The hidden oasis of the Whispering Serpent Valley had suddenly fallen into a deathly silence. An invisible line of tension had formed between the cold gleam of Leng Chen's unsheathed sword and the emerald-green, protective light emanating from Mei Lin's fingertips. Zhang Hao's impatient and angry gaze was locked on Mei Lin, while Li Ming cautiously scanned the surroundings, trying to anticipate the next possible move. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the outcome of this momentary confrontation.
Leng Chen had noticed the unshakeable determination in Mei Lin's eyes, despite her fear. This was not the reaction of an ordinary demon. Within him, despite the teachings of his father and his sect, a tiny seed of doubt had begun to sprout. Was this young woman truly the monster the villagers described? Or was it all a misunderstanding? He recalled Old Willow Grandpa's earlier warning about the Heavenly Summit Sect's ruthlessness, a detail that now resonated with Li Ming's observation about the unusual, sorrowful quality of Mei Lin's aura. Perhaps the "malevolent aura" they had tracked was not inherently evil, but a complex energy signature the sect's rigid definitions couldn't comprehend.
"What do you aim to achieve with this meaningless resistance?" Leng Chen asked, his voice still cold, but perhaps for the first time, carrying a hint of curiosity. "You claim to be innocent, yet you draw your power against an emissary of justice from the Heavenly Summit Sect. Isn't this, in itself, the greatest proof of your guilt, your ill intentions?"
Mei Lin smiled bitterly at Leng Chen's words. "Justice? Your understanding of justice has brought only death and destruction for those like me. I am not attacking; I am merely protecting myself, my home, and the innocent lives in this valley! You entered my home without permission, accused me unjustly, threatened me! Why don't you try to understand what you feel, beyond what you see?"
Just then, something unexpected by both of them happened. From the depths of the valley, as if from seven layers beneath the earth, a terrifying, deafening roar suddenly cut through the confrontation and all other sounds in the valley like a knife. The roar was so powerful, so horrifying, that the ground beneath their feet shook violently, and the birds and other small animals in the trees took flight with panicked screams. It was heard echoing even from the distant mountains. Both Leng Chen and Mei Lin instinctively stopped fighting and looked towards the direction the sound came from, towards the darkest and most ominous-looking part of the valley.
A cloud of black, dense, poisonous smoke was rapidly rising from within the valley, as if gushing from a hellish pit in the depths of the earth. This smoke did not resemble ordinary fire smoke; it radiated an energy of pure evil, pure destruction, and indescribable terror. The "malevolent aura" Mei Lin had felt earlier and Leng Chen had also noticed now seemed much weaker, almost innocent, compared to this newly emerged, all-consuming dark threat. This was on a completely different level; it was the harbinger of the awakening of an ancient, powerful, and ruthless entity. The villagers' tales of disappearing livestock and wilting crops suddenly took on a far more sinister meaning. The "small, sealed demon realm" Li Ming had mentioned from ancient legends seemed to have just broken its bindings.
"What... what is that?" Li Ming asked, with fear and astonishment. Zhang Hao, who had just freed himself from some vines, had also stood up, his face as white as a sheet, staring in horror at the rising black smoke cloud. Neither of them had ever seen anything like it, never felt such power.
When Mei Lin felt that black smoke and the familiar, terrifying energy seeping from within it, her face contorted in horror, her eyes widened with fear. Her lips began to tremble. "It can't be... This is impossible... This... this is Korgath!" she whispered, her voice trembling, as if she couldn't believe it. This name, for her, was the name of the most terrifying nightmares, the deepest traumas.
Leng Chen noticed Mei Lin's horrified reaction and the foreign name she whispered. "Who is Korgath?" he asked immediately, a sense of urgency in his voice. He had to understand what this new threat was.
"He... he is an ancient and very powerful demon lord, sealed in this valley centuries ago by my ancestors at a great cost," Mei Lin whispered, her voice still trembling, her eyes locked in terror on the smoke cloud. "He is very powerful, very ruthless, feeding only on destruction and chaos. Years ago, after a great war, he was sealed to an altar in the deepest parts of this valley with the power of the Spirit Crystal. How... how could he have been freed? The seal was supposed to be unbreakable!"
