Dark General
"Why are you two gawking at me like that? Have you never before laid eyes on an alluring lady?" Zhang Min bellowed at Sun Jing and Ze Kai, her tone betraying her anger. Despite her outward demeanor, however, she was carefully assessing the two men. A question mark was hovering above Sun Jing's head. Ze Kai, in contrast, had no such symbol or apparition above him.
Zhang Min felt a knot form in her stomach as she realized that both of them were stronger than her, but she refused to back down and continued to glare at them fiercely.
"My apologies, young lady. We were in the midst of a conversation, but as it was an accident, we shall bid you adieu." Ze Kai spoke in a mocking tone as he offered his half-hearted apology. Zhang Min's expression remained hard as she slowly turned her head away from the pair, clearly not accepting Ze Kai's words. With measured steps, she began to walk away, her mind racing with questions about the two men and their intentions.
"Boost!" Sun Jing's voice echoed through the air as he activated his skill. Blue aura radiated from his body as he hurtled towards Zhang Min, knocking her away from Ze Kai's reach. In that moment, Ze Kai seized the opportunity to fling a rock at her, a cruel grin spreading across his face. However, to Zhang Min's shock, he missed his mark on purpose.
"I don't want to kill you yet. Otherwise, you won't be able to save that girl," Ze Kai jeered, picking up another rock and twirling it in his fingers. Zhang Min realized with horror that she would be dead if Sun Jing hadn't intervened.
Despite the narrow escape, the situation was still grave. Sun Jing's face was set in a stern expression as he focused on the task at hand. He knew that Ze Kai was not to be underestimated, even with his "Detect" skill. Sun Jing had only managed to detect the rock after it had been thrown, leaving him with little time to react. Still, he refused to back down and activated "Boost" before dashing towards Zhang Min.
As Sun Jing made his move, he sensed Ze Kai deftly deflecting the rock that he had thrown earlier, sending it hurtling in another direction before returning to his original position.
"Don't look at me like that. I told you I won't kill you... yet. I want to know more about the Ze Kai that you know," Ze Kai spoke in a playful tone as he approached Sun Jing. Sun Jing released Zhang Min from his embrace, realizing that he had been holding onto her all this time.
"What do you want to know?" Sun Jing asked in a cold tone. Ze Kai smirked and replied in an amused tone, "Why not tell me your name first?"
"Sun Jing. Why do you want to know about Ze Kai?" Sun Jing asked with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"You don't need to know the reason. I don't like to bully the weak, so I'll give you a chance," Ze Kai said, walking closer to Sun Jing. Sun Jing's eyes lit up slightly upon hearing Ze Kai's words.
"I came here to find my old friends, and you're a bonus for my trip. Unfortunately, my body is still trying to adapt to this world, so I can only use ten percent of my power," Ze Kai explained as he started to exercise his wrists and warm up.
Zhang Min watched the two men, feeling as though she was caught in the middle of a dangerous game. Sun Jing's eyes remained fixed on Ze Kai, his expression unreadable.
"Undoubtedly, you two are no match for me. However, I can grant you a chance. Ten seconds, and then I'll come after you," Ze Kai declared with a cocky smirk. Just as he was about to finish his sentence, Sun Jing grabbed Zhang Min's shoulder and hurled his cross into the air. "Boost! Ride!" Sun Jing shouted as he leaped onto the cross and hoisted Zhang Min up, propelling them forward at top speed. Ze Kai merely chuckled as he began counting down with his fingers. Zhang Min's grip on Sun Jing's arm tightened as they flew, her face a mask of fear and uncertainty. "Do you have any idea who that man is?" she inquired. "I am Ze Kai," the interloper chimed in, suddenly appearing beside Sun Jing and lying on his back as he flew. "But I'm afraid I'm not interested in you," he added, speaking on Sun Jing's behalf. "The girl will only slow you down, and there's no chance of escaping me anyway." Ze Kai's words dripped with disdain as he tried to persuade Sun Jing to abandon Zhang Min.
"Your swiftness is unremarkable. Let us test your fortitude. I shall endeavor not to extinguish your life, at least not entirely," Ze Kai taunted, uninterested in the chase. Sun Jing's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing the challenge, realizing that Ze Kai had stopped and held a rock in his hand. "I will not miss this time," Ze Kai remarked before flicking the rock with a deft hand, sending it hurtling toward Sun Jing with incredible velocity, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. "Repel!" Sun Jing yelled as he pulled Zhang Min close and leapt off his cross. The cross began to emanate a bright crimson light, coalescing into a barrier of energy that protected them from the incoming projectile. Sun Jing held onto Zhang Min tightly, bracing themselves for the impending impact of the hurtling rock.
