Chapter 29: The Fragment’s Trail and a Scout’s Disturbing Report
Dawn broke over the Eastern Wastes, painting the dry earth in shades of orange and pink. Lin Yue stood outside his tent, the jade box in his hand, his eyes closed. He focused on the fragment inside— its faint, cold vibration— and let his dragon qi reach out, like a net, over the surrounding landscape. For a heartbeat, there was nothing— just the dry wind, the distant calls of birds, the faint qi of the alliance’s camp. Then he felt it— a faint, matching vibration, far to the north, beyond the mountains.
“There,” he whispered, opening his eyes. “North. Beyond the Ironspine Mountains. That’s where the next fragment is.”
His father walked over, holding a roll of maps. “The Ironspine Mountains are home to the Frost Wolves Sect— a small sect, mostly hermits. They keep to themselves, but they’re known for their knowledge of the mountains. If we can get their help, they can guide us through the passes.”
Lin Yue nodded, tucking the jade box into his robe. “We’ll leave at noon. Just a small team— me, you, Xiao Yu, and a few scouts. The alliance needs to stay here, help the villagers return home and clear the remaining Shadow Sect strongholds.”
Elder Mu joined them, his face grave. “I agree. But be careful. The Ironspine Mountains are dangerous— blizzards, avalanches, and worse. And if the Frost Wolves Sect isn’t friendly… you’ll be trapped.”
Before they could finish planning, a scout came running into camp, his uniform covered in snow— odd, since the Eastern Wastes were dry and warm. His face was pale, his lips blue, and he collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath.
“Scout Li,” Lin Yue said, kneeling beside him. “What happened? Where did you come from?”
“North… Ironspine Mountains,” Scout Li said, his voice trembling. “I was sent to scout the pass. The Frost Wolves Sect— they’re gone. Their village is burned. Their disciples… dead. And there’s something else. Something in the snow. Dark qi. Lots of it. And tracks— big tracks. Like… like a bear, but bigger. Covered in dark qi.”
Lin Yue’s heart sank. The Frost Wolves Sect was gone. And whatever had killed them was heading south— toward the alliance’s camp. Toward the fragment in his jade box.
“The other fragment,” his father said, his voice tight. “Whatever has it— it’s coming for us. It senses this one.”
Lin Yue stood, his hand drifting to the hilt of his sword. “We need to move. The alliance’s main force will head back to Azure Cloud— protect the villagers. Xiao Yu, you’ll lead them. Father, Elder Mu, and I will take a small team north. We’ll find the beast, get the fragment, and stop it before it reaches the others.”
Xiao Yu’s eyes widened. “You can’t go alone! That beast is too strong—”
“I won’t be alone,” Lin Yue said, cutting her off. He squeezed her hand, his voice softening. “And you’re not alone either. You have the alliance’s main force. You have the healers, the warriors. You can protect the villagers. I need you to do that.”
Xiao Yu hesitated, then nodded. “Be careful. And bring that fragment back. All of them.”
Lin Yue smiled. “I will.”
By noon, the alliance split. Xiao Yu led the main force south, the villagers safe in their midst, while Lin Yue, his father, Elder Mu, and five scouts headed north— toward the Ironspine Mountains, toward the dark qi beast, toward the next fragment.
The journey was hard. The land grew colder as they traveled, the dry earth turning to snow, the wind growing stronger. By evening, they reached the edge of the Ironspine Mountains— a wall of snow-covered peaks, their tops hidden in clouds. And at the foot of the mountains, they saw it: the Frost Wolves Sect’s village. Burned to the ground, its wooden buildings in ruins, its snow-covered ground stained with blood.
Lin Yue walked through the village, his heart heavy. The bodies of Frost Wolves disciples lay in the snow, their faces frozen in fear. Their qi was gone— drained, like the qilin and the dark qi wolves. Like whatever had killed them had fed on their qi to strengthen itself.
“The beast is close,” Lin Yue said, his hand on the jade box. He could feel the fragment inside pulsing— faster, stronger, as if excited. “It’s in the mountains. We’ll camp here tonight, then head up at dawn.”
They set up camp in a small, intact hut, lighting a fire to keep warm. Lin Yue sat by the fire, the jade box in his hand, his eyes closed. He focused on the fragment’s pulse, on the matching vibration in the mountains. He could feel it— the beast’s qi, thick and dark, mixed with the fragment’s cold energy. It was strong— stronger than the qilin, stronger than the dark qi wolf. But it was also slow, clumsy, like it was still getting used to its power.
“We can beat it,” Lin Yue said, opening his eyes. “Tomorrow. We’ll beat it.”
His father nodded, handing him a bowl of hot soup. “You’re right. But we need to be smart. We can’t fight it head-on. We’ll use the mountains— avalanches, narrow passes— to weaken it. Then you’ll get the fragment.”
Lin Yue took the soup, sipping it slowly. The fire crackled, casting warm light over the hut. Outside, the wind howled, but inside, it was quiet. Calm.
He thought of Xiao Yu, leading the alliance south. Of the villagers, safe but scared. Of the other fragments, still out there, waiting to be found. And he felt his dragon qi— faint, but steady— hum in his dantian.
Slow. Steady. Strong.
That’s how they’d won so far. That’s how they’d win tomorrow.
He set down the soup bowl, tucking the jade box into his robe. Tomorrow, they’d face the beast. Tomorrow, they’d get the next fragment.
And one step closer to stopping the Dark Dragon’s soul once and for all.