As Zhao Xi lay unconscious, his mind was transported back to a moment long buried in the folds of his memory. He was a young man, standing at the threshold of his home, a modest house filled with the echoes of a family bound by tradition. Before him stood a young woman, her hands clasping his tightly, her gaze filled with worry and unspoken words. She was to be his wife, their union arranged by their families as part of an old feudal tradition.

“Take care of yourself in college,” she said softly, her voice trembling with both apprehension and hope.

He remembered how he had nodded, not knowing what to say. He didn’t love her—not in the way one dreams of love—but he respected her. She was kind, and in her simplicity, she had cared for him in the only way she knew. Her death, just a year later, struck him harder than he had anticipated. A cruel illness had claimed her, leaving him with a strange hollowness. Though their bond had been born of duty, not passion, her absence was a sharp wound.

Even now, years later, Zhao Xi carried the guilt of her loss. He had not loved her, yet she had been someone who had treated him well. That alone made her death painful. He had vowed then, as he had in the warfields filled with death and despair, to cherish those who depended on him—to protect them, no matter the cost.

As the memory faded, the image of the girl entrusted to him by her father surfaced in his mind. His willpower surged. He couldn’t let her die. Not her. Not after everything.

With an effort that felt like lifting a mountain, Zhao Xi forced himself back to consciousness. His eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry, but he could make out the narrow passage illuminated by the dim, flickering light of the ruins. To his surprise, he felt a hand supporting him. The girl was there, trotting alongside him, one arm gripping his waist, the other wielding the machete to keep them moving forward.

“You’re awake,” she said, her voice shaky but relieved. “Thank God, you finally came to yourself.”

Zhao Xi blinked, his head still spinning from the blow. “I... I’m sorry,” he muttered. “It was my responsibility to take you out of this place. But I... I’m too weak. I couldn’t do it. I failed you.”

The girl shook her head, determination flashing in her tear-filled eyes. “I was unconscious too. But when I woke, I found you lying there, barely breathing. Tell me—what happened? Where is my father?”

Her words struck Zhao Xi like a knife. His lips trembled, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze. “Your father,” he began, his voice heavy with sorrow, “told me to take you out of here. He... he used his superpower to stall the monster. He stayed behind... to protect us.”

The girl’s face contorted with shock and disbelief. “No! No!” she cried, shaking her head violently. “Why? How could you leave him behind? You betrayed him! He saved your life, and you didn’t even help him!”

Zhao Xi lowered his head, unable to bear the weight of her accusations. “His hope,” he said softly, his voice cracking, “was your safety. That’s all he wanted—to know you were safe. We have to leave. We have to fulfill his hope.”

Tears streamed down the girl’s face. “He failed,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I can’t feel him anymore. He’s gone. The monster must have killed him!” Her fists clenched tightly, her whole body trembling with rage. “I won’t let it live. I’ll avenge him. I’ll kill every last one of those monsters.”

At that moment, an eerie screech echoed through the passage, followed by the unmistakable sound of scuttling claws. Dozens of grotesque creatures poured out from the shadows, their blue eyes gleaming with hunger. The girl and Zhao Xi barely had time to react before they were surrounded.

They fought desperately, swinging their machetes against the advancing horde. Zhao Xi’s arms ached, his grip slippery with sweat and blood, but he pushed forward, slashing at the monsters with every ounce of strength he had. The girl fought ferociously beside him, her blade cutting through the twisted creatures with deadly precision.

But their numbers were overwhelming. The girl was struck by a creature’s claw, sending her tumbling to the ground. A monster lunged at her, its jagged teeth poised to strike. Zhao Xi didn’t hesitate. With a guttural shout, he pounced on the creature, tackling it to the ground and driving his machete into its head.

But as he fought, another creature lashed out at him, its claws raking across his leg. Pain exploded through him, and he collapsed to one knee, the horde closing in.

The girl’s scream pierced the air, a sound of raw emotion that seemed to shake the walls of the ruins. In that moment, something within her ignited—a fire buried deep in her heart, stoked by grief and fury.

