Sky Star

Chapter 27: New Clues

Yun Yi moved swiftly through the night, like a ghost shrouded in darkness, never pausing for a moment until he returned to the camp. The atmosphere within was heavy, as if cloaked in an ominous haze. Everyone was still troubled by the events of the previous night—the giant beast, the mysterious markings, and the looming sense of danger that lingered in the air.

As soon as Xiao Chen saw Yun Yi return, he hurried forward, his eyes filled with urgency and expectation, as if grasping at a glimmer of hope in the dark. “Brother Yun Yi, did you find anything?” His voice carried a hint of tension, like the taut strings of a zither trembling slightly, breaking the suffocating silence in the camp.

Yun Yi shook his head slightly, exhaustion evident in his expression, resembling a traveler who had crossed mountains and rivers only to return empty-handed. “The valley is shrouded in dense fog. Though I made some discoveries, they only deepened the mystery. The aura of that strange force is becoming even more elusive—I still can’t decipher it.” As he spoke, he recounted his findings in detail. The others listened intently, their brows furrowing deeper, as though tangled in a web of confusion with no clear path forward.

Ling Xue bit her lower lip lightly, leaving a faint mark on her rosy lips, like a plum blossom against the snow. She spoke softly, “Given the circumstances, our priority should be to start with the clues we already have. The beast, the mysterious markings, and the glow in the valley must be interconnected in some way. We can’t afford to overlook any details.” Her voice, though gentle, carried a firm resolve, like a breeze in spring attempting to clear the haze in everyone’s hearts.

Just as the group was deep in thought, a team member responsible for managing supplies rushed over, his expression flustered, like a startled rabbit. “Lord Xiao, Lady Ling, Senior Yun Yi, I just discovered this while clearing the battlefield!” He extended his hand, revealing a peculiar crystal resting in his palm—glimmering faintly with a bluish light, resembling crushed stardust. It bore an uncanny resemblance to the glow of the beast and the markings, as if they originated from the same source.

The moment they saw it, everyone’s gazes locked onto the crystal, drawn to it like metal to a magnet. Xiao Chen carefully took the crystal, examining it closely, his fingers gently brushing over its surface as though touching a rare treasure. “This crystal… I’ve never seen anything like it before. What secrets could it possibly hold?” He muttered, his brows furrowed as if caught in a complex game of chess, struggling to determine his next move.

Yun Yi’s gaze darkened, as if peering through the veil of mystery. He spoke with certainty, “Judging by the energy it emits, this might be a crucial key to unraveling the enigma. It could even be linked to the core of that strange power. We must figure out its origins and purpose.” His voice was steady and powerful, resonating like a tolling bell, pointing the group in a clear direction.

Ling Xue nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with Yun Yi’s deduction. Her sharp eyes swept across the camp, gleaming like stars in a cold night. “We must remain calm and work together. I suggest we start by searching ancient texts to see if any records mention such an object. At the same time, we need to stay alert and watch for any similar anomalies around the camp.” Her expression was one of determination and wisdom, like a seasoned commander maintaining control amidst chaos.

The group nodded in unison, as disciplined as trained soldiers receiving orders. Immediately, part of the team dispersed to the camp’s archives, flipping through countless ancient tomes like treasure hunters searching for lost riches, examining every yellowed page and faded inscription. The others strengthened patrols, watching their surroundings vigilantly, like devoted sentinels guarding the camp’s safety.

Xiao Chen, Yun Yi, and Ling Xue remained together, continuing their analysis of the crystal. Xiao Chen attempted to channel his celestial energy into it. As if awakened from slumber, the crystal flickered faintly, responding to his touch. Yun Yi, on the other hand, closed his eyes and focused his spirit, trying to probe the crystal’s secrets through sheer intuition, as if engaging in a silent conversation with it. Meanwhile, Ling Xue observed meticulously, her gaze sharp like an eagle’s, catching even the subtlest of changes.

Suddenly, the crystal trembled violently, like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Its radiance surged, blinding their eyes with an intense glow. Then, from within the crystal, a phantom-like projection emerged—an illusion so surreal yet vivid, akin to a mirage in the desert.

The vision revealed an ancient battlefield, desolate and war-torn, where smoke and flames engulfed the sky. Mighty warriors clashed in fierce combat. At the centre of the battlefield stood a towering, otherworldly structure—a colossal spire that seemed to pierce the heavens. Its entire form radiated the same blue light as the crystal, as if guarding an unfathomable secret. Towards the end of the vision, cryptic symbols appeared, resembling whispers from a long-lost civilisation, fleeting like a dream before vanishing into nothingness.

The group was left stunned, as if struck by lightning. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Xiao Chen was the first to regain his composure. His eyes burned with resolve, like a torch in the darkness. “That tower… It must be the key to everything. No matter the dangers ahead, we have to find it and uncover the truth behind all this!” His voice rang out like a battle cry, breaking the silence and reigniting the fire in everyone’s hearts, dispelling the fear and uncertainty that had clouded them.

Yun Yi and Ling Xue exchanged glances before nodding resolutely, as if making a silent vow of life and death.

At that moment, sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting a golden glow upon them, as if bestowing upon them the courage and strength to move forward. They knew that the road ahead would be fraught with peril, but for the realm of the celestial domain, for the safety of their homeland, they had no hesitation. Like fearless warriors, they took their first determined steps towards the unknown…

Yet, they failed to notice that in the distant horizon, hidden in the shadows, pairs of unseen eyes watched their every move, like phantoms lurking in the night. A greater crisis was already brewing in silence, waiting to engulf them in an even fiercer storm…