Chapter 3 - Clawing from the Depths

Bai Yu, fueled by adrenaline and determination, danced through the battlefield. He had already felled several Stormwind soldiers, his movements honed and precise. But the tide of battle was turning. More and more Stormwind soldiers flooded onto the beach, their numbers overwhelming the island's defenses.Suddenly, a searing pain erupted in his back. A figure he hadn't seen, a Stormwind cultivator at the Bone Forging Realm, had snuck behind him and unleashed a devastating palm strike. The impact shattered the bones in his back, sending a jolt of agony through his body. Bai Yu screamed, his sword clattering to the ground as he was launched flying through the air.He crashed into the churning sea with a sickening thud. The world turned upside down, the salt water stinging his wounds. Panic clawed at him as he realized the full extent of his injuries. Broken bones hampered his movements, and the weight of his armor dragged him down. He fought to stay afloat, but each breath was a struggle. His vision blurred, the sounds of battle fading into a distant roar.Just as he was about to succumb to the darkness, a wave surged beneath him, propelling him forward. He slammed into something solid, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. Coughing and sputtering, he managed to lift his head, his vision swimming. He found himself inside a cavern, a small opening allowing moonlight to stream through, illuminating the space.As his eyes adjusted, he froze. In the center of the cavern stood a towering statue, crafted from a black stone that seemed to emanate an otherworldly power. The statue depicted a man with an imposing figure and a stern expression. He wore an ornate robe and a crown that resembled twisting horns. A nameplate gleamed at the base of the statue, the inscription glowing with an ethereal light: "Chaos-Emperor."The name resonated within Bai Yu, a sense of awe and power washing over him. Was this some forgotten deity, a guardian of the island? He reached out a tentative hand, his fingers brushing against the cold stone. A surge of energy coursed through him, revitalizing his battered body. The pain in his back dulled, and a warmth spread through his broken bones.