The greenish-blue light of her father’s power began to envelop her body, the ethereal glow pulsating as it transformed into a shimmering armor. Her eyes burned with unrelenting determination as she rose to her feet, her power fully awakened. With a mighty swing of her machete, now enhanced by the armor, she crushed the creatures around them, their bodies disintegrating under the force of her blows.

Zhao Xi watched in awe and disbelief as she cleared the passage, the monsters scattering or falling before her. “You...” he stammered, his voice trembling. “You have controlled this power... just like your father!”

The girl turned to him, her armor shimmering with an otherworldly light. Her expression was fierce, resolute. “With this power,” she said firmly, “I will destroy that monster. I will kill every last one of them. If you are a man—a brave, valiant man—you can come with me. But if you’re not, leave now. Save your life while you still can.”

Zhao Xi felt a surge of emotion—fear, admiration, and determination. Despite his injuries, despite his exhaustion, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand. “I’ll come with you,” he said, his voice steady. “For your father. For everyone. I won’t let this nightmare go unanswered.”

As Zhao Xi and Yin Yueqing descended deeper into the ruins, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air tinged with an oppressive energy that seemed to seep into their very bones. The eerie glow of the ancient carvings on the walls cast shifting shadows, dancing like ghosts in the dim light. Their steps echoed through the narrow passage, the silence broken only by the faint rumble of unseen forces deeper below.

For the first time, as they navigated the twisting paths of the ruins, the girl spoke her name. “Yin Yueqing,” she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of pride and sorrow. Zhao Xi glanced at her, surprised. Despite all they had been through, she had not shared this detail until now.

“Yin Yueqing,” Zhao Xi repeated, the name feeling weighty and significant. “It’s a strong name. It suits you.”

Yueqing didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze was focused ahead, her machete in hand, ready for whatever lay before them. “Our family’s mission has always been to stop this monstrosity,” she explained, her voice steady but laden with emotion. “For generations, we’ve wandered across Xiana, chasing rumors, searching for signs, doing everything we could to track it down. This... this is what we were born to do.”

Zhao Xi nodded, absorbing her words. He could see the determination etched into her face, the resolve in her every step. This mission wasn’t just a task for her—it was her entire life, her legacy.

Finally, they reached the core of the ruins, the vast chamber that housed the source of the nightmare. The sight before them stopped them in their tracks. The monstrous creature that had once been Wei Tian loomed over a crumpled figure, tearing at his body with sickening ferocity. Flesh and blood snapped and splattered as the creature raked its claws through the man’s body. It was the father—Yin Yueqing’s father, Yin.

Yueqing froze for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. Her father’s broken body was barely recognizable, his form sagging against the stone as the monster ravaged him. Fury erupted within her, raw and primal, igniting the power she had inherited. The greenish-blue armor flared into existence around her, the glowing runes on its surface pulsing with her rage.

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“You will pay for this!” Yueqing screamed, her voice echoing through the chamber like thunder. She launched herself at the creature, her machete swinging with deadly precision. The first blow landed with a crack, slicing deep into the monster’s sinewy flesh. The creature let out a guttural roar, its body writhing as it turned its attention to her.

The battle was ferocious, the chamber trembling with the force of their clash. The creature lashed out with its grotesque limbs, each swing powerful enough to crush stone, but Yueqing dodged with uncanny speed, her armor glowing brighter with every strike. Zhao Xi watched in awe as she fought, her movements a deadly combination of grace and power. He could see her fury, her grief, driving her forward with relentless determination.

Bit by bit, the monster began to falter. Yueqing’s attacks were relentless, each swing of her machete carving deeper into the creature’s grotesque form. It stumbled, its strength waning, and with one final, devastating strike, Yueqing brought it down. The monster let out a final, unearthly shriek before collapsing to the ground, its massive body crumpling like a deflated beast.

Zhao Xi approached cautiously, his eyes wide with both horror and relief. The monster’s body began to dissolve, its flesh liquefying into ichor and pus that oozed across the chamber floor. At its center, something remained—a pulsating, blood-red orb, glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.

Yueqing stepped forward, her expression grim. She picked up the orb, holding it aloft in her armored hand. “This must be its essence,” she said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes. “The source of all power in this ruin.”

