The Calm Before the Storm — When Shadows Converged
Mi-An's heart pounded violently as she stepped onto the frozen battlefield. Every breath she took felt heavy, as though the air itself resisted her presence. Her eyes moved quickly, taking in everything at once—the shattered ice beneath her feet, the frozen Saints and disciples locked in place, Xiao Yan trapped within thick layers of ice, his godly aura faint but not extinguished, WuBie standing wounded yet defiant, and Nem at the center of it all, his dark aura pulsing like a living heartbeat.
Above them, the sky had turned an ominous black. Thick clouds churned slowly, spiraling in unnatural patterns, responding not to the wind—but to Nem's rage. The heavens themselves seemed unsettled.
"Mi-An?!" Nem's voice rang out sharply, cutting through the cold silence. Disbelief twisted into fury as he stared at her. "How can you still be alive?!"
Mi-An did not flinch. She stepped forward steadily, her posture straight despite the crushing pressure around her. A faint glow surrounded her hands, her magical prowess humming quietly, restrained yet ready. Her gaze never left Nem.
"You will never defeat me," she said firmly, each word steady and clear. "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 and bounced off the frozen ground. It carried arrogance, mockery, and centuries of malice. "You must be itching for death! Have you forgotten how powerful I am?" In a blur, he surged forward, his movements sharp and lethal. "I doubt it's any different from a thousand years ago."
"What?!" Nem's eyes flared red as realization struck him. Mi-An's words carried authority—knowledge no ordinary immortal should possess. His gaze shifted briefly toward Xiao Yan, frozen yet alive, and for the first time, his grin faltered.
"Everything," Mi-An said simply, her eyes briefly softening as they fell on Xiao Yan before returning to Nem with renewed resolve.
Nem's expression darkened completely. "Beg me for your life!" he roared. His body twisted violently as black smoke and demonic energy surged outward. Bones cracked, shadows coiled, and in moments he transformed, his demonic form towering and oppressive, radiating pure destruction.
WuBie shouted urgently, forcing himself forward and forming a barrier between Mi-An and Nem. "Just like then," he warned, his voice strained, "little girl, leave him! He'll kill you if you interfere!"
"I am already prepared to die," Mi-An replied calmly. There was no hesitation in her voice, only resolve.
Nem roared in fury, his voice shaking the cliffside itself. "This time, I will succeed! With no Ansha, who will stop me?" He raised his arms, dark clouds rapidly gathering above, spiraling faster and faster, thickening into something alive and conscious.
"God of evil, I request your presence!" Nem bellowed, his voice carrying across the heavens.
Mi-An's eyes widened in alarm. "He's calling Qiong Qi—the devil god," she said urgently. WuBie's expression turned grave, his jaw tightening.
The clouds condensed violently, collapsing inward until a massive human-shaped figure formed at the center of the battlefield. Dark spiritual power radiated outward in suffocating waves. The pressure crushed the ground further, ice fracturing beneath the sheer force. Qiong Qi had returned.
"You have come, Qiong Qi," Nem said, his voice filled with triumph and reverence.
"It has been a thousand years since we last fought together like this," Qiong Qi replied coldly, his presence dominating everything. "But too bad. The Ansha is gone."
Mi-An's hands trembled slightly as she stepped forward. "You caused the turmoil a thousand years ago."
"Yes," Qiong Qi confirmed with a grim nod, offering no denial.
The four figures—Mi-An, Nem, WuBie, and Qiong Qi—faced one another, tension so thick it pressed down on the battlefield like a physical weight. Even the frozen disciples seemed to sense it.
WuBie quickly began forming a celestial god formation, his hands moving with precision despite his injuries, symbols glowing faintly in the air.
"What are you doing?!" Mi-An cried, fear cutting through her composure.
"I am summoning the gods of the celestial realm," WuBie replied, his voice strained as power drained from him.
"Are they not dead yet?" she asked in disbelief.
"The Ansha—he saved us all," WuBie answered. "He lost much prowess that day… but he foresaw this moment. Despite everything, he remained indomitable." His gaze flicked briefly toward Xiao Yan. "It's a pity Xiao Yan has to kill him…"
Mi-An's heart twisted painfully as her thoughts returned to Xiao Yan—frozen, wounded, yet still the center of everything.
Suddenly, Nem lunged. A wave of dark energy tore through the air toward Mi-An. She reacted instantly, countering with her magic. Their powers collided violently, sparks and shockwaves rippling outward.
Before she could recover, Qiong Qi struck. A colossal force swept Mi-An off her feet and hurled her into the ground. She crashed hard, blood spilling from her lips as pain tore through her body. Groaning, she struggled to rise.
Qiong Qi turned next toward WuBie, attacking with terrifying speed. WuBie was struck and sent crashing across the ice, blood staining the frozen ground beneath him. His formation faltered.
Nem moved to restrain Mi-An, but she did not retreat.
The ice around WuBie began to crack as his strength waned. Just as Qiong Qi raised his hand to deliver the final blow—
The heavens roared.
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the battlefield in blinding brilliance. Thunder shook the cliff violently. The clouds parted slowly.
Descending from the heavens was a familiar figure.
Blue robes. Calm eyes. Absolute presence.
The Ansha.
His arrival was silent, yet overwhelming. Power washed over the battlefield like a tidal wave. Every combatant—friend and foe alike—froze in awe and terror.
Even Nem stood still, his dark aura flickering uncertainly.
Mi-An's heart skipped a beat.
The Ansha was here.
And hope still lingered.