The Coiled Dragon’s Legacy

The silence that followed the voice sent a chill through Li Feng's spine. His muscles tensed as he locked eyes with the shadowy figure emerging from the trees. The flickering torchlight revealed sharp, familiar features—Shen Longwei's lieutenant, Jiang Ren.

Zheng Wei's grip on his staff tightened. "We should have known you'd be here," he muttered.

Jiang Ren smirked as he stepped forward, his dark robes barely disturbed by the wind. "Did you really think you'd reach the relic without opposition? My master knew you'd come. He always knows."

Mei Lian's fingers curled around her daggers. "If Shen Longwei knows, why send you instead of facing us himself?"

Jiang Ren chuckled, drawing a curved sword from his side. "You overestimate your worth. He has more pressing matters than dealing with a runaway disciple and his pitiful band of misfits. But he does expect results. And I don't plan to disappoint."

Without another word, Jiang Ren lunged. Li Feng met his attack head-on, their swords clashing in a violent spark of steel. The force of the strike vibrated through Li Feng's arm, but he held firm, countering with a swift kick to Jiang Ren's side. The lieutenant twisted midair, landing lightly on his feet.

Zheng Wei swung his staff at one of Jiang Ren's accompanying warriors, knocking him back. "We need to move!"

Mei Lian ducked beneath an incoming strike, her daggers flashing as she sliced through an enemy's defenses. "Not until we take the tablet!"

Jiang Ren grinned as he launched another flurry of strikes, forcing Li Feng back. "Still chasing ghosts, are we? Do you really think collecting these relics will change anything? You're nothing more than a fool playing hero."

Li Feng parried a downward slash, twisting his body to drive an elbow into Jiang Ren's ribs. "We'll see who the fool is when we have the artifact."

Jiang Ren staggered but recovered quickly. His eyes darkened, and the wind around them seemed to thicken with unseen energy. "You've meddled long enough. This ends now."

He pressed his palm to the earth. The Whispering Forest groaned in response, roots twisting and rising, ensnaring Li Feng's legs. Mei Lian and Zheng Wei found themselves similarly trapped.

Li Feng gritted his teeth. He's controlling the forest.

Jiang Ren took slow, deliberate steps toward the pedestal where the ancient tablet lay. "This is where you fail. Again."

Zheng Wei struggled against the roots, channeling his chi into his staff. "Not if we stop you first!"

With a burst of energy, Zheng Wei slammed his staff into the ground. The pulse of chi shattered the roots binding him, and with a swift motion, he sent a wave of force toward Jiang Ren. The lieutenant barely had time to leap aside before Li Feng broke free and charged.

Jiang Ren barely had time to react before Li Feng's blade found its mark, slicing across his shoulder. He let out a sharp hiss of pain and fell back, clutching the wound. His sneer returned as he met Li Feng's gaze. "You haven't won yet."

Before Li Feng could respond, Jiang Ren whirled and leapt into the darkness of the trees, disappearing into the mist. His surviving men, seeing their leader retreat, quickly followed.

Mei Lian exhaled sharply. "Coward."

Zheng Wei retrieved the fallen tablet from the pedestal, its surface glowing faintly beneath his touch. "We have it, but he won't let this go."

Li Feng wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his sword. "Let him come. We'll be ready."

The forest trembled one last time before settling into an eerie stillness. But the fight was far from over.