As Kane gazed into the distance, he spotted a sea of small orange dots approaching. The flickering torches held by the reinforcements of the Lei and Zhang families cast an eerie glow. A menacing grin spread across Kane's face.
"Lei Tang's sacrifice wasn't in vain," Kane said, his voice dripping with malice.
Zhang Ping's eyes sparkled with cunning, but Kane remained unfazed.
"Even if you kill me, you'll die with me," Zhang Ping sneered.
Kane's expression turned ruthless, his excitement growing. "If that's your wish, I'll grant it." With a sudden burst of speed, Kane sprinted towards Zhang Ping.
In an instant, two hands flew through the air, severed from their owner. Zhang Ping's eyes widened in horror as he felt only numbness where his hands once were.
Zhang Ping's screams grew louder as he cradled his severed hands. A wounded guard, fueled by loyalty and rage, stumbled towards Kane, sword trembling in his grasp.
Kane gazed at the guard with indifference, his expression a mask of detachment. With a swift, precise motion, he sliced the guard's head in two.
"Why do they do it?" Kane wondered, his thoughts drifting amidst the chaos. "Why do they willingly sacrifice themselves for people like Zhang Ping, who care nothing for their well-being?"
"Is it blind loyalty, or desperation?" Kane mused. "Do they believe their sacrifices will bring about a better future, or is it merely a fleeting sense of purpose?"
As he pondered, the mysterious woman reappeared, her bandaged Eyes locked onto Kane's.
"You're questioning the nature of loyalty and sacrifice," she said, her voice low and introspective. "But have you considered your own motivations, Kane? What drives you to keep fighting?"
Kane's gaze narrowed, his thoughts guarded. Yet, the woman's words struck a chord.
Kane's gaze locked onto the mysterious woman, her purple Chinese attire shimmering in the moonlight. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back, framing a pale face that seemed almost ethereal. A black bandage covered her eyes, yet Kane sensed an unerring intensity emanating from her.
"How do you know my name?" Kane asked, his voice cautious.
The woman's enigmatic smile sent shivers down Kane's spine.
"I know more than just your name, Kane," she whispered, her voice carrying an otherworldly quality. "I know your thoughts, your desires, and your deepest fears."
Kane's instincts screamed warning. "What are you?" he demanded.
The woman's laughter was a soft, melodic whisper.
"I am someone who sees beyond the veil," she said. "Your thoughts are an open book to me, Kane. I know your every intention, every calculation."
Kane's mind reeled. Was she a seer, a sorceress, or something more sinister?
"Who sent you?" Kane pressed, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword.
The woman's bandaged eyes seemed to bore into his soul.
"No one sent me, Kane," she replied. "I've been waiting for you. You see, I've been tracking your... progress. The Zhang and Lei clans are mere pawns in a larger game. And you, Kane, are the key to unlocking it."
Kane's thoughts swirled with questions .Is she friend or foe?What game was she talking about?
How could she read his thoughts?
The mysterious woman took a step closer, her pale skin glowing in the moonlight.
"As I said, Kane," the mysterious woman continued, her voice dripping with an otherworldly gravity, "you are a variable that threatens the very fabric of the Great Immortal Heaven. Your existence will disrupt the balance, and your actions will destroy the Heavenly Core – the linchpin of our mission."
Kane's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications.
"What mission?" he demanded, his hand gripping his sword.
The woman's smile grew wider, her bandaged eyes seeming to gleam with an unnatural intensity.
"Our order has been searching for the key to unlock the secrets of the Heavenly Core. And you, Kane, are that key. Your soul holds the essence of the Ancient Ones, and with it, we can unlock the gates of immortality."
Kane's thoughts reeled as the woman's words painted a dire picture.
"You've been ordered to kill me," he stated, his voice flat.
The woman nodded, her movements almost imperceptible.
"Yes, Kane. My orders are clear: eliminate you, collect your soul, and deliver it to the Heavenly Immortal Alchemist. Your essence will fuel the alchemical process, granting our order unimaginable power."
Kane's gaze locked onto the woman, his resolve hardening.
"I won't go down without a fight," he vowed.
The mysterious woman chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Kane's spine.
"I'm counting on it, Kane. Your resistance will only make the hunt more... exhilarating."