Jian handed the ancient text to Ling Xiao, who took it with reverence. The leather binding felt worn and smooth in his hands, and the pages crackled with age as he opened the book.
As he began to read, Ling Xiao felt a strange energy emanating from the text. The symbols and diagrams seemed to shift and rearrange themselves, revealing hidden meanings and secrets.
Mei Lin leaned in close, her eyes scanning the pages with interest. "This is indeed an ancient text," she said. "One that holds the secrets of the prophecy."
Ling Xiao's eyes widened as he read on, the words blurring together on the page. He felt a sense of excitement and wonder, mixed with a growing sense of unease.
"What does it say?" Jian asked, his voice low and urgent.
Ling Xiao hesitated, unsure of how to reveal the secrets of the ancient text. But as he looked up at Jian and Mei Lin, he knew that he had to share the truth.
"It speaks of a great and powerful enemy," Ling Xiao said, his voice barely above a whisper. "One who seeks to destroy the balance of the world and plunge humanity into darkness."
Mei Lin's eyes narrowed. "What enemy?" she demanded.
Ling Xiao's gaze locked onto Jian's. "The text does not say," he replied. "But it warns of a great and terrible battle, one that will determine the fate of the world."
The air seemed to grow colder as Ling Xiao finished speaking, the shadows deepening and twisting around them. Jian's face was grim, his eyes burning with a fierce determination.
"We must prepare for battle," Jian said, his voice low and deadly. "For the fate of the world hangs in the balance."