Sky Star

Chapter 26: Dawn’s Pursuit

The morning light, like a delicate veil, gently lifted to unveil a new day in the Celestial Divine Realm. After the harrowing battle against the colossal beast the night before, the camp’s inhabitants, though physically and mentally drained, dared not slacken for even a moment. Xiao Chen forced his heavy eyelids open, his gaze resolute—akin to the first glimmer of dawn piercing through the clouds. With unwavering determination, he rose to his feet.

“Yun Yi, Ling Xue, we cannot sit idly by and wait for danger to strike again. That mysterious mark is deeply connected to the beast, concealing an earth-shattering secret. We must take the initiative and uncover the truth.” His voice, steady and commanding like the toll of a great bell, shattered the morning silence. Each word carried an undeniable resolve, causing the very air around him to tremble.

Upon hearing his words, Yun Yi and Ling Xue swiftly approached, their eyes gleaming with the same unwavering determination—like the brightest, coldest stars in the night sky. Yun Yi gave a solemn nod, his expression as grave as frost-laden earth. In a low voice, he said, “Xiao Chen is right. I have had a persistent feeling, as though an invisible, ominous force is manipulating everything from the shadows. If we do not hasten our steps, we may forever be led by the nose, trapped in an inescapable abyss.” His words, like an icy wind, swept through the camp, rousing everyone from their haze and making them realise the urgency of the situation.

Ling Xue raised a hand to gently smooth the stray strands of hair by her temple, as if attempting to untangle the knots in her mind. She softly agreed, “Of course, I will go with you. An extra pair of hands means a greater chance of success. Besides, the team is still wounded and needs time to recuperate. There are too many matters at the camp that I cannot leave unattended.” Her gaze was filled with both concern and resolve, akin to the gentle yet unyielding warmth of a spring sunrise—providing comfort while also bestowing strength to those around her, dispelling the lingering shadows in their hearts.

After a brief discussion, the three made their preparations and silently departed the camp, venturing into the depths of the forest where the beast had last appeared. Along the way, the quiet woodland resembled a vast and enigmatic labyrinth. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow upon the ground. It seemed as if the light was guiding their path, yet at the same time, hiding countless lurking dangers. The dry leaves and twigs beneath their feet emitted sharp creaks with each step, akin to the hushed whispers of unseen phantoms, sending chills down their spines.

Arriving at the site where the beast had fallen, the sight before them was a grim reminder of the fierce battle. A massive crater scarred the earth, surrounded by chaotic traces of destruction, as if narrating an unspoken tale of carnage. Xiao Chen crouched down, his hawk-like eyes meticulously scanning every trace left behind. His fingers gently brushed against the cold, blood-tainted soil, as if attempting to commune with the battlefield—to unearth the secrets buried within.

“The aura of this beast is eerily similar to that of the mysterious mark. What intricate connection lies between them?” he murmured, his brows furrowed deeply into a knot. He seemed ensnared in an unfathomable game of strategy, painstakingly contemplating each possible move in hopes of uncovering the key to breaking this perplexing enigma.

Yun Yi, meanwhile, paced slowly around the area, his sharp gaze sweeping over every tree and blade of grass with the precision of a hunting falcon. Suddenly, as if struck by lightning, he halted abruptly. His eyes locked onto an ancient tree, weathered by time itself. On its trunk, several deep gashes marred the bark, as if slashed by the beast’s ferocious claws. Within the cuts, faint traces of a peculiar blue glow flickered—eerily identical to the strange luminescence of the beast.

“Xiao Chen, Ling Xue, come quickly and see this!” Yun Yi called out, his voice ringing like an alarm bell through the forest. The sudden sound startled a flock of birds from the branches, sending them soaring into the sky in frantic disarray.

Xiao Chen and Ling Xue hurried over, their eyes brimming with astonishment and curiosity—as though they had stumbled upon a gateway to an unknown world. Ling Xue cautiously reached out, her fingertips grazing the faintly glowing marks, as if touching a flame imbued with ancient mysteries. In a hushed tone, she murmured, “This glow… it carries an unimaginable power. Could this tree and the beast be connected in ways beyond our comprehension?” Her voice, as soft as a gentle breeze caressing a lyre, carried a profound sense of inquiry, echoing through the tranquil woodland.

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Chen, with the wisdom of a seer, said, “Perhaps this tree holds the key to the mystery. We must examine it thoroughly and leave no clue overlooked.” With that, he placed both hands on the trunk, allowing the celestial energy within him to flow steadily into the tree. In an instant, the faint luminescence on the bark surged with intensity, revealing a series of ancient, cryptic runes—like remnants of a forgotten tale, waiting to be deciphered.

Seeing this, Yun Yi did not hesitate. Channelling his own spiritual energy, he joined his strength with Xiao Chen’s, their powers resonating in perfect harmony. Under their combined efforts, the runes began to shift and flow, akin to an ancient scroll unfolding before their eyes. A vision emerged—a dark, boundless void, within which a celestial light descended, striking the heart of this very forest. From the light, a mysterious seed took root, growing into the towering tree before them, nurtured by time. The beast, it seemed, had been born from the very essence of the tree, its sole purpose to guard this woodland and the perilous secret concealed within.

At the vision’s end, a shadowy figure emerged—an indistinct presence, like a guardian from an age long past. In a voice as fleeting as a whisper carried by the wind, it left behind a cryptic message: “When darkness returns, only by seeking the true light can the heavens be saved…” Then, as if it had never existed, the figure faded into nothingness.

The revelation struck the three like a bolt of lightning. A tumultuous storm of emotions raged within them, leaving them momentarily speechless. Xiao Chen was the first to recover. His eyes, burning with conviction, flared like an unyielding beacon in the night. “No matter what this ‘true light’ is, for the Celestial Divine Realm, for our homeland—we must find it. Even if our path is riddled with thorns, even if we must battle the forces of darkness itself, we will not falter!” His voice rang out like the clarion call of war, breaking the forest’s stillness and igniting the fire of determination in his companions’ hearts.

Yun Yi and Ling Xue exchanged a knowing glance, then firmly nodded, as though sealing an oath of unwavering unity. At that moment, the sunlight, sensing their resolute spirits, pierced through the foliage, bathing them in golden radiance—like armour woven from courage and hope, fortifying them for the perilous road ahead. They knew this path would be fraught with trials, akin to walking a razor’s edge, where a single misstep could spell doom. Yet, for the sake of their home, their loved ones, and their comrades, they pressed forward without hesitation—like valiant warriors marching into the unknown.

Little did they know, hidden within the depths of the forest, shadowy figures watched their every move in silence. A new crisis loomed—an unseen tempest waiting to shatter the fragile peace, its arrival inevitable…