Chapter 2, Saint Xuan Fairy, the Fire Enchantress

Unable to hear the thunder, nor the sound of rain, as if having fallen into another world. Clearly swept here by the flow of water, yet at this moment there is no water beside me, and simultaneously, there is no light.

Then, deep down, I silently mock myself; when I cannot even ensure my own safety, how can I afford to worry about others

Yet one does not dare to scold too loudly, for fear that the shadowy figures surrounding the dilapidated temple might overhear.

The sound of urgent clashing weapons came from behind the temple, accompanied by the screams of a young girl and a child

The lady was dressed entirely in white, her figure tall and slender, her skin as fair as snow, embodying the beauty of the nation. Her pristine white garments, made of an unknown material, were free from any dust, appearing almost ethereal, adorned with patterns of auspicious mushrooms and the symbol of good fortune, resembling clouds of good luck.

Shi Hao felt the wind

Let us go! Without caring for the few bites of meat soup left, Master Lu said in a low voice

The space shattered in a bizarre manner, and Shi Hao once again fell downwards

Far from the rain showers, far from the chaotic world. In his heart, he still worries about the frail and helpless young girl in the dilapidated temple, and the hungry child, concerned for those loyal and righteous individuals who risk their lives to protect them

Yet two gusts of wind surged around him, one half cold and the other half warm. They supported him from below, making him feel as if he had fallen into a pile of cotton, and the speed of his descent gradually slowed.

Her hair was styled in an elegant topknot, adorned with a Daoist hairpin, which, along with her attire, indicated her identity as a member of the Daoist sect. Her countenance was as serene as water, exuding an ethereal and otherworldly detachment, reminiscent of a celestial being descending to the mortal realm, evoking a sense of reverence.

Two women stood in such ruins, with air currents swirling around them, facing each other.

A loud bang echoed in his eardrum, causing his insides to churn violently, leaving him feeling faint and nauseous. A torrent of accumulated force surged forward, pushing his increasingly numb body like a floating weed on the sea, rolling and swaying, unaware of where it was being carried.

Beneath my feet lies a smooth stone surface, yet I always feel a breeze surging upward from below, refreshing and cool

Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and thunderclaps followed one after another

Do not think of escaping! Zhao Haisong wielded the Yanling knife, carrying a torrent of blade energy, and charged towards the Blue Crane Daoist.

With a loud shout, the stone overflowed with divine light, and his body suddenly grew taller.

Her figure appears even more petite, dressed in a narrow-sleeved deep garment embroidered with peach blossoms, cinched at the waist with a wide belt, accentuating her slender waist. Her hair is styled in an extremely rare flying fairy bun, her face resembling an egg, with brows and eyes as picturesque as a painting

The four warriors rushed outside, protecting the girl and the boy

They led the two horses away from the dilapidated temple, moving forward in the darkness amidst the wind and rain

At this moment, it seems that the people in their line of work are not ordinary citizens. They did not wish to complicate matters, which is why they allowed them to leave; otherwise, they might have been killed on the spot, regarded as accomplices of these individuals

Bright eyes and charming looks, delicate willows and beautiful flowers. Unlike the white-clad lady on the left, she smiles sweetly, her gaze sharp and narrow, complementing her vibrant peach blossom red attire, resembling flames; clearly dangerous, yet irresistibly alluring.

Yet he could do nothing, only leaving in a powerless and subdued manner after the other party's single word "get lost"

I am going to die! This is what Shi Hao was thinking in his heart

The radiance is white, within which dances a peculiar point of black.

Shi Hao silently stood up, at this moment he loathed his own powerlessness

Shi Hao began to realize that the crackling sound was emanating from the pulsating, black-and-white light.

Two women, yet they embody completely different styles, both of whom are utterly exquisite and flawless, with appearances that are rare in the world

The Holy Fairy hummed again: "You, the Fire Enchantress Su Xi, wherever you go, there is a stench of blood and a storm of chaos, causing the Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty to be alarmed, infants to cease their cries, commanding the demons, and the wicked to bow their heads, truly deserving the title of the Demon Emperor of the Underworld, that is true majesty"

In this descent, mysterious halos pulsate all around.

