While Li Hua stared at the flower petals soaked in Seely's blood, the trunk of a massive tree behind him began to shift slowly. From within the wood emerged a Tree Spirit with a face aged by time and roots that resembled a long, flowing beard.
"Oh, Noble One..." the Tree Spirit spoke in a voice heavy with sorrow. "Please, save her. Princess Seely is the very heart of our forest. She helps us so much, healing our blights and ailments. These dark shadows intend to destroy our entire world. Noble One, only the power within your blade can give us a chance to breathe again!"
Li Hua rose slowly. The silver light in his eyes now burned like a cold blue flame. "I am going," he said curtly. "Even if I have to level that palace to the ground, I will save her."
On his way to the palace, Li Hua encountered two guards stationed at the main entrance of the Dark Stone Palace. They were massive, terrifying giants with jagged horns.
Li Hua stepped forward majestically and gripped his sword. "Step aside! Or I shall—"
But that was all he could say. Just like at the roti stall, a thunderous "gudu gudu" erupted from deep within his stomach. The sound was so loud and violent that the two giants looked at each other in sheer terror.
"What... what was that sound?" one guard asked, trembling. "It sounds like there's a demon trapped inside his stomach!"
Li Hua, though dying of embarrassment, looked at the guards with a deathly serious expression and said: "Yes! Inside me dwells the 'Hungry Monster.' His name is 'I-Need-Roti-Before-I-Save-Seely.' If you have something to eat, I might let you live!"
The two guards immediately fumbled through their pockets, tossed two pieces of stale bread at Li Hua, and yelled, "Please! Give those to the Hungry Monster and spare us!" before bolting inside the palace.
Munching on a piece of bread, Li Hua muttered to himself, "Hmm... these aren't as tasty as rotis, but they'll give me enough strength to break down this palace."
Meanwhile, in the deepest chamber of the palace, Seely was bound in heavy chains. The Demon Queen stepped toward her.
"Wake up, forest healer!" the Queen barked.
Seely slowly opened her eyes.
"Tell me! Who are you?" the Queen demanded. "How did this 'Celestial Mark' end up on your wrist? What is the connection between you and that warrior?"
"I... I truly do not know..." Seely replied in a trembling voice.
"Do not know?" The Queen laughed cruelly. "Are you a servant cast out from the Divine Realm? Until you tell the truth, these chains will tear through your very flesh!"
Seely closed her eyes in pain. But in her mind, she held onto one image: the vision of Li Hua coming to her rescue.