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墨書 Inktalez
Suddenly, an incredibly powerful and surging wave of energy erupted from the ruins of the dilapidated temple like a raging tide.
The strength of this energy was so immense that the solid ground beneath their feet began to tremble violently, as if a fierce earthquake had struck.
Accompanying the tremors of the earth, countless fragments of stone seemed to be driven by some mysterious force, cascading down from the temple's crumbling walls.
These stones collided and scraped against each other, producing a crisp and chaotic sound that intertwined with the rumbling of the earth, creating a breathtaking symphony.
At the same time, thick clouds of dust surged upward, quickly spreading out and obscuring the sky, shrouding the entire area in a dim, yellow haze.
The fierce battle between Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang came to an abrupt halt as they were both rendered speechless by this sudden turn of events.
They instinctively stopped their movements, their faces filled with shock as they cautiously turned their gazes toward the source of the energy fluctuations.
"What the hell is going on?" Qu Si Yang cursed inwardly, gripping his weapon tightly as his palms began to sweat slightly.
His heart raced unexpectedly, a sense of unprecedented tension washing over him.
At that moment, everyone's attention was drawn to the depths of the ruined temple.
There, a gigantic Black Sphere was slowly rising. It resembled a dark sun, radiating an eerie wave of energy.
This energy was extraordinarily powerful, as if it could penetrate one's soul, instilling a profound sense of fear and dread.
The Black Sphere pulsed like a massive heart, each beat causing distortions and tremors in the surrounding space.
With each throb, visible ripples of energy spread out in all directions; wherever they passed, the air seemed to tear apart, emitting sharp howls.
"What... what on earth is that?" Qu Si Yang couldn't help but exclaim, her voice trembling with sheer terror.
The eerie and terrifying object before her certainly did not look like anything benign!
Xuan Yang furrowed his brows tightly, a deep furrow forming between them. His heart felt shrouded in a heavy cloud, an unsettling feeling surging within him like a tide.
The energy fluctuations were extraordinarily strange, reminiscent of an old friend he hadn't seen in ages, yet tinged with a sense of unfamiliarity and mystery.
He strained to search his memories for clues about this energy wave. The familiar sensation grew stronger, as if he had once had an intimate encounter with it at some crucial moment.
However, no matter how hard he racked his brain to recall, he could never pinpoint the exact scene.
"What is this?" Xuan Yang muttered under his breath, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning slicing through the dark night sky, it hit him! "Damn it!" he exclaimed, his body involuntarily shuddering.
Indeed, this energy fluctuation was exactly the same as the one he felt when he first awakened his Ability in that dilapidated temple! The scene from that moment flashed vividly in his mind as if it had just happened.
Could it really be...?
The source of power that had completely altered the trajectory of his fate and set him on an extraordinary path?
With this thought, Xuan Yang's heart sank. A chill rapidly spread from his spine. Soon after, a bold and shocking hypothesis began to take shape in his mind.
Could it be that this seemingly ordinary and dilapidated little temple concealed such a massive secret? How many more unknown mysteries lay hidden in this place?
Just then, a dull thud echoed through the air as the previously quiet Black Sphere floating above them exploded without warning.
In an instant, countless black fragments scattered and splashed like a sudden black snowstorm, falling gently upon the ruins of the dilapidated temple.
These black shards collided and rubbed against each other, producing a crisp crackling sound, akin to a rapid drumbeat that shattered the surrounding silence.
At the same time, a pungent burnt smell permeated the air, so strong that it made one gag.
Xuan Yang instinctively covered his mouth and nose, but the foul odor still seeped into his nostrils, irritating his sense of smell.
Then, a figure slowly emerged from the depths of the ruined temple. Each step felt like it was crushing Xuan Yang's heart, leaving him breathless.
It was a tall old man clad in a black robe, his face lined with wrinkles resembling the gnarled bark of an ancient tree. Yet his gaze was exceptionally sharp, as if he could see through everything and peer into one's soul.
He leaned on a black cane, walking with an unusual steadiness, as if he were one with the ruins around him.
"Who are you?" Xuan Yang asked warily, his voice somewhat hoarse. This old man exuded an extraordinary presence; he was no ordinary person!
The old man did not answer but slowly approached Xuan Yang, scrutinizing him from head to toe. His gaze felt penetrating, making Xuan Yang uneasy. Finally, the old man spoke slowly, "Are you the Puppet Master?" His voice was deep and hoarse, echoing like an ancient bell in the ruins.
Xuan Yang's heart skipped a beat; he hadn’t expected the old man to see through his identity so easily. Who exactly was this old man?
"How did you know?" Xuan Yang asked, striving to maintain his composure.
"Heh," the old man let out a low laugh that resembled the call of an owl in the night. "I've lived for so many years; what haven’t I seen?" He paused before continuing, "You exude the aura of a Puppet Master; I recognized it at first glance."
"Who are you really?" Xuan Yang asked again, filled with confusion. This old man spoke in riddles, making him hard to decipher.
"I am the guardian of this Ruined Temple!"
The old man slowly began to speak, his words carrying an indescribable sense of profound weariness, as if he had been through countless years of trials.
"At the same time, I am also the guide on your life's path."
"Guide?" Xuan Yang asked, his face filled with skepticism. "What does that mean? What exactly do you want to guide me to do? And where will you lead me?"
In an instant, a multitude of questions surged in his mind, leaving Xuan Yang utterly perplexed.
