Lin Chen calmly stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over the swirling white abyss before them. The wind howled as if the space itself were alive, pushing against their bodies. Even the normally fearless Catwoman trembled slightly under the invisible pressure of the formation.
"Relax," Lin Chen said, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable authority. "The formation isn't harmful… unless you panic and force it to respond to your fear."
Sister Widow glanced at Lin Chen, wide-eyed. "You mean… it's alive?"
"In a way," Lin Chen replied, a faint smile on his lips. "This is a Jiugong Gossip Formation. Its primary function is to confuse, isolate, and disorient intruders. It reacts to your mind and intent, not just your body."
Harley Quinn clutched the white jade pendant he had given her. "Master Taoist, does that mean if we stay calm, it won't hurt us?"
"Exactly," Lin Chen said. "Focus on your breathing, synchronize your intent with the pendant, and it will recognize you as a friend. That's also why I gave you these jade pendants. They act like keys and stabilizers."
Sister Widow took a deep breath, gripping her pendant tightly. "I… I can do this," she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
Lin Chen's gaze softened as he looked at her determination. "Good. Then follow my lead."
He raised a hand, and the white misty abyss in front of them began to shift subtly. The roaring winds calmed in small patches, revealing faint paths in the formation.
"Step carefully," Lin Chen instructed, "and remember: the formation is responding to your thoughts. Fear or doubt, and it will close in on you."
Catwoman's ears twitched. "Oh… this is like a haunted labyrinth…" she muttered, but she followed Lin Chen obediently, jade pendant clutched in hand.
Sister Widow followed behind, mimicking Lin Chen's calm demeanor. Harley stayed close, bouncing slightly with excitement despite the eerie atmosphere.
The group moved slowly, each step measured. The misty white space shifted and reformed, but none of the dangerous bursts of wind or piercing sounds reached them—the formation recognized the pendants.
Sister Widow let out a small laugh of relief. "It's… not so scary when you know the trick!"
Lin Chen smirked. "Good. That's the first rule of understanding formations: stay calm, stay focused, and let the formation respond to you, not the other way around."
Suddenly, a chilling wind swirled around them, colder than before. Lin Chen's eyes narrowed.
"The formation has a guardian," he said, voice low. "It's unusual… and curious. That means someone, or something, has tampered with this formation. Be ready."
From the swirling mist, faint silhouettes began to emerge—like shadowy figures flickering at the edge of perception. Their shapes were indistinct, but their presence radiated hostility.
Harley Quinn squealed. "Ooooh! Master, that doesn't look friendly!"
"Focus," Lin Chen said calmly, extending his hand. The jade pendants glowed softly, emitting a protective aura.
The shadows surged toward them, but as soon as they touched the aura of the pendants, they dispersed into wisps of mist. The formation hummed, almost approvingly.
Sister Widow's eyes sparkled with excitement and awe. "Wow… so the pendants really work!"
Lin Chen nodded. "They do. But remember, these are temporary stabilizers. The formation will still test you in other ways. We have to reach the center."
Catwoman grinned despite herself. "Alright, stinky Taoist, lead the way. But don't tell me there's a boss fight at the center too!"
Lin Chen chuckled softly, his gaze sharp. "You'll see soon enough. And trust me—it's not a fight you can win with brute strength. Only wit, focus, and the right tools will get you through."
The group continued forward, each step bringing them deeper into the mysterious Jiugong Gossip Formation. The swirling white mist seemed endless, and faint whispers echoed from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Lin Chen walked confidently at the front, the pendants glowing faintly in his hand, guiding them through the chaos.
"The center of the formation," he murmured, "is where the true secrets are hidden… and where S.H.I.E.L.D's new female agent would have tripped if she were reckless."
Sister Widow stiffened. "Wait… you mean someone's trying to sneak in after me?"
Lin Chen smirked. "Let's just say, the formation isn't just about keeping outsiders out. It's about testing who's worthy of stepping into this place."
And with that, the four of them plunged further into the heart of the strange, shifting formation—where danger, mystery, and unexpected trials awaited.