In the darkness, there was a sudden burst of light that illuminated the vast expanse of an underground cavern, so immense that it defied all estimations. The dazzling array of stalactites hanging overhead were suffused with a radiant blue glow, casting an eerie light upon the cave's craggy walls.
But there was no time for wonder, for the newcomers were met with the anguished cries of those who had been trapped in this place for what seemed like an eternity. The sudden brightness of the light caused them great agony, as if their very eyes were being ripped apart from their sockets.
As for myself, I was not spared from this torment, as tears streamed down my face, wracked by an indescribable pain.
Yet, despite the cries of the injured, the adults pushed on, heedless of the suffering they were causing. For the cave was a natural wonder, and they could not resist the urge to explore its mysterious depths.
The structure of the cavern was such that it gradually narrowed towards the top, like an inverted bowl of earth and stone.
"What?"
"What is this?"
The children, who had been blind for years, were astonished when they regained their sight and found themselves at the entrance of a dark, ominous cave. A rough and unremarkable slab of rock protruded from the wall, greeting them with an air of mystery.
As they began to gather, the children noticed a group of individuals seated in lotus positions in front of the stone slab. They appeared to be their saviors, and as the children approached, the individuals stood up and formed neat rows. A new figure emerged from their midst, and the children were taken aback by his striking appearance.
The dark blue-skinned man stood at shoulder height, his long black hair cascading down his back. Golden horns extended from his temples, and most strikingly, greyish golden snakes seemed to be growing out of his back. The children whispered amongst themselves in fear.
Is that a demon ?"
"Who is that ?"
"Am I still dreaming?"
The strange entity clapped his hands, causing a deafening echo to reverberate throughout the cave. The children dropped to their knees, holding their sensitive ears in pain, as the entity began to speak.
"It looks like I have your attention," he said with a chilling smile, disregarding the children's discomfort.
"Well, I can't convey my words if there isn't silence made." Azura said with a smile that caused everyone to shake in fear while those that were moaning in pain clasped their mouths with their hands to keep themselves quiet.
" Awe, now why are you so scared? Is it because of my scary appearance, isn't it ?"
" .... "
Despite their fear, the children stood straight, listening intently to the entity's every word. Azura seemed to revel in their fear, taunting them with his frightening appearance and commanding presence.
As the entity spoke, Biyu, who had been observing the scene, coughed and whispered, "Sir, now's not the time."
I watched as the entity's dark amber eyes and black irises surveyed the group, noting their reactions. It was clear that he was the leader of these people.
For a second, my gaze shifted towards Xiao Fei who seemed to be standing in the back with an extreme level of discipline.
The man who would blow off on any one of us was now so obediently. If that wasn't evidenced enough that this thing was the leader then I don't know what will.
" My friends, I, stand before you like the concubine of an old Emperor not knowing what to do," Azura paused as he tried to take in the crowd's reactions at his joke, which weren't much causing him to sigh.
"Tough crowd .... I know that all of you have been victims to these monsters. You look at my appearance and see a monster but when you look at him what do you see ?!" Azura shouted out as he pointed to the side of the cave where the corpse of a middle-age man was crucified.
' What is this about ?' I thought as my eyes narrowed at the creature who suddenly had tears in his eyes.
" My friends! I am not a monster, I am special just like you !"
Azura's words caused whispers to begin generating in the crowd.
In the midst of a murmuring crowd, the blue-skinned half-ogre spoke with fervor. "Do you see it?!" His words hung heavy in the air, commanding attention.
A blueish hue began to envelop his arms, spreading out in the form of bubbles that encircled the shell-shocked children. One of these bubbles drifted towards me, and I couldn't help but poke at it before it burst into smaller bubbles.
My mind was a blank slate as I waved my hand through the bubbles, caught in the strange trance that seemed to have gripped us all.
"Children! I ask, of you, do you see this?" The half-ogre's voice rose above the whispers that had begun to swirl through the crowd.
"Yes," we replied in a hushed chorus.
A smile spread across the entity's face, and the bubbles in his palms gathered together to form a blueish orb. "This, my dear friends," he exclaimed, "is Spiritual Qi."
As the entity's utterances came to a close, a curious occurrence unfolded before our very eyes. The orb, once so serene, had ignited into a fiery inferno, blazing with an intensity that could scarcely be contained. It was then that the entity hurled it towards the hapless crowd, who, in a panicked frenzy, attempted to flee the scene. But it was as if some invisible force held them in place, their bodies frozen in fear.
