Five days later.
Luke and his companions had reached the Tevasa area of Bahrl Province and were now not far from Ionia's main island.
Over the past few days, Luke, Akali, and Ahri had continued traveling with Master Yi and his disciple Wukong. Besides teaching Luke Wuju Swordsmanship, Yi had also introduced him to many other aspects of Wuju culture.
Among those teachings was a profound Wuju meditation technique that rapidly consumed mental energy to restore the body's physical condition.
Luke had gained a tremendous amount during these few days.
He had comprehended perfected Wuju sword intent long ago, but sword intent without a corresponding sword technique had always felt incomplete. He could not unleash its full power.
Now that he had learned Wuju Swordsmanship, the missing piece had finally fallen into place.
The principles of Wuju were excellent for cultivating both body and mind, while Yi was undeniably a true master. His temperament and strength were both worthy of admiration.
Akali and Ahri had also benefited greatly from listening to his teachings throughout their journey.
The three of them had also learned that Yi and Wukong had originally descended from the mountains because they intended to visit a place called Mistfall.
"Mistfall?"
As they walked, Akali thought for a moment. "That sounds familiar. Is it that ancient battlefield?"
"That's right." Yi nodded slightly, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "After descending from the mountain, I heard others speaking of Mistfall. It is said that the souls of ancient spirits reside there, so I wished to pay my respects."
"I see." Akali nodded, then looked at Luke. "Should we go take a look? It seems to be on our way."
Luke considered it briefly. "Since it's on the way, we might as well. How much do you know about Mistfall?"
"I've never paid much attention to it, but I know a little."
Akali searched her memory before explaining, "Mistfall was once an ancient battlefield, and its history probably goes back an incredibly long time. They say thousands of ancient weapons are scattered throughout it, all preserved from antiquity.
"Later, many people were drawn there by its reputation. Some powerful warriors even chose the battlefield as their burial ground. As more and more weapons accumulated over the years, people eventually began calling the place Mistfall.
"It's also said that Mistfall possesses a spirit of its own. Those who share a connection with it may even obtain a weapon suited specifically to them."
After hearing her explanation, everyone gained a general understanding of the place and became interested in seeing it for themselves.
Mistfall was already nearby.
After traveling for the entire morning, the five of them reached the region where Mistfall was located, a sprawling valley surrounded by mountains.
They had already begun encountering quite a few people along the road. Most appeared to have come because of Mistfall's reputation, and fragments of conversation occasionally reached their ears.
"Mistfall is finally opening again. I came from incredibly far away for this."
"Who didn't? There might be an ancient weapon inside that's perfect for me."
"Even if there isn't, it'll still be worth seeing."
"You all arrived at exactly the right time."
Conversations sounded from every direction. Despite being deep within the mountains, the area was crowded with hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of visitors.
Strangely, however, most of them were gathered outside the entrance to the valley.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Akali approached a random traveler. "Excuse me. Why is everyone waiting outside?"
The traveler was quite friendly and answered with a smile. "Because Mistfall hasn't opened yet."
"Opened?" Akali looked confused. "Mistfall has to be opened?"
"Of course. If anyone could enter whenever they pleased, wouldn't we descendants have destroyed the place long ago?"
Seeing Akali's confusion, the traveler continued, "The Ancient Sword School guards this place. They erected a barrier to protect Mistfall and only open it once every three to five years. When Noxus invaded, the Ancient Sword School and Mistfall withdrew from the world. This will be the first time it has reopened since then."
"Oh, thanks."
Akali thanked him and returned to the others. "Looks like our timing couldn't have been better. We arrived just as it's reopening."
Since the traveler had not been far away, Luke and the others had heard his explanation as well.
They had certainly arrived at an opportune time.
Yi gazed toward the valley. "If that is the case, it would be a shame not to enter."
Luke nodded in agreement.
Otherwise, they might have to wait another three or even five years before entering Mistfall.
Ionia was a strange and wondrous land, and Luke wanted to see what kinds of weapons lay inside.
Around half an hour later, the surrounding voices suddenly grew louder. Countless people simultaneously turned toward the same direction.
A group dressed in matching red-and-white ancient martial attire approached.
Their leader was a short-haired woman who appeared to be over forty. A few wrinkles had formed around the corners of her eyes, but her gaze remained sharp and energetic.
More than a dozen men and women followed behind her, all wearing solemn expressions.
"Everyone, I am Linju, head of the Ancient Sword School. Thank you for waiting."
The leading woman's voice was powerful and penetrating, reaching everyone present.
She was clearly an expert.
The crowd gradually fell silent.