Ze Kai's grin widened with excitement as the rock ricocheted off Sun Jing's barrier with even greater force. He effortlessly slapped it away and ran towards Sun Jing, eager for more action. Although Sun Jing managed to repel the attack, the impact caused him to vomit blood and sent him and Zhang Min hurtling through the air, crashing into a nearby tree. Sun Jing struggled to stand up, while Zhang Min remained unconscious. Ze Kai caught up with them in no time, his interest piqued by Sun Jing's skills and the discovery of his knight fragment. "Little Jing, you truly fascinate me. Not only do you know the other Ze Kai, but you are also a knight. Forgive me for not recognizing your unawaken fragment. It's been quite some time since I've encountered one," Ze Kai said, brimming with joy and excitement as he approached Sun Jing.
Ze Kai's grin disappeared from his face as he picked up a rock from the ground and flicked it away in annoyance. Suddenly, numerous small crosses appeared on his left and began heading towards him. "I appreciate the effort, little Jing. But do you think your low-level illusion skills can deceive me?" Ze Kai asked in an irritated tone. Sun Jing used his "Illusion" skill to create a replica of his cross and held it in his hand. Then, he activated his "Rain" skill, splitting his cross into many small crosses and launching them at Ze Kai covertly. However, Ze Kai saw through his illusion and deflected all the small crosses with one rock. Sun Jing realized the difference in their strength was too great, but he remained determined to survive, as he had a promise to keep.
"The game is over, little Jing. You have served your purpose." Ze Kai's voice was devoid of any emotion as he stood over Sun Jing's fallen form. The dark aura emanating from him made it clear that he was not to be trifled with. In a swift motion, Ze Kai summoned a dark spear that materialized out of thin air. As he gripped the spear, the aura was absorbed into the weapon, amplifying its already fearsome power. A twisted grin appeared on Ze Kai's face as he gazed towards the northern part of the forest. "Consider yourself lucky, little Jing. It seems that my old acquaintance is closer than I expected." Ze Kai's voice was filled with anticipation as he took a battle stance, ready for the next fight.
The witch's disbelief was palpable as she muttered, "This can't be happening," while Yi Xuan and Jiang Wen Hao prepared for their impending battle. In a swift motion, she waved her hand and conjured a broom in front of her. Suddenly, the door of her hut burst open, and a body was flung out, crashing onto the ground below. It was Huang Fu Yu. Groggy from the impact, he saw Jiang Wen Hao racing towards him. "You okay, Yu?" Jiang Wen Hao inquired, concerned for his friend. "Just a bit famished. How about you, Hao?" Huang Fu Yu replied, his voice weak from hunger.
"We don't have time to chat. You two can either stay here or leave the forest. It won't be safe," the witch interjected urgently, pulling Yi Xuan to her side and mounting her broom. With a sense of urgency, she rode off, leaving the duo staring at each other, uncertain of what to do next.
"Meteor!" A deafening roar echoed throughout the forest, the sound reverberating through the trees and beyond, catching the attention of all who heard it. Long Tao jolted awake at the sound, realizing that Sun Jing was nowhere to be found. Hurriedly, he rushed outside and saw a crowd of people gathered at the edge of the forest, pointing at the sky. "Look!" he shouted to Hao Ren, indicating the direction of the commotion. Hao Ren followed his gaze and his eyes widened at the sight of a blazing meteor hurtling towards the ground. It was a spectacle that no one had ever seen before, and they watched in awe as it crashed down with a thunderous boom. Suddenly, another voice boomed through the air, "Thrust!" and the meteor shattered into two pieces. Fear and confusion gripped the townspeople as they scattered in all directions, seeking refuge from the unknown. Meanwhile, Sun Ming and Sun Teng stood transfixed at the sight of the destroyed meteor. Memories of an old legend that are shared with them when they were young surfaced in their minds: the tale of two powerful elders battling in the depths of the forest. They couldn't shake the feeling that something momentous was about to unfold.
Ze Kai's face lit up with excitement as he gazed at the shattered remains of the meteor. Zhang Min stirred awake from the commotion and caught sight of the witch riding on her broomstick in the sky, accompanied by a young woman. Sun Jing bided his time, waiting for the opportune moment to make his escape with Zhang Min, knowing full well that Ze Kai would be preoccupied. "Xin Na, my dear," Ze Kai addressed the witch by name, "I never expected that you would be the first person I'd meet. Do you miss me?" he smirked. Xin Na's expression remained stoic as she replied in a cold, unwavering tone, " I will be the only one that you will meet. Ze Kai!"