The black smoke cloud, as if it had heard their conversation, began to approach them rapidly, growing larger and denser. From within the cloud, a colossal, shadowy, terrifying figure slowly emerged. It had a lizard-like body standing on two legs, but much larger and more muscular, with a long, thorny tail and enormous, bat-like wings. Its head resembled that of a crocodile, but much larger and filled with sharp, dagger-like teeth. Most frightening were its crimson eyes, glowing like embers, filled with hatred and hunger. A threatening, guttural growl emanated from between its sharp, massive teeth. This was undoubtedly Korgath. And it appeared he had come to make this valley and every living creature in it pay the price for his centuries-long captivity.
When Korgath's colossal, shadowy figure fully emerged from the black smoke, the atmosphere in that hidden paradise corner of the Whispering Serpent Valley instantly froze. The previous tension gave way to pure, primal terror. The demon lord's mere presence seemed to absorb the surrounding life energy, causing flowers to wilt and leaves to turn yellow. The intense, malevolent energy he radiated pressed down on their shoulders like a physical weight, making even breathing difficult.
"So, it was you, little flower spirit, from whom that sweet, fresh scent of life emanated when that cursed seal weakened," Korgath thundered, his voice like a clap of thunder, echoing ominously off the valley walls. His glowing crimson eyes never left Mei Lin for a moment, holding both an age-old hunger and a deep hatred. "And you've brought yourself a few 'righteousness'-collared, sword-wielding brats as playthings. How thoughtful! They will add color to my feast." His mocking laughter was enough to make even the bravest hearts tremble.
Leng Chen could feel Korgath's immense power, the crushing pressure he exuded, down to his bones. This was unlike any demon, any entity he had ever encountered, trained for, or fought against. This being alone could destroy a small army, perhaps even a city. However, fear was a word absent from Leng Chen's vocabulary, brutally ripped out by his father. He gripped his sword tightly, steadied his stance, and, without taking his eyes off Korgath for a second, pointed his blade at him.
"Who are you, and why have you come to this valley?" Leng Chen asked, his voice as cold and resolute as ever, but this time with a tension he couldn't suppress. "What do you seek in these lands?"
Korgath responded to this audacious question with another mocking, disdainful laugh. "Who am I, little xiulian whelp? I am your darkest nightmares, I am the rage that has slept in the shadows of this valley for centuries, I am the true master of these lands! And now, I have come to take what is rightfully mine, what I have awaited for ages: the Spirit Crystal that your ancestors stole from me, that they used to imprison me in this cursed pit!" As Korgath said "Spirit Crystal," his voice trembled with greedy ambition.
Mei Lin flinched at Korgath's words, her heart clenching in terror. The Spirit Crystal... It was an ancient artifact of immense power and importance, hidden in the Ancient Altar at the heart of the valley. This crystal not only balanced the life energy of the valley but also served as the key that kept dangerous and malevolent entities like Korgath under seal. If Korgath were to get his hands on that crystal, he would gain unstoppable, destructive power, not just for this valley, but for the entire world.
"I will never, ever give you that crystal, Korgath!" Mei Lin shouted, casting aside her fear and filling with anger. The emerald-green life energy emanating from her hands intensified further, forming a protective halo around her.
A demonic, cruel smile appeared on Korgath's crocodile-like face. "What a brave little flower. But your courage will not be enough to save you from my wrath."
As soon as Korgath finished his words, he swung his massive, scaly, and sharp-clawed hand towards Mei Lin. Three black energy beams, like tar and coiling like snakes, shot out from his claw, advancing towards Mei Lin with deadly speed and an ominous hiss. These beams were like a poison that melted and rotted everything they touched.
Mei Lin threw herself sideways at the last moment to escape this sudden and deadly attack. But no matter how fast she moved, one of the beams grazed her left arm. She let out a sharp cry of pain, and black smoke instantly rose from her arm, the smell of burnt flesh spreading. Korgath's dark energy was like a pure poison; it instantly rotted where it touched, absorbing life energy. Mei Lin gritted her teeth in pain, her vision blurring.
When Leng Chen saw Mei Lin get injured, heard that pain-filled scream, he acted purely instinctively, without understanding what was happening, without thinking. Under normal circumstances, a demon's injury wouldn't concern him in the slightest, perhaps it would even please him. But right now, Korgath was a much larger, much more immediate threat. And it was clear that this injured demon girl knew something about that vitally important Spirit Crystal, perhaps she was the only one who could protect it. Also, though he had no logical explanation for it at that moment, Mei Lin's desperate scream had caused a tiny, unnoticed tremor in Leng Chen's icy shell.
