The floating bridge of lotus petals stretched into the mist, each delicate bloom glowing faintly beneath their feet. Jiang Feng didn't trust it. His instincts screamed at him to turn back, to step onto something solid, something real.
But Li Xue moved forward without hesitation. She walked as if the path had always been there, as if the petals themselves existed for her.
"You're awfully quiet," she said, casting him a glance over her shoulder.
Jiang Feng adjusted his grip on his sword. "I'm trying to decide whether you're incredibly lucky or just cursed."
Li Xue smirked. "A bit of both, perhaps."
They continued forward, mist curling around them like unseen hands. The world beyond the bridge felt distant, unreal. The further they walked, the more Jiang Feng felt as if they were leaving behind the mortal realm itself.
Then the air shifted.
Jiang Feng's fingers twitched toward his sword. Something watched them.
Figures emerged from the mist—silent, shifting shadows that flickered like candlelight. They had no faces, no weapons, yet they moved with purpose, surrounding the bridge from all sides.
Jiang Feng didn't hesitate. His sword flashed, slicing through the nearest figure.
The blade met no resistance. The shadow simply dissolved, vanishing into the mist.
His grip tightened. "Illusions?"
Li Xue didn't draw her weapon. Instead, she raised a single hand. The mist around them stirred, swirling as if responding to her presence. With a flick of her fingers, it coiled around the remaining figures, pulling them apart like smoke scattered by the wind.
In mere moments, the shadows were gone.
Jiang Feng exhaled, lowering his sword. "Convenient."
Li Xue tilted her head. "You almost sound impressed."
Jiang Feng frowned. "I'd be more impressed if I understood what just happened."
She glanced toward the end of the bridge, where the mist had begun to clear. A massive structure loomed ahead, built into the cliffs themselves.
"The temple is waiting," she murmured.
Jiang Feng sighed. "Somehow, I doubt the welcome will be friendly."
She smiled. "Then let's make a good first impression."
They stepped forward.
—
The Temple of the Jade Lotus was ancient, its towering pillars wrapped in creeping vines, its white stone worn by time. A path of wide marble steps led to an open courtyard, where a group of monks waited in perfect silence.
There were at least a dozen of them, dressed in deep blue robes embroidered with golden lotus symbols. Their faces were hidden beneath wide conical hats, but their presence was unmistakable.
At their center stood an elder monk, his long white beard flowing like silk. His eyes, sharp and knowing, settled on Li Xue.
"The maiden has arrived," he said, voice both reverent and cautious.
Li Xue studied him. "You expected me?"
The elder bowed slightly. "We have waited for centuries."
Jiang Feng crossed his arms. "For what, exactly?"
The elder's gaze flicked to him. "For the one who bears the mark of the heavens."
Li Xue lifted her wrist, revealing the jade lotus birthmark.
The monks dropped to their knees in perfect unison.
Jiang Feng stared. "You've got to be kidding me."
Li Xue, to her credit, looked only mildly surprised. "You truly believe I am your celestial maiden?"
The elder bowed his head. "It is not a matter of belief. It is a matter of destiny."
Jiang Feng sighed. Here we go.
—
They were led deeper into the temple, past halls lined with flickering candles and ancient murals. The paintings depicted a woman surrounded by swirling mist, her outstretched hand commanding the winds themselves.
Jiang Feng frowned. "That looks familiar."
Li Xue studied the painting. "This is what you were expecting, isn't it?"
The elder monk nodded. "The maiden of the jade lotus is said to wield dominion over the mist itself. She is the bridge between the mortal realm and the heavens."
Jiang Feng glanced at Li Xue. "That mist trick you pulled earlier…"
Li Xue's lips curved slightly. "A coincidence, I'm sure."
Jiang Feng didn't believe in coincidences.
Another mural caught his eye—this one depicting the celestial maiden standing beside a swordsman. His silhouette was undefined, his presence secondary, but he was there.
Jiang Feng's brows furrowed.
The elder smiled knowingly. "She is never alone."
Li Xue chuckled. "How poetic."
Jiang Feng muttered, "I don't like where this is going."
The elder continued walking, leading them to a massive chamber at the heart of the temple. At its center lay an altar, upon which rested an ancient jade pendant. The air hummed around it, thick with unseen energy.
Li Xue stepped forward. "This power… it's familiar."
The elder studied her carefully. "You have inherited the will of the heavens. But power alone is not enough. You must understand your purpose."
Li Xue turned to him. "And what is my purpose?"
The elder's expression darkened. "To bring balance—or chaos."
Jiang Feng tensed. "Explain."
The monk gestured toward the largest mural. It showed a war—flames, shadows, and a celestial figure standing between them.
"The last maiden who bore the mark of the jade lotus changed the fate of the world," the elder said. "Some revered her. Others feared her. In the end, her existence alone shifted the balance of power."
Li Xue exhaled softly. "And now history repeats."
The elder met her gaze. "That is yet to be seen."
Jiang Feng folded his arms. "So you brought us here just to tell her she's dangerous?"
The monk smiled faintly. "Knowledge is power, swordsman."
Jiang Feng narrowed his eyes.
Li Xue, however, was deep in thought. "If this power is real… then why now? Why did I never feel it before?"
The elder stepped closer. "Because fate has only just begun to move."
Silence hung between them.
Finally, Li Xue sighed. "So what happens now?"
The elder smiled. "Now… you must make a choice."
Jiang Feng frowned. "Choice?"
The monk gestured toward two paths leading deeper into the temple.
"One leads to understanding. The other… to war."
Li Xue smirked. "Quite the dramatic choice."
Jiang Feng exhaled. "This keeps getting worse."
The elder watched them closely. "Your journey is only beginning."
Li Xue tilted her head. "Then let's see where it takes us."
And with that, they stepped forward.