Linju looked over the gathered visitors before continuing, "Mistfall will open shortly. Before that, I have a few things to say. There are dangers within Mistfall that even we do not fully understand. Once it opens, we will not restrict anyone from entering. However, I advise all of you to prepare yourselves properly and take responsibility for your own lives.
"Finally, I hope every one of you finds the opportunity meant for you within Mistfall."
After speaking, Linju glanced at the disciples behind her.
Four of them nodded and removed a runestone from their clothing. They spread out into separate positions while Linju stood in the center.
"Begin!"
At her command, the runestone in her hand immediately released a strange beam of light into the sky.
The runestones held by the four disciples did the same.
The beams seemed to strike an invisible barrier. As a considerable amount of magic surged through the air, a blue-glowing barrier gradually became visible and began descending.
This was clearly the protective system surrounding Mistfall.
As the barrier lowered, a broad mountain path slowly appeared before the crowd.
Numerous yellowed ancient weapons were embedded along the path alone, some of them astonishingly enormous. The massive head of an ancient stone statue also lay on the ground, its mottled surface bearing the marks of countless years.
Many people could not help wondering what had happened here in the distant past.
Who had wielded those weapons, many of which stood taller than a person?
"All right, everyone. Mistfall's barrier has now been deactivated, and you may enter and leave freely. However, there is one final warning you must remember."
Linju swept her gaze across the crowd.
"At this same time three days from now, I will close Mistfall again. Anyone who fails to return in time will be trapped inside until the next opening. Please keep that in mind."
After finishing, Linju stepped aside and no longer blocked the path.
The crowd immediately poured into Mistfall. Luke and his four companions followed behind the main group, advancing at a leisurely pace.
The members of the Ancient Sword School stood off to one side, watching everyone enter.
"Master, do you think any of these people can open that place?"
One disciple stepped forward and asked quietly.
"That is not for either of us to decide."
Linju watched the line of people entering Mistfall, her eyes seeming colder than before.
"Regardless, we must try. We have very few opportunities left."
Her gaze eventually settled on a particular group of five, and she narrowed her eyes slightly.
Luke and the others had already entered Mistfall and were curiously examining their surroundings.
"This sword is enormous. It's much taller than I am."
Akali ran over to a greatsword embedded in the ground and raised her head to study the ancient weapon. Its blade still appeared remarkably sharp.
"It is," Ahri said as she approached. "Who could wield a weapon this large? And why are there so many of them?"
She looked around at the enormous weapons of every shape and style. There were plenty of smaller ones as well, but none attracted as much attention as the massive blades.
Wukong had already begun running around.
Naturally restless and energetic, he eagerly examined, touched, and played with the ancient weapons.
"This one's a little rusty."
He was currently holding a long, slender sword. After swinging it a few times, he decided it did not feel nearly as comfortable as a staff.
Luke noticed that Yi had grown unusually quiet after entering, so he asked, "Have you discovered something?"
Yi was wearing the Seven Lenses of Insight. "For some reason, I can sense an ominous presence."
"So you feel it too."
Luke looked around but could not find anything unusual.
Ever since entering Mistfall, he had felt a faint unease in his heart.
His perception of danger was extremely keen. If he felt this way, then some kind of danger was clearly hidden within Mistfall.
"I cannot yet determine the precise cause," Yi said. "We should continue observing our surroundings."
He trusted his instincts, but he still did not understand the source of the feeling.
Akali noticed that very few people remained near the entrance and asked curiously, "There are weapons everywhere here. Why does no one seem interested in them?"
"Because the deeper one travels into Mistfall, the higher the quality of the weapons becomes. The ones near the entrance are merely ordinary iron weapons. Most people who visit Mistfall are searching for a special opportunity. No one knows how many extraordinary weapons are hidden within."
The explanation came from behind them.
Everyone turned and saw Linju, who had opened Mistfall earlier, approaching with the other members of the Ancient Sword School.
Yi returned his attention to her and bowed slightly in greeting. Linju immediately returned the gesture.
"This is our first meeting, Master Linju. My name is Yi."
"So you are Master Yi." Linju smiled.
"I would not call myself a master. I am merely a wandering swordsman," Yi replied modestly, shaking his head.
"Your presence is deeply restrained, yet sword aura still flows around you. You are clearly no ordinary swordsman."
Linju smiled, having already recognized that Yi possessed considerable strength.
"We will not disturb your search for opportunities within Mistfall. We will take our leave."
She did not remain for further conversation. She soon led her disciples away in another direction.
The entrance road was extremely broad and divided into multiple paths.