"Zhang Hao, Li Ming! With me! Attack this demon lord, distract him!" Leng Chen commanded, his voice even sharper now. He himself, without further hesitation, lunged forward, his sword aimed at Korgath. His body was suddenly enveloped in a blue flame. "Heavenly Summit Sword Technique: Soaring Dragon's Breath!"
A scorching and powerful wave of energy, resembling that of a fire-breathing dragon, gushed from Leng Chen's sword. This attack, unlike the Ice-Shattering Strike, carried pure destruction and burning power. Korgath met this powerful attack directed at him with a disdainful, mocking expression. He raised his massive, scaly hand and easily stopped the energy wave, as if swatting away an annoying fly. The energy wave dispersed upon hitting Korgath's hand, scattering sparks around but failing to inflict the slightest damage on the demon lord.
"You are strong, whelp," Korgath said, a mocking appreciation in his voice. "An impressive technique for your age. But against me, you are no stronger than an ant."
Zhang Hao and Li Ming, upon their Senior Brother's command and trying to suppress the fear within them, attempted to attack Korgath. Zhang Hao, shouting "Heavenly Summit Sect's Tiger Claw!" lunged forward with his sword, while Li Ming more cautiously searched for a weak spot in the demon lord. However, the dense, malevolent aura surrounding Korgath was like an invisible shield; it even prevented them from approaching, cutting off their breath, and draining their strength. Both of them were thrown back as if hitting an invisible wall before they could get within a few meters of the demon lord, barely ableto stay on their feet.
Mei Lin, clutching her injured arm, looked at Korgath in pain. This demon lord was not an enemy they could handle alone, even with these three xiulian practitioners. They needed much more help, much more power. Despair slowly began to envelop her heart.
Just then, she sensed new and different auras from outside the valley, from the direction of the narrow pass they had come through. These auras were also strong, disciplined, but not as purely malevolent and destructive as Korgath's. It was more like... an orderly, organized, and somewhat arrogant energy. It seemed the ancient prophecies Master Ruan would later mention were not only known to his sect. Other powerful factions, sensitive to shifts in cosmic energies or privy to similar ancient texts, might also have been alerted by the unique disturbance Korgath's awakening and the Spirit Crystal's distress were causing. The Seven Star Pavilion, known for their meticulous tracking of celestial and spiritual omens, would certainly be among those to investigate such a potent anomaly.
"Help... help might be coming," Mei Lin whispered, a tiny spark of hope rekindling within her.
Korgath, with his sharp senses, had also noticed the newcomers. A mocking, disdainful expression appeared on his face. "How wonderful! The party is getting crowded. So the feast will be even bigger today! I need more souls, more pain!"
A short while later, a new group emerged from among the trees, advancing with orderly steps. This group consisted of at least ten people. Judging by their dark purple, almost black, elegant robes embroidered with silver thread at the edges, and the thin, long swords at their waists, on which a motif of seven bright stars was embroidered, they were members of the Seven Star Pavilion (七星阁 - Qī Xīng Gé). The Seven Star Pavilion, though not the Heavenly Summit Sect's biggest and oldest rival, had always had a strained rivalry, a kind of distant and tense relationship between them. Although both sects saw themselves as defenders of "righteousness," there were significant differences in their methods and philosophies.
At the head of the group was Master Ruan (阮师傅 - Ruǎn Shīfu), a tall, slender man in his fifties with graying hair and a calm, wise expression. Master Ruan was one of the respected senior masters of the Seven Star Pavilion and was known for his wise words. Immediately beside him stood Lady Zhelan (芷兰仙子 - Zhǐlán Xiānzǐ), the "Orchid Fairy," a young female xiulian practitioner whose beauty was legendary but who was also known for her cold and distant demeanor. Lady Zhelan, despite being in her early twenties, was one of the most talented and promising disciples of the Seven Star Pavilion. The purple robe she wore was like an orchid flower shimmering in the moonlight. When she saw Leng Chen and the Heavenly Summit Sect members beside him, a faint, complex expression appeared on her beautiful face, especially in her amber eyes; it was a kind of familiarity, perhaps a slight trace of an old rivalry, a playful banter.
When Master Ruan saw Korgath's terrifying bulk, the indescribable destructive energy he radiated, and the hellish scene in the valley, the expression on his wise face became serious, his brows furrowing with deep concern. "So the ominous prophecies mentioned in the ancient texts were true," he said, as if whispering to himself, but his voice was clear enough for everyone to hear. "The ancient demon Korgath has awakened from his thousand-year slumber and broken free from his seal." He then added, his voice carrying a hint of urgency, "We were dispatched by the Pavilion elders once the celestial alignments confirmed the prophecies. The disturbance in the valley's spiritual energy was the final sign."
