Several days had passed since the training duel that destroyed half the training room. In the large courtyard of the headquarters, Leon, Kazan, and Xuánhú stood with their travel gear fully equipped. They waited patiently, while on the other side, Zephyr, Arthur, Veylin, and Sylphine stood to see them off.
"What's taking Nix so long to prepare?" muttered Xuánhú, her nine tails twitching impatiently.
Only after a few minutes did Nix emerge from the headquarters with quick steps. In his hand was a small leather bag that looked ordinary.
"Sorry for the delay," Nix said. "There was something I had to prepare."
"It's fine," Leon replied. "The important thing is we can depart soon."
Arthur stepped forward, his face serious yet full of confidence. "Alright. Is everyone ready?"
Leon, Kazan, Nix, and Xuánhú answered in unison, "Ready!"
Without further ado, Nix stepped into the center of the field. A golden light enveloped his body, expanding and transforming. In a few seconds, a majestic Phoenix with feathers of fire and gold stood before them, its wide wings spread powerfully.
Leon, Kazan, and Xuánhú immediately climbed onto its broad back. They then looked back at the team staying behind.
"Be careful out there," Zephyr said, his eyes especially on them.
"Do your best, and return safely," Arthur added with a smile.
"Good luck!" Sylphine and Veylin chimed in almost simultaneously.
"We will do our best," Leon answered on behalf of the others. "You too, do your best in your mission."
Nix beat his wings once, twice, then with a powerful thrust, they shot into the sky. Gradually, the shape of the headquarters and the four waving figures below grew smaller until they finally disappeared, covered by clouds.
---
The flight lasted several weeks. Xuánhú, sitting near Leon, finally asked, "Actually, why don't we just teleport using your ability, Leon? It would be faster."
Leon shook his head. "My teleportation ability can only take me to places I've visited before. For new locations like this, I have to see them firsthand first."
Xuánhú nodded, understanding the limitation.
Day after day they flew, passing mountains, valleys, and oceans. Finally, one foggy morning, Nix began to descend. Below them stretched a vast expanse of dense forest shrouded in thick gray mist, and in the distance, the forked peaks of a mountain like horns appeared vaguely.
"We're almost there," Nix said, his voice echoing in their minds. "From here, we must continue on foot. Flying over this area is too risky."
Nix landed in a small clearing at the forest's edge. Once everyone dismounted, he returned to his human form, his face alert.
Xuánhú observed her surroundings, her sensitive nose sniffing the air. "From here on, extra vigilance. The terrain ahead will be dangerous."
They nodded in unison. Led by Xuánhú, who knew the route best, they began entering the dense forest at the mountain's base.
The atmosphere changed immediately. Giant trees with branches like thin arms blocked the light. Giant thorny bushes seemed alive, moving slowly to obstruct the path. The caws of crows and the rustle of wind through leaves created an unsettling melody. A light drizzle began to fall, making the ground muddy and slippery.
For several hours, they walked carefully, occasionally facing aggressive forest creatures. However, all were dealt with through swift cooperation.
After successfully passing through the forest, they began ascending the steep mountain slope. On their side, a deep chasm stretched, strong winds whipping past with groans almost like whispers. It took several days of exhausting climbing before they finally reached a more level plateau, nearly approaching the city gate that should have started to become visible.
Kazan, who had been silent, noticed Leon frequently glancing around with a puzzled expression. "Leon, is something bothering you?"
Leon stopped, his eyes sweeping the desolate scenery around them. "It's strange. From the moment we landed until now, we haven't encountered a single inhabitant or sign of life. Xuánhú said there were villages in the lowlands, but… there's been nothing. Only a silent forest and mountains."
Xuánhú also frowned. "I feel the same way. An unnatural silence. As if…"
Fwip!
A dark red arrow suddenly shot from the darkness of a bush, slicing through the air directly towards Kazan's head!
Kazan reacted with deadly reflexes. His sword was drawn and slashed the arrow in mid-air. However, instead of breaking, the arrow melted into a thick red liquid that splattered onto the ground with a hiss.
Xuánhú, recognizing it, immediately went on alert, her eyes and tails erect. "Be on guard! We're surrounded! That's a weapon of the Bloodstone Guard!"
Before they could form a formation, a second hail of blood-arrows launched from various directions—from behind trees, from behind rocks, from within bushes. Leon, Kazan, Nix, and Xuánhú immediately moved, dodging and deflecting.
"Dark Army, appear!" Leon shouted. Spatial rifts opened around them, and shadow soldiers with large shields emerged, forming a defensive formation that blocked the rain of arrows.
Nix wasn't idle either. His hands opened, flames ignited. "Sunflare Orb!" The fireball was thrown towards the source of the arrows, exploding with blinding light and a heat wave, burning the bushes and driving back some of the ambushers.
The explosion's light successfully revealed the faces of the attackers. From behind trees and rocks, humanoid figures emerged. They were tall, with skin pale as wax, and glowing red eyes. They wore black armor with red adornments, carrying spears, swords, and shields that appeared to be made of blood.
From the ranks of soldiers, a vampire in more elegant attire stepped forward. His hair was jet black, neatly tied back. His eyes were red like rubies, emitting a cold, powerful gleam amidst the deepening darkness of night. A still-dripping blood sword hung at his waist.
"Uninvited visitors," the noble vampire spoke, his voice smooth yet piercing. "This territory is not for travelers. Especially travelers who carry… an enticing scent of power."
He raised his hand, and the melted blood gathered, forming a second long sword in his grasp.
"Capture them. Alive is preferable, but the dead… their blood is still useful."
The vampire troops advanced with silent, coordinated movements. Leon drew his sword, his dark army readying themselves. Kazan took his stance with his gleaming katana. Xuánhú stretched out her Xiān Suǒ, and Nix gathered fire in his palms.
The battle began.
=== CHAPTER 52 END ===