The Light That Lingers
Xiang's body was completely destroyed in the chaos, and for a moment, it seemed like her story had reached its tragic end. But just as the dust began to settle, a radiant, glowing energy emerged from within her shattered form. The light was so intense it blinded everyone nearby, and before they could comprehend what they were witnessing, the luminous essence vanished into the air.
The onlookers stood in stunned silence, murmuring among themselves. Could this mysterious light be the Element Stone? The possibility seemed faint. But when the glowing girl had disappeared, no one could deny their astonishment.
Then, as if fate itself were unraveling, Wen Shia's body began to fracture. The god of heaven, who had stood strong for centuries, was now falling apart before their eyes. A strange, pulsating light radiated from within him, filling the atmosphere with a sense of foreboding. It was unthinkable—how could such an event occur inside a god? Even Doming, the powerful demon god, was left speechless as the ground beneath them quaked violently.
Destruction swept across the lands. The earth cracked open, rivers overflowed, and torrents of rain poured relentlessly from the heavens. Panic spread like wildfire, and whispers of doom filled the air. Many believed the Element Stone had been obliterated, its absence throwing heaven and earth into chaos. "If the stone is destroyed," they cried, "then nothing can save us now."
But then, as suddenly as the chaos had begun, it stopped. The rain ceased, the earthquakes stilled, and the wounds of the earth began to heal. Even the sick and dying miraculously recovered, leaving everyone in stunned disbelief. However, one area remained untouched—a barren, rocky expanse where Xiang had died. The land was unyielding, silent, as if holding onto a secret no one could uncover.
Wen Shia returned to heaven, but his mind was restless. The peace he once carried within him was gone. He couldn't stop thinking about Xiang. Though he told no one of his turmoil, the emptiness in his eyes betrayed his sorrow. He sat for hours in solitude, silently wishing he could bring her back, replaying her final moments in his mind.
Meanwhile, Xiang's parents and Mr. Li were devastated by her loss. The world mourned the young woman who had touched so many lives. Even Doming, despite his dark nature, seemed subdued, as if her death had left an emptiness in his own heart.
Days passed in uneasy silence, but the fragile calm shattered when destruction returned just before the first full moon. People began to die again, mountains crumbled, and the sky opened up with relentless rain. Chaos ruled once more, leaving the world in a state of despair.
Desperate for a solution, many speculated that sealing the power of the stone in Soul Mountain might restore balance. But with the stone destroyed, there was nothing left to seal. Hopelessness spread, and the gods themselves began to doubt that heaven or earth could be saved.
Amid the devastation, a peculiar phenomenon occurred. At the very place where Xiang had fallen, vibrant green flowers began to bloom—an unnatural sight in the rocky wasteland. This strange, fleeting beauty drew the attention of Wen Shia, Doming, and the Demon Lord. They arrived together, hoping to find some remnant of the Element Stone, but the flowers held no answers, only a quiet mystery.
Saddened, everyone returned to their homes. Yet Wen Shia couldn't shake the feeling that Xiang's story wasn't over. Sitting alone in a garden, he whispered, "If only I could bring you back." An idea struck him then—a glimmer of hope. If he couldn't bring her back physically, perhaps her soul still lingered somewhere, waiting to be found.
His resolve grew, and with a determined heart, he decided to journey to the Soul Cell River, a place where lost souls were said to drift. Though perilous, he believed this quest could uncover the truth about Xiang, the Element Stone, and perhaps a way to restore balance to heaven and earth.
Little did Wen Shia know, this journey would lead him to the heart of a mystery far greater than he had ever imagined.