Lady Zhelan turned her gaze from Korgath to Leng Chen. Her voice was, as usual, cold, distant, and slightly mocking. "Leng Chen. Does your sect, which claims to be so disciplined and to have everything under control, have a hand, an involvement in this terrible event? Or did you release this horrifying demon for some kind of experiment, or to test your strength?" There was open accusation and disdain in her words.
Leng Chen was angered by Lady Zhelan's insinuating and unjust question but tried not to show it. There had been an endless rivalry and banter between him and this woman since their childhood. Both were the most favored disciples of their respective sects and often faced each other in various tournaments or missions. "Stop talking nonsense, Zhelan!" Leng Chen said, trying to suppress the anger in his voice. "We were fighting him too until you arrived to launch your 'rescue operation.' This demon, as we all know, is after the Spirit Crystal."
Master Ruan intervened to stop this meaningless bickering between the two youths. His voice was calm but authoritative. "Now is not the time for personal squabbles, for old rivalries, children. The threat before us is a harbinger of disaster for all of us, for this entire region, perhaps even for the whole world. If Korgath gets his hands on that Spirit Crystal, he will gain unstoppable power and drag this entire region, and even more, into darkness and chaos. Therefore, we must put aside our differences and act together as one fist." Master Ruan's words had an effect on everyone.
Korgath responded to the newcomers and their conversation with another disdainful, mocking laugh. "What a touching, what an inspiring scene! Two eternal rival sects uniting against a common enemy, namely me. But all your efforts are in vain, you little, pathetic flies! None of you, absolutely none of you, can stop me! This valley and that crystal will be mine!"
After these words, Korgath raised his hands to the sky and began to summon black, ominous lightning. The sky suddenly darkened further, and lightning began to strike. Black lightning bolts, one after another, struck the valley randomly with a terrifying noise, instantly turning trees to ash, splitting the earth, and opening deep pits. The place instantly turned into a reflection of hell on earth. Everyone was panicking, looking for a place to shelter, trying to protect themselves.
As black lightning rained down around the xiulian practitioners like a deadly shower, everyone desperately sought shelter, trying to protect themselves by deflecting the lightning with their swords or spells. Leng Chen met a massive black lightning bolt coming towards him with an icy energy shield emanating from his sword, but the sheer power of the lightning shook him, causing him to retreat.
Mei Lin, despite the unbearable pain in her injured arm, was trying with her last strength to create an emerald-green energy shield to protect the small, frightened spirits and plants around her. Xiao Cui, perched on her shoulder in fear, its tiny body trembling uncontrollably.
"Lady Mei Lin, this monster is too strong!" Xiao Cui chirped, its voice filled with despair. "We must flee from here! Otherwise, we will all die!"
"No, Xiao Cui," Mei Lin said resolutely, taking care not to let her voice tremble despite the pain. "This valley is our home. We cannot leave it to a monster like Korgath. And the Spirit Crystal... It is crucial not only for this valley but for the balance of all life, for the safety of all souls. We must protect it."
Master Ruan was shouting orders to the disciples of the Seven Star Pavilion. "Form ranks! Quickly! Activate the Seven Star Defensive Array!" Upon Master Ruan's command, the disciples moved quickly, forming a perfect circular formation around him. The bright silver energy emanating from their swords combined to create a powerful, rotating star-shaped shield, an impressive barrier. This shield absorbed some of the black lightning bolts falling on them and reflected others.
Lady Zhelan, skillfully avoiding the lightning with agile movements, came to Leng Chen's side. Her usual cold, distant expression was on her face, but a flicker of concern in her amber eyes, a sign that she understood the seriousness of the situation, something he had never seen before, had trembled there. "Leng Chen," she said, her voice less mocking this time. "This demon is far too strong for us to defeat alone or separately. We need a logical plan, a common strategy. Otherwise, we will all perish here."
Leng Chen looked at Lady Zhelan. There had always been a rivalry between him and this woman; they had enjoyed taunting each other, but he had always respected Zhelan's abilities, her intelligence, and her swordsmanship. "You're right," he said, not opposing her for the first time. "Korgath must have a weak point, a vulnerability. No being is invincible." His gaze turned to Mei Lin, who was writhing in pain. "Mei Lin! You know him, you must know something about him! What is his weak point? How can we stop him?"
