The three Black Viper scouts fanned out, their movements predatory and precise. Moonlight glinted off their daggers as they advanced toward the crumbling hall. Zhang Wei gripped the Ironhide Amulet, its faint warmth doing little to steady his racing heart. Behind him, Xiao Ling shook Erhu and Mei awake, his voice a hissed whisper.
"Get up! We're under attack!"
Erhu rolled to his feet, clutching a rusted kitchen knife he'd scavenged earlier. Mei trembled, her violet eyes wide with terror.
---
**Combat Alert: Ambush Defense**
**Enemies:**
- **Scout 1:** Qi Condensation Layer 3 (Shortsword Specialist).
- **Scout 2:** Qi Condensation Layer 2 (Poisoned Dagger).
- **Scout 3:** Qi Condensation Layer 2 (Brute Strength).
**Allies:**
- **Zhang Wei (Layer 1).**
- **Xiao Ling (Layer 1).**
- **Erhu (Mortal).**
- **Mei (Mortal).**
**Recommended Strategy:** Lure enemies into spike traps (NW perimeter).
---
Zhang Wei ducked behind a shattered pillar, signaling Xiao Ling to flank left. The boy nodded, his hands glowing faintly with unstable qi.
"Erhu, take Mei to the cellar," Zhang Wei ordered.
"No." Mei's voice wavered but held resolve. "I… I can help."
Before he could argue, Scout 1 lunged from the shadows, his blade slicing toward Zhang Wei's throat.
---
**Combat Action:** Dodge (Success Chance: 60%).
**Outcome:** Zhang Wei sidesteps, but the blade grazes his arm (-10% Health).
---
Pain flared as blood seeped through his sleeve. The scout smirked. "This is the mighty Verdant Cloud Sect? Pathetic."
Xiao Ling hurled a rock infused with qi, striking the scout's knee.
---
**Combat Action:** Distraction (Success).
**Effect:** Scout 1 staggers, aggro shifted to Xiao Ling.
---
"Hey, ugly!" Xiao Ling taunted. "Catch me if you can!"
He bolted toward the northwest perimeter, the scout snarling as he gave chase. Zhang Wei turned to face Scout 2, who twirled a dagger dripping with green liquid.
"Poison?" Zhang Wei muttered. "Classy."
---
**Item Used: Healing Pill (Low-Grade)**
**Effect:** Health restored to 95%.
**Remaining:** 2 pills.
---
Scout 2 lunged. Zhang Wei parried with his axe, the clash of metal echoing through the night. Behind him, Scout 3 charged Erhu, who ducked under a wild swing and jabbed his knife into the man's thigh.
---
**Combat Action:** Critical Hit (Erhu's Street Survivor Bonus).
**Damage:** Scout 3's mobility reduced (-30%).
---
Mei screamed as Scout 3 backhanded Erhu into a wall. The boy crumpled, blood trickling from his nose.
"Stay away!" Mei's voice spiraled into a shriek, her cursed veins pulsing violet. The air crackled, and a surge of raw qi erupted from her body, slamming into Scout 3.
---
**Cursed Vein Activated!**
**Effect:** Uncontrolled Qi Burst (Damage: 150%, Self-Harm: 50%).
**Outcome:** Scout 3 is flung into a spike trap (-70% Health). Mei collapses, vomiting blood.
---
"Mei!" Zhang Wei knocked Scout 2's dagger aside and sprinted to her side. Her pulse fluttered erratically, her skin ice-cold.
---
**System Warning:** Mei's Qi Deviation Progress: 40%.
**Immediate Action Required:** Stabilize her meridians or risk death.
---
Xiao Ling's voice cut through the chaos. "Boss! A little help!"
The boy zigzagged through the ruins, Scout 1 closing in. Zhang Wei shoved a healing pill into Mei's mouth and sprinted toward them, axe raised.
"Xiao Ling! Trap now!"
The boy skidded to a halt near a cluster of spiritwood spikes hidden under leaves. Scout 1 leapt—and impaled himself on the jagged wood.
---
**Combat Action:** Trap Triggered (Critical Success).
**Outcome:** Scout 1 eliminated. Xiao Ling's Qi Condensation Progress +10%.
---
Scout 2, now alone, froze. "Y-You'll pay for this! The Black Vipers will burn your sect to ash!"
He fled into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.
---
**Quest Completed: Ambush Defense**
**Rewards:**
- **XP +200.**
- **Loot:** Poisoned Dagger (Low-Grade), Spirit Stone Fragment x1.
- **Sect Morale +50.**
---
Zhang Wei slumped against a wall, his hands trembling. Erhu limped over, clutching his ribs. Mei lay unconscious but stable, her cursed veins dimming.
"We won?" Xiao Ling panted.
"Barely."
---
Dawn broke over the sect, revealing the scars of battle—splintered wood, bloodstained earth, and the corpse of Scout 1. Zhang Wei ordered Erhu to bury the body while he tended to Mei.
