At the same time, Mu Xue bent down, picked up a stone from the ground, and threw it forcefully at the dark figure. The stone sliced ​​through the thick fog with a whooshing sound, and struck the dark figure hard.

The two attacks struck almost simultaneously. The dark figure let out a sharp cry, swayed, and then disappeared into the thick fog.

Silence fell again, broken only by the crackling of the burning torches and the two people's rapid breathing.

Ning Yu staggered to Mu Xue's side and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

Mu Xue shook her head, picked up the dagger, and said with a firm look in her eyes, "I'm fine. Let's go, Fengyuan is just ahead."

The two continued onward, and the poisonous fog gradually thinned, revealing a huge cave in front of them, with the howling wind at the cave entrance becoming even clearer.

Ning Yu gazed at the cave, a strange unease rising in his heart.

"Be careful," Ning Yu gripped his weapon tightly and whispered, "Something... is not right here."

Mu Xue gripped the dagger tightly, said nothing, and simply nodded silently.

The two cautiously stepped into the cave, and darkness swallowed them... A cold wind blew in their faces, carrying a nauseating stench.

"Wait..." Mu Xue suddenly stopped, grabbed Ning Yu's arm, her face pale, "Did...did you hear me?"

Ning Yu listened intently, and apart from the howling wind and her own pounding heartbeat, there seemed to be nothing unusual.

"What's that sound?" he asked in a low voice, his hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the weapon in his hand, his knuckles turning white.

Mu Xue's face grew paler and paler. She bit her lower lip tightly, and a hint of fear flashed in her eyes.

"It sounded like...like the breathing of some kind of creature, very soft, very slow, but...very close."

Ning Yu looked around; the thick fog still lingered, and visibility was extremely low.

He strained to detect any subtle movement, drawing upon the last vestiges of his supernatural abilities to prepare for any sudden danger.

The poisonous fog made him feel dizzy and weak, but he had to stay awake to protect Mu Xue's safety.

“We’ll stand back to back,” Ning Yu said in a deep voice, “Be careful of our surroundings.”

Mu Xue nodded, and the two stood back to back, warily watching the thick fog around them.

Silence descended once more, with only faint breathing echoing in the thick fog, like whispers from hell, striking their nerves again and again.

Time ticked by, and this agonizing wait was more terrifying than facing the attack head-on.

Suddenly, Ning Yu felt a chill behind him, as if something was pressing against his back.

"Watch out!" Mu Xue exclaimed, and at the same time swung her dagger, stabbing it fiercely behind Ning Yu.

The dagger sliced ​​through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

At the same time, Ning Yu felt a sharp pain in his back. He lunged forward and narrowly avoided the attack.

He rolled to his feet, turned around quickly, but saw nothing.

The thick fog still lingered, as if nothing had happened.

But the stinging pain in his back and the sound of the dagger cutting through the air served as a stark reminder that danger was right beside him.

“It’s still nearby,” Ning Yu said in a low voice, his tone grave. “We must leave here as soon as possible.”

He grabbed Mu Xue's hand and ran towards Fengyuan.

The poisonous fog gradually thinned, and a barrier shimmering with light appeared ahead.

That was the source of the wind, and their only hope.

"We're almost there!" Ning Yu pointed to the barrier ahead, his voice tinged with excitement.

Just then, Mu Xue suddenly stopped. She pointed to a rock beside the barrier, her face filled with terror. "Look...there..."