Mei Lin, grimacing in pain, answered with difficulty. "Korgath's power... his power comes from pure dark energy, hatred, and chaos. Pure light... pure life energy... or talismans with sacred power can weaken him. But... but his greatest weakness... is the place where he was sealed. The Ancient Altar. If we can somehow draw him back to that altar and reactivate the seal... maybe... maybe we'll have a chance." The memory of her ancestors' sacrifice to initially seal Korgath, a tale whispered among flower spirits, flashed through her mind – they had used the Altar's inherent connection to the valley's lifeblood, amplified by the Spirit Crystal.
"Where is the seal? Where is that altar?" Master Ruan asked from within the formation, his voice clearly audible despite the noise.
Mei Lin, with a trembling hand, pointed to an ominous hill deeper in the valley, now covered in black smoke and mist. "There. In the heart of the valley. At the Ancient Altar. But... but reaching there is very difficult. Korgath will protect that place, that crystal, with all his might."
Korgath, as if he had heard their desperate conversation, laughed with a mocking, booming voice. "So that's your foolish plan, you little, pathetic flies? To imprison me in that cursed, damp altar again? You'll be waiting a long time! Try it, if you have the courage!"
Following these words, Korgath lunged towards them with his massive, muscular body. Each step shook the ground, spreading fear. Black energy beams shooting from his claws and mouth rained down on them like a deadly torrent of fire and poison.
Leng Chen, Lady Zhelan, and Master Ruan began to act shoulder to shoulder, together, to repel Korgath's all-out assault and protect their disciples. Leng Chen's sharp, fast, and deadly sword techniques, Lady Zhelan's elegant, fluid, and equally dangerous attacks were in perfect harmony, while Master Ruan provided them with invaluable support with his vast experience, powerful energy manipulation, and strategic guidance. Zhang Hao and Li Ming, along with the other young disciples of the Seven Star Pavilion, were also trying to distract Korgath, to stall him with smaller but annoying attacks.
However, Korgath's power was overwhelmingly superior even to the combined strength of so many talented xiulian practitioners. Each of his attacks strained their defenses, constantly forcing them to retreat, to lose energy. Several Seven Star Pavilion disciples were heavily injured and had collapsed to the ground. Zhang Hao, too, due to a moment's carelessness, was sent flying by Korgath's tail lash, his arm and leg seriously injured. Li Ming was trying to drag him to a safer place.
Mei Lin, despite the increasing pain in her injured arm and the agony enveloping her body, wanted to join this desperate struggle, to do something. With her last strength, she tried to send healing energy towards the injured disciples, a green light emanating from her hands. However, the dense, suffocating dark energy surrounding Korgath blocked her healing power, rendering it ineffective.
"This... this isn't working!" Mei Lin cried out in despair, tears streaming down her face. "His dark energy is too dense! My healing power can't reach them!"
Leng Chen heard Mei Lin's desperate, broken voice. For a moment, after narrowly escaping a deadly attack from Korgath, their eyes met. In Leng Chen's usual icy, emotionless gaze, there was an expression he had never seen before, something he couldn't define; perhaps a spark of concern, or at least a sign that he fully understood the gravity, the hopelessness of the situation.
"Mei Lin!" Leng Chen shouted, his voice barely audible amidst Korgath's roars and the sounds of collision. "You must go to the altar! We have no other choice! Protect the crystal, and if, but only if, you can find a way, try to reactivate that cursed seal! We... we will stall him here!"
Mei Lin hesitated, looking at Leng Chen with an expression mixing fear and astonishment. This man, the man who had tried to kill her just minutes ago, who had called her a demon, was now hoping for her help. "But... but what about you? I can't leave you alone here!"
"We'll stall him as long as we can!" shouted Lady Zhelan, after narrowly escaping another deadly black energy beam from Korgath with an elegant somersault. Her face was covered in sweat, her dress torn in places. "Go! This might be our only chance, our last hope! We don't have much time left!"
Master Ruan, while making a great effort to maintain the Seven Star Defensive Array, nodded in agreement. "Young Lady Zhelan is right, Mei Lin. The crystal is more important than anything, than all of us. We will keep Korgath here as long as we can. You do your duty."
