Sky Star

Chapter 31

Chapter 31: The Eerie Red Glow

The eerie red glow on the horizon resembled a colossal, blood-red eye, staring unrelentingly at the land below. It engulfed the three figures within its ominous radiance, intensifying the already suffocating atmosphere. Xiao Chen, despite his exhaustion, forced himself upright, his gaze locked onto the source of the crimson light, as if trying to pierce through the dense mist and uncover its hidden secrets.

“This red glow is no auspicious sign. It must be linked to the strange occurrences around us. We must proceed with caution,” he said in a hoarse, gravelly voice, as though it had been scraped by sandpaper. His warning drifted through the silent wilderness, its weight unmistakable.

Yun Yi also rose to his feet, his right hand instinctively gripping his sword hilt. Spiritual energy surged within him, gathering like a volcano on the verge of eruption. His eyes narrowed, sharp as cold stars in the night, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. “No matter what dangers lie ahead, we have come this far and cannot turn back. But this red glow is too ominous—we must not let our guard down,” he said through gritted teeth, his tone filled with determination.

Ling Xue lightly dusted off her robes and stepped gracefully to their side. Though her beautiful eyes held a trace of fear as she looked at the red glow, she tried to conceal it, not wanting to worry her companions. “Perhaps this red glow is a warning from some mysterious force, or it could be deliberately luring us into a trap. Our priority now is to find a way to avoid danger while continuing forward,” she said softly. Her voice was like a spring breeze—gentle yet carrying a slight chill, attempting to dispel the unease in their hearts.

After a brief discussion, the trio decided to move perpendicular to the glow, hoping to bypass this obvious threat. They hurried forward like travelers pursued by ravenous wolves, never daring to slow down. The ground beneath them grew increasingly barren, its cracked surface resembling parched lips whispering tales of desolation and time’s cruelty. Sparse vegetation surrounded them, and the occasional withered blade of grass trembled in the wind like a dying man’s final struggle.

Before long, a fog-shrouded forest emerged ahead. The mist was as thick as milk, sealing off the entire woodland, allowing nothing to penetrate. Towering trees loomed within the fog like silent giants, exuding an air of mystery and the unknown. Xiao Chen raised a hand, signalling the others to halt. His brows furrowed deeply, as if caught in a difficult chess match, contemplating his next move. “This forest feels ominous. Entering blindly could be disastrous. But if we take a detour, we might lose valuable time

Yun Yi reacted swiftly, forming intricate hand seals, his energy coalescing around him like a mystic shaman casting a forbidden spell. Threads of luminous energy shot towards the bear, attempting to bind it. But the bear, brute strength incarnate, tore through the bindings with ease, as if shredding mere cobwebs. It then exhaled a jet of black miasma, thick and corrosive, its presence alone making the air sizzle.

Ling Xue’s hands danced in rapid, fluid motions, unleashing a barrage of ice shards and wind blades, each as sharp as a falling star. They struck the bear’s hide but barely left a mark—its flesh was like tempered steel, impervious to ordinary attacks.

The battle descended into chaos, a blur of flashing blades, roaring flames, and earth-shaking collisions. The dense forest became their battleground, where survival hung by a thread. Despite the overwhelming odds, none of them showed signs of retreat. Their gazes burned with unyielding determination, their backs pressed together in solidarity. Each strike, each defence, was fuelled by their resolve to carve a path out of this desperate struggle…