Meng Xiu, the celestial princess, appeared before Li Wei and Zhu Jiao with an aura of ethereal grace. Her celestial robes shimmered like stardust, and her sapphire eyes held the wisdom of eons.
Li Wei's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the celestial presence before him.
He remembered tales of celestial beings, but to encounter one in the flesh was beyond his wildest dreams.
"Who are you?" Li Wei asked, his voice tinged with awe and curiosity.
"I am Meng Xiu, a princess of the Heavenly Realm," she replied, her voice as soft as a gentle breeze.
"I have been observing your journey, young martial artist."
Li Wei exchanged a glance with Zhu Jiao, both intrigued and apprehensive about the celestial being's presence.
"I followed the energy that resonated from the ancient artifact," Meng Xiu continued, her gaze focused on Li Wei.
"It led me to you—the one who possesses the true celestial bloodline."
Li Wei's mind buzzed with questions.
How did she know about his celestial heritage, and what did she want from him?
Sensing his confusion, Meng Xiu smiled gently. "You are part of a grand tapestry of destiny," she explained.
"The artifact you encountered is a powerful relic that has been hidden for eons. It is said to hold the key to bridging the realms of mortals and immortals."
Zhu Jiao's eyes widened in wonder, and she stepped closer to Meng Xiu. "What does this mean for Li Wei?"
Meng Xiu's expression softened. "The artifact's power is tied to the fate of both realms," she said.
"To wield its power, one must possess the true celestial bloodline—the bloodline that courses through Li Wei's veins."
Li Wei's heart pounded as he absorbed the weight of her words.
Destiny had woven him into a larger cosmic design, and he felt the burden of the choices that lay ahead.
"But be warned," Meng Xiu cautioned. "The artifact's power is not to be taken lightly. It can bring harmony or chaos, depending on how it is wielded."
Li Wei nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
His celestial heritage was a gift and a responsibility, and he vowed to use it wisely.
Meng Xiu's eyes held a mixture of tenderness and solemnity as she gazed at Li Wei. "Your journey is just beginning," she said.
"The path you tread will be filled with challenges and revelations. Remember, your choices will determine the fate of both realms."
With those words, Meng Xiu bid them farewell, her form fading into the celestial energy that surrounded her.
As Li Wei and Zhu Jiao stood in the aftermath of the encounter, a sense of purpose filled their hearts.
They knew that the artifact's power was a double-edged sword—one that could change the course of history.
The next day, as they resumed their journey, Li Wei felt the weight of destiny pressing upon him.
He knew that the forest's secrets were but the beginning of a greater adventure—one that would test his character and strength.
Unbeknownst to them, dark forces were also in motion, seeking to harness the artifact's power for nefarious purposes.
Among them was Guo Xun, the conflicted assassin, who found himself entangled in a web of deception and power struggles beyond his control.