Leeming led his army to the gates of the Shi Clan's palace, ready for the long-anticipated battle. As they approached, soldiers from the Shi Clan launched a surprise ambush from both sides, forcing Leeming's forces into a chaotic melee. Despite the initial setback, Leeming and a select group of warriors managed to penetrate the palace walls under the cover of the fray.
However, the Shi Clan was far from unprepared. Inside the palace, they had concealed a powerful weapon—enchanted talismans imbued with dark magic. When activated, these talismans unleashed a wave of illusions, targeting the intruders' deepest fears and insecurities. The hallucinations caused widespread panic among the invading forces, leaving them vulnerable to the Shi Clan's relentless attacks.
The palace turned into a battlefield of extraordinary power. The Dragon Clan warriors soared above, their wings gleaming in the faint moonlight, raining down precise strikes. The Shin Clan fighters engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat, their blades clashing against the Shi Clan's defenses. Despite their combined efforts, the Shi Clan held a formidable advantage, excelling in the use of illusions and black magic to manipulate their enemies' minds.
At the forefront of the Shi Clan's resistance was their leader, Lan. He wielded the Fire Flower, a legendary weapon capable of draining the energy of those around him. Though powerful, the weapon came at a cost—Lan himself had grown visibly weaker from its prolonged use. Yet, the aura of the Fire Flower remained terrifying, its crimson flames flickering ominously as it sapped the strength of the invading armies.
The battlefield became a cacophony of shouts, clashing steel, and bursts of magical energy. Members of the Jiang and Shin clans began to falter as the talismans and the Fire Flower wreaked havoc on their minds and bodies. Zihang, Leeming, and a handful of their most loyal warriors pushed forward, determined to reach Lan and end the battle.
As they neared the throne room, Lan stepped forward, Fire Flower in hand. With a sinister smile, he raised the weapon, aiming directly at Leeming. Before Lan could strike, Zihang leaped forward with remarkable speed, shielding Leeming from the attack. In the struggle, the Fire Flower slipped from Lan's grasp and fell to the ground.
Suddenly, the Fire Flower began to glow, emitting a blinding light. Zihang instinctively stepped closer, drawn to the weapon's power. The light engulfed him, and his body convulsed as if fighting an internal battle. Then, his wings burst open—golden and black, radiating an otherworldly brilliance. Zihang let out a piercing cry as streams of light and energy spiraled around him.
The battlefield fell silent as all eyes turned to Zihang. His transformation was both terrifying and mesmerizing. The light dimmed, revealing his face clearly for the first time. His mask had fallen, exposing scars and bruises—evidence of a tortured past. His wings, though damaged, glowed with a ferocity that suggested indomitable strength.
"Who are you?" Lan demanded, stepping back in fear and anger.
Zihang's gaze locked onto him. "Why do you torment others, Lan? Why do you cling to power through destruction?" Without waiting for an answer, Zihang lunged forward, his wings cutting through the air like blades. Lan narrowly avoided the attack, retreating further into the palace.
The soldiers of the Jiang and Shin clans, reinvigorated by Zihang's presence, rallied and pushed forward. The Shi Clan, now leaderless and overwhelmed, began to falter. Meanwhile, members of the Shin Clan who had accompanied Hua Shin reached Zihang, recognizing him immediately.
"It's Xiao," Hua Shin whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears streamed down her face as she rushed to him. Others from the Shin Clan joined her, their expressions a mix of disbelief and joy.
"Xiao," Mr. Shin said softly, stepping forward to embrace him.
But Zihang pulled away, his expression distant. "I'm Zihang," he said firmly. "Not Xiao."
The Shin Clan members exchanged worried glances but decided not to press him further. They feared that overwhelming him with questions might harm his fragile mental state.
Lan, however, was far from defeated. "That weapon was mine!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the palace. "How did you absorb its power?"
Zihang turned to face him, his golden and black wings unfurling once more. "Your greed for power has brought nothing but misery to others," he said, his voice cold and resolute. "It ends here."
With a swift motion, Zihang unleashed a wave of energy, forcing Lan to his knees. The Fire Flower's aura, now contained within Zihang, radiated a sense of justice rather than destruction. The tides of battle had turned.
For the first time in years, hope glimmered in the eyes of the Jiang and Shin clans. As the remnants of the Shi Clan retreated, the once-divided clans stood united, their faith placed in the mysterious figure who had emerged from the chaos.