Long Tian returned without incident. His silhouette emerged from between the trees with the sun already high, casting long shadows over the damp ground. He carried a small bag of wild fruit slung over his shoulder and wore a serene expression, as if his excursion had been nothing more than a walk in the woods. No one suspected that hidden among his belongings were five valuable Spiritual Energy Pearls.
When he arrived at the makeshift camp, the rest of the group had already returned. Lao and Hao had found a clear water stream, and along with Mei, they had built a small structure of stones and wood to boil it in a large metal bowl salvaged from the ship. Steam rose in soft curls as the water bubbled slowly, releasing its warmth into the humid air.
Everyone's faces showed signs of exhaustion, but also a faint sense of peace. For the first time since arriving on the island, they had a moment to breathe. The silence was almost pleasant, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the gentle murmur of the forest.
After eating and resting a bit, they gathered around the fire. The looks on their faces were clear: it was no longer just about recovery, it was time to leave. No one said it first, but everyone was thinking it.
It was Mei who broke the silence.
—We can't stay here —she said softly but firmly—. We have water, food… and some strength back. But this island… —she looked toward the depths of the forest— this mist… I don't want to see another night fall in this place.
Lao nodded, stirring the embers with a stick.
—I agree. This calm won't last. We don't know what else is on this island, or when that damned mist will return.
With the sun still high in the sky and heat pressing on their backs, they decided not to wait any longer. They gathered the little they had collected, secured the supplies, and pushed the boat into the water. The creaking of the wood as it touched the waves was almost a relief—it was the sound of escape, of hope.
Although everyone kept a serious expression, it was evident they were nervous. No one said it aloud, but they all shared the same fear: that the mist would return in the middle of the lake and engulf them once again.
Even so, they rowed in silence, eyes fixed on the horizon. The lake, calm and glistening under the sun, seemed to have forgotten the horrors of the previous night. And to their relief, there were no signs of the mist.
They reached the dock without incident. The sound of the waves gently breaking against the wood and the distant cries of waterbirds felt almost unreal.
After everyone said their farewells with brief words and tired gestures, the group dispersed. Long Tian, without saying much, broke away from the rest and took a different path. He still felt the sting of the wounds he had suffered during the chaos of the previous night, so he headed to a small clinic tucked between two narrow alleys.
The doctor, an old man with a wrinkled face and surprisingly gentle hands named Master Shen, treated him without asking too many questions. With calm and precise movements, he cleaned the cuts, applied an herbal ointment that gave off a fresh and bitter aroma, and then carefully bandaged the wounds.
—You'll recover soon —the old man said as he tied the last bandage—. But what you really need is rest… and a bit of caution.
Long Tian nodded with a grateful smile, though inside, his calm was only superficial. All he wanted was to move again. He thanked the doctor with a brief gesture, left a few coins on the worn wooden table, and left.
When he returned to the inn, he did so with determined steps and a face lit by a mix of excitement and resolve. His eyes burned like lit embers. He finally had enough points. He could now acquire a martial arts manual.
When Long Tian entered the inn, he didn't waste time. He approached the counter, paid another week in advance, and went up to his room without stopping. He closed the door behind him and finally let out a deep sigh, releasing all the weight he had been carrying over the past few days.
He pulled out the small reinforced cloth bag he had kept hidden under his clothes and poured its contents onto the table. Five pearls rolled gently, glowing with a faint inner light. They were the famed Condensed Spiritual Energy Pearls, collected with great effort from the island southwest of the lake.
Without hesitation, he opened the system interface and pressed the "Complete Mission" option.
A soft glow enveloped the pearls.
To his surprise, only three of them disappeared in a faint flash.
A metallic and satisfying sound echoed in his mind, followed by a clear notification:
> [Mission Completed]
Name: Spiritual Energy Pearl Collection
Status: Completed
Reward received:
6 Infernal Points
10 Spiritual Points
Long Tian remained silent for a few seconds, staring at the two remaining pearls on the table. He slightly frowned, surprised.
—Only three were needed? —he murmured to himself, taking one of the pearls and rolling it between his fingers.
The system hadn't specified clearly. He thought he had to gather as many as possible… but apparently, there was only a minimum threshold, not a fixed amount.
He smiled faintly.
—Even better. The two remaining ones could be useful.
His fingers tapped on the table with restrained excitement. With the points he had just received, there were no more excuses: it was time to look for that martial arts manual.