The Hidden Truth of the Element Stone
Zhu Huan stood before Doming, his expression conflicted as he prepared to leave. "How are you, my lord?" Zhu Huan asked, bowing respectfully. "I will bring Xiang to you very soon."
Doming's eyes gleamed with malice, his voice deep and commanding. "You have to attack the heavens, Zhu Huan. Bring Xiang to me at all costs. If it requires destroying the heavens entirely, so be it. Do whatever you must—I want Xiang, and nothing else."
Zhu Huan nodded silently and departed, determination etched on his face.
Meanwhile, Xiang sat at the grand heavenly table, quietly enjoying her breakfast. Yet her mind was far away, replaying moments with Wen Shia. A shy smile spread across her face, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
The Goddess of Heaven, seated beside her, noticed this and chuckled softly. "Xiang, you seem lost in thought. I think you've fallen in love with someone."
Xiang snapped out of her daydream, startled. "No! Of course not!" she protested, her voice rising slightly. "I was just... thinking about something funny. Why would I fall in love with anyone?"
The goddess raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her knowing smile lingering.
Just then, Wen Shia entered the room. His calm yet commanding presence filled the space. "Xiang," he said, his tone gentle but firm, "will you come with me? There's a place I need to take you."
Xiang hesitated, shaking her head. "I don't want to go anywhere."
The Goddess of Heaven placed a reassuring hand on Xiang's shoulder. "You should go with him, Xiang. Perhaps this journey will be good for everyone."
After much persuasion, Xiang finally relented. "Fine. I'll go with you," she said reluctantly.
As they prepared to leave, the God of Heaven appeared, his expression grave. "Be careful, both of you," he warned. "Darkness looms, and danger can strike at any moment. Earthquakes are shaking the mortal realm, and cracks are forming in the ground. I believe the Element Stone is the cause."
He then stepped closer to Wen Shia, his voice dropping to a whisper. "This time, take care of her. Do not let her disappear from your hands again. She holds the key to everything."
Wen Shia nodded resolutely. "I promise to protect her. She will return safely with me, and her memories will come back."
Descending from the heavens, Wen Shia and Xiang rode swiftly on his sword, the wind rushing past them. They soon arrived at a secluded hill where they were to meet an old sage. As they landed, a group of Doming's soldiers suddenly appeared, their weapons drawn and eyes gleaming with malice.
"Hand over the girl!" one of them barked.
Wen Shia stepped forward, drawing his sword. With one swift and powerful strike, he defeated them all. Only two or three soldiers managed to flee, disappearing into the forest.
Xiang looked at the fallen soldiers, her heart heavy. "You shouldn't have killed them. They were only following orders."
"If I hadn't," Wen Shia replied, his voice cold, "they would have informed their king. Those who escaped might already be on their way. We need to move quickly."
Without another word, he took Xiang's hand, pulling her forward. They hurried to the sage's secluded dwelling.
When they arrived, the old man blocked their path, leaning on his staff with a sly grin. "I won't help you unless you answer two of my questions first," he said, his voice laced with mischief.
Wen Shia stepped forward, his resolve unshaken. "Ask your questions. I'll answer them."
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "First question: How was the Element Stone created?"
Wen Shia recounted the story. "When the world was created, all the elemental forces—fire, water, wind, earth, and others—ran wild. A goddess, seeing the chaos, absorbed all these powers into herself to bring balance. Over time, this energy condensed into a single stone, which became the Element Stone. However, during the demonic tribe's attack, the stone was lost. It is said that a fragment of it resides within Xiang."
The old man chuckled, shaking his head. "You've told the tale well, but you're missing crucial details. The goddess didn't simply absorb the elements to calm them. She did it to create a key—a key to seal away the Abyss, a realm of unspeakable evil. Her soul didn't just vanish; it shattered into fragments, each carrying a part of her essence. These fragments chose certain individuals, granting them her power. Xiang is one of them."
Xiang stared at the old man, her voice trembling. "You mean... I carry a piece of her soul?"
"Yes," the sage confirmed. "Doming seeks the stone not for its power alone, but to open the gate to the Abyss. If he succeeds, he will unleash destruction upon all realms. That is why the heavens tremble and the earth cracks. The balance is already failing."
Wen Shia clenched his fists. "Tell us what we need to do to stop him."
The old man smiled cryptically. "First, you must answer my second question."
To be continued...