3:35 a.m., Hour of the Tiger.
Annabelle Hung and Luna Xiao, along with several other women, had already driven to the outskirts of Moonlight Valley in Wakayama. After hiding the car, they approached on foot, moving quietly. Everyone knew this was the Nine Chrysanthemums Society’s headquarters, so caution was essential.
The moonlight was as gentle as water, but all of Moonlight Valley was shrouded in thick mist. Annabelle and the others crept up to a steep hillside, where they found two paths ahead—one to the left, one to the right. Both were flanked by towering trees, forming two rows, with a ten-meter-wide passage in the middle.
At first glance, it looked like two massive gates standing on the hillside—strange and imposing.
“Huh? Senior Hung, which path do we take to get inside the valley?” May Gu asked curiously.
Annabelle didn’t answer right away. She first surveyed the hillside and its surroundings, then glanced up at the sky. Finally, she pointed to the path on the right and said slowly, “We’ll enter from here. This is a Feng Shui formation called the White Tiger Mountain Guard Formation.”
“Oh? White Tiger Mountain Guard Formation… Does that mean the Nine Chrysanthemums Society has an actual white tiger guarding the entrance?” Luna Xiao asked.
“Not a real tiger. What they’re channeling is the energy of the land. Since it’s the Hour of the Tiger, the energy is at its fiercest. Entering here is risky, but it’s the fastest way to reach their main headquarters,” Annabelle explained.
“What about the path on the left? What kind of formation is that?” Rachel Sasaki asked, her curiosity piqued.
“That’s the Earthshade Soul Lock Formation. It’s actually more dangerous than the one on the right. But by entering the White Tiger Mountain Guard Formation at this hour, we’ll trigger the formation and drain the Nine Chrysanthemums Society’s spiritual defenses, making it easier for those who come after us,” Annabelle said.
“Oh? Someone else is coming after us? Who?” Rachel Sasaki asked in surprise.
Annabelle Hung chuckled, “Who else but your men? Enough talk, let’s go…” She took the lead and entered the right path.
Luna Xiao and the other women immediately followed her into the path.
As soon as they entered the valley, a strange restless energy swept over them, making their hearts race and their spirits eager for action.
Before them lay a winding valley, its steep cliffs weathered into bizarre shapes—like galloping horses or clashing blades—filled with a sense of wild tension.
A strong wind suddenly whipped through the valley, growing in force as yellow sand and fog quickly spread.
Next, the sound of frantic wings beating came from above, and a large flock of birds burst out of the mist, fleeing the valley in panic.
“Careful, everyone! Something’s wrong with these birds—get inside the barrier!” Annabelle warned, channeling her energy to form a protective shield around the group.
Thuds echoed as birds crashed into the cliffs and the barrier, feathers raining down. Soon, every bird had smashed itself to death, the air filling with the stench of blood.
The ground was littered with bird corpses. A few, still alive, flapped desperately, their twisted necks writhing as they struggled and died—a scene so eerie it unsettled everyone.