In the dim light of a remote mountain stronghold, the Black Dragon Emperor, Hēilóng Dì, stood at the heart of his army's encampment. His dark presence radiated power, a menacing aura that sent shivers through even the most hardened of his followers. The emperor's sharp, cold eyes surveyed the gathered warriors, each loyal to his dark cause. Rumors had begun to spread of the Guardians' return, whispers that sparked fear in his forces and stirred long-buried resentment within him.
The Black Dragon Emperor clenched his fist, a darkness radiating outward, smothering any light around him. He had waited centuries for this moment, and he would not let two mere descendants ruin his plans. The curse he'd laid upon Lin Xi in her past life was but a small part of his grand scheme—a tether that would tie her fate to his, trapping her soul in a cycle of suffering and separation.
Beside him, his most trusted general stepped forward. Dressed in dark armor and wielding an enchanted blade, General Bai was a formidable warrior, second only to the emperor himself. He knelt before Hēilóng Dì, awaiting his command.
"My lord," General Bai spoke, his voice filled with reverence. "The Guardians' power is rumored to have resurfaced. If they have indeed awakened, they will rally the people, give them hope."
Hēilóng Dì narrowed his gaze, his expression unyielding. "Hope is an illusion," he replied coldly. "It's time to remind them of the darkness they are bound to serve."
The emperor raised his hand, revealing a dark crystal pulsing with malevolent energy—a fragment of the ancient artifact that granted him his unparalleled power. With this crystal, he could corrupt the very land, twisting it to his will. Already, his influence had started to poison the valley, causing crops to wither and livestock to weaken. It was only a matter of time before despair consumed the villagers and weakened their spirits.
Meanwhile, Hēilóng Dì's spies reported every move made by Lin Xi and Su Qinghe. The emperor was well aware of the strength their bond granted them, and he had a twisted plan to exploit it. He had already embedded his followers within the village under the guise of helpless refugees. These hidden agents had only one purpose—to strike when the Guardians were most vulnerable.
As his agents sent him messages about Lin Xi and Su Qinghe's growing closeness, a malicious grin twisted the emperor's lips. He would drive a wedge between them, forcing Lin Xi to relive her most painful memories and to question her loyalty to Su Qinghe. He would cloud her mind, make her doubt her past, her powers, and ultimately, her place in the village. The curse he'd placed upon her would haunt her anew, resurfacing as she grew closer to the man she once loved.
To enact this phase of his plan, Hēilóng Dì called forth one of his most sinister allies—a sorceress known for her illusions and manipulations. Clad in robes of shadows, she approached him, her face hidden behind a veil that shimmered with dark energy.
"My lord," she whispered, her voice like a venomous lull. "The Guardians' bond may be strong, but bonds can be shattered. Allow me to cloud her memories, distort her feelings… make her forget the man who stands beside her."
Hēilóng Dì's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Do it," he commanded. "Break her spirit. Let her think she is alone, unloved. Once she is vulnerable, she will come to us, willingly or otherwise."
Back at the village, Lin Xi and Su Qinghe remained unaware of the insidious plans unfolding against them. The cursed energy in the valley grew stronger by the day, and strange things began to happen. Villagers started to report sightings of dark apparitions in the forest, glimpses of shadows that seemed to disappear as quickly as they appeared. Crops continued to fail despite the villagers' best efforts, and a sense of unease spread among them like wildfire.
One night, as Lin Xi walked the perimeter of the village, she felt an unfamiliar presence—a whisper at the edge of her mind, a sensation that stirred memories she could not fully grasp. Shadows danced in the corners of her vision, flickering like the remnants of forgotten dreams. She shook her head, dismissing it as the stress of their preparations. But the unease lingered.
Su Qinghe, noticing her distant expression, approached her, concern evident in his eyes. "Lin Xi, are you all right?"
She nodded, forcing a smile. "Yes… it's just this place. It's as if something is watching us."
Unbeknownst to her, the Black Dragon Emperor's curse had begun to take root once more, feeding on her doubts, her fears, and her memories. The sorceress's illusions would soon weave themselves into Lin Xi's mind, casting doubt on her love for Su Qinghe, her purpose as a Guardian, and even her very identity.
In his darkened stronghold, Hēilóng Dì watched through the crystal, observing as his curse began to work. He reveled in the unfolding chaos, certain that his plan would tear apart everything the Guardians stood for. As he turned away from the crystal, his dark laughter echoed through the night.
The enemy's gambit had been set in motion, and the Guardians' bond would be tested like never before.