Mei Lin felt a deep dilemma, a sense of distrust in her heart. On one hand, she didn't want to trust these humans, these xiulian practitioners; after all, they were of the same kind, carried the same mentality as the murderers of her family, her loved ones. But on the other hand, Korgath had to be stopped. This was a necessity not just for herself, but for this valley, for this world. And right now, however painful it was, these people were her only hope.
Xiao Cui fidgeted on Mei Lin's shoulder with anxiety and fear. "Lady Mei Lin, what will you do? Will you trust them?"
Mei Lin took a deep breath. She had made her decision. Sometimes, to survive, for a greater good, one had to cling to even the most untrustworthy hands. "We have to trust them, dear Xiao Cui," she whispered. "At least for now. We have no other choice." Then she looked at Leng Chen, Lady Zhelan, and Master Ruan. "Be careful," she said, and despite the pain in her injured arm, the exhaustion in her body, she began to run with her last strength towards the misty hill where the Ancient Altar was located.
Korgath noticed Mei Lin fleeing, heading towards that sacred hill. "You can't go anywhere, you little, useless flower spirit!" he roared angrily and made a move to go after her with his massive body. The crystal was more important to him than anything else.
However, Leng Chen, as if expecting Korgath's move, blocked his path with his sword and his entire body, forming a wall of flesh. "Your business is with us, vile demon! I will not let you touch that girl!" he said, a determination in his voice that had never been there before, a kind of protective instinct. The words surprised even himself, a stark contrast to the cold indifference he was trained to uphold.
Meanwhile, two young disciples from the Seven Star Pavilion, under Master Ruan's orders, had begun to carry the injured Zhang Hao and Li Ming, who was trying to help him, to a safer place, a cave just outside the valley. Only the strongest remained on the battlefield.
Mei Lin heard the terrifying roars, the sounds of collision, and the pain-filled screams coming from behind her. Her heart pounded wildly with both fear and anxiety that something would happen to them. But she couldn't stop, she couldn't turn back. All hopes were pinned on her. The Ancient Altar, on the highest peak of the valley, now seemed hidden among the black smoke and ominous mists. This was a sacred place, left over from ancient times, filled with mysterious and powerful energy. In the very center of the altar, on a massive crystal pedestal covered in moss, the Spirit Crystal gleamed faintly. The crystal, which normally reflected all the colors of the rainbow and possessed a captivating beauty, had now lost its brilliance, the protective energy surrounding it weakened. Korgath's release, the weakening of the seal, had consumed the crystal's power, wounded it.
Mei Lin was out of breath as she climbed the steep and slippery steps of the altar. With each step, her injured arm throbbed unbearably, and she felt the last remnants of energy in her body depleting. When she finally reached the front of the crystal, exhausted, she collapsed to her knees. Her head was spinning, her vision blurring.
"What should I do?" she whispered helplessly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "How can I reactivate the seal? I don't have enough strength left."
Just then, a gentle, compassionate, and elderly voice echoed in her mind. This was not the voice of the Grumpy Old Willow Grandpa who had helped her before, but a voice from deeper within, as if from the heart of the valley, from the spirit of the earth. This was Flower Granny (花婆婆 - Huā Pópó). She was the oldest, wisest, and most powerful flower spirit in the valley; the one Mei Lin respected the most, whose counsel she sought. She had been in a deep meditative sleep for centuries to conserve her energy, but Korgath's release, the severe disruption of the valley's balance, must have awakened her.
"My dear, brave little Mei Lin," Flower Granny's voice said, filled with a motherly tenderness. "The crystal feeds on pure life energy, it revives with it. You must transfer that last spark of life within you, the essence of your soul, to it. But you must be very careful, my beautiful flower, this... this could completely consume you, shatter your soul."
Upon hearing Flower Granny's familiar, reassuring voice, a new hope, a new strength, blossomed within Mei Lin. To use her own life energy, the essence of her soul... This meant disregarding her own life, perhaps never waking up again. But she had no other choice. If she didn't do something, everyone would die.
She closed her eyes and focused on that last life energy within her, that tiny, flickering light in the depths of her soul. A light, no longer emerald green but rather a pure, white, dazzling light, slowly, tremblingly began to flow from her fingertips towards the Spirit Crystal. As the crystal received this pure, selfless energy, it began to shine brighter, to regain that ancient power, those vibrant colors it had lost. A powerful, pulsating energy halo began to spread around it.
