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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.
Accompanied by the quaking earth, countless fragments of stone seemed to be driven by some mysterious force, cascading down from the crumbling walls of the temple.
These stones collided and rubbed against each other, producing a crisp yet chaotic sound that intertwined with the rumbling of the earth, creating a breathtaking symphony.
At the same time, thick clouds of dust rose into the air, quickly spreading out and obscuring the sky, shrouding the entire area in a hazy yellow gloom.
Xuan Yang and Qu Si Yang, who had been fiercely battling moments before, were rendered speechless by this sudden turn of events.
They instinctively halted 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 suddenly, an unprecedented sense of tension flooding over him.
At that moment, everyone's attention was drawn to the depths of the ruined temple.
There, a massive black sphere was slowly rising. It resembled a dark sun, emanating a chilling wave of energy.
This energy was extraordinarily powerful, as if it could penetrate one's soul, instilling a profound sense of fear and palpitations.
The black sphere pulsed like a gigantic 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, it felt as though the air itself was being torn apart, emitting sharp howling sounds.
"What... what on earth is that?" Qu Si Yang couldn't help but exclaim, her voice trembling with sheer terror.
The strange and terrifying object before her certainly did not seem friendly!
Xuan Yang furrowed his brows tightly, a deep furrow forming between them. His heart felt shrouded in a heavy cloud, an unsettling feeling rising like a tide within him.
The energy fluctuations were exceptionally bizarre, reminiscent of an old friend he hadn't seen in ages, yet tinged with a sense of strangeness and mystery.
He strained to search his memory for clues about this energy wave. The familiar sensation grew stronger, as if he had once had an intimate encounter with it at some significant moment.
However, no matter how hard he racked his brain to recall, he could never quite remember the specific 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 involuntarily, his body shuddering slightly.
Indeed, this energy wave was identical to the one he had felt when he first awakened his abilities in that dilapidated temple! The scene from that moment flashed vividly before his eyes, as clear as if it had just happened.
Could it be... really it?
The source of power that had completely altered the trajectory of his fate and set him on an extraordinary path?
With that 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?
At that moment, a dull thud echoed through the air as the black sphere that had been silently floating suddenly exploded without warning.
In an instant, countless black fragments scattered like a sudden black snowstorm, fluttering down upon the ruins of the dilapidated temple.
These black shards collided and rubbed against each other, producing crisp sounds that resembled a rapid drumbeat, shattering the surrounding silence.
At the same time, a pungent burnt smell permeated the air, so strong that it made one feel nauseous.
Xuan Yang instinctively covered his mouth and nose, but the unpleasant odor still seeped into his nostrils, irritating his sense of smell.
Then, a figure slowly emerged from the depths of the broken temple. Each step felt as if it were crushing Xuan Yang's heart, leaving him breathless.
It was a tall old man clad in a black robe. His face was 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 remarkable steadiness, as though 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 immediately but slowly approached Xuan Yang, scrutinizing him from head to toe. His gaze felt penetrating, making Xuan Yang uncomfortable. Finally, the old man spoke in a deep, raspy voice that echoed like an ancient bell in the ruins: "Are you the Puppet Master?"
Xuan Yang's heart skipped a beat; he was taken aback that the old man could 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 have I not seen?" He paused before continuing, "You exude the aura of a Puppet Master; I recognized it at a glance."
"Who exactly are you?" Xuan Yang pressed again, filled with confusion. This old man spoke in riddles, making him hard to decipher.
"I am the guardian of this dilapidated temple!"
The old man slowly began to speak, his words carrying an indescribable sense of weariness, as if he had endured countless years of trials.
"At the same time, I am also the guide on your path in life."
"Guide?" Xuan Yang asked, a look of skepticism on his face. "What does that mean? What exactly do you want me to do? And where will you lead me?"
A flood of questions surged in his mind, leaving Xuan Yang utterly confused.
"Your mission is to grow into a true Puppet Master and lead the villagers towards the path of light."
The old man spoke with solemnity, his voice deep and powerful, revealing an unwavering conviction.
"My mission?" Xuan Yang murmured softly, his heart now filled with doubt and uncertainty.
For a long time, he had been 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 mission.
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."
"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 man?
How could he possess such astonishing power?
Could it be that he is truly an unfathomable monster?
"This is my strength." Facing Xuan Yang's shocked gaze, the old man remained as calm as still water and slowly spoke.
His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached Xuan Yang's ears, each word striking like a 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 could not understand what this so-called trial truly meant.
What kind of arduous task would he need to complete?
"That's right. Only by defeating me will you be qualified to become a true Puppet Master."
The old man emphasized again, his tone incredibly firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
"If you fail this test, you will be trapped here forever, with no hope of escape."
"Fine, I accept your challenge!" Xuan Yang declared, his eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.
Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he would still 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 appreciation 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 fellow was incredibly fast!
He understood that this old man was no ordinary opponent; he was an extremely powerful adversary.
Faced with such a formidable enemy, he realized that he could only give it his all and fight desperately if he wanted to seize even a glimmer of hope.
Cursing inwardly, "Damn it, here goes!" Just then, without any warning, a tremendous force surged from behind him 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 dodge, but ultimately it was still a moment too late.
With a loud thud, he felt a heavy blow land squarely on his back, as if struck by a thousand-pound hammer. In an instant, excruciating pain swept over him like a tidal wave, rapidly spreading to every nerve ending in his body.
He felt a sweetness in his throat and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. The crimson spray arced 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 agony, feeling as if his internal organs had been rearranged, leaving him utterly miserable.
Cursing inwardly again, "This old guy is so ruthless!"
Despite being severely injured, he gritted his teeth and endured the pain, struggling to slowly straighten up and turn to look behind him.
The old man had appeared behind him like a ghost, looking at him with a disdainful expression and a faint, cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
The old man mocked, "Young man, with your meager skills, do you dare to challenge me?
You are simply overestimating yourself!
Your strength is still far from matching mine."
In the face of the old man's scornful taunts, Xuan Yang did not respond a word.
He merely bit his lip tightly, silently circulating the remnants of his true energy within, secretly gathering strength to launch another fierce attack.
He raised a hand to gently wipe away the blood at the corner of his mouth. His once clear and bright eyes were now filled with burning rage and unyielding fighting spirit.
He knew he could not give up; he must fight until the end! Even if it meant death, he would die standing!
Taking a deep breath, his eyes blazed with fierce determination.
"Come on!" Xuan Yang shouted as he charged at the old man once more.
An intense battle was about to unfold…
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