As the growls from the Twin-Demon beasts transformed into a deafening roar, the trio swiftly sprang into action. The eerie crimson glow of the beasts' eyes drew nearer through the Misty Forest, their massive forms becoming more apparent with each step.
Ling Ye tightened her grip on the hilts of her dual swords, her keen eyes locked onto the approaching menace. Xing Ziao, with the fluidity of a practiced warrior, unsheathed his Crimson Spear, its red blade gleaming ominously in the dim forest light. Wen Di, his talisman at the ready, began tracing intricate patterns on his hand in a practiced rhythm.
With the Twin-Demons closing in, Xing Ziao's voice broke through the tense silence, his words heavy with urgency. "Unless any of you possess a Celestial emblem, our only options are to strike these demons hard enough to make them retreat or divert their attention and attempt to escape."
Ling Ye's reply was quick and confident. "Luckily, Wen Di here has a Celestial emblem."
Wen Di's eyes widened in disbelief at Ling Ye's revelation, silently mouthing, "I do?" before regaining his composure. Xing Ziao, still in awe, interrupted with a question. "You're a Celestial Warrior, Wen Di?"
Wen Di took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly as he admitted, "Yes, I am."
With the plan in motion, one of the Twin-Demon beasts lunged forward, its enormous claws slicing through the air. The trio moved with precision, narrowly evading the deadly attack.
Separated in the chaos, they engaged their respective foes. Xing Ziao faced one of the beasts head-on, exchanging fierce blows with his Crimson Spear. Ling Ye displayed incredible agility, her dual swords a whirlwind of steel as she danced around the other beast, attempting to land a crippling blow.
Wen Di, meanwhile, decided to reveal his true weapon, a mysterious artifact that seemingly looks like an instrument hidden beneath his robes. With a swift motion, he unleashed its power, releasing a surge of energy that engulfed the second Twin-Demon. The beast howled in agony as it disintegrated, vanquished by the celestial might of Wen Di's weapon.
Just as Wen Di turned to aid his companions, an unexpected and mysterious force blasted Xing Ziao and the remaining Twin-Demon off the cliff's edge. Panic gripped Wen Di as he rushed towards the precipice, ready to follow, but Ling Ye's strong grip on his arm stopped him.
"Wait," Ling Ye commanded, her eyes scanning the abyss below. They had lost sight of Xing Ziao, and the forest fell eerily silent once more.
-
Xing Ziao's senses slowly returned to him, though his surroundings remained engulfed in a void of darkness. Numbness enveloped him, making it feel as if he floated in this empty abyss. The sensation of paralysis held him captive, rendering him unable to move or utter a sound.
Then, a menacing male voice cut through the darkness, sending shivers down his spine. "It was just a few days. I can't believe I would find you this easily."
Xing Ziao tried to respond, to demand answers, but his voice remained trapped within. The voice continued, dripping with malice. "If it weren't for your little Foxian disciple and his flawed attempt to turn back time, I would still be in the realm of the dead."
"Now then," the voice darkened, "since three of the deities have suddenly disappeared, and my dear rivals, Baihu and Zei Hu, wouldn't be able to do anything at the moment, it's time I reaped what I sowed once more: Qiandu's destruction, starting with you."
As the voice taunted him, Xing Ziao felt a searing burn on his forehead, as if a sinister mark was about to be etched there. Visions assaulted him: an unknown chamber, a jaded spear, a cryptic voice urging him to continue something, a vision of war, and a final, chilling image of his jaded spear penetrating someone. Yet, in this last vision, the face of the victim remained frustratingly blurred, as if deliberately obscured.
The malicious voice grew furious. "NO! You were supposed to see it all!"
Then, a soothing female voice interjected, a voice of defiance. "Hundun hu, Qiandu's chaos. You may have delayed Baihu and Zei hu's powers, but we will never let your chaos corrupt the Five."
Suddenly, Xing Ziao was wrenched from his nightmarish state. He awakened in a dimly lit cave, the centerpiece being a crackling bonfire that cast dancing shadows upon the rough-hewn walls. He lay on a simple leaf bed, bandages carefully wrapped around his arms and body, evidence that someone had tended to his wounds.
Groggily, he tried to assess his surroundings, but the cave seemed ordinary, save for the warm glow of the bonfire. As his senses slowly returned, Xing Ziao couldn't help but wonder who was that malicious voice that had threatened his very existence and who had saved him from the abyss.
Deep in his thoughts, Xing Ziao failed to notice someone approaching until a rough, yet strangely familiar female voice spoke from behind.
"You are finally awake," she declared matter-of-factly. Xing Ziao jolted and turned abruptly, his eyes locking onto the source of the voice.
"You are lucky you survived the fall," she continued, her tone gruff. With a display of impressive strength, she dragged a sizable piece of meat into the cave, casting it near the bonfire.
Xing Ziao, still in a haze of confusion, couldn't help but inquire, "And who might you be?"
The woman sighed, as if accustomed to this question. "My apologies for my manners. I am Hexie hu, but I prefer the name Baoyu. I was the one who pulled you out from Hundun hu's trance."
Xing Ziao's brow furrowed as the memories of his recent ordeal resurfaced. "Hundun hu... the one who invaded my consciousness?"
Baoyu nodded solemnly. "Indeed. We did not anticipate his return from the realm of the dead. Now that he's free, he'll stop at nothing to sow chaos, and he needs you for that purpose."
Xing Ziao couldn't hide his confusion any longer. "Why me?"
Baoyu's expression grew graver as she responded, "I will try my best to reveal some truths to you, since time is running out." she paused then continued, "It's because you are the harbinger of destruction,"