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墨書 Inktalez
Outside the dilapidated temple, the night was as deep as thick ink, shrouding the entire world in darkness.
The howling wind swept through, its sound sharp and piercing, like an invisible beast lurking in the shadows, roaring wildly across the desolate wilderness with its gaping maw.
At times, the wind moaned low and mournful, reminiscent of vengeful spirits weeping; at other times, it rose high and shrill, akin to an Evil Spirit's wail, seemingly heralding some ominous portent about to descend upon the world.
Inside the crumbling temple, Xuan Yang held Qu Si Yang tightly, savoring the warmth radiating from her body.
This warmth felt to Xuan Yang like a clear, sweet spring encountered in a desert, continuously nourishing his heart that had long since dried up from enduring hardships.
"Damn it, this truly feels like a second chance at life!" Xuan Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
In his mind, the thrilling and perilous life-and-death struggle he had just experienced replayed vividly before his eyes.
He gently reached out, slowly caressing Qu Si Yang's soft hair, his gaze filled with endless tenderness.
This silly girl was so innocent that it was heart-wrenching; she would unhesitatingly sacrifice her life to protect herself.
Just then, a sudden elderly voice broke the tranquility that had enveloped the dilapidated temple.
The voice crashed through the silence like thunder from the heavens.
"Xuan Yang, are you alright?" As the words fell, Lu Zhiyuan, the aged Village Chief, struggled to lean on an old cane, stepping unsteadily into the temple with a trembling gait.
In the dim light of the flickering oil lamp, his already thin figure appeared even more fragile, as if a gentle breeze could easily knock him down.
Xuan Yang's eyes flashed with a hint of vigilance, like a leopard fixating on its prey.
What is this Old Guy here for?
He speculated inwardly, could it be to seek retribution?
“It's nothing, thank you for your concern, Village Chief.” His tone was cold, carrying a touch of detachment, like a gust of frigid wind in the depths of winter.
Lu Zhiyuan stepped forward, wearing a benevolent smile, resembling a kind and approachable elder.
However, there was a fleeting glimmer in his eyes, subtle yet sharp, akin to a snake flicking its tongue, sending chills down one’s spine.
“It's good if there's nothing wrong,” he said with a smile, his tone laced with an imperceptible probing, “Young man, full of vigor and easily impulsive; you must think twice before acting in the future.”
Xuan Yang scoffed inwardly. Is this Old Guy trying to lecture me? He silently cursed but maintained his composure.
“Your teachings are noted, Village Chief.” His tone was respectful yet concealed an edge, like a sword hidden in its sheath, ready to strike at any moment.
Lu Zhiyuan regarded Xuan Yang with a glimmer of appreciation. This kid has quite the composure; he’s not simple!
“Xuan Yang, your Ability awakening is a great joy for the village.” His tone softened as if he were a kindly elder imparting wisdom. “From now on, you will be the guardian of the village.”
Xuan Yang sneered inwardly. A guardian? More likely they want to use me. He understood perfectly well what this Old Guy was scheming.
"I don't dare to take such credit; I just want to protect those I care about." His tone was resolute, and his eyes sparkled with confidence, like a flame burning fiercely and unceasingly.
Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly, a glimmer of appreciation flashing in his eyes. This young man has ambition; I like that. Those with ambition have value to be utilized.
"Good, very good," he said with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of encouragement. "Young man, having ambition is a good thing, but you must also know your limits and not aim too high."
Xuan Yang scoffed inwardly. Is this old man warning me? He felt a sense of caution rise within him; this old fox is indeed not simple.
"Village Chief, don't worry, I know my boundaries," he replied calmly, yet there was an underlying menace in his voice, like a cheetah lurking in the shadows, ready to strike with lethal precision.
Lu Zhiyuan studied Xuan Yang, a flicker of confusion crossing his gaze. Why does this young man feel different from before?
Could it be due to the awakening of his ability?
"Xuan Yang, your shadow manipulation ability is quite unique," he said with curiosity, as if he were an eager scholar seeking knowledge. "Could you demonstrate it?"
Xuan Yang smirked inwardly; the old man finally showed his true colors! He had anticipated this move from the old guy.
"Of course," he replied readily, as if completely unguarded, like a hunter enticing his prey.
He slowly extended his slightly pale right hand. As his arm stretched out, a shadow surged forth like an enraged venomous snake, rapidly spreading from beneath his feet.
The shadow writhed wildly on the ground, sometimes rolling and sometimes coiling, as if it were an evil spirit from the depths of hell, desperately trying to break free from its confinement and regain its freedom.
In the blink of an eye, the dark shadow swiftly coalesced into a massive and terrifying Puppet Master.
This Puppet Master had a distorted face, its features blurred and indistinct, but the two sharp fangs protruding from its mouth were particularly striking, exuding a chilling gleam that sent shivers down one's spine.
Accompanied by a deep and thunderous roar, this Puppet Master lunged forward like an incredibly fierce tiger, charging towards Lu Zhiyuan with overwhelming force and lightning speed.
Faced with such a sudden attack, a flicker of surprise crossed Lu Zhiyuan's eyes.
Clearly, the strength displayed by this young man far exceeded his original expectations: "I didn't expect this kid to hide his power so deeply; his strength is truly beyond my imagination!"
