The echoes of the battle still lingered in the shattered heavens. Xiao Lan stood tall amidst the chaos, his Abyssal Demonbane Sword glowing with the fading remnants of dark and light energy. The enormous rift that had once threatened to devour the universe now lay still, like a wound in the fabric of reality.
Xiao Lan breathed deeply, his senses still heightened from the fight. His body was bruised, but his spirit was unbroken. "This isn't over," he muttered to himself. The creature he had defeated was not the end; it was only the beginning.
The woman, who had been watching from the shadows, finally stepped forward, her silver hair flowing like liquid light, her eyes shimmering with ancient power. She approached slowly, the air around her heavy with secrets.
"Xiao Lan," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight of prophecy, "you have done the impossible. You have defeated the First Gatekeeper of the true enemy. But do you know what that means?"
Xiao Lan turned to face her, the anger still burning in his eyes. "You know what I want," he replied. "Tell me what's happening."
The woman gave a small, knowing smile.
"Very well," she said, her gaze unwavering. "You are now on a path that no one has walked before. The true enemy isn't just some being or god. It is a force older than time itself—the Void that consumes everything."
The True Enemy Revealed
"The Void…" Xiao Lan repeated, the words sending a chill through him. "What is it? And why does it want me?"
The woman's expression grew more serious. "The Void is an ancient force, beyond the gods, beyond the realms. It consumes worlds, devours entire universes, and erases history itself. It's a force of pure destruction, and for ages, it has remained dormant, but now…"
Her voice trailed off as her gaze turned to the shattered rift in the sky.
"It's awake," Xiao Lan finished for her, his tone grim.
"Yes," she replied. "And it is seeking something—someone. You."
Xiao Lan felt the weight of her words. "Why me? I'm just a warrior. Why would the Void be after me?"
The woman's eyes glinted with an unreadable expression. "Because you are not just any warrior. You are the one who has touched the essence of creation itself. The black and white energy within you, it's not just power. It's the balance between creation and destruction, the very force that can challenge the Void."
Xiao Lan's heart raced. The black and white energy within him was a mystery, but now, it seemed to have a purpose beyond what he had imagined.
A Desperate Decision
"I need to find a way to stop this," Xiao Lan said, clenching his fists. "I won't let the Void destroy everything."
The woman nodded slowly. "To defeat the Void, you will need to unlock the true potential of your power. You must travel beyond the rift into the Lost Realms—the place where time and space do not exist. But it is not a journey for the faint-hearted. The Lost Realms are filled with creatures, traps, and dangers beyond imagination."
Xiao Lan was silent for a moment, weighing the woman's words. He had already faced so much, fought against gods and monsters, but this… this was different.
"I'll do it," he finally said, determination in his eyes. "I'll face whatever is out there."
The woman smiled, her expression softening for the first time. "You are ready, then. But remember, the Lost Realms are not just physical challenges. They will test your mind, your spirit, and your very will. You will face your darkest fears, and only by overcoming them will you be able to unlock the power you need."
"I don't fear anything." Xiao Lan's voice was filled with conviction.
The woman nodded, as if she had expected this response. "Very well. But know this: The path to the Lost Realms will not be easy. You will be followed, and not just by the Void. There are others who seek the power you carry."
Xiao Lan frowned. "Others?"
The woman's eyes glinted with a strange light. "There are others like you, warriors who have touched the essence of creation. Some of them will try to stop you, believing you are the enemy. Others will try to claim your power for themselves. Be prepared."
Xiao Lan nodded, his grip tightening around his sword. He was used to enemies, but this… this would be unlike anything he had ever faced.
The Journey Begins
Without another word, the woman raised her hand, and the rift in the sky began to widen, revealing a tunnel of darkness. The air crackled with energy, and Xiao Lan could feel the pull of the Lost Realms calling to him.
"Go now, Xiao Lan," she said. "The future of the universe lies in your hands."
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Lan stepped forward, crossing the threshold of the rift. As he entered the darkness, the world around him began to shift. The heavens, the ground, the very fabric of reality twisted and contorted, but Xiao Lan did not falter.
With every step, he could feel his power growing, his energy expanding.
But as the rift closed behind him, a sense of foreboding washed over him.
The Lost Realms were waiting.
To Be Continued…
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