Xuan Yang stumbled through the village, cradling the unconscious Qu Si Yang in his arms, his heart racing with anxiety, feeling as if he were being roasted over an open flame.
"Si Yang, you mustn't be in trouble!" he whispered, his voice trembling ever so slightly.
He had no idea how serious Qu Si Yang's injuries were, nor did he know if anyone in the village could heal her. He was uncertain whether he could make it back in time. All he knew was that he had to run, he had to get back quickly; he could not afford to lose Qu Si Yang—absolutely not!
"Si Yang, you have to hold on!" Xuan Yang gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder.
He ran swiftly, nearly exhausting every ounce of strength he had. His lungs felt as though they might burst from the strain, burning with pain, while his legs felt heavy as if filled with lead. Each step felt like a battle against a thousand-pound weight, but he dared not stop; he could not allow himself a moment's slack.
He had to persevere, for Qu Si Yang’s sake!
"Si Yang, wait for me! I’ll bring you back soon!" Xuan Yang's eyes were bloodshot, a true reflection of his inner turmoil and worry.
In the distance, the lights of the village grew closer and clearer, like a beacon of hope piercing through the darkness, guiding him forward. Those flickering lights were like seeds of hope taking root and sprouting in his heart.
He saw hope—hope for life—and hope for Qu Si Yang to survive!
"Almost there! Just a bit further!" Xuan Yang shouted internally, as if that would grant him more strength.
He clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, racing toward those lights…
His steps became more resolute.
Meanwhile, in a hidden cave outside the village, Lu Zhiyuan was secretly meeting with a figure clad in black.
The cave was nestled deep within the dense forest behind the village, its entrance obscured by thick vines and bushes, making it difficult to detect. Inside, it was dark and damp, filled with a musty odor. Only a few glowing stones emitted a faint light, barely illuminating the shadows of the figures within.
The figure in the black cloak was tall, shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to discern his features, save for a pair of cold eyes that glinted with a chilling light, reminiscent of a venomous snake lurking in the night.
“How is everything going?” Lu Zhiyuan asked, his voice low and hoarse, a stark contrast to his usual kind and gentle demeanor, as if he had become an entirely different person.
“Everything is going smoothly. The Shadow has successfully tested Xuan Yang's strength and seriously injured that girl. I believe we will soon be able to force him to awaken his true power,” the cloaked figure replied, his voice harsh like metal scraping against metal, sending shivers down one's spine.
Lu Zhiyuan nodded in satisfaction. “Very good. Once Xuan Yang awakens the Puppet Master’s power, I will be able to control him and use his strength to execute my plans.”
He paused, his gaze growing increasingly sinister. “Hmph, what nonsense about the Puppet Master; in the end, he will have no choice but to obey me.”
“But, Village Chief, do you really intend to sacrifice that girl? She is…” The cloaked figure hesitated, seemingly questioning Lu Zhiyuan’s decision.
“Shut up!” Lu Zhiyuan snapped sharply, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters. What does sacrificing one girl amount to? As long as we achieve our goal, any sacrifice is worth it!”
He stepped closer to the cloaked figure, fixing him with an intense stare as he spoke each word deliberately: “You must remember that our goal is supreme power. For this goal, everything can be sacrificed— including you and me!”
The cloaked figure fell silent; he understood that Lu Zhiyuan had made up his mind, and further discussion would be futile. He lowered his head respectfully and said, “Village Chief’s lesson is well taken; I understand.”
“What shall we do next?” he asked, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
A glimmer of brilliance flashed in Lu Zhiyuan's eyes as he replied, “The Sect Trial is about to begin. This is an excellent opportunity; we can use it to lure Xuan Yang into our trap, and then…”
He paused, a sinister smile creeping across his lips as he continued, “Then let him become my Puppet Master!”
At these words, the cloaked figure felt a chill run through him; he knew that Lu Zhiyuan had laid out an intricate web waiting for Xuan Yang to walk right into it. It was indeed ruthless!
He couldn't help but ask, "Village Chief, what exactly is the secret behind the Sect Trial? How can it become our opportunity?"
Lu Zhiyuan let out a cold laugh. "This Sect Trial, which claims to be a selection of talent, is actually meant to find a suitable 'Container.'"
"Container?" The man in black looked puzzled. "What Container?"
"Naturally, it's the Container used to bear 'it!'" Lu Zhiyuan's voice dropped even lower. "Legend has it that 'it' possesses the power to destroy the world, but its strength is too great and requires a suitable Container to descend into this realm."
"And this Sect Trial is designed to sift out the most suitable Container, and then..." Lu Zhiyuan did not continue, but his gaze spoke volumes.
The man in black inhaled sharply; he finally understood Lu Zhiyuan's plan. It turned out that everything was for the arrival of "it!"
"What about Xuan Yang..." The man in black hesitated.
"That's right, Xuan Yang is the most suitable Container!" Lu Zhiyuan said proudly. "As long as he awakens the power of the Puppet Master, he can become the best vessel for 'its' descent!"
A chill ran through the man in black. He never expected Lu Zhiyuan to be so insane, willing to sacrifice everything for the arrival of "it!"
"Village Chief, if 'it' really descends, then this world..." The man in black couldn't help but ask.
"This world will welcome a new order!" Lu Zhiyuan said fervently. "And I will become the master of the New Order!"
His eyes sparkled with a mad light, as if he could already see himself reigning supreme.
The man in black looked at Lu Zhiyuan and felt an inexplicable fear. He suddenly realized that he was not serving a benevolent Village Chief but an ambitious madman!
Xuan Yang, however, was completely unaware of this. He continued to run desperately, driven by the need to save Qu Si Yang, to survive, and for reasons he couldn't fully articulate.
Little did he know that he was about to face an even harsher trial, a life-and-death battle!
Would he be able to escape Lu Zhiyuan's control? Could he protect those he wished to safeguard? Would he become a true Puppet Master?
Everything remained uncertain...
Lu Zhiyuan watched the figure of the cloaked man disappear into the distance, a complex glimmer passing through his eyes—pride, anticipation, and perhaps... a hint of guilt that was hard to detect.
"Hmph, the compassion of a woman!" he muttered to himself. "Those who achieve great things cannot be hindered by such trivial emotions."
He shook his head, casting aside the distracting thoughts, and then turned to walk deeper into the cave, vanishing into the darkness...
Outside the cave, the night was as dark as ink, and a cold wind howled, as if foretelling an impending storm...
The biting cold wind sliced across his cheeks like a knife, producing a harsh sound that resembled the whispers of demons.
A few crows cawed as they flew overhead, adding an eerie atmosphere to the silent night.
From the nearby woods came faint sounds of wild beasts roaring, sending chills down one’s spine.
This storm would sweep through the entire village and change everyone's fate!
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