Chapter 152 The Hero's Fate
The air was thick with tension amid the storm that battered Gongzhou. Fierce winds whipped through the trees, causing some to bow and others to topple.
Amidst the tumult, a figure glided swiftly through the tempestuous air. It was none other than Li Yan, bearing the unconscious Qin Chen.
Their destination: Tianzhou, the home of the Ning family.
Qin Chen had become a fugitive, and the safest refuge lay within the residence of Ning's family, where Ning Yuan resided.
---
After more than an hour had passed, the storm finally subsided, and Li Yan arrived at the residence of the Ning family. She stood before the imposing gates, a beacon of urgency in her eyes.
A guard, a middle-aged man with a robust physique and a stern countenance, leaped forth from within the gate.
"May I assist you?" he inquired, his tone calm yet resolute.
"Yes, I come in peace. This boy is a disciple of Ning Yuan. It's a matter of utmost urgency, and we need to meet her," Li Yan replied, her voice unwavering.
"Ning Yuan? She is indeed a member of the Ning family. If I may inquire, who are you, so I can relay the message to her?" the guard questioned.
"His name is Qin Chen, and as for my identity... I don't divulge it readily. Simply inform Ning Yuan that Qin Chen is here," Li Yan responded.
Hearing this, the guard hesitated slightly. Li Yan's words didn't sound suspicious, though.
"Come on, go back inside and inform her. If you're not quick, this boy might die," Li Yan urged.
In the end, the guard nodded, "Alright, wait a moment," he said.
With that, he retreated back inside, swiftly making his way to Ning Yuan.
After a few minutes, the gate swung open, and the guard emerged, leading Ning Yuan, who hastened toward Li Yan.
Her face was etched with surprise. "What happened to Qin Chen?" she inquired, her voice laden with concern.
Before Li Yan could respond, Shen Yulan suddenly materialized from the jade, visible only to Ning Yuan and Li Yan.
"We should bring him inside; I'll explain everything to you," she stated.
Ning Yuan nodded gravely. "Bring him in," she commanded.
With that, Li Yan carried Qin Chen inside, accompanied by Ning Yuan.
---
The daylight atmosphere in Tianzhou grew chillier due to the storm's havoc in several cities.
Now, inside a room, Ning Yuan wore a stern expression after absorbing Shen Yulan's account.
"I had no other recourse but to come here. I hope you comprehend the urgency," Shen Yulan said earnestly.
Ning Yuan's face was etched with concern as he observed the unconscious Qin Chen on the bed.
"In fact, he was once struck by black lightning before, injuring his dantian," she explained, her eyes shifting to Li Yan. "But now... Are you certain his cultivation base has truly vanished?" she inquired earnestly.
"Well, I sense no trace of his cultivation base within him, but I'm unaware of the condition of his dantian, whether it's shattered or intact," Li Yan replied.
"If that's the situation, let's bring him to the Wudang Sect; maybe they can help," Ning Yuan proposed.
"We can't go there," Li Yan replied.
"What? Why?" Ning Yuan inquired.
"It's due to his own foolishness. Let Shen Yulan explain," Li Yan stated.
Hearing this, Ning Yuan directed her gaze towards Shen Yulan.
Shen Yulan sighed, "It's because Qin Chen stole an imperial treasure and easily fell into Long Tian's vile scheme. The imperial authorities know about it and sentenced him to death, but Han Yuan, one of the Elders, sacrificed himself. In the end, Qin Chen managed to escape and became an imperial fugitive. That's why he decided not to enter school and lived in exile, all because of a girl - Li Yue'er."
Hearing this, astonishment painted Ning Yuan's face; no wonder she hadn't seen Qin Chen for a week.
The next moment, anger flickered in her eyes, "Long Tian again! I'm really curious about his issue with Qin Chen that he's so cruelly trapping him. If he weren't the young master of the Long family, his name might have already vanished!" she exclaimed.
Shen Yulan sighed, "Long Tian is too cunning; I'm truly at a loss for words," she said.
"Well, in that case, let's bring Qin Chen to meet my family's Grand Elder; perhaps he can help," Ning Yuan said.
"That's a good idea," Shen Yulan nodded.
With that, they brought Qin Chen to meet Ning Zhao, the Grand Elder of Ning's family.
