Immortal Sovereign's Ascension

Chapter 39: The Gathering Clouds

The council chambers of the Azure Sky Sect were silent, save for the faint rustling of scrolls and the occasional murmur between elders. Zhang Wei stood at the center, his report from the preemptive strike freshly delivered. The flames that had engulfed the Veil of Oblivion's encampment were a temporary victory, but the deeper implications of their plans loomed heavily over the room.

Elder Hua tapped the table thoughtfully. "Your actions have bought us time, Zhang Wei, but we cannot afford to grow complacent. The Veil's network is extensive, and their resources seem inexhaustible."

Liang Feng leaned forward, pointing to the maps Zhang Wei had recovered. "This location here," he said, indicating a mountainous region marked with unfamiliar symbols, "might be their next staging ground. It's remote, well-fortified, and strategically positioned to launch attacks on neighboring sects."

"Do we have confirmation?" Zhang Wei asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Not yet," Liang Feng admitted. "But it aligns with the patterns we've seen so far. If they're planning a large-scale offensive, this would be an ideal place to rally their forces."

Elder Hua turned to Zhang Wei. "We'll need you to investigate. If the Veil is truly amassing their forces there, we must act before they can strike."

The system chimed: New Quest: Investigate the Veil's suspected staging ground and assess their readiness.

Objective: Confirm the Veil's presence in the marked location and gather intelligence on their plans.Reward: Advanced reconnaissance techniques and Sect Contribution Points.

Zhang Wei left the council chambers with Lin Xiyu at his side. She glanced at him, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "You're going again," she said flatly.

"This is bigger than any one mission, Xiyu," Zhang Wei replied. "The Veil's reach grows with every day we wait. If we don't stop them now, it might be too late."

Lin Xiyu sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Just… be careful. I've got a bad feeling about this one."

Zhang Wei smiled faintly. "I'll be fine. I've got you to worry about me, after all."

The journey to the suspected staging ground was grueling. The mountainous terrain was steep and treacherous, and the air grew thin as Zhang Wei climbed higher. He traveled alone this time, relying on his Shadow Step Technique and Qi-masking talismans to avoid detection.

As he neared the marked location, the faint hum of dark Qi prickled at the edges of his awareness. Zhang Wei crouched behind a rocky outcrop, peering down at a sprawling encampment nestled within a natural valley.

The Veil of Oblivion's forces were indeed gathering here. Dozens of operatives moved about the camp, their movements precise and disciplined. At the center, a massive altar pulsed with dark energy, its surface inscribed with glowing runes.

"Their preparations are far more advanced than we thought," Zhang Wei muttered, his grip tightening on his spear.

The system chimed: Host must assess the camp's defenses and identify key vulnerabilities.

Zhang Wei observed the camp carefully, noting the positions of guards, the flow of supplies, and the patterns of patrols. The altar appeared to be the focal point of their operations, with several high-ranking operatives stationed nearby.

Among them, Zhang Wei spotted a figure cloaked in flowing black robes, their aura radiating immense power. Even from a distance, the oppressive weight of their Qi was palpable.

"Their leader," Zhang Wei murmured. "If I can take them out, it might disrupt their plans entirely."

The system chimed again: High-value target identified. Proceed with caution.

Zhang Wei waited until nightfall, his Shadow Step Technique rendering him nearly invisible as he slipped into the camp. Moving with practiced precision, he avoided detection, his eyes fixed on the altar. The leader stood nearby, speaking in low tones with two other operatives.

The system chimed softly: Host must eliminate the high-value target without alerting the rest of the camp.

Zhang Wei moved closer, his spear poised. But as he prepared to strike, the leader turned sharply, their eyes locking onto Zhang Wei's hiding place.

"Come out," the leader said, their voice calm but commanding. "I've been expecting you."

Zhang Wei stepped into the open, his stance steady despite the tension crackling in the air. "You've gone to great lengths to hide your plans. But it seems you're not as invisible as you think."

The leader smirked. "And yet, here you are, alone and overconfident. Do you truly believe you can stop the Veil's rise?"

"We'll see," Zhang Wei said, his spear gleaming faintly as he prepared for battle.

The fight was unlike any Zhang Wei had faced before. The leader's dark Qi was overwhelming, manifesting in jagged tendrils that lashed out with incredible speed and power. Zhang Wei relied on his Shadow Step Technique to evade the attacks, countering with precise strikes that forced the leader to stay on the defensive.

The system chimed: Host must exploit environmental advantages to counteract enemy's superior Qi reserves.

Zhang Wei led the leader toward the altar, using its massive structure as cover while he analyzed their movements. With each clash, he learned more about their technique, identifying subtle weaknesses in their form.

Finally, Zhang Wei saw his opening. With a burst of speed, he struck with his spear, shattering the leader's defenses and forcing them to their knees.

The leader coughed, their aura flickering weakly. "You think this changes anything?" they spat. "The Veil is eternal. You've delayed us, nothing more."

"We'll see about that," Zhang Wei said, his tone cold.

He disabled the altar, its dark energy dissipating into the night, and retreated before the rest of the camp could react.

The system chimed: Quest complete. Rewarding Sect Contribution Points and advanced reconnaissance techniques.

As Zhang Wei made his way back to the Azure Sky Sect, he couldn't shake the leader's words. The Veil of Oblivion's strength was far greater than he'd imagined, and their plans were already in motion.

"This is only the beginning," Zhang Wei murmured, his resolve hardening. "But I'll see it through to the end."