Zhao Xi gazed at the essence, his thoughts racing. “How will you dispose of it?” he asked cautiously. “What will you do with it?”

Yueqing’s gaze didn’t waver as she stared at the glowing orb. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “But for now, we can’t let it fall into the wrong hands. It will be kept as a keepsake—until the country, the troops, or someone stronger can handle this place.”

Before either of them could say more, a cold, mocking laugh echoed from above. The sound sent a chill through Zhao Xi’s spine. Both of them turned, their eyes scanning the upper ledges of the chamber.

Emerging from the shadows were three figures, dressed in flowing white robes. Their angular faces, pale skin, and sharp features immediately marked them as foreigners, likely Iussians. The tallest of the three, an old man with a gaunt, shrewd face, stood at the back, his presence radiating a sinister energy. Beside him were two burly men, their muscular frames exuding brute strength.

The larger of the two stepped forward, growling in heavily accented Xiana’s language, “Give us the essence. Do so, and we shall spare your pitiful lives.”

Yueqing tensed, the orb still in her grasp. She leaned toward Zhao Xi, her voice barely above a whisper. “I can feel their power. They’re horrific, especially the old man. He’s not normal—he has demonic energy.”

Zhao Xi’s mind raced. He knew they couldn’t take on these men, not in their current state. “The troops should be here soon,” he whispered back. “If we can avoid a fight and escape, they’ll handle this.”

Yueqing nodded reluctantly. “So be it,” she said. “But we have to lose them first.”

Without another word, the two turned and sprinted toward the narrow passage that had brought them to the chamber. The Iussians, realizing their quarry was escaping, let out shouts and gave chase. The sound of their heavy footsteps and guttural voices echoed behind them as Zhao Xi and Yueqing ran, their hearts pounding.

The passage was narrow and treacherous, the flickering light casting long, twisting shadows on the walls. Stones shifted beneath their feet, and the air grew colder, the weight of the ruins pressing down on them. Despite the exhaustion clawing at their bodies, the two pressed on, driven by the need to escape.

Behind them, the Iussians’ voices grew louder, their pursuit relentless. The old man’s sinister laughter echoed through the passage, a chilling reminder of the danger that followed.

The relentless pursuit had pushed Zhao Xi and Yin Yueqing to the edge of their endurance. The narrow passage twisted and turned, but there was no escape. As they turned a corner, they came to a dead end—smooth stone walls blocking their path. Before they could react, heavy footsteps echoed behind them, and the three Iussians emerged from the shadows, their tall, imposing forms cutting off their only route of escape.

The leader of the trio, the gaunt old man with an air of cold authority, stepped forward. His pale, deep-set eyes glimmered with greed and malice. “You’ve nowhere to run,” he sneered. “Give us the essence now, and I may grant you a swift death.”

Yin Yueqing straightened, her gaze steady, the faint glow of her armor reflecting in her fierce eyes. She clutched the bloody essence tightly in her hand. “No,” she said, her voice sharp and resolute, the single word echoing through the stone chamber.

The burliest of the Iussians growled, his patience snapping. “Then I’ll take it myself!” he bellowed, stepping forward with a roar.

Yueqing summoned her greenish-blue armor in a blinding flash of light, its ethereal glow illuminating the passage. She moved to intercept him, ready to fight, but what happened next left her stunned. The burly Iussian’s body began to change, his bones cracking and shifting grotesquely. His skin darkened and stretched as muscles expanded, fur sprouting along his limbs. With a deep, guttural roar, he transformed into a monstrous bear, standing upright on two massive legs. His crimson eyes gleamed, and with terrifying speed, he collided against Yueqing’s armored form, sending her staggering backward.

Zhao Xi watched in horror, pressing his back against the wall. “He—he turned into a bear!” he stammered, his voice barely audible.

Before Yueqing could counter, the second Iussian stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. He raised his arms, and the very blood that had pooled from the fallen bodies in the ruins began to swirl unnaturally around him. Like a macabre conductor, he manipulated the blood into jagged, crimson spears, which hovered menacingly in the air before launching toward Yueqing and Zhao Xi with deadly precision.