When the lightning fades, the heavens and the earth are devoid of light, and countless raindrops fall upon them

At the same time, they seemed to be tearing at each other, competing; he felt as if he were caught in a dual realm of ice and fire, where a moment's carelessness could lead to being torn into pieces by them

The rain, which had shown signs of weakening just a moment ago, quickly intensified.

The Holy Fairy let out a cold snort and said lightly: "The fire tests the heavenly punishment, the celestial laws are viewed with indifference; dancing on flowers disrupts the order of the universe; playing tricks in the mortal realm confounds the masses, destroying the law and extinguishing the path under the night’s enchantment... Do you not also have quite a bold tone?"

Shi Hao felt the damp clothes clinging tightly to his cold body, the ground beneath his feet uneven, and from time to time, he would stumble over protruding stones, relying entirely on the person beside him to support him

"Two people, two people!" Shi Hao sensed something was amiss and quickly said, "The Da Sheng Dynasty you are referring to, is it the Da Sheng Dynasty that was destroyed by the barbarian tribes three hundred years ago?"

The eardrums of Shi Hao resonated with a crackling sound, as if there were countless unknown objects colliding around him

After distancing themselves from the dilapidated temple, one of the hunters spat and exclaimed: "Barbaric court hound!"

Bang! Another loud explosion, like a fragile egg smashing against a hard rock, the sound of the eggshell shattering

Shi Hao groped his way up, swaying unsteadily as he took a few steps in the darkness. The ground was flat, no longer uneven, and the surroundings were silent, so quiet that he could hear his own heartbeat.

The Blue Crane Daoist showed no fear at all, using astonishing divine power to force both Zhao Haisong and the dual evils of the rat and bat to retreat simultaneously with a series of loud bangs.

He felt his eyes bloom with starlight, as if his gaze, amidst the collision of his body with the earth and stones, erupted in waves of brilliance

With another loud bang, the stone wall completely shattered. The Blue Crane Daoist, empty-handed, lifted the dilapidated Earth God statue and rushed out of the ruined temple, hurling the statue away amidst the raging wind and torrential rain

Fire Charm Woman Dao: "You, Ye Ziyan..."

The reason for using the term "pieces" to describe them is that they are like snowflakes, colorful, yet as thin as a cicada's wing

Shi Hao felt that he probably would not survive. No matter where he would fall, at such a high altitude and with this level of acceleration, he would undoubtedly die

"Do not confront him head-on," Zhao Haisong emerged from the collapsed dilapidated temple and shouted, "Entangle him and wear him down until his powers are exhausted"

"Protect them as they leave," shouted the Blue Crane Daoist

Her voice is like that of a golden oriole, exceptionally melodious. Just hearing it brings a tremor that resonates from the body to the heart, lingering for three days, with an endless aftertaste.

Shi Hao was forced to dodge, and as he stumbled, he suddenly stepped into empty space. The sudden sensation of weightlessness felt like an invisible hand pulling him down rapidly. Sharp stones tore at his clothes, and his skin experienced a pain akin to being cut.

Shi Hao temporarily disregarded them and looked around, only to discover that this place was actually a desolate ruin. Here, treasures glimmered everywhere, and celestial energy swirled about, yet not a single stone was intact.

Young master? Young master? The cries of Master Lu, mingled with the terrified neighing of the horse, were soon drowned out by the thunderous roar of the approaching storm

The rain quickly soaked them to the skin, the chilling sensation penetrating from the outside in, as if they were immersed in a glacier that had not melted for a hundred years, leaving even their hearts cold and devoid of warmth

The so-called Six Gates are merely the lackeys serving the barbarian tribes that have occupied the land of Huaxia, while the few individuals being hunted and captured by them are, in fact, men of loyalty and righteousness

The sound of thumping made him unable to help but laugh at his own nervousness. After all, he was someone who had died once in his previous life, yet he still feared death once again