However, the battle-hardened Lu Zhiyuan quickly regained his composure and silently reminded himself to remain vigilant.
Just as he thought, Lu Zhiyuan swung his cane fiercely. In an instant, numerous thick vines erupted from the ground like agile venomous snakes, wrapping around the Puppet Master with astonishing speed.
These vines moved as swiftly as lightning, making it nearly impossible to catch their trajectory.
In just a moment, the aggressive Shadow Puppet was tightly bound in place by these vines, unable to move even an inch despite its struggles.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that these vines were not only lush and vibrant but also covered in countless tiny sharp thorns.
The thorns glimmered with a cold light under the sunlight, resembling the fangs of a venomous snake, sending chills through anyone who beheld them.
Meanwhile, Xuan Yang, who had been closely observing the unfolding battle, also revealed a trace of barely perceptible coldness in his eyes.
Watching Lu Zhiyuan handle his attacks with such ease, Xuan Yang couldn't help but marvel inwardly, "What a formidable Old Guy! I underestimated you before; it turns out you've been playing possum all along. Truly a hidden gem!"
He silently recited an incantation, and the Shadow Puppet suddenly exploded into countless tiny shadows, rushing toward Lu Zhiyuan like moths to a flame.
Lu Zhiyuan let out a cold laugh and waved his cane again. Vines shot out like swords, moving with lightning speed to precisely shatter each shadow one by one.
Xuan Yang was taken aback; this Old Guy's strength was unfathomable! He was secretly astonished, wondering what kind of background this Old Fox had.
Taking a deep breath, a glint of determination flashed in his eyes. Damn it, he thought, I'm going all in! Even if I die, I’ll drag this Old Guy down with me.
He clasped his hands together, and shadows surged forth like a tidal wave. In an instant, they transformed into a massive Shadow Giant, towering and imposing like a demonic deity.
The Shadow Giant let out an ear-splitting roar, akin to a demon from hell, charging at Lu Zhiyuan with earth-shattering momentum.
Lu Zhiyuan's expression changed; this kid's power was terrifying! He was inwardly alarmed, realizing that this young man had concealed such formidable strength.
With a fierce stomp of his cane, the vines on the ground coiled up like giant pythons, moving with lightning speed to tightly bind the Shadow Giant.
"Thorn Bind!"
He shouted loudly, his voice booming like thunder, reverberating through the air.
The vines were covered in sharp thorns, resembling the fangs of a venomous snake, glinting ominously as they pierced deep into the body of the Shadow Giant.
The Shadow Giant let out a painful roar, its body beginning to tremble violently as if it were on the verge of collapse.
Xuan Yang's face turned pale; the Old Guy's Ability was truly bizarre! A sense of fear crept into his heart as he realized that this Old Fox was indeed not easy to deal with.
At that moment, he suddenly felt a strange power surge into his body, like a sudden enlightenment that invigorated his spirit.
This power seemed to come from a call of the underworld, filled with mystery and eeriness.
"Reverse Control!"
He silently chanted in his mind, and a powerful force erupted from within him, unstoppable like a volcanic eruption.
The vines abruptly halted their attack and instead began to grow wildly, like a rampaging beast. They moved with lightning speed, instantly wrapping around Lu Zhiyuan tightly.
Lu Zhiyuan's expression changed drastically; this kid could actually reverse my Ability!
Fear and despair filled his heart. What kind of monster was this kid?
He thrashed wildly, using every ounce of strength to try to break free from the vines that coiled around him like venomous snakes, but all his efforts were in vain.
The vines showed no sign of loosening; instead, they tightened as if they had a life of their own, gradually embedding themselves into his skin.
Xuan Yang stood aside, coldly observing Lu Zhiyuan's desperate struggle. The corner of his mouth curled slightly upward, revealing an almost imperceptible cold smile.
“Village Chief, this is all at your own request!” He felt a surge of pride within, exhilarated by the power of controlling another's fate.
As time passed, the vines tightened around Lu Zhiyuan, his complexion growing increasingly pale, devoid of color, like a blank sheet of paper.
His breathing became more rapid, each inhalation a struggle, as if a massive stone weighed heavily on his chest.
“Let... let me go...” Lu Zhiyuan forced out those words through clenched teeth, his voice trembling and weak, filled with boundless fear and despair.
However, Xuan Yang paid no heed to his pleas and even increased the pressure further.
At this moment, the vines had become as hard as iron, ruthlessly constricting Lu Zhiyuan's body, seemingly determined to suffocate him without relent.
Lu Zhiyuan's Dual Eyes widened in terror, filled with profound dread as he watched his life ebb away bit by bit. The shadow of death loomed over him like a thick black mist, slowly closing in.
“Xuan Yang... what are you doing...” He summoned the last ounce of strength to question, struggling to speak.
But Xuan Yang merely responded with a cold laugh: “Now you want to beg for mercy? It’s too late! You didn’t say that back then, did you, Village Chief?” The satisfaction in his heart intensified, almost reaching its peak.
Just as Xuan Yang prepared to exert more force for a fatal blow to Lu Zhiyuan,
a clear and urgent voice suddenly pierced the air—“Xuan Yang, stop!”
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