Ch 50: The Storm that comes after the Silence

Feng Chen had been in a deep state of focus, fully immersed in his cultivation, allowing the dual energies of Yin and Yang to flow through him as he guided the swirling currents into his dantian.

His body emitted a faint glow, the manifestation of his Yin and Yang Divine Body. Inside, he was just a step away from forming his core.

His energies were balanced, and the cultivation process was nearly complete. All he needed was time to finalize it.

But time wasn't on his side.

Outside the cave, Dan Xiao played happily with Yin and Yang. She laughed as the two serpents darted around her, their sleek bodies weaving through the air.

They moved with the grace and power of beasts destined for greatness, but for now, they were like playful pets, loyal and eager to protect their newfound friend. Dan Xiao couldn't help but be mesmerized by their movements.

As she tried to catch them, her mind wandered back to Feng Chen. The image of him standing tall, radiating power, had burned itself into her mind.

He was unlike anyone she had ever met. Strong, mysterious, and distant.

"I wonder what Master Feng Chen is really like," she thought aloud.

Yin, the black-scaled snake, let out a soft hiss.

"Master? Mysterious? Maybe... but he's more like a grumpy old man most of the time." Her voice carried amusement, her golden eyes twinkling.

Dan Xiao giggled, momentarily forgetting the perilous world they lived in. The two serpents, despite their power, were still children at heart. Their playful banter made her feel at ease.

However, as the afternoon sun began to descend, casting longer shadows across the forest, her stomach growled loudly.

"I'm hungry," she said, rubbing her stomach.

"Do you think we could find something to eat out there?" She gestured toward the depths of the forest that lay beyond their safe zone.

Immediately, Yin and Yang tensed. Their playful demeanor shifted to something more serious, their eyes narrowing.

"This forest is dangerous," Yin warned.

"Even we avoid going too far without Master's permission."

"But come on, we'll be fine!" Dan Xiao argued, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

"You two are powerful, right? And besides, it's not like I'm going alone. I have both of you to protect me!"

Yin and Yang exchanged a look. The reminder of their duty to protect Dan Xiao weighed heavily on them. While they were intelligent, they were still naïve, and their desire to protect her clashed with their lack of caution. Ultimately, their instincts as newly formed beasts led them to agree.

"Fine," Yang relented, though he didn't sound entirely convinced.

"But you stay close, alright?"

Dan Xiao nodded eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

"I promise!" She practically skipped ahead, oblivious to the growing danger.

With that, the trio ventured deeper into the forest. Time passed quickly as they wandered through the trees, searching for anything edible.

The sky began to change color, the orange hues of the setting sun turning to the deep purple of twilight. They had been out for hours now, and the air had grown cooler, the forest far more ominous.

"We should head back," Yin said suddenly, his voice tinged with unease.

"It's getting late."

Dan Xiao nodded absentmindedly, still looking around.

"Just a little longer…"

But before she could finish her sentence, a rustling in the bushes ahead made them freeze. The atmosphere shifted instantly, from light-hearted exploration to chilling dread. Yang hissed defensively, coiling his body in preparation for a fight.

They weren't alone anymore.

*****

Inside the cave, Feng Chen's meditation continued. His dantian was filled with swirling energy, the qi condensing into a dense core of Yin and Yang.

He was on the verge of breaking through, the foundation of his core forming perfectly. But something pulled at his consciousness.

His eyes shot open, glowing faintly in the dim light of the cave. The serene focus on his cultivation vanished, replaced by an unsettling sensation.

"They're taking too long…" he muttered, his brows furrowing.

His senses expanded outward, scanning the area. Feng Chen's qi awareness allowed him to feel the minute details of the environment... the movements of the wind, the subtle shifts in energy.

He could tell immediately that Yin, Yang, and Dan Xiao had left the protective range of the barrier. Worse, he could feel a disturbance in the flow of qi around them.

A grin spread across his face, though it was devoid of warmth.

"She couldn't even wait a day before running off, huh? What a hasty child..."

Yet even as he spoke, something darker stirred within him. When he said her name, Dan, a strange, unknown rage bubbled to the surface. It was fleeting, but enough to make his eyes darken momentarily.

Before he could process that, a familiar system chime echoed in his mind.

-----

System Notification:-

Well, guess what?

-----

Feng Chen sighed, rolling his eyes. "What now?"

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System Notification:

Warning! Your pets, Yin and Yang, have fallen into grave danger. They are on the brink of death.

-----

The playful grin on his face vanished, replaced by a sharp, focused intensity. His eyes narrowed, and a dangerous aura began to radiate from him. The air around the cave grew heavier, charged with his killing intent.

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System Notification:-

New Mission: Save Yin and Yang.

Rewards: Heavenly Beast Qi Refiner, 10,000 Spirit Stones, and Yin-Yang Beast Evolution Elixirs

-----

Another window flashed before his eyes.

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System Notification:-

Choice Mission:-

- Save Yin and Yang:

->Reward: ???

->Failure will result in their death.

- Do Nothing:

->Consequence: Yin and Yang will die.

-----

Feng Chen stood slowly, his movements deliberate, as a sinister smile crept across his face. His eyes gleamed with malicious intent, a dark fire kindling within them.

He extended his hand, and with a simple thought, summoned his two weapons from his inventory... Demon's Vile and the Abyssal Devourer Blade. The two weapons appeared in his grasp, their malevolent energy swirling in the air like hungry beasts anticipating their next meal. Their presence only amplified Feng Chen's bloodlust.

The blades hummed, vibrating with excitement as they resonated with their master's emotions. Feng Chen smirked, speaking to them as if they were living entities.

"Hungry, huh? Don't worry… it's meal time."

Without hesitation, Feng Chen moved toward the cave entrance. With a flick of his blade, he slashed at the massive rock that blocked the entrance. The rock shattered into pieces instantly, sending debris flying. The path was cleared.

Standing at the entrance, his hair swayed gently in the wind as he peered out into the night. His senses locked onto the qi signature of Yin and Yang, faint but present. His grin widened, his anticipation for bloodshed and violence clear.

"Don't worry, Yin and Yang," he whispered, the deadly edge in his voice sending a chill through the air.

"Master's coming."

With that, Feng Chen shot forward, his body blurring as he dashed into the darkness, his mind set on one thing... to save his companions and make whoever or whatever had dared to threaten them regret ever being born.