Chapter 20: Sacrificial Ritual And Rescue

Chapter 20: Sacrificial Ritual And Rescue

Xuan Yu moved swiftly through the now serene Moonshadow Forest, guided by the fading whispers that had once haunted the air. The souls of the departed had pointed him toward the heart of the forest, where the villagers were being held. The sense of urgency pushed him forward, his every step measured and deliberate.

As he approached the central glade, the atmosphere grew heavy once more, but this time it was laced with a distinct sense of malevolence. The glade was filled with a strange, eerie light emanating from a massive stone altar at its center. Around the altar, villagers were bound and unconscious, their life energy being siphoned into the dark void above them.

Xuan Yu's eyes narrowed as he observed the scene. The dark energy felt oppressive, and he could see faint tendrils of it reaching into the villagers, draining their essence. At the head of the altar stood a figure cloaked in darkness, exuding a malevolent aura that pulsed with each breath.

Without hesitation, Xuan Yu stepped into the glade, drawing his sword. The figure turned, revealing a face obscured by shadows and a pair of glowing, crimson eyes. "So, you are the one who broke the curse," the figure hissed, its voice echoing with an otherworldly resonance. "You will not disrupt this ritual. The dark energy will consume all, and I shall become invincible."

Xuan Yu's gaze was steely. "I will not allow you to harm these people," he declared, his voice unwavering. He could feel the immense power radiating from the figure, but he stood firm, ready to face whatever came next.

With a flick of its wrist, the figure summoned dark energy that coalesced into a blade of pure shadow. "Then you shall perish," it snarled, lunging at Xuan Yu with blinding speed.

Their swords clashed, and the impact sent shockwaves through the glade. The dark energy from the figure's blade seethed and writhed, trying to overpower Xuan Yu's Primordial Qi. But Xuan Yu was undeterred, his movements precise and controlled. He parried and countered with swift, calculated strikes, his sword dancing in a blur of silver light.

The battle was fierce, each clash of their blades a testament to their respective strengths. The dark figure's attacks were relentless, fueled by the life energy it had siphoned from the villagers. But Xuan Yu's resolve was unbreakable. He dodged and weaved through the onslaught, each of his strikes imbued with the power of his will and cultivation.

As the fight raged on, Xuan Yu could feel the dark energy intensifying, the figure drawing more and more power from the villagers. He needed to end this quickly before their life forces were completely drained. Summoning his Primordial Qi, he channeled it into his sword, preparing for a decisive blow.

"Myriad Severing Sword Art: Second Form - Whisper Of Death!" he shouted, his blade glowing with a blinding light as he unleashed a powerful strike.

The dark figure raised its shadow blade to block, but the force of Xuan Yu's attack shattered it, the light piercing through and striking the figure in the chest. The figure let out a blood-curdling scream as the dark energy around it dissipated, and it collapsed to the ground lifelessly.

With the annoyance gone, Xuan Yu turned his attention to the altar. The dark energy still pulsed above it, fed by the life energy of the villagers. He approached the altar, his False Nothingness Eyes of Phoenix revealing the intricate network of dark runes and symbols that maintained the ritual.

He needed to act quickly. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge of formations and rituals, he began to dismantle the ritual's structure, disrupting the flow of dark energy. As he worked, the oppressive aura began to weaken, and the villagers' breaths became steadier.

However, at the center of the altar, a core of concentrated dark energy remained, pulsating with a malevolent life of its own. It was the heart of the ritual, the source that had been absorbing the villagers' life energy. Xuan Yu knew he had to destroy it to end the threat once and for all.

Summoning his Primordial Qi, he prepared to strike the core. But as his sword descended, the dark energy reacted violently, resisting his efforts. The core began to absorb his Qi, growing more unstable by the second. Realizing the danger, Xuan Yu stepped back, contemplating his next move.

In that moment, his World of Rebirth activated instinctively. The space around him shimmered, and the dark energy core began to be drawn into it. Xuan Yu could feel the energy merging with his inner world, transforming and adapting to his essence. The process was intense, the dark energy thrashing as it was absorbed.

When it was over, Xuan Yu found himself holding a small, black pill, pulsating with a strange, dark light. The energy within it was contained, no longer a threat but a potential source of power. He could feel its presence within his World of Rebirth, a reminder of the battle and the energy he had conquered.

With the ritual dismantled and the dark energy contained, Xuan Yu turned his attention to the villagers. He moved swiftly, using his Qi to heal their wounds and restore their strength. One by one, they began to awaken, their eyes filled with confusion and relief.

As the last of the villagers regained consciousness, Xuan Yu stood before them, his presence a beacon of hope and strength. "You are safe now," he said gently. "The nightmare is over."

The villagers, still dazed but grateful, began to murmur their thanks. Xuan Yu guided them out of the glade, back through the now tranquil Moonshadow Forest. The oppressive atmosphere had lifted, replaced by a sense of peace and rejuvenation.

When they finally emerged from the forest, the villagers turned to Xuan Yu, their expressions filled with gratitude. "Thank you O' Immortal," one of the elders said, his voice trembling with emotion. "You have saved us from a fate worse than death. How can we ever repay you?"

Xuan Yu shook his head. "There is no need for repayment. Your safety is enough reward for me." He thought for moment and then snapped his fingers and the memories of the villagers were altered, all they remembered was that they were captured by some rogue cultivatiors. He knew that this matter can't be public yet that's why he altered their memories. He glanced back at the forest, his mind already contemplating the next steps of his journey. The dark energy pill was a reminder that there are things that he doesn't know, and he needed to understand the power that dark energy held.

As the villagers dispersed, returning to their homes and families, Xuan Yu stood alone, his thoughts focused and determined. He needed to find out those mysterious cultivatiors. He needed to talk to the Matriarchs and Ming Yue about it and these had to kept secret from the common folks and the rest of the cultivation world until he understands the whole situation in more detail.

With a final glance at the peaceful forest, Xuan Yu turned and set off back towards the Dao Harmony Palace.