My gaze fell upon Biyu, who clutched a talisman tightly in her trembling hands. It was clear that she was the key to unlocking the mystery of this supernatural display. The onlookers, unable to bear the sight of the flaming orb hurtling towards them, shut their eyes tightly, bracing themselves for the worst.
And then, in a sudden burst of unexpected beauty, the orb shattered into a dazzling array of flaming butterflies. The mesmerized spectators watched in awe as the winged insects fluttered their way towards the ceiling of the cave, disappearing into the darkness beyond. It was a sight that would be etched into their memories forever, an experience that transcended the limits of the ordinary human experience.
"This is the power of Spiritual Qi!" the figure declared, its blue skin glimmering in the light. "Powers such as these are not bestowed lightly. They are given only to those who have been deemed worthy by the heavens above."
The crowd was awestruck, unsure of what to make of this strange entity before them. It spoke of paths that few had ever dared to tread, of a destiny that lay far beyond the reach of mere mortals.
"All of you have been chosen to walk the path of gods," the figure continued, its voice rising in fervor. "But the mortal world is not a place worthy of your gifts. You must strive for something greater, something that lies beyond the mere trappings of this earthly realm."
The crowd listened in rapt attention, hanging on every word that fell from the entity's lips. Its message was one of hope, of transcendence, of a world that lay just beyond the horizon.
"For those who seek to refine their heavenly gifts and walk the path of cultivation, my sect - the black lotus sect - opens its doors to you."
At this, a wave of excitement swept through the crowd. The promise of something greater was too much to resist, and many stepped forward to heed the entity's call.
And amidst the commotion, one figure stood out - a young androgynous male named Wang Fu, who raised a hand to speak.
The entity turned its gaze upon him, and in that moment, it seemed as though the heavens themselves had opened up to listen.
" What is it, my friend ?"
" C, Can I go back to my home ?" Wang Fu's words caused everyone to stop as the blue-skinned entity asked," Do you want to give up the path of cultivation and waste your potential as a mortal ?"
Wang Fu's hesitation was brief, overcome by the thought of his sickly little sister left behind as he nodded.
"I respect your choice," he said, eyes downcast. The blue-skinned entity regarded him with a smile, its eyes glinting with something dark and twisted.
But I knew better than to trust this creature, and knew that its smile hid something malevolent. I felt a sickening weight settle in my gut as the Entity asked if anyone else wanted to go back, and no one moved.
Then Biyu stepped forward, her sleeves hiding a crystal ball. She threw it high into the air, and it glowed with an unnatural light that froze everyone in place.
Wang Fu, the only child who had expressed a desire to go back, shuddered with terror as he watched the others fall unconscious. "A-A-A," he stammered, eyes darting to the blue-skinned ogre.
"Do you want to go back?" Azura asked, its voice sibilant and oily. Wang Fu shook his head, eyes wide with horror.
Azura's smile twisted into a cruel smirk, and the serpents coiled on its back slithered forward as they lunged at the child, tearing him apart in a frenzy of blood and gore.
...
"So,who won the bet?" Xiao Fei asked, looking around at the group of unconscious survivors.
Shen Xiu smirked arrogantly. "I brought twenty children," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Surely, I must be the winner."
Xiao Fei shook his head. "I brought two," he said, his voice calm and measured. "But the quality of the children I brought is far superior to your quantity."
Biyu, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "I brought the strongest child," she said, holding up the head of the Fire Blood Centipede as evidence. "This child survived being bitten by its venom and possesses inhuman strength. He was able to slash through the walls of the prison."
Azura, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up. "Point out this child," he said, his voice sibilant and oily.
Biyu pointed to the group of unconscious children. "He's there," she said, indicating a crimson-haired boy who lay among them.
Azura leapt towards the boy, his weight crushing several children beneath him. His serpents slithered towards the unconscious boy, their tongues flicking in anticipation.
As they drew near, the golden snakes around the boy's neck hissed, and Azura smiled. "Biyu is the winner," he said, his voice echoing through the dark chamber.
Shen Xiu cursed under her breath, her arrogant smirk replaced by a scowl.
"So, what do we do about them ?" Xiao Fei asked as Azura spoke.
" Tell Daji to call upon the mortal servants to bring them up to the island."