Watching the group disappear, Akali said, "That Linju is a powerful fighter too."
Luke glanced at her. "You say that like the rest of us couldn't tell."
"Hmph."
Akali glared at him, then turned and pulled Ahri away to continue exploring Mistfall.
Luke watched the direction in which Linju had disappeared before withdrawing his gaze.
Regardless of anything else, someone capable of becoming the head of the Ancient Sword School and overseeing Mistfall was bound to possess considerable strength.
However, he had not expected members of the Ancient Sword School to enter Mistfall as well.
What had they come inside to do?
Luke did not think about it for long. He began wandering around with interest, occasionally picking up an ancient weapon to examine it before returning it to its original place.
Snowglance was also an ancient weapon, but its quality far surpassed these blades.
According to Linju, higher-quality weapons could be found deeper within Mistfall. Luke wondered whether he might find one suited to him.
Now that he had learned Dual Focus, he happened to need a weapon for his left hand.
Unlike the others, who explored without much concern, every one of Yi's actions showed respect for the departed spirits.
He also picked up weapons to examine them, but after returning each one to its place, he pressed his palms together and bowed, offering his deepest respect to the fallen souls.
Luke knew this was not an act.
It was humility cultivated since childhood and engraved into Yi's very bones.
That humility was precisely what had allowed Yi to walk the path of a true master.
The five of them spent the entire afternoon exploring Mistfall. They encountered many unusual sights and witnessed the grandeur of what had once been an ancient battlefield.
Weapons lay scattered everywhere, far too many to count.
Some were broken while others remained intact. Some were covered in rust, while others appeared almost new. Some came from antiquity, while others had accumulated here throughout the intervening centuries.
So far, they had not encountered any significant danger.
Through their exploration, however, they learned that Mistfall's interior was vast and largely resembled the outside world. Many creatures lived within it as well.
Those creatures also possessed traits unique to Mistfall.
For example, Luke and the others had seen a giant turtle swimming across a lake with numerous swords embedded in its shell. Someone had attempted to leap onto its back and take one, only to be thrown straight into the water.
The unfortunate man emerged from the lake looking thoroughly miserable.
Now, a hunched ape wielding a longsword stood in their path, glaring at them aggressively.
Akali grinned when she saw it. "Monkey, is that a relative of yours?"
"I'm a Shimon. That's a hunched ape. How could we possibly be the same?"
Wukong shot Akali an irritated look. The creature before them was nothing more than an animal.
Still, it caught his interest.
He reached behind himself and drew his collapsible enchanted staff.
"None of you interfere. Let me handle it!"
The next instant, he sprang forward and charged with his staff raised. Golden enchanted light flared along the weapon.
The hunched ape let out a roar and rushed forward without fear. It swung its sword and actually blocked Wukong's strike.
"Not bad!"
Wukong immediately swept his staff in from the side.
He was naturally far from weak. He possessed innate superhuman strength, an extraordinarily durable body, and astonishing regenerative abilities.
He was almost indestructible.
Luke had sparred with Wukong a few days earlier. Although that fight had left the monkey completely demoralized, Luke had still recognized that Wukong's strength was approaching the level of a Demacian knight at the Holy White stage.
As for Yi, he was probably at roughly the same level as Luke himself.
"This hunched ape is impressive! It's taken so many strikes from me!"
Wukong's voice sounded from the battlefield.
He and the hunched ape had already exchanged more than a dozen moves.
The creatures within Mistfall were clearly extraordinary. It seemed Wukong would not be able to finish the battle quickly.
"Can you actually handle it, monkey?" Akali teased as she watched. "Should I take over?"
Despite her mockery, eagerness shone in her eyes.
She had learned quite a few things from Luke recently. Although she had yet to master any of them, she had already improved considerably.
"Of course I can!"
Wukong clenched his teeth, shouted, and finally began using all his strength.
His staff immediately transformed into a bewildering flurry of strikes. His movements even carried traces of Wuju swordplay, showing that he had learned a great deal from Yi.
Realizing it could not win, the hunched ape dropped its weapon, turned, and fled. It vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
Wukong did not pursue it.
Instead, he planted his staff triumphantly against the ground and began posing proudly.
Akali looked at him disdainfully. "You struggled that much against a small animal? I'd be too embarrassed to show my face."
His proud demeanor instantly collapsed.
Wukong spun toward Akali and glared at her. "Fight me if you think you're better!"
"Gladly!"
Fighting spirit surged around Akali.
As the respective students of Luke and Yi, Akali and Wukong frequently sparred with each other.
Each had won and lost their share of matches, and neither was willing to admit that the other was superior.
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