---
**New Quest: Heal the Wounded**
**Description:** Restore Mei's stability and repair sect damage.
**Reward:** *Mei's Loyalty +40*, *Basic Medical Knowledge (Novice)*.
**Failure Penalty:** Mei's curse spreads (+20% Deviation Risk).
---
He ground the last spirit stone fragment into powder, mixing it with rainwater to form a paste. The system guided his hands as he painted glowing symbols on Mei's forehead and wrists.
---
**Ancient Stabilization Ritual (Incomplete):**
**Effect:** Suppresses cursed qi for 7 days.
**Requirement for Full Cure:** Spirit Spring Water (Rare).
---
"Will she live?" Erhu asked, eyeing Mei warily.
"For now."
---
By midday, the sect buzzed with grim purpose. Zhang Wei reforged the poisoned dagger into nails for the perimeter wall. Xiao Ling practiced qi cycles under his supervision, while Erhu sharpened stakes.
---
**Sect Status Update:**
- **Disciples:** 3 (Xiao Ling, Erhu, Mei).
- **Morale:** 65/100 (Shaken but Determined).
- **Facilities:** Reinforced Perimeter (Durability: 55%), Basic Traps (Spike, Pitfall).
---
Granny Hua returned at dusk, her smirk sharper than ever. "Heard you survived the Vipers. For now."
"What do you want?" Zhang Wei growled.
"A deal. I'll lend you my cauldron to brew antidotes… for a price."
---
**Barter Offer:**
- **Granny's Cauldron (Rent):** 3 days = 1 Spirit Stone.
- **Antidote Recipe:** Counters Black Viper poison.
**Counteroffer:** Trade Scout 1's gear for 7-day rental.
---
Zhang Wei tossed her the dead scout's sword. "Five days."
"Deal."
---
**Item Acquired: Granny's Cauldron (Temporary).**
**New Quest: Brew Antidotes**
**Description:** Prepare 10 vials to counter poison attacks.
**Reward:** *Combat Survival Chance +25%*, *Granny's Favor +20*.
---
Mei awoke that night, her eyes dull but focused. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"Save apologies for after we survive," Zhang Wei said, handing her a herbal broth.
"The ones who cursed me… they're coming."
---
**Hidden Quest Unlocked: Mei's Past**
**Description:** Uncover the origin of Mei's cursed veins.
**Clue 1:** Her eyes glow violet under moonlight.
**Clue 2:** She murmurs "White Serpent Temple" in her sleep.
---
---
Two days passed in a blur of preparation. The sect's walls grew taller, reinforced with spiritwood and mud. Xiao Ling broke through to Qi Condensation Layer 2, his control steadier. Erhu proved adept at setting traps, his skepticism slowly morphing into grudging loyalty.
---
**Disciple Progress:**
- **Xiao Ling:** Layer 2 (Progress: 12%).
- **Erhu:** Mortal → Layer 1 (Awakened via near-death experience).
- **Mei:** Stable (Cursed Vein Suppressed).
---
On the eve of the raid, Zhang Wei gathered his disciples in the main hall. The system's countdown pulsed red in his vision.
---
**System Alert: Raid Imminent**
**Time Remaining:** 12 hours.
**Enemy Forces:**
- **Disciples:** 30+ (Layers 1-3).
- **Elders:** 1 (Core Formation Early Stage).
**Recommended Action:** Activate Spirit Vein (Insufficient Resources).
---
"We can't win head-on," Zhang Wei said, spreading a crude map. "We split up. Erhu, you'll man the spike traps here. Xiao Ling, bottleneck them at the gate. Mei—"
"I'll fight," she interrupted, her voice steel. "My curse… it's a weapon."
"Too risky."
"You need every weapon you have."
---
**Mei's Loyalty Increased:** 70/100 (Resolute).
**Trait Unlocked:** Cursed Surge (Once per battle, unleash a devastating qi blast. Self-Harm: 30% Health).
---
Zhang Wei nodded reluctantly. "Stay near me."
---
As the disciples took their positions, Zhang Wei climbed to the hall's roof, staring at the dormant spirit vein fissure. The single spirit stone fragment in his pocket glowed faintly.
"System. Can I jumpstart the vein with this?"
---
**Analysis:**
**Spirit Vein Activation (Partial):**
- **Requirement:** 1/10 Spirit Stones.
- **Effect:** Temporary Qi Surge (1 hour).
**Risk:** Vein collapse (50%).
---
"Do it."
He embedded the stone into the fissure. The ground shuddered, and a geyser of azure qi erupted, enveloping the sect in a shimmering dome.
---
**Spirit Vein Activated (Temporary)!**
**Effect:**
- **Allies:** Cultivation Speed +30%, Qi Recovery +50%.
- **Duration:** 59 minutes, 59 seconds.
---
In the distance, torches flickered like fireflies. The Black Vipers had arrived.