Capítulo 52: 46
A serene morning unfolded in the vast wilderness of the Spiritual Beast Realm. Towering trees with emerald-green leaves whispered in the gentle wind, while vibrant flowers painted the forest floor with hues of crimson and gold. Above, jagged mountains loomed, their peaks cloaked in mist, and below them, waterfalls cascaded down in a thundering rush, their waters shimmering like liquid crystal under the sunlight. The air was cool, crisp, and alive with the harmony of nature—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant roar of a lion as it hunted its prey. In this vast symphony of life, all was as it should be.
On a small cliff overlooking a river, a boy no older than twelve sat cross-legged, his back straight and his eyes shut in deep concentration. His leather coat, worn from travel and battle, clung to his small frame, its brown color blending with the earth beneath him. His dark blue pants rippled slightly in the breeze, while his hands rested on his knees, fingers clasped in a meditative grip. His breathing was slow and measured, each inhale drawing in the energy of the world around him, and each exhale releasing his tension into the wind.
Suddenly, a crackle of blue lightning flickered around him, sharp and quick, like the breath of a storm. The air around the boy hummed with energy as the small sparks danced in the space near him. His lips curled into a slight smile, though his eyes remained closed. He could feel it—the power coursing through his veins, the same power that had once belonged to someone far greater, far older than his current form suggested.
With a swift movement, he raised his right hand and made a sign, his index and middle fingers extending while the others curled inward. His eyes snapped open, revealing a deep, mesmerizing shade of purple. "Double Pupils," he whispered, his voice carrying a hint of authority and command beyond his years. Instantly, the small sparks of lightning intensified, swirling around him in a chaotic dance of blue and white. His pupils, rotating slowly within the irises, glowed as the boy's gaze sharpened.
A dark purple mist, thick and foreboding, began to seep from his fingers, expanding outward in a pulse that stretched across the forest. Birds stopped mid-flight, their wings frozen in the air, while animals near the waterfall halted in place, paralyzed by the sudden shift in energy. The boy stood up slowly, his eyes now a deep blue, alive with the crackle of lightning running through them. He looked out at the frozen scene, his lips parting into a smile that betrayed no malice—just amusement.
With a swift movement, he leaped off the cliff, his body cutting through the air as he descended toward the river below. The waterfall's roar grew louder as he neared the rushing waters, but just before he hit the surface, his descent slowed. His feet touched the water gently, and without a moment's hesitation, he began to run across it, the currents swirling beneath him, unable to claim him. His speed was incredible, small arcs of lightning trailing behind him as he weaved between the rocks and trees that lined the riverbank.
As he ran, the boy spotted a tiger in the distance, its powerful body crouched low as it prepared to strike an unsuspecting antelope. The beast, however, was frozen in the purple mist, its muscles locked in place, mere inches from its prey. The boy's smile grew wider. "You've got to be faster," he teased, his voice playful. With a burst of speed, he grabbed the antelope and slung it over his shoulders, laughing as he continued his dash through the forest. The black smoke vanished, releasing its hold on the tiger, and with a thunderous roar, the massive creature sprang into action, chasing after the boy with a renewed fury.
But the boy was too fast. His feet barely touched the ground as he sprinted ahead, lightning crackling at his heels. The tiger's roars echoed through the forest, a mixture of frustration and rage, but the boy simply looked back over his shoulder, his smile never faltering. After a few more minutes of the chase, the tiger finally gave up, its roars fading into the distance as it disappeared into the forest's depths.
Now alone, the boy slowed his pace, breathing deeply as he climbed a small mountain path. His steps were light but deliberate, the antelope still draped across his back. Ahead, nestled against the side of the mountain, was a small wooden cabin. The structure was modest, with an axe resting near the door and several logs of unchopped wood stacked nearby. Smoke gently rose from the chimney, a sign of life within.
The boy approached the cabin, placing the antelope beside the axe with a grunt. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand before turning to the door, reaching out to open it. But as his fingers touched the wood, a blur of silver shot through the air toward him. Time seemed to slow as the small knife hurtled toward his face, its blade gleaming in the sunlight. Eyes widening, the boy instinctively ducked, his body moving faster than his mind could comprehend.
The knife whizzed past him, embedding itself in the doorframe with a solid thunk. The boy straightened, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at the blade, still vibrating from the impact. For a moment, he stood frozen, the shock of the attack settling in. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face.
"Well, that was close," he muttered to himself, his hand reaching up to touch the spot where the blade had almost struck him. "Too close."
His gaze shifted from the knife to the door. Whoever was inside, he was sure they had more surprises in store.
