Chapter 5: A Turning Point for a Team in the Mist

Dust filled the air, and broken stones littered the ground.

Chu Feng steadied himself, his gaze locked onto a figure deep within the ruins, a silhouette that seemed almost merged with the shadows. He stepped forward, and shadow sigils spread beneath his feet like black vines crawling over the crumbling walls. The air was thick with the acrid stench of gunpowder, mingled with the nauseating, distinctive rot of malevolent spirits. Among the ruins, jagged rebar jutted out like the fangs of a beast, reflecting a cold glint in the dim light.

The figure did not flee; instead, he stood his ground, facing Chu Feng directly. As he drew closer, Chu Feng saw that it was a man with a composed demeanor, his sharp-featured face etched with wariness, his deep eyes holding a trace of indescribable weariness. He wore tattered work clothes, stained with oil and dust, and clutched a crudely made weapon of peculiar design, as if prepared to fight at any moment.

Around them, the malevolent spirits hissed, their greedy eyes darting between Chu Feng and the man, restless and ready to pounce. The tension was like a taut bowstring, ready to snap.

"I only wanted to ask, who are you?" Chu Feng tried to keep his tone calm, while remaining secretly on guard against both the restless spirits and the mysterious man before him.

The man said nothing. He simply gave Chu Feng a long, deep look, then turned and walked away, as if he hadn't heard a word.

Chu Feng’s confusion deepened. He hurried to catch up. "Wait! We mean no harm..."

The man stopped abruptly and spun around, his weapon pointing directly at Chu Feng. "Don't come any closer!" His voice was low and gravelly, as if squeezed from his chest. "I don't want any trouble."

The weapon in his hand was less a gun than a modified steel pipe, with several sharp metal shards welded to the tip. He gripped the pipe tight, his arm muscles taut, exuding a palpable sense of pressure.

Just as Chu Feng was about to offer further explanation, the lurking spirits could no longer restrain themselves. With hair-raising shrieks, they surged toward Chu Feng like a tide.

"Damn it!" Chu Feng cursed under his breath. The shadow sigils erupted instantly, forming a thin black film over his body. Ignoring the man, he flashed forward, weaving through the spirits like a phantom. Their savage claws tore through the air, but only managed to rake through his afterimages. He dodged their attacks with agility, simultaneously using the power of the shadow sigils to beat back the encroaching spirits. Masses of black mist surged from his hands, winding around the creatures like tentacles and tearing them to shreds.

Seeing this, the man, who had initially dismissed Chu Feng as a reckless novice, was taken aback by such formidable ability. His grip on his weapon loosened, and his guarded expression softened slightly. However, he remained vigilant, silently observing Chu Feng’s combat.

As Chu Feng grappled with the spirits, a clear voice pierced the silence of the ruins.

"Chu Feng, watch out!" Pan Yue’s voice flowed into his ears like a cool spring. She ran toward him, her face full of concern. Her clear eyes reflected his agile form and the sweat glistening on his skin. Reaching his side, she did not hesitate to reach out and gently wipe the sweat from his face. The soft touch of her fingertips sent a tremor through Chu Feng. Looking at her face so close to his, the concern in her eyes stirred a warmth in his heart. The smoke and the shrieking of the spirits seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, with an indescribable, subtle intimacy lingering in the air.

Pan Yue’s appearance seemed to surprise the man as well. He shifted his gaze between the two, as if gauging their relationship.

Chu Feng was about to speak, to explain who he and Pan Yue were, when he suddenly felt a chill behind him. He spun around, only to see a blurred figure in the distance, like a viper lurking in the dark, slowly closing in on them. The icy aura made Chu Feng frown.

The man let out a cold snort and tightened his grip on the steel pipe. This time, his target was not Chu Feng, but the shadows in the distance. A cold smile curled his lips as he whispered, "Finally..."

Just as Chu Feng thought there might be a turning point, another faction emerged. From the other end of the ruins, several figures approached quietly, wearing worn but neat uniforms and holding modified firearms. One of them stepped forward, a sinister smile on his face, his eyes sweeping between Chu Feng and Liu Yong.

"Greetings, you two warriors." The man spoke coldly, his voice thick with clear malice and threat. His companions surrounded them, their weapons primed to fire. "We have no intention of interrupting your fight; we’re just a bit curious about where this kid came from."

Liu Yong’s eyes became instantly guarded. He gripped his steel pipe, his gaze darting between Chu Feng and the newcomers. Chu Feng realized these people were clearly trying to sow discord. He quickly regulated his breathing, struggling to remain calm.

"You’ve misunderstood. We are just looking for partners to survive with; we have no other agenda," Chu Feng said in a deep, steady voice, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

The men were clearly unmoved. The leader sneered, "Don't be naive. We’ve investigated. This kid’s background is unknown; he’s very likely a scout for that gang of malevolent spirits."

A flicker of doubt crossed Liu Yong’s eyes, and the steel pipe in his hand trembled slightly. Chu Feng knew that if he didn't convince Liu Yong quickly, the situation would become even more dangerous.

"Brother Liu Yong, I understand your concern, but I truly mean no harm." Chu Feng stepped forward, his tone firmer. "We are all struggling to survive in this apocalypse. I hope to team up with you to fight the spirits together. I can show you my sigils to prove I have nothing to hide."

With that, Chu Feng slowly opened his hands. Shadow sigils condensed in his palms, forming a black orb of light. He displayed it to Liu Yong. Liu Yong stared at the shadow sigils, his expression unreadable. He glanced back at the men and saw they were not acting immediately, as if waiting for his decision.

Chu Feng continued, "We both have a need to survive. If we join forces, our strength will be far greater. I already have a preliminary plan for building a team. We need someone with technical expertise, and you are clearly the perfect choice."

Liu Yong’s brow gradually relaxed, and his grip on the steel pipe loosened. He took a deep breath. "Fine. But I will remain vigilant at all times. If you show any sign of betrayal, I will not show mercy."

Chu Feng nodded with a sincere smile. "I understand, Brother Liu Yong. Thank you for your trust."

Just then, one of the men interjected, "You’d better be careful, or we’ll be seeing you again."

Chu Feng ignored them and turned to Liu Yong, saying earnestly, "Now, we should discuss our next plan."

Liu Yong nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Alright. Let’s go, let's get out of here first."

As the two turned to leave, the man behind them sneered, whispering to himself, "Hmph, things are far from that simple..."