Chapter 9 - death

In the heart of the tempest, the old man remained a pillar of strength. His presence was a beacon of hope, and his resolve unyielding.

And down the mountain, in the arms of Luo Kang, the unconscious Lin Xuan suddenly awoke. Though he still couldn't see, his heightened senses told him the old man was in grave danger.

As the heavens raged, a colossal eye broke through the dome of the sky, its gaze piercing and merciless. A freezing, killing intent spread down the mountain, chilling the very air.

The guards and princesses had already made their escape when a blinding red light exploded above them. The force of the explosion sent them flying, their screams drowned out by the deafening roar of the heavens.

Lin Xuan's heart pounded in his chest, his breath quickening as the reality of the situation hit him. He could feel the old man's life force flickering, struggling against the overwhelming power descending upon him. 

The green and white light around him intensified, forming a protective cocoon that clashed with the eye's malevolent glare. The old man's body shook under the immense pressure, but his spirit remained unbroken.

Lin Xuan, feeling the old man's resolve, clenched his fists. "I won't let you die!" he shouted, though his voice was lost in the chaos.

Suddenly, a surge of energy burst from within Lin Xuan, a raw, untamed force that seemed to respond to his desperation. His senses expanded, allowing him to perceive the intricate web of power that connected the old man to the heavens

Suddenly, Lin Xuan's world shifted. Through the fabric covering his eyes, he could see everything in shades of gray, white, and black. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a new dimension of perception.

He saw the guards and princesses, their auras pulsing with relief and exhaustion. Luo Kang's protective stance, the old man's collapsed form radiating with remnants of his immense power, and the dissipating traces of the colossal eye's malevolence—all were now visible in this monochromatic world.

Suddenly, Lin Xuan's world shifted. Through the fabric covering his eyes, he could see everything in shades of gray, white, and black. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a new dimension of perception.

He saw the guards and princesses, their auras pulsing with relief and exhaustion. Luo Kang's protective stance, the old man's collapsed form radiating with remnants of his immense power, and the dissipating traces of the colossal eye's malevolence—all were now visible in this monochromatic world. 

the old man has disappeared completely the mountain was destroyed with no stones or grass left all beasts near the mountain were in fear . suddenly the world shifted again as a message a voice echoed in his ears. The old man, voice sensing in Lin Xuan, mind sounded "You've awakened to a new power, Lin Xuan," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You can see the true essence of things." 

LIin Xuan was completely baffled by this suddenly his vison went dark again and he collapsed

Guard Luo Kang, sensing the urgency of the situation, swiftly retrieved a carriage from his spatial pocket. With practiced efficiency, he carefully placed Lin Xuan and the princesses inside, ensuring their safety and comfort.

"We need to get to the nearest village," Luo Kang said, his voice filled with determination. "It's the only place where we can find some respite and regroup."

With the carriage secured, Luo Kang sprinted through the forest, his powerful strides making swift progress despite the rough terrain. The trees blurred past them, and the sounds of the forest seemed distant compared to the echoes of the recent chaos.

Inside the carriage, Lin Xuan tried to make sense of everything that had happened. His newfound vision revealed the intricate patterns of energy flowing through the forest, each tree and creature a part of the larger tapestry of life.

As the carriage rattled along the uneven forest path, the tension inside was palpable. The princesses, still shaken from the ordeal, were now focused on Lin Xuan, who had been resting quietly, trying to come to terms with his newfound abilities. 

Sophia, the more outspoken of the two princesses, suddenly straightened up, her gaze fixed on Lin Xuan with a mix of frustration 

"whats ur name kid"

"huh? lin xuan was suddenly pulled out from his thoughts kid?

"my name is lin Xuan princes "

Sophia began, her tone firm but edged with exhaustion, "we need to talk about what happened back there. You're clearly hiding something. We've been through a lot, and we deserve to know what you're involved in." 

Lin Xuan opened his eyes, meeting her intense stare. "I'm not hiding anything, Princess Sophia. I'm just as confused as you are about what's happening. 

Sophia's eyes narrowed. "You expect us to believe that? You suddenly wake up with these strange abilities, and you can't even explain them? We almost lost everything because of you, and now you want us to just accept that. 

Lin Xuan's expression hardened. "I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be thrown into this mess. If I could have avoided it, I would have. 

The other princess, quieter and more reserved, glanced between them nervously. "Sophia, maybe we should give him a chance. We're all in this together now. He's been through a lot, and so have we." Sophia shook her head, her frustration bubbling over. "It's not just about giving him a chance. We need to know what we're dealing with. If he's going to be part of our journey, he needs to be honest with us. We can't afford any more surprises. further more the scroll was destroyed " 

Sophia crossed her arms, her face a mix of anger and concern The carriage continued its journey, the weight of their argument hanging heavy in the air. The tension between Lin Xuan and Sophia was palpable, but as the village came into view, the need for unity became clear.