However, this meant indescribable pain and exhaustion for Mei Lin. She felt all the energy in her body, all her life force, rapidly draining away. It was as if ice, not blood, was flowing through her veins. Her head throbbed, her vision blurred, her consciousness flickered in and out. But she didn't give up. She gritted her teeth, bit her lips, and with a final effort, continued to transfer the deepest part of her soul to the crystal. The faces of her family, her loved ones, the momentary concern Leng Chen had unexpectedly shown her, Lady Zhelan's courage, Master Ruan's wisdom, Xiao Cui's loyalty... They all passed through her mind one by one. For them, for this valley, for life, she had to resist.
Meanwhile, down in the valley, the xiulian practitioners engaged in a life-and-death struggle with Korgath were now at the point of exhaustion. Korgath, as if sensing that Mei Lin had reached the altar and was trying to do something with the crystal, had become even more enraged, his attacks even more ferocious. Master Ruan's Seven Star Defensive Array had completely collapsed, and the few surviving Seven Star Pavilion disciples were scattered, heavily injured. Lady Zhelan's elegant movements had now slowed, the power in her sword diminished, and numerous cuts and wounds had appeared on her body. Leng Chen was trying to resist Korgath's heaviest attacks alone. His sword had struck Korgath's scaly hide countless times but had only managed to produce small sparks. He too was exhausted, struggling to breathe.
"We can't hold on much longer!" Lady Zhelan cried out helplessly, collapsing to the ground after narrowly escaping Korgath's massive claw. "He's too... too strong!"
Leng Chen was covered in sweat and blood. The arm holding his sword was now trembling, looking as if it would drop at any moment. His father's ruthless, uncompromising words echoed in his mind once more: "Never give up, Leng Chen! A Heavenly Summit disciple fights with honor until his last breath!" But right now, these words felt more like a meaningless, empty burden than a source of strength. What was the meaning of honor after everyone was dead?
Korgath, as if seeing their despair, let out a triumphant, booming laugh. "Your end has come, you little, pathetic insects! Now it's the turn of that useless flower spirit and her shiny toy!" The demon lord was preparing to turn for a final lunge towards the Ancient Altar.
Just then, an immense, dazzling beam of light rose from the Ancient Altar, illuminating even the sky. The light was so bright, so intense, that for a moment it dazzled, blinded everyone's eyes, even Korgath's. Even Korgath paused in astonishment and anger.
The beam of light rose towards the sky like a pillar and then spread throughout the valley as a wave of sacred energy. This was pure life energy; warm, compassionate, healing, and at the same time, irresistibly powerful. The suffocating, dark energy Korgath radiated began to weaken, to dissipate, to almost evaporate when it came into contact with this sacred light.
"What is this?!" Korgath snarled, with anger and a hint of fear. His eyes were locked on the source of that bright light, the Ancient Altar. "It can't be! This is impossible! The crystal... that cursed crystal... is regaining its power!"
Leng Chen and Lady Zhelan, exhausted, looked at the source of the light with astonishment and a rekindled hope. Mei Lin... That small, delicate demon girl... Had she succeeded? Had she really succeeded?
When the dazzling light above the Ancient Altar slowly faded into a softer, more peaceful glow, Mei Lin was seen collapsed almost lifelessly on the stone floor in front of the Spirit Crystal. Her body was trembling slightly, and she was struggling even to breathe. Her face was as white as a sheet, her lips cyanotic. But on her pale face, there was a faint, peaceful smile. It was as if it was a relief from completing her mission.
The Spirit Crystal, however, had regained its former magnificent brilliance, its vibrant colors. The powerful, sacred energy it radiated around it disturbed Korgath, rapidly consuming his power, weakening him.
"Damn you, useless, frail flower spirit!" Korgath roared, with anger and despair. "You will pay dearly for this!" Angrily, with a final effort, he wanted to lunge towards Mei Lin, to tear her apart.
But it was too late, far too late. The immense power the Spirit Crystal had regained had reactivated the ancient, dormant seals around the Ancient Altar. Countless chains of light, brighter than gold, harder than diamond, suddenly shot out from the stones of the altar, from the ground, and even from the sky, beginning to coil around Korgath's massive arms, legs, wings, and neck.
Korgath thrashed wildly to free himself from these unexpected and irresistible chains, roared, and hurled threats, but to no avail. The chains tightened with his every movement, pulling him slowly but irresistibly towards the very center of the altar, to the heart of the seal.
