---
š Chapter 14: Valley of the Sleeping Dragon
(A thick fog blankets the path. The sound of dripping water echoes off stone walls. Each step they take, the ground seems to breathe.)
š Xiao Feng (softly):
ā "Is this the valley? Feels like⦠something's watching us."
š Gu LĆ”ng (tense, whispering):
ā "Not just watching⦠like it's waiting for us to mess up. My powers are still sealed... I can't even feel my tail!"
(Suddenly, a distant howl breaks the silence. Gu TÄng tightens his cloak.)
š Gu TÄng (dry and emotionless):
ā "This valley⦠once housed the Black Dragon's slumber. Its curse still lingers here."
š A curse? A dragon? Then why isn't the system saying anything?
š System:
> "Warning: Area 'Valley of the Sleeping Dragon' contains spiritual distortion. System analysis reduced."
"Hidden skill activated: Resistance to Madness"
š Xiao Feng:
ā "Madness? You're saying we're gonna go insane now?!"
š Gu TÄng (murmuring):
ā "Some say the dragon's voice still echoes in the rocks⦠Listen too closely, and you'll lose your mind."
(A strange moan ripples from the canyon walls. Gu LƔng curls up, visibly disturbed.)
š Gu LĆ”ng:
ā "Okay, I'm officially losing it⦠someone's calling my name!"
š Xiao Feng (bitter smile):
ā "No, I heard it too⦠someone is calling your name."
š If this is just the path... what lies at the end?
(Through the mist, a massive footprint appears. The three freeze, eyes locked on the towering shadow moving in the distance.)
š Gu TÄng (colder than ever):
ā "The dragon hasn't awakened⦠but the demons sacrificed to keep it asleepāstill roam this place."
---
š„ End of Chapter 14