that mysterious glow could lie a force beyond their comprehension—one that might shape the fate of the entire Dominion.

The squad leader nodded firmly, his expression as determined as one taking a solemn oath. “Rest assured, Lord Xiao! We will not fail in our duty. Even at the cost of our lives, we will uncover the truth!” His voice rang out, unwavering, as though his declaration could pierce the heavens. The onlookers were visibly moved. With that, he turned, leading the squad forward. Their strides were steady and unwavering as they charged toward the distant glow, their figures soon swallowed by the boundless wilderness, merging with the vast unknown.

Throughout their journey, the squad members remained on high alert. Their eyes, sharp as eagle’s, scanned their surroundings meticulously. The howling wind whispered eerie laments, while withered grass trembled in its wake, as if foretelling an ominous fate. Occasionally, startled birds took to the sky, their cries sharp and piercing, heightening the tension in the air.

Upon reaching a deep valley, where the glow had last been seen, they found themselves surrounded by a thick, swirling mist. Like a delicate veil, it cloaked everything in uncertainty, obscuring their vision. The squad leader raised his hand, signaling the group to halt. Moving cautiously, he pressed forward, each step taken with the utmost care, as though walking on the edge of a blade, wary of triggering unseen dangers.

Suddenly, a guttural roar echoed from within the fog—low and menacing, reminiscent of an ancient beast’s furious cry. The sheer force of it sent tremors through the air, making their eardrums throb in pain.

“Hold your ground! Do not panic!” the squad leader ordered in a hushed but firm voice, attempting to steady his comrades. Yet, even he could not suppress the sweat dampening his palms. His grip on his weapon trembled slightly, like a candle flickering in the wind.

Then, from the depths of the mist, blood-red eyes began to appear—glowing like ghostly flames in the darkness, exuding a bloodthirsty aura that sent shivers down their spines.

A monstrous beast suddenly lunged from the fog, its presence radiating an eerie menace. Its claws, sharp as scythes, slashed through the air, carrying the stench of blood and death.

The squad reacted instantly, unleashing their full strength as they engaged the beast in a desperate battle. Swords and sabers clashed, gleaming like dazzling fireworks in the mist—a breathtaking yet deadly spectacle. One soldier seized the perfect moment, leaping high into the air, his blade aimed directly at the creature’s throat like a lightning strike poised to end its reign of terror.

Yet, the beast’s hide was thick and unyielding. The attack merely caused it to stumble slightly, like a mountain shaken but not toppled. Enraged, it lashed out with its mighty claws, sending the warrior flying through the air. He crashed to the ground with a sickening thud, blood spurting from his lips like a wilting flower succumbing to the cold.

“Xiao Li!” his comrades cried out in alarm, their eyes brimming with anguish and fury. But there was no time to mourn. More beasts emerged from the shadows, their roars converging into a deafening cacophony. Like a relentless black tide, they surged toward the squad, cutting off all escape routes.

Despite being cornered, there was no trace of fear in the warriors’ eyes. Instead, they burned with unwavering resolve, like flames defying the storm. Back-to-back, they fought relentlessly, each strike fueled by the determination to carve out a path to survival.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, Xiao Chen, Ling Xue, and Yun Yi waited anxiously for any news. Time crawled at an excruciating pace, each passing second stretching into eternity, gnawing at their nerves. Xiao Chen paced outside his tent, his brows tightly furrowed, his gaze fixed on the horizon like a sailor longing for a ship lost at sea. Ling Xue sat quietly nearby, her hands clutching the fabric of her robe, as though grasping at fleeting hope. Her eyes frequently darted toward the distance, yearning for a familiar silhouette to appear and bring word of safety.

Yun Yi, on the other hand, remained seated with his eyes shut, seemingly at rest. Yet, the subtle tremble of his fingers betrayed the turmoil within. He was gathering his strength, like a coiled spring wound to its limit, ready to strike the moment calamity struck.

All three knew that the squad’s expedition was akin to a lone vessel navigating through an abyss of darkness, where untold dangers lurked in the shadows. And, more crucially, they understood that the fate of the Celestial Dominion teetered on the precipice, waiting to be reshaped by the outcome of this perilous journey…