Li Feng stood at the front, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His heart was heavy with the weight of the task before him, but he found strength in the knowledge that he wasn’t alone. With Zhang Wei’s unmatched strength, Lin Xia’s healing prowess, and Wang Yue’s strategic mind, they had a fighting chance. Still, the unknown dangers lurking in the Moonlit Peaks gnawed at him.

 

The village elder, a frail old man with a long white beard, approached them as they made their final preparations. He bowed slightly to Li Feng, his voice trembling with age. “Young warrior, I have seen many come and go in search of the secrets hidden within those peaks. Few return. Be cautious and remember that the peaks are more than just mountains—they are alive with forces beyond our understanding.”

 

Li Feng nodded solemnly. “I appreciate your warning, elder. We will proceed with caution.”

 

The elder placed a hand on Li Feng’s shoulder, his gaze piercing. “Beware the Moonlit Blossoms. They are not as they seem.”

 

Before Li Feng could ask more, the elder turned and hobbled back to his hut, leaving behind an unsettling silence. Li Feng’s companions exchanged uneasy glances, but none spoke. The time for hesitation had passed.

 

---

 

 

As they rode toward the base of the Moonlit Peaks, the once bustling village quickly faded from view, replaced by an eerie stillness. The path ahead was narrow and winding, cutting through dense forests and jagged cliffs. Shadows stretched across the trail, and the sound of the wind howling through the trees sent a chill down Li Feng’s spine.

 

Zhang Wei, riding beside Li Feng, broke the silence. “These mountains are cursed. I can feel it in the air.”

 

Lin Xia nodded, her eyes scanning the surrounding forest. “There are strange energies here. The herbs I’ve gathered in the past from this region have always been… different. Potent, but unpredictable.”

 

Wang Yue, who had been quietly observing the landscape, spoke up. “The peaks have a reputation for being a place where the laws of nature bend. We should expect the unexpected.”

 

Li Feng tightened his grip on the reins. “Whatever we encounter, we must stay focused. Our goal is to find the Moonlit Blossoms and uncover the truth behind the prophecy. Anything else is a distraction.”

 

The group pressed on, their horses’ hooves clattering against the rocky path. As they ascended higher into the mountains, the air grew colder, and the mist thickened. Soon, they found themselves enveloped in a dense fog, the peaks looming like ghosts in the distance. The path became more treacherous, with sharp drops and narrow ledges, but they continued forward, driven by their shared resolve.

 

---

 

 

As night began to fall, the group reached a clearing where the path forked into two narrow trails. One led up a steep, rocky incline, while the other wound through a dense, dark forest. Li Feng dismounted and surveyed the options.

 

“We need to make a decision,” he said, glancing at his companions. “The forest is dangerous, but the incline could lead to an ambush from above.”

 

Zhang Wei crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. “The incline is risky, but I prefer it. We can see our enemies coming from above. In the forest, we’ll be sitting ducks.”

 

Lin Xia frowned, her gaze fixed on the dark forest. “There’s something wrong with that place. I can feel it—a malevolent presence. I wouldn’t recommend entering without preparation.”

 

Wang Yue stepped forward, his eyes calculating. “The incline may be more exposed, but that gives us the advantage of sight. However, if the forest hides something, it may also hide us. It’s a gamble either way.”

 

Li Feng considered their words, weighing the risks of each path. He looked toward the forest, its dark, twisted trees whispering in the wind, and then up at the rocky incline, steep and unforgiving.

 

After a long moment, he made his decision. “We take the incline. It’s more dangerous, but we can’t risk getting lost or ambushed in the forest. If anything comes for us, we’ll face it head-on.”

 

The group nodded in agreement, trusting Li Feng’s judgment. They mounted their horses once more and began the arduous climb up the rocky trail. The incline was steep, and the footing unstable, but their horses were well-trained, and they made steady progress.

 

The mist swirled around them as they ascended, and the wind howled through the peaks, carrying with it a sense of unease. Li Feng kept his senses alert, his hand never straying far from his sword. He could feel it—the presence of something watching them, something ancient and powerful.

 

---

 

 

As they reached a narrow plateau, the path ahead was blocked by a massive boulder, too large to climb or move. Just as they were considering their options, a low growl echoed through the mist, sending a shiver down Li Feng’s spine.

 

From the shadows emerged a hulking figure—an enormous black wolf, its fur matted and its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It stood at the far end of the plateau, blocking their path. Its growl deepened as it bared its teeth, ready to strike.

 

Zhang Wei unsheathed his broadsword, stepping forward with a grim expression. “Looks like we’ve found our first obstacle.”

 

Wang Yue narrowed his eyes. “That’s no ordinary wolf. It’s been corrupted by the dark forces of the peaks. Killing it won’t be easy.”

 

Lin Xia reached for her pouch of herbs, her face pale. “There’s dark energy surrounding it. If we don’t defeat it quickly, it could infect us as well.”

 

Li Feng drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the faint light. “We fight together. Zhang Wei, you take the lead. Lin Xia, be ready with any healing we might need. Wang Yue, watch for any weaknesses.”

 

Without hesitation, Zhang Wei charged forward, his broadsword swinging in a wide arc. The wolf lunged at him, its jaws snapping, but Zhang Wei was quick, dodging its attack and delivering a powerful blow to its side. The wolf howled in pain but didn’t retreat. Instead, it turned its glowing eyes on Li Feng and charged at him with terrifying speed.

 

Li Feng stood his ground, his sword flashing in the moonlight as he met the wolf head-on. The force of the impact nearly knocked him off balance, but he held firm, slashing at the creature’s legs to weaken its mobility.

 

Wang Yue, watching from the side, shouted, “Aim for its underbelly! That’s where it’s most vulnerable!”

 

Zhang Wei followed the advice and lunged at the wolf’s exposed underside, driving his blade deep into its flesh. The wolf let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing to the ground, its body dissipating into dark mist as the energy surrounding it dispersed.

 

Panting from the exertion, the group regrouped, their victory tempered by the knowledge that this was only the beginning.

 

Li Feng wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his sword. “The peaks are guarded by more than just legends. We must stay vigilant. The further we go, the more dangerous it will become.”

 

His companions nodded in agreement, their expressions grim but determined. They had overcome their first trial, but the true dangers of the Moonlit Peaks were still ahead, waiting for them in the shadows.