The sun had climbed high, piercing through the leafy canopy of the Silver Forest and casting mosaic patterns of light upon the ancient stone altar. Liang Feng and Bai Xue stood tall before the Spirit Flow Chalice, which continued to emit a silvery mist. Yet now, amidst its luminous flow, dark ripples pulsed faintly, remnants of the darkness poison that had yet to fully fade.
Surrounding them, ascetics in white-gray robes formed a circle, their faces tense with worry. The scent of sacred incense mixed with the dampness of ancient stone beneath the earth, heightening the eerie atmosphere.
"The situation remains critical." spoke the Elder Ascetic with a heavy voice, his words echoing off the stone walls of the open chamber. "The chalice's pure energy has decreased by nearly a third. If we don't neutralize it soon, the entire Spirit Flow path may become corrupted… and the Silver Forest will lose its guardian."
Liang Feng bowed respectfully. "What must we do, Master?"
The Elder's gaze was sharp as a sickle. "The potion within the chalice has begun to take effect, but it is insufficient. We need the power of pure spirit. Bai Xue, you will release your aura into the heart of the vortex. Liang Feng, you shall channel the Tianlong Mark to suppress the waves of negative energy."
Bai Xue, her silver fur glistening, gave a soft nod. She leapt silently onto the stone altar, positioning herself to face the Chalice directly. The silver mist enveloped her body, and in an instant, Liang Feng felt a gentle vibration in his mind: "Focus your intent on the northwestern side of the chalice. That is where the strongest corruption lies."
A young ascetic approached, carrying a small bowl filled with Light Core Powder, a rare alchemical substance reserved for great emergencies. He placed it carefully beside the Chalice and bowed deeply before retreating.
"This powder will amplify your aura's effect, Guardian Spirit." he said.
Liang Feng took his position behind the altar, standing at the center of the stone circle. He inhaled deeply, calming his mind. His right hand gripped his dragon-engraved sword tightly, while his left clenched over his chest, awakening the power of the Tianlong Mark. Cracks of green-silver light began to seep from the skin on his chest, the sign of the ancient dragon's energy awakening.
Under the blinding sunlight, Bai Xue lowered her head, then began to radiate her pure aura. Silver light flowed from her form like soft waves, washing over the mist. A web of light formed crystalline patterns, slowly neutralizing the taint of darkness.
But the northern edge of the Chalice pulsed violently. The mist there had darkened to a crimson-black, indicating a stubborn concentration of poison. Liang Feng narrowed his eyes and raised his sword, forming a dragon symbol with its tip.
"Tianlong, bend the sludge of darkness!" he cried aloud.
A flash of green light shot from the sword's tip, piercing the black mist to the north. Purple sparks burst briefly before crumbling into fine dust, which was swiftly absorbed by Bai Xue's silver mist. Liang Feng's body trembled as the dragon energy clashed with the dark force, but he held firm. His hands did not waver, and he poured more power into the Tianlong Mark.
The Elder Ascetic closed his eyes and began chanting an ancient mantra, his voice low but resonant:
"Two currents converge, one sky opens,
Primordial light calms, darkness dissolves."
From his fingertips, a ring of blue light slowly formed in the air and drifted down toward the Chalice. The circle enclosed the ritual mist, binding it and guiding the wild particles into a synchronized rhythm.
At the same time, the Young Ascetic sprinkled a bit of Light Core Powder at Bai Xue's feet. The powder flared gently, releasing radiant sparks that were immediately drawn into her aura. Her silver glow intensified threefold and the resulting wave of energy swept across the altar, purging the remaining traces of corruption.
The air grew colder. Liang Feng felt an unusual chill, a soothing cold, as if the universe itself was in the process of healing. He tightened his control over the Tianlong energy, even though his body was growing weary. His breath grew heavy, but his sword movements remained fluid, as though dancing with the wind.
Slowly, the crimson-black vortex began to fade. The final ripples of darkness disappeared, replaced by calm, bluish-silver light. A peaceful aura radiated from the Chalice, and some of the observing ascetics shed tears. They applauded quietly, a few whispering prayers of gratitude.
The Elder lowered his hands and looked at Liang Feng and Bai Xue with deep emotion. "You have exceeded our expectations. The Spirit Flow Chalice is now clean and stable once more. The balance of the Silver Forest has been restored."
Liang Feng bowed, his voice trembling with emotion. "All thanks to Bai Xue… and to Grandma Li's teachings that guided us here."
Bai Xue stepped down from the altar. She bowed, then took a sip of aura essence from the Chalice's edge, a traditional act of reverence and surrender as the Guardian Serpent of the Flow. Then she turned to Liang Feng, her silver eyes glowing gently, as if to say: "We did it."
Suddenly, a breeze stirred from the cave's opening, flickering the silver candles that ringed the altar. Mist danced in the air, and from within it came a soft whisper:
"Thank you… we shall meet again someday."
The Elder closed his eyes, allowing the whisper to sink into his soul. "The ancestral spirits rejoice. The balance has been preserved."
With a graceful gesture, he instructed the other ascetics to begin cleaning the remnants of the ritual powder and returning the altar to its original state. Several of them bowed deeply to Liang Feng and Bai Xue in gratitude.
Liang Feng and Bai Xue stood side by side at the edge of the stone circle, watching the setting sun dip low. Soft light filtered through the trees, dancing across the shimmering silver leaves.
The Young Ascetic approached and bowed low. "Thank you for your help. May this brotherhood continue in kindness."
Liang Feng responded with a nod. "We shall always answer when the Silver Forest calls."
Bai Xue flicked her tail gently. A soft glow spread from her fur, forming patterns of light that stretched across the stone walls, as if leaving behind a trail of gratitude within the universe.
As they stepped away from the Ascetic's Hollow, the wind blew once more, carrying the rustle of leaves and the songs of nature's spirits to escort them on their path forward.