The two had no choice but to run, narrowly dodging the blood blades that pierced the walls with sickening force. Yueqing glanced back at Zhao Xi, who was staggering, his body weak and faltering. “Leave me!” he cried out, his voice ragged with pain. “I’m useless—I can’t keep up! You need to take the essence and get out of here! Don’t let them get it!”

Yueqing’s eyes flashed with anger, and she stopped, gripping Zhao Xi by the arm. “I won’t leave you behind,” she said firmly, her voice unwavering. “We’re not meant to die here. We’re meant to end this tragedy.”

Zhao Xi looked at her, stunned by her resolve. He tried to protest, but before he could say anything, the earth around them began to rumble violently.

The old man stepped forward, his gaunt figure now crackling with a terrible, unseen power. He lifted his arms, and the stone in the cave seemed to shudder in response. With a guttural roar, he slammed his hands downward, and the stone obeyed, twisting and writhing like living creatures. Massive shards of rock erupted from the walls and ceiling, swarming toward Zhao Xi and Yueqing like an avalanche.

Yin Yueqing barely had time to react. She turned, shielding Zhao Xi with her armored body, but the old man’s power was too great. A massive stone spear hurtled toward her—fast and lethal. In a split-second decision, Zhao Xi lunged in front of her, his body intercepting the attack. The stone pierced him through the side, pinning him to the ground. Blood pooled beneath him, and his face twisted in pain.

“Zhao Xi!” Yueqing screamed, dropping to her knees beside him. Her voice trembled as tears filled her eyes. “Why... why did you do that? You’ve saved me twice... but I…”

Zhao Xi coughed weakly, blood staining his lips. His eyes, though dim, still held warmth. “Because I couldn’t let you die,” he murmured, his voice soft. “You have to survive, Yueqing. You have to finish this.”

Her chest tightened as grief, fury, and regret surged through her heart like a storm. She thought of her idyllic childhood, of her father’s kind smile, of Zhao Xi’s words of resolve. She had already lost so much—her father, her childhood, and now, possibly, Zhao Xi. She refused to lose anyone else.

“I will protect you,” she whispered, her tears falling like rain. Her gaze hardened, and with a swift, resolute motion, she raised the essence to her lips. Without hesitation, she swallowed it.

Zhao Xi, his eyes widening in disbelief, whispered, “Yueqing, no…”

The three Iussians froze, their expressions a mixture of shock and rage. The old man’s voice cracked like a whip, his composure breaking as he screamed, “No! Kill her! Gut her! Disembowel her! The essence is mine! I need it—Aaaahhh!”

Yin Yueqing’s body convulsed, the power of the essence flooding through her veins like fire. Her armor flared violently, its greenish-blue hue darkening to an eerie crimson. The glow around her grew brighter, and the shape of the armor began to shift, contorting into the form of a magnificent, monstrous tiger. Its spectral body shimmered with blood-red light, its roar echoing through the ruins like thunder.

The old man, his face contorted in rage, hurled jagged stone shards toward her, but Yueqing moved with blinding speed. She lunged at him, the tiger form of her armor slamming into him with a ferocious roar. The two collided in a battle that shook the very foundations of the ruins. Their forms flickered in and out of view, a blur of crimson light and crackling stone. Each strike Yueqing delivered shattered rock, and the old man’s demonic power began to waver.

With a final, deafening roar, Yueqing drove her clawed fist through the old man’s chest. His face froze in an expression of utter shock and defeat before his body disintegrated into dust, his screams echoing into nothingness.

The two remaining Iussians were paralyzed with terror. One tried to flee but was crushed under the collapsing ruins, while the other lay dead, his body broken amidst the chaos. The chamber grew silent once more, save for the sound of Yueqing’s heavy breathing as her armor shimmered, the spectral tiger fading back into its original form.

Zhao Xi, still pinned but conscious, looked up at her in awe. “You... you did it,” he whispered, his voice weak but filled with amazement. “You controlled the power... just like your father.”

Yin Yueqing turned to him, her eyes softening despite the crimson glow still surrounding her. “With this power,” she said quietly, “I will end this nightmare. I promise you, Zhao Xi. I won’t let his sacrifice—or yours—be in vain.”

Zhao Xi managed a faint smile, his voice barely a murmur. “Then let’s get out of here... together.”