Chapter 3

Their first clue led them to the ruins of an ancient city buried deep in the Taklamakan Desert. According to legend, the city was once a thriving hub of trade and culture, but it had been abandoned centuries ago after a mysterious catastrophe. The city was said to hold secrets about the origins of the Consortium and the true nature of the Serpent. The journey through the desert was grueling, with sandstorms, treacherous terrain, and the constant threat of Consortium agents on their trail. But Mei Ling and her companions pressed on, driven by the knowledge that the fate of the world depended on them. When they finally reached the ruins, they discovered that the city was not as abandoned as they had thought. A group of nomads had made the ruins their home, and they were fiercely protective of their territory. Mei Ling and her companions had to negotiate with the nomads, earning their trust before they could explore the city. As they delved into the ruins, they uncovered ancient texts and artifacts that hinted at the existence of a powerful artifact known as the "Serpent's Fang." This artifact was said to be the key to defeating the Serpent and ending the Consortium's reign of terror.