Ling Xiao's mind reeled as he tried to process the warning Mei Lin had given him. A great danger threatened the world, and he was somehow connected to it.
As they left the hidden chamber, Ling Xiao couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Mei Lin noticed his unease. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Ling Xiao hesitated. "I feel like we're being watched," he said.
Mei Lin's eyes narrowed. "I sense it too," she said. "Let's get back to the garden. We can discuss this further there."
As they walked, the shadows around them seemed to grow longer and darker. Ling Xiao felt a presence lurking just out of sight, watching him with cold, calculating eyes.
Suddenly, a figure stepped out of the shadows. Ling Xiao's heart skipped a beat as he saw a tall, imposing man with piercing eyes and jet-black hair.
"Who are you?" Ling Xiao demanded.
The man smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "My name is Jian," he said. "And I've been waiting for you, Ling Xiao."
Mei Lin stepped forward, her eyes flashing with warning. "What do you want, Jian?" she asked.
Jian's smile grew wider. "I want to show Ling Xiao the true nature of his destiny," he said. "A destiny that is inextricably linked to the danger that threatens the world."
Ling Xiao's mind reeled as he tried to understand Jian's words. What did he mean by "true nature of his destiny"? And what danger threatened the world?
As he looked into Jian's eyes, Ling Xiao felt a shiver run down his spine. He knew that he was in grave danger, and that Jian was the key to unlocking the secrets that lay ahead.