---
Meanwhile, in another world...
Slash!
A single sword slash produced a sweeping dark effect, instantly killing three dark souls.
Lei Guang wore a satisfied smile on his face; the sword was the statue sword he had acquired earlier.
"Such a fine sword, I shall name you Darkblade," he said, his grin widening.
The sword granted him a high affinity with darkness; it could even absorb darkness and grow stronger.
His gaze fixed forward, "Now, I must find that stone!" he said with determination.
With that, he immediately shot forward, swiftly combing the forest area.
-------------
More than five hours had passed, the echoes of battle reverberating intensely through the heart of the forest.
Slash!
Slash!
Slash!
The sharp strikes of his sword, accompanied by the soft disintegration of the dark souls, filled the air, their demise turning into dissipating smoke.
Lei Guang moved with lethal grace, his Darkblade cleaving through the dark souls in his path, leaving trails of destruction in his wake.
In this moment, more than twenty dark souls encircled him, their menacing presence failing to rattle his composure. He shut his eyes, entering a state of focused concentration.
As they closed in, he spun in a swift, circular motion, generating a dark sword strike effect that obliterated every remaining dark soul in its wake.
He swiftly eradicated over fifty dark souls, his movements a dance of death in the midst of chaos.
A satisfied grin adorned his face, immensely pleased with Darkblade's performance. His heart pounded faster.
"No wonder Qin Chen could become so strong after leaving this place. It harbors a wealth of mysteries and golden opportunities. But alas, all of it will be mine. I will become the mightiest being that ever existed!" he declared, his voice filled with unwavering confidence.
After a few moments, his gaze fixed forward, where an enigmatic temple-like structure loomed, shrouded in darkness and grandeur.
A smirk formed on his lips, "Now it's your turn!"
He approached the temple, its colossal size becoming even more imposing up close. His hand reached out to the temple's massive door, exerting force in an attempt to open it. Yet, no matter his strength, the door remained unyielding.
A furrow appeared on Lei Guang's brow. "There must be something I can do," he asserted, refusing to accept defeat.
His eyes landed on his Darkblade, and a realization struck him. With a swift motion, he raised his weapon, its obsidian tip touching the door.
His intuition proved right; darkness emanated from the Darkblade, enshrouding the entire structure. The temple absorbed the darkness, intensifying its shadowy aura and deepening its air of mystery.
In a matter of seconds, the colossal door groaned open, revealing a multitude of enigmatic flying creatures emerging from the temple's depths.
Lei Guang instinctively took cover, shielding himself from the onslaught of creatures. They filled the sky, their forms blotting out the sunlight, creating an eerie twilight.
This aerial invasion persisted for several minutes before the last of the creatures flew out of the temple, disappearing into the distance.
"What in the world was that?" Lei Guang furrowed his brow, his expression a mix of curiosity and bewilderment, but his resolve unshaken.
Yet, he didn't dwell on the strange encounter. Without hesitation, he ventured inside the temple, his figure swallowed by the encroaching darkness as he stepped over the threshold.
The colossal door closed behind him, sealing him within the temple's mysteries.
---------------
In no time, a figure enveloped in darkness emerged.
The dark wings on his back and the crown on his head vanished, revealing a familiar form - none other than Long Tian.
He bore drastic changes. His irises now glowed a deep, sinister red, and his entire presence exuded a menacing aura.
Long Tian peered down at the remnant battleground, observing the sword slashes and bloodstains that marred the ground.
Approaching a bloodstain, he carefully inspected it.
After a few moments, his eyes narrowed. "This is human blood," he said, his voice as cold as ice.
His gaze fixed on a grand, temple-like structure in the distance. An aura of darkness, brimming with dominance, emanated from him. His voice, dripping with sinister intent, declared, "It seeme I have found you!"
With clear intent, he soared towards the temple, his presence exuding ominous intent as he came to a sudden stop before its massive gates.
"Now, I shall unveil your true identity!"
-----------------
In the depths of darkness, where no light dared to penetrate, a pair of crimson eyes flickered, exuding an aura of dominance and terror.
Its voice, a sinister blend of calmness and malevolence, resonated with an eerie wisdom, "Two entities emerge, one carrying the essence of darkness, while the other has returned from the annals of the future..."
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