The Shadow Peaks rose like jagged teeth against the horizon, their slopes wrapped in perpetual mist that never seemed to lift. Legends said the mountains were born from an ancient cataclysm thousands of years ago — when a supreme cultivator's failed ascension tore open the fabric of the continent itself. What remained was a place where the laws of mana grew twisted and unpredictable. Spirit beasts here were fiercer, herbs more potent, and hidden ruins occasionally spat out treasures that could change a cultivator's entire fate.
The outer layers were crowded with hopefuls hunting low-grade spirit herbs and fighting manageable beasts. The middle layers held greater risks and greater rewards — ancient formations, rare ores, and occasional glimpses of lost card inheritances. But the deepest inner zones? Those were whispered about only in taverns after too much wine. People who ventured there either returned broken, powerful beyond measure, or never returned at all.
Lin Feng left the Lin clan gates behind him as the sun climbed higher in the sky. The dusty road stretched out ahead, winding toward the distant silhouette of the Shadow Peaks. He didn't run. He walked at a steady pace, but with the power of his cards circulating through his body, each step covered ground far faster than any normal person could manage. Ten kilometers per second when he pushed himself — that was the kind of speed only someone at the peak of Card Awakening Realm could achieve, and even then only with the right card combinations. His fifteen cards made it feel almost effortless.
The wind whipped past his face as he moved. He kept his hands in his sleeves, red eyes scanning the road ahead while his mind wandered.
'People say the Shadow Peaks are older than the Azure Continent itself. Ancient ruins hide beneath the mist-covered peaks, left behind by long-forgotten cultivators who reached realms no one alive could even imagine. Spirit beasts roam the outer layers — strong enough to challenge mid-level card users. Deeper in, the inner layers hold rare herbs that could push someone straight into the next realm, ancient weapons that could fuse with cards, and whispers of a lost inheritance.
'Opportunity and death walk hand in hand there.'
Lin Feng's lips curved into a small, cold smile.
'That's exactly what I need.'
He had left the clan with almost nothing — a small bag of clothes, some spirit coins, and the sealed card. But he felt lighter than he had in years. No more bowing to people who called him mongrel. No more hiding his fifteen cards.
The road curved, and he spotted three figures ahead — two young men and one girl, all heading in the same direction toward the mountains.
Their cultivation felt similar to his — peak Card Awakening Realm — but the girl was clearly a step above. Her aura was cleaner, sharper. She had that delicate, fresh beauty you rarely saw outside big clans: fair skin like porcelain, long dark hair tied with a simple ribbon, and eyes that sparkled with quiet confidence. She looked like the kind of young miss who grew up surrounded by flowers and protection, yet there was a sharpness to her that said she could handle herself.
Lin Feng slowed his pace just enough to catch up naturally.
The taller of the two boys noticed him first.
"Hey, you heading to the Shadow Peaks too?" he called out, friendly but cautious.
Lin Feng nodded.
"Yeah. Same direction."
The girl turned her head, studying him for a second before smiling politely.
"I'm Zhang Mei," she said. "These two are my cousins — Zhang Li and Zhang Hao. We're from a small family on the outskirts. Thought we'd try our luck in the outer zones."
The shorter boy, Zhang Hao, grinned.
"You alone? Dangerous to travel solo these days. Lots of rogue cultivators looking for easy targets."
Lin Feng thought for a moment.
'Traveling with a group means less chance of being ambushed. More eyes, more information.They might slow me down, or ask too many questions. But right now, blending in is safer than traveling alone.'
He decided quickly.
"I'm Lin Feng," he said. "I wouldn't mind joining you for a while."
Zhang Mei nodded.
"Good. Safety in numbers. Come on, we can talk as we walk."
As they continued together, the conversation flowed naturally.
"The outer layer of the Shadow Peaks is mostly safe for our level," Zhang Mei explained. "Plenty of low-grade spirit herbs and small spirit beasts. Good for gathering resources and getting some real combat experience. We were thinking of sticking to the first zone for now."
Zhang Li laughed.
"Yeah, but don't get cocky. The inner layers? That's where the real monsters live. People say there are ancient ruins deep inside with treasures that can push you straight into Card Resonance Realm. But most who go in never come out the same. My uncle went in once. Came back with only one arm and nightmares about moving shadows."
Zhang Hao snorted.
"Or they came back missing an arm and screaming about shadows that move on their own. No thanks. I'm happy with a few good herbs and maybe a decent weapon if we're lucky. What about you, Lin Feng? You planning to play it safe or are you the type who charges straight into trouble?"
Lin Feng kept his answer vague but honest enough.
"Just looking for opportunities. Same as everyone else. I'll take what comes."
Zhang Mei smiled.
"Smart answer. A lot of people come here chasing rumors of ancient card inheritances and end up as beast food instead. The outer layer is safe enough if you're careful — mostly low-level spirit beasts and common spirit grass. The real danger starts when people get greedy and push into the middle layers too soon."
The conversation continued easily as they walked. Zhang Mei asked about his favorite spirit herbs without prying too deep.
"So, what kind of herbs are you hoping to find?" she asked curiously. "I'm partial to Moonlit Grass myself. It helps with card resonance."
Zhang Li jumped in, voice excited.
"Yeah, but the good stuff is always deeper. You know what's annoying? Back home, one good pill costs half our monthly spirit stones. Here, they're even more expensive because everyone's desperate."
Zhang Hao nodded.
"Exactly. That's why we stick together. Share what we find. You in for that, Lin Feng?"
Lin Feng nodded.
"Sounds fair."
'They seem genuine enough,' he thought. 'No hidden agendas jumping out yet. Having extra eyes on the surroundings is useful, and I can learn more about the mountain without drawing attention to myself. Still… I'll keep my distance if things feel off.'
They passed several other groups on the road — rough-looking rogue cultivators with scarred faces and cheap swords, a small sect group in matching uniforms, and even a few shady types who looked like they were planning to rob whoever they could find.
One particularly rough group of three men eyed Lin Feng's small group as they walked past. The leader muttered something to his companions, but Zhang Mei's stronger aura made them hesitate and move on.
Zhang Mei noticed and shook her head.
"See? That's why traveling together helps. Alone, you might have been their next target. These mountains bring out the worst in people."
Lin Feng nodded, but his thoughts drifted again.
'The outer layer will be good for testing my cards in real combat without too much risk. If I can find even one decent spirit herb or ancient fragment, it'll help strengthen my foundation before I think about going deeper.'
The group kept talking as the trail grew steeper and the mist thicker.
Zhang Li pointed ahead.
"Look — the first outpost is just up there. We can rest, buy some basic supplies, and decide our route."
Zhang Mei smiled at Lin Feng.
"You still with us for the outer zone?"
Lin Feng met her eyes for a moment.
"For now."
As they approached the small wooden outpost nestled at the base of the first peak, a strange feeling prickled at the back of Lin Feng's neck — like someone was watching from the shadows between the trees.
He glanced back once.
Nothing.
But the feeling lingered.
The Shadow Peaks waited ahead, full of promise.
And something else was waiting too.