"Your mission is to grow into a true Puppet Master and lead the villagers towards a brighter path," the old man said solemnly, his voice deep and powerful, revealing an unwavering conviction.
"My mission?" Xuan Yang murmured softly, his heart now filled with confusion and uncertainty.
For a long time, he had been nothing more than an utterly ordinary boy, living a life that was calm and uneventful. He had never imagined that one day he would bear such a significant responsibility.
Leading the villagers towards the light?
It sounded absurd, almost like something a charlatan would say.
"Indeed, that is your mission," the old man replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Your fate has already been determined long ago in the depths of destiny."
"I don't believe in fate," Xuan Yang said, his tone resolute. "I only believe in my own choices." Fate? To hell with fate! I will take control of my own destiny!
"Heh, young man, you are too naive," the old man chuckled, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Once the wheels of fate begin to turn, they cannot be stopped."
"I don't believe it!" Xuan Yang shouted, his voice echoing through the ruins. "I will change my own fate!"
"Heh, then let's see you try."
The corners of the old man's mouth curled into a slight smirk, revealing a trace of disdain. His laughter seemed to transcend time and space, resonating throughout the entire area.
There was a clear note of provocation in his tone, as if he were issuing a challenge to Xuan Yang.
Just as the old man's words hung in the air, an overwhelming pressure surged forth from him like a tidal wave.
This pressure descended upon Xuan Yang like a mountain crushing an egg, sweeping over him with an unstoppable force.
Xuan Yang felt as though he were caught in a tempest, his body pinned down by this invisible weight, making even breathing feel extraordinarily difficult.
This pressure was not an abstract concept; it was as tangible as it was oppressive.
It bore down on him like a thousand-pound burden resting on his shoulders, causing his legs to tremble uncontrollably, as if he might collapse under its immense weight at any moment.
"What is this..." Xuan Yang's heart jolted, and a look of undeniable horror crossed his face.
He widened his Dual Eyes, staring incredulously at the mysterious old man before him.
For he could clearly sense that this pressure was far greater and more terrifying than anything he had ever experienced from the Lord of Shadows.
Who exactly is this Old Guy?
How could he possess such astonishing power?
Could he truly be an unfathomable monster?
"This is the power of the Old Man." Facing Xuan Yang's shocked gaze, the elder remained as calm as still water and spoke slowly.
His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Xuan Yang's ears, each word striking like a heavy hammer against his heart.
"At the same time, this is your final trial."
"Trial? Trial, yet another trial." Upon hearing this, Xuan Yang couldn't help but feel puzzled, his brows furrowing tightly.
He simply couldn't understand what this so-called trial truly meant.
What kind of arduous task would he need to complete?
"That's right. Only by defeating the Old Man will you earn the right to become a true Puppet Master."
The elder emphasized again, his tone unwavering and leaving no room for negotiation.
"If you fail this test, you will be forever trapped here, with no hope of escape."
"Fine, I accept your challenge!" Xuan Yang declared, his eyes ablaze with fierce fighting spirit.
Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he would take him down!
He knew this was his only chance.
Only by defeating the old man could he change his fate and protect those he wanted to safeguard. For them, he would fight with everything he had!
"Very well," the old man said, a hint of admiration in his tone. "Let’s begin."
As soon as the old man's words fell, his figure vanished from sight in an instant, like a ghost, leaving no trace behind.
Xuan Yang's heart sank, and he quickly became alert. This old man was incredibly fast!
He understood that this elder was no ordinary opponent; he was an extremely powerful adversary.
Faced with such a formidable foe, he knew that he could only give it his all and fight for his life if he wanted to seize even a glimmer of hope.
Cursing inwardly, "Damn it, here goes!" Just then, without any warning, an overwhelming force surged toward him from behind like a tidal wave, striking with the speed of a fierce storm, leaving him no time to react.
Seeing this, Xuan Yang hurriedly sidestepped to evade, but ultimately it was still too late.
With a loud thud, he felt a heavy blow strike his back as if he had been hit by a thousand-pound hammer. In an instant, excruciating pain washed over him like a tide, spreading rapidly to every nerve ending in his body.
He felt a sweetness in his throat and suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The crimson spray arched through the air in a shocking and tragic curve before splattering onto the ground.
"Cough cough cough..." Xuan Yang coughed violently while bending over in pain, feeling as if his internal organs had been displaced, utterly uncomfortable.
Cursing inwardly again, "This old guy is ruthless!"
Despite being severely injured, he gritted his teeth and endured the agony, struggling to slowly straighten up and turned to look behind him.
The old man had mysteriously appeared not far behind him, looking at him with a disdainful expression and a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
The old man mocked, "Young man, with your meager skills, do you really think you can contend with me?
It's simply absurd!
Your strength is still far from that of the Old Man."
In the face of the old man's scornful taunts, Xuan Yang remained silent, not uttering a word.
He merely bit his lip tightly, silently circulating the remnants of his true essence within, quietly gathering strength to launch another fierce assault.
He raised a hand to gently wipe away the blood lingering at the corner of his mouth. His once clear and bright eyes were now filled with blazing anger and an indomitable fighting spirit.
He knew he could not give up; he had to fight to the end! Even if it meant death, he would die standing!
Taking a deep breath, his eyes burned with fierce determination.
"Come on!" Xuan Yang shouted as he charged once more at the old man.
A fierce battle was about to unfold...
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