Chapter 314: The Group's Harvest

The group, carrying the treasures they had gathered, made their way along the winding path outside the cave. They had not walked long before the surrounding scenery began to shift in eerie, uncanny ways.

The originally starry, tranquil night sky was suddenly shrouded by a layer of thick, ink-like darkness. Waves of cold, sinister mist rose from the ground, rapidly spreading all around, blocking their vision and sending a chill into their hearts.

"What's going on?" Yuigahama Yui instinctively moved closer to Li An, her voice trembling slightly with a hint of fear.

Li An's look was grave, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he warily scanned the surroundings: "I'm afraid we've fallen into some kind of powerful restriction. Everyone, be on your guard!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei gripped her weapon tightly, assumed a defensive stance, and fixed her gaze on the danger that might emerge from the mist: "This mist is poisonous. Everyone, hold your breath!"

Yukinoshita Haruno also quickly mobilized the magic power within her body, raising a faint protective light barrier around the group to resist the mist's erosion: "This can hold them off for a while. We need to find a way to break through as soon as possible."

Just then, a ghastly roar echoed from the depths of the darkness, hurting everyone's eardrums.

Immediately after, a group of ghost-like black shadows burst out from the mist at extreme speed, claws bared, lunging toward them. These shadows moved with uncanny speed, their forms flickering and elusive, impossible to pin down.

Li An's eyes went cold. He let out a great shout: "Come on then!" His body flashed, and like a bolt of black lightning, he charged into the swarm of shadows. The longsword in his hand swung out streak after streak of fierce sword Qi, each one precisely aimed at the shadows' vital points. The moment any shadow was touched by the sword Qi, it instantly dissolved, letting out a shrill, wretched shriek.

"Li An, my lord, watch your back!" Yuigahama Yui shouted at the top of her voice, staring tensely at Li An's back, her grip on her weapon unconsciously tightening.

Li An, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, the instant the shadow's sneak attack was about to land, suddenly spun around and struck backhanded with his sword, cleaving the shadow clean in two: "Hmph, these small fry can't hurt me!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei and Yukinoshita Haruno refused to be outdone, each unleashing their own signature techniques and engaging the shadows in fierce combat. Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei's bladework was fierce and powerful, every slash carrying a whistling wind, cutting through the shadows as easily as chopping melons and vegetables. Yukinoshita Haruno's magic blazed brilliantly; under her control, the power of the elements transformed into lethal attacks that streaked into the shadow swarm.

Under the three's furious assault, the number of shadows gradually dwindled, but the shadows' attacks grew ever more frenzied. Suddenly, a massive shadow silently appeared from behind, opened its bloody maw, and lunged to bite the completely unguarded Yuigahama Yui.

"Yui, watch out!" Li An sensed the danger and was frantic with worry. He instantly cast the "Blink" technique, appearing before Yuigahama Yui in the blink of an eye. He held his longsword out horizontally, barely blocking the shadow's lethal strike. The tremendous impact forced Li An back a few steps, but his feet were like nails driven into the ground, standing firm without the slightest waver.

"Li An, my lord…" Yuigahama Yui's eyes glistened with moved tears, her voice choking.

"Don't be afraid. With me here, I won't let any harm come to you." Li An turned his head, looking gently at Yuigahama Yui, his eyes filled with resolve and concern. In that instant, Yuigahama Yui felt a warm current surge up in her heart, and much of her original fear melted away.

"It's time to end these things!" Li An turned his head, a flash of resolve crossing his eyes. He drew a deep breath, and the power within his body surged wildly, gathering upon his longsword. In an instant, the sword blazed with brilliant light, dazzlingly bright, impossible to look at.

"Demon-Slaying Sword Shadow!" Li An roared, and his longsword slashed fiercely forward. A sword shadow imbued with endless destructive force streaked toward the shadow swarm like a rainbow spanning the sun. Wherever the sword shadow passed, space itself seemed to be torn apart; under its impact, those shadows were instantly obliterated, vanishing without a trace.

With the dissipation of the last shadow, the surrounding darkness and mist gradually receded, and the starry sky regained its brightness. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief, weary but relieved smiles appearing on their faces.

"Li An, we really owe it to you this time. If not for you, we'd all have been in danger." Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei stepped forward, patted Li An on the shoulder, her eyes full of admiration.

Yukinoshita Haruno also nodded slightly and said softly: "Li An, my lord, your strength grows ever stronger. Having you by our side puts us at ease."

Li An smiled and shook his head: "As long as everyone's fine, that's what matters. We're one whole; only by supporting each other can we go further."

After this thrilling, heart-stirring battle, the bonds between the group deepened even further. After a brief rest, they continued onward on their journey to explore the Starry Sacred Ground. Along the way, Li An would sometimes share some interesting adventure stories with Yuigahama Yui, making her laugh out loud; sometimes discuss cultivation insights with Yukinoshita Haruno, exchanging progress; and sometimes reminisce with Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei about moments of the past, sighing with emotion.

As they walked, a strange Shi Lin appeared ahead. These Shi Lin came in all shapes and sizes—some towered into the clouds like sharp swords thrust into the heavens; some were short and stout, like guardian sentinels; others twisted and coiled like winding dragons. A faint seven-colored glow permeated the spaces between the Shi Lin, dreamlike and illusory, making one feel as though they had stepped into a fairy realm.

"This Shi Lin looks very mysterious. There might be some secret hidden within." Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she carefully examined the Shi Lin.

Li An nodded slightly: "Mm, everyone be careful and stay close to me." Saying so, he stepped into the Shi Lin first.

The group carefully threaded their way through the Shi Lin, when suddenly, a melodious flute sound drifted from deep within. The flute's tune was winding and ethereal, as if possessing a strange magic that made one's spirit involuntarily sink into it.

"This flute… sounds so familiar…" Yuigahama Yui murmured to herself, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Li An's heart stirred, and he warned warily: "Don't be bewitched by the flute. This might be a trap!" However, the moment his words fell, he saw Yuigahama Yui's eyes go blank and vacant, her feet moving uncontrollably toward the direction of the flute.

"Yui!" Li An's face went pale with shock. He lunged forward in a single stride, trying to grab Yuigahama Yui. But just as he was about to touch her, the ground suddenly split open with a massive fissure, and a powerful suction force surged up from within, pulling both Li An and Yuigahama Yui in together.

"Li An! Yui!" Hiratsuka Shizuka-sensei and Yukinoshita Haruno cried out in panic, but the fissure sealed shut in an instant, and the two figures vanished, leaving only silence behind.

Li An and Yuigahama Yui tumbled into a dark abyss. During the fall, Li An held Yuigahama Yui tightly, trying to shield her with his own body. Fortunately, Li An reacted swiftly; the instant they were about to hit the ground, he cast a cushioning spell, and the two slowly landed at the bottom of the abyss.

"Yui, are you alright?" Li An gently shook Yuigahama Yui, asking anxiously.

Yuigahama Yui slowly opened her eyes, still a little dazed: "Li An, my lord, I… what happened to me?"

Li An briefly explained what had happened. Yuigahama Yui, upon hearing it, felt a wave of lingering fear: "It's all my fault. I dragged you down, Li An, my lord."

Li An gently stroked her hair: "Don't be silly. It's not your fault. We need to figure out how to get out of here now."

Li An stood up, looked around, and found that the bottom of the abyss was permeated with a mysterious aura. The surrounding walls were covered in ancient runes and patterns, as if telling some unknown history.