The Calm Before the Storm
Mi-An's heart pounded as she approached the frozen battlefield. Her eyes scanned the scene: Xiao Yan trapped in ice, WuBie struggling, and Nem's dark aura pulsing menacingly. The sky above was an ominous black, thick clouds swirling as if responding to Nem's anger.
"Mi-An?!" Nem's voice rang out, full of disbelief and rage. "How can you still be alive?!"
Mi-An did not flinch. Her gaze was steady as she stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly with her magical prowess. "You will never defeat me," she said firmly. "I know all your secrets, and I will not let you toy with Xiao Yan."
Nem laughed, a low, cruel sound that echoed across the cliff. "You must be itching for death! Have you forgotten how powerful I am?" He moved like lightning, surging toward Mi-An. "I doubt it's any different from a thousand years ago."
"What!?" Nem's eyes flared red as he realized she spoke with authority about events long forgotten by most. Mi-An's calm gaze fell on Xiao Yan, encased in ice, and Nem's grin faltered slightly.
"Everything," she said simply.
Nem's expression darkened. "Beg me for your life!" He transformed, his body twisting into a demonic figure, black smoke and energy swirling around him.
"Just like then," WuBie shouted urgently, forming a barrier between Mi-An and Nem, "little girl, leave him! He'll kill you if you interfere!"
"I am already prepared to die," Mi-An replied, unflinching.
Nem roared, his voice shaking the cliffside. "This time, I will succeed! With no Ansha, who will stop me?" Dark clouds rapidly gathered, black and thick, spiraling into the air like a living entity.
"God of evil, I request your presence!" Nem bellowed, his voice carrying across the heavens.
Mi-An's eyes widened. "He's calling Qiong Qi—the devil god." WuBie's expression turned grave.
The clouds began to condense, forming into a human shape at the center of the battlefield. Spiritual power radiated from the figure, dark and overwhelming. Qiong Qi had returned.
"You have come, Qiong Qi," Nem said, his voice a mix of triumph and respect.
"It has been a thousand years since we last fought together like this," Qiong Qi replied coldly. "But, too bad. The Ansha is gone."
Mi-An's hands trembled slightly as she spoke, "You caused the turmoil a thousand years ago."
"Yes," Qiong Qi confirmed with a grim nod.
The four combatants faced each other, tension so thick it seemed to press down on the very ground. WuBie quickly began forming a celestial god formation.
"What are you doing?!" Mi-An cried out, worried about the risks.
"I am summoning the gods of the celestial realm," WuBie explained, his voice strained with effort.
"Are they not dead yet?" she asked, incredulous.
"The Ansha—he saved us all," WuBie replied. "He lost much prowess that day… but he foresaw this moment. Despite everything, he remained indomitable. It's a pity Xiao Yan has to kill him…" Mi-An's thoughts drifted to Xiao Yan, frozen and vulnerable, yet still the key to their plans.
As WuBie worked on the formation, Nem lunged, sending a wave of dark energy toward Mi-An. Quick as a serpent, she countered, her magic clashing with his, sparks flying.
Before she could recover, Qiong Qi swept her away with a colossal force. Mi-An hit the ground hard, spitting blood. She groaned but struggled to stand.
Qiong Qi's gaze turned to WuBie, attacking with a speed that left no room for error. WuBie fell, blood staining the ice beneath him. Nem turned to contain Mi-An, but she did not falter.
The ice around WuBie began to crack, his strength waning further. Just as Qiong Qi raised his hand to finish him, the heavens themselves roared. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the battlefield in stark brilliance.
The clouds parted slightly, and there, descending from the heavens, was the Ansha. His presence was like a tidal wave of power, calm yet overwhelmingly commanding. The battlefield fell silent for a moment, every combatant—friend and foe alike—staring in awe and terror.
Even Nem froze, his dark aura flickering as if acknowledging a power far beyond his own. Mi-An's heart skipped a beat. The Ansha was here, and with him, hope still lingered.