"No! No! It can't be!" Korgath screamed, for the first time a pure fear, a despair in his voice. "I will not let you imprison me in that dark, cursed pit again! I will return! I will return and take my revenge on all of you!"
However, his words were choked as the chains tightened. The golden chains of light had completely enveloped Korgath, imprisoning him to the stones of the Ancient Altar, to the center of the seal. The demon lord's angry roars gradually weakened, turned into a muffled gurgle, and finally sank into a deep, ominous silence. Korgath was sealed again. Perhaps forever, or perhaps until the next moment of weakness.
The suffocating, dark energy in the valley had completely dispersed, replaced by a peaceful, warm light emanating from the Spirit Crystal and the timid chirping of birds that had begun anew. The surviving xiulian practitioners took a deep breath, exhausted but with an indescribable relief from surviving, from escaping this nightmare. There were those who hugged each other, those who shed tears of joy.
Leng Chen did not take his eyes off the motionless Mei Lin at the Ancient Altar for a single moment. That demon girl... The being he had seen as "vile," whom he had come to kill... She had saved everyone, the entire valley, perhaps the entire world, by disregarding her own life, her own soul. This was a situation that fundamentally shook, overturned all of Leng Chen's thoughts about demons, everything his father had taught him, everything his sect had imposed on him. Weren't demons just evil, selfish, and destructive? But Mei Lin... She was different. She was braver, more selfless than many humans he knew. A profound sense of cognitive dissonance warred within him.
Lady Zhelan, ignoring her wounds, staggered to Leng Chen's side. The usual cold, distant expression on her face had softened a bit, replaced by a kind of admiration and gratitude. "We did it," she whispered. "Or rather... she did it." Her gaze shifted gratefully to Mei Lin.
Master Ruan, while attending to the surviving and injured disciples, nodded in agreement. "We must all be grateful to this young lady, this brave spirit. If it weren't for her incredible courage and sacrifice, none of us would be alive right now."
Leng Chen slowly began to walk towards the Ancient Altar, each step feeling as if it carried tons of weight. He didn't even hear the others' words. His eyes were only on Mei Lin, lying lifeless on that stone floor. He looked at the young woman's pale face, her now barely perceptible breaths. A feeling he had never felt before, something he couldn't name, swelled within him. It wasn't just gratitude or respect; it was something deeper, more personal. Maybe... maybe it was a kind of regret, a kind of guilt.
When he reached Mei Lin's side, he slowly knelt. With a gentleness he had never shown anyone before, he pushed back the raven-black strands of hair that had fallen on the young woman's forehead, stuck together with sweat and dirt, with his trembling fingers. He flinched when his fingertips touched Mei Lin's ice-cold skin. This was the coldness of death.
"Is... is she dying, Senior Brother?" Li Ming asked, approaching timidly from behind, his voice trembling with anxiety and fear. Zhang Hao, barely standing with the support of the other Seven Star Pavilion disciples, also looked at Mei Lin in horror.
Leng Chen did not answer. Without taking his eyes off Mei Lin for a moment, he made a decision that came from the depths of his heart, contrary to his logic and all the training he had received. This decision was diametrically opposed to the strictest teachings of his sect, to the most definite orders his father had given him, and to everything he had believed in, defended until now. But at that moment, none of it mattered.
Slowly, very carefully, he took Mei Lin into his arms. The young woman's body was as light as a feather, as delicate as a wildflower. Seeing her so vulnerable, so fragile, pained Leng Chen.
"Senior Brother Leng, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?" Zhang Hao asked in astonishment and a little anger. "She's a demon! You must leave her! Maybe it's best if she dies!"
Leng Chen, holding Mei Lin tightly in his arms, slowly stood up and turned to his companions. His gaze shone with a determination different from usual, with an unshakeable will. That icy mask, if only for a moment, had cracked, and a completely different Leng Chen had emerged from beneath it. "She may be a demon, Zhang Hao," he said, his voice clear, definite, and unquestionable. "But she is also the one who saved all of us, you, me, this valley. And now, because of us, for us, she is about to die. I will not allow that."
Then, he looked at Master Ruan and Lady Zhelan from the Seven Star Pavilion, who were looking at him with astonishment and a little admiration. "We must take her from here. To a safe place. We must find someone who can help her. She has to live."
Master Ruan did not question Leng Chen's unexpected but honorable decision. He just nodded wisely. Lady Zhelan, however, was looking at Leng Chen with a complex expression she had never shown before.
(END OF CHAPTER TWO)