Lei Bai's voice thundered, "Return my little sister, or the entire sect will burn alive! The Lei clan will destroy this sect!"
Sen Fe, despite her injuries, rushed to defend Zhao Min, but Zhao Min stopped her. "It's okay, I'll go. I know I can't win against my brother. If I stay, this sect will be destroyed."
Zhao Min's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Sen Fe's injured body. "I'm the only one who caused this disaster. If I hadn't come here, the disciples would still be alive."
With a heavy heart, Zhao Min turned to Lei Bai. "I'll come with you, but please stop this slaughter. I'll only return if you spare this sect."
Lei Bai sneered, but shouted, "Stop! Retreat!" Some of his followers were angry, while others were relieved.
One of them, a ruthless man, whispered to another, "It's a shame we have to stop. I was enjoying the slaughter. If I get another chance to attack a sect, I won't hesitate."
Sen Fe's thoughts raced, "Elder Fang Lin, please come . Senior Sister Zhao Min is gone, and I'm too weak to protect the sect."
Zhao Min's voice echoed in her mind, "When Elder Fang Lin comes, tell him my name is Lei Zhao Min."
As Zhao Min walked away with Lei Bai, Sen Fe felt a pang of guilt and worry. "What will happen to Zhao Min? Will she ever return?"
The sect's disciples, once full of hope, now felt despair wash over them. "Is this the end? Will we survive?"
As Kane slowly opened his eyes, a sharp pain pierced through his head, making him wince. He tentatively reached out to touch his body, only to discover that his skin had transformed into a hard, rock-like texture. His hair, once shoulder-length, now cascaded down to the ground like a golden waterfall. His former light tan skin had paled, and his eyes gleamed with an otherworldly red intensity, reminiscent of his time in the Lunaria Continent.
Kane's mind reeled as a sudden voice echoed within his head. "Hey kiddo!"
He jerked upright, surprised by the unexpected presence in his mind. "Who are you?" Kane demanded, trying to regain his composure.
"I am the Will of the Soul Stone," the voice replied, its tone calm and collected.
Kane's eyes narrowed. "Why did you merge with my body?"
The Soul Stone explained, "When you were in my cauldron, I sensed a dangerous aura emanating from you. I believed merging with you was the best course of action to do at that time or I was attracted towards you."
Kane's thoughts whirled with questions. "Who are you, exactly?"
"I am a fragment of the human corpse you saw earlier," the Soul Stone replied. "The one pierced by multiple swords."
Kane's gaze drifted back to the memory of the corpse. "What's your name?"
"Blackcat," the Soul Stone answered, its tone matter-of-fact.
Kane raised an eyebrow, thinking, What a ridiculous name.
He asked, "What skills do you possess?"
The Soul Stone hesitated. "My memories are fragmented... I don't recall my skills."
Kane thought, Without the Soul Stone's memories, its abilities are useless.
He asked, "What can you help me with, Blackcat?"
The Soul Stone retorted, "I can assist with strategy. Your memories revealed a... lack of foresight. You were impulsive, often acting without thinking."
Kane bristled at the criticism, but the Soul Stone continued, "Together, we can create effective plans and overcome challenges."
As Kane pondered the Soul Stone's words, he wondered if this merged existence would
prove beneficial or detrimental. Only time would tell.