Cold boulders

They weren't just small rocks. It was an onslaught of boulders, varying in size, raining down from all directions in a series of powerful attacks.

The mist obscured what lay behind the stones, making it impossible to see.

A distant rumble echoed through the air, as if a colossal giant was stomping its way towards them. The ground quivered with each step, shaking the very air around them.

Then, an eerie silence descended upon the canyon, blanketing it in an unsettling stillness.

It was so profoundly quiet that even the faintest sound, like the descent of a falling leaf, would be audible.

The trio remained on high alert, knowing that the danger couldn't simply vanish on its own.

Xuan Yi instinctively took steps backward, positioning himself between Qing Fu and Tian Wei.

Among the three, he was the weakest in terms of raw strength. While the other two could fly, he had not yet reached the cultivation level where he could channel his chi and levitate. His meridians remained untempered.

The only sound that broke the silence was the soft rustle of Xuan Yi's footsteps on the pebbles and grains of sand beneath his feet, as he slowly retreated.

But danger always lurks where you least expect it. In a split second, Xuan Yi sensed a rush of wind behind him, prompting him to swiftly turn around.

To his astonishment, he witnessed an enormous chain, composed of jagged ice-cold rocks, hurtling towards him in a reckless manner.

His recent improvements allowed him to react with agility. Vines, aglow with an otherworldly green radiance, shot forth from his outstretched hand, colliding with the formidable chain. He felt the impact reverberate through his body.

Despite the shockwave trembling his hand and causing him to skid along the ground, gouging the surface beneath him, he managed to retain his balance.

Determined, he exerted his strength to infuse the vines with a renewed surge of energy.

However, the chain of rock retreated and vanished into the enigmatic mist.

Once again, a profound silence enveloped the surroundings, leaving the trio in a state of anticipation.

"Show yourself. There's no need to attack from the shadows," Xuan Yi called out breaking the silence.

Qing Fu, sensing the escalating danger, moved closer to Xuan Yi. It was clear that the next attack could be brutal, so standing together offered a better chance of survival.

The air shifted, and a gentle breeze carried the mist closer, thickening its veil and further obscuring their vision of what lay ahead.

Tian Wei waved his hand, summoning a surge of power that emanated outward, pushing back the encroaching mist just in time to reveal two chains hurtling straight toward Xuan Yi.

Xuan Yi swiftly extended his vines to intercept the incoming chains, but this time, the impact was overwhelmingly powerful.

He was forcefully propelled backward.

However, as the icy chains pursued him, Qing Fu's sword pulsating with a bluish energy materialized, clashing into the twining chains. The entire canyon trembled in the aftermath of the mighty clash.

As quickly as they had come, the chains retreated, leaving behind a renewed silence.

Tian Wei had a sinking feeling that the next attack would be even more formidable. He landed on the ground with a resounding thud, channeling his inner strength.

Xuan Yi had already recovered and positioned himself close to each person, each of them keeping a watchful eye in different directions, prepared for whatever would come next.

Something felt amiss.

Tian Wei's instincts alerted him to the impending danger, and he swiftly gathered his energy, causing the air to crackle with sparks. The strands of chi intertwined and formed shards that clicked together, materializing into his sword.

The air quivered with the concentrated energy emanating from the sword. Suddenly, an onslaught of chains, rocks, and boulders came hurtling from all directions with tremendous force.

Tian Wei gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing in determination.

He stomped one foot upon the ground, causing visible cracks to form as the earth shattered beneath him. A surge of golden energy radiated outward, creating a formidable shield that enveloped them.

The chains and boulders crashed relentlessly upon the shield, their impact causing the surrounding ground to sink under the immense force.

The sword appeared infront of Tian Wei's, and his finger once again turned a perfect gold.

With a touch to the hilt, a familiar, heart-rending shockwave emanated, reducing the chains and rocks around them that were attacking to nothing more than dust.

Having spotted his target, Tian Wei propelled the sword forward in a magnificent spin, gaining momentum and speed as it sliced through the dissipating fog.

The mist receded, revealing their enemy—a towering, masculine figure composed of rocks and boulders, with glowing yellow eyes.

"Weak," the rock person growled, catching the sword with his bare hand and launching it back at Tian Wei with an astonishing display of strength.