Xiao Mei stood in the dimly lit underground chamber, her frustration palpable as she scoured every corner of the room. The storage chamber, once a place of tranquility and secrecy, now felt like a labyrinth of disappointment. Shadows danced menacingly on the walls, cast by the flickering light of her gravity-enhanced aura. Her eyes, typically a calm and determined brown, now flared with a mix of desperation and rage.
Her search for the slumber elixir had been exhaustive. She had meticulously examined every shelf and container, lifting and turning objects with her gravity powers to reveal hidden compartments and secret storage areas. Yet, the more she searched, the more her frustration grew. The slumber elixir, the key to calming the Earth Azure Dragon, was nowhere to be found.
Xiao Mei's breath quickened as she struck a nearby wall with a sudden burst of gravity. The wall crumbled under the pressure, sending debris flying in all directions. Her heightened gravity sense allowed her to feel the disintegrating stone as if it were an extension of her own body. The destructive force of her anger was palpable, and the room itself seemed to shudder under the weight of her emotional turmoil.
She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. She couldn't afford to lose hope now. The fate of the testing grounds—and Yang Feng—depended on her finding that elixir. She had to keep moving, to keep searching. She had to find the solution before it was too late.
As she explored the remaining sections of the chamber, her hands moved with practiced efficiency, pushing aside books and scrolls, overturning vials and jars, all in a desperate bid to uncover the elusive elixir. Her frustration reached a boiling point as she found nothing but empty containers and useless artifacts. Each failure drove her further into despair, her determination giving way to a gnawing sense of defeat.
It was then that she noticed something unusual: a faint, barely perceptible draft of air flowing through a crack in the floor. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but to Xiao Mei's trained senses, it was significant. She followed the draft to its source and discovered a narrow tunnel leading further down into the depths of the underground complex.
Without a second thought, Xiao Mei entered the tunnel. Her gravity powers helped her navigate through the tight, winding passageway, pushing aside debris and ensuring her path was clear. The tunnel was dimly lit, and the walls were rough and uneven, but she pressed on with determination. Her thoughts were consumed by the elusive slumber elixir, her only hope of saving Yang Feng and the others from the rampaging Earth Azure Dragon.
Unbeknownst to her, this tunnel was not merely a passage but a direct route to a chamber where the Realm King and Xiao Long were secretly plotting. The tunnel's hidden entrance had been intentionally left unobstructed, allowing those who knew of its existence to travel between the two locations unnoticed.
Xiao Mei continued her journey, her frustration giving way to a renewed sense of urgency. She had to find that elixir, no matter where it led her. Her heart pounded with each step, the gravity around her fluctuating with her emotions. As she neared the end of the tunnel, she could hear faint sounds—voices, muffled but unmistakable.
She rounded a corner and found herself at the entrance to a large, well-furnished chamber. The room was illuminated by an eerie, soft light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. The walls were lined with ancient artifacts and ornate decorations, and in the center of the room, two figures sat on a raised platform. Xiao Mei's heart sank as she realized that she had stumbled upon a hidden meeting place.
The Realm King and Xiao Long were seated across from each other, their expressions serious and contemplative. Xiao Long was smiling, a look of smug satisfaction on his face, while the Realm King's gaze was intense, filled with an emotion that Xiao Mei could not quite place. The two were engrossed in their conversation, their voices low and hushed.
Xiao Mei's heart raced as she hid behind a column, trying to make sense of what she had just discovered. She had not anticipated finding anyone here, let alone the Realm King and Xiao Long. She listened intently, her ears straining to catch snippets of their conversation.
The Realm King spoke first, his voice carrying a tone of vengeful triumph. "Nothing will stand in the way of our victory today. Yang Feng's fate is sealed, and soon we will have everything we need."
Xiao Long's response was equally dark, his smile widening. "Indeed, Yang Feng's downfall is imminent. No matter what happens, the outcome is already decided. Let's just enjoy the show."
Xiao Mei's breath caught in her throat. She had to act quickly. The realization that the Realm King and Xiao Long were behind the sabotage of the slumber elixir hit her hard. They had orchestrated this chaos, all to secure their victory. If she didn't stop them, Yang Feng and the others would be doomed.
Gritting her teeth, Xiao Mei prepared to confront them, but the enormity of the situation overwhelmed her. The chamber was filled with a sense of impending doom, and the weight of the Realm King's and Xiao Long's presence was almost tangible. She had to find a way to stop them, to expose their treachery and retrieve the slumber elixir.
As she gathered her courage and prepared to make her move, she silently vowed to herself: no matter the cost, she would not allow their plans to succeed. She had come too far and sacrificed too much to let it all be for nothing. She would fight for Yang Feng, for the Immortals, and for everything she believed in.
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