The airflow was chaotic; although the wind was not strong, he was blown off balance, swaying in all directions. It took him a great deal of effort to draw near that faint light

Otherwise, why would one encounter these two exquisitely beautiful ladies, whose styles are as different as ice and fire, in such a place

The lady in the red dress smiled and said: "Even if you do not recognize me, how is it that you do not recognize her? The renowned Saint Xianzi of the Central Plains, who leads the eight major sects and commands the martial world of the Central Plains, the Holy One of Ziyin, and you are unaware of her? If you walk out like this, you will surely be laughed at by others"

On his right side, there was also a lady, but she possessed a different kind of beauty

"Ah, this young man, may I ask your name and which sect you belong to?" The lady in the red dress was the first to speak.

The fairy Shengxuan, Ye Ziyin, originally had a cold expression, but it finally changed: "Da Sheng... has fallen?"

In the continuous descent, Shi Hao felt dizzy and disoriented. In the boundless darkness, the lightning from above appeared merely as a narrow streak, flashing twice before fading away.

The statue whirled in the rain, with raindrops splashing in all directions. It collided with several constables dressed in black, the crackling sound of shattering bones accompanied by their anguished screams, resonating with the thud of the statue crashing to the ground

At that moment, Shi Hao doubted whether he had fallen to his death in the enormous pit formed for unknown reasons three hundred years ago, experiencing a hallucination before dying

At that moment, Shi Hao was momentarily stunned. On the other side, a soft "hee" sound echoed, startling him and quickly bringing him back to his senses. Instinctively, he turned his head to the right, only to be left in a daze once again.

Like a small pebble falling into a vast river during a storm, it stirs not a single wave that draws attention, but sinks to the bottom of the lake, buried among countless grains of sand akin to stars, never to be noticed again

It can be imagined that, long ago, this place must have been a paradise. In his mind, he could even piece them together to form a realm that does not belong to the human world, an enigmatic and boundless paradise, but it has been destroyed for reasons unknown.

Zhao Haisong squinted his eyes and said, "Earthly Fiend Magical Treasure?" He then followed with a strange laugh, "I didn't expect you to have hidden such a trump card."

Alternatively, what he truly fears is not death itself, but rather a death devoid of meaning

He saw a flickering light in the distance, in this utterly dark pit that shielded him from the wind, rain, and thunder, in this inexplicable place. That tiny glimmer appeared both eerie and like a glimmer of hope in the darkness, prompting him to stagger and instinctively move towards it

At the first sight of her, Shi Hao felt that he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life. The phrases "sinking fish and falling geese, the moon hiding and flowers shying away"... when applied to her, even seem somewhat inadequate, failing to truly capture the essence of her beauty

The shattered and collapsed celestial tree, the broken red eaves and jade tiles, everything is in ruins

The Fire Charm Woman smiled and said: "I cannot compare to you, the Holy Fairy Ye Ziyan, who even the Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty must pay tribute to every year, seeking peace and safety. They say you are a fairy, yet you are destined to become a celestial sovereign."

On both sides, the bat-like creatures simultaneously broke through the window and attacked the Blue Crane Daoist

There were white and red halos blooming before his eyes, clashing with each other in a flurry. He felt as if the universe was exploding around him, yet he was utterly powerless.

A loud explosion echoed from the dilapidated temple

At the pit entrance, where the light barely outlines the contours, there lies a realm of darkness within, as if a malevolent dragon could emerge at any moment and swallow them all whole

Ultimately, he successfully landed on the ground. Due to the influence of these two air currents, he did not feel any pain, but he felt very tired

The Blue Crane Daoist transformed into a figure two men tall, with a robust build and sinewy muscles, his Daoist robe torn apart by his size. He swung his fist back, and the stone wall behind him shattered, with stones flying in all directions, followed by screams from behind the temple, as a figure was hurled away amidst the debris

She sat on a piece of glazed tile, clapping her hands and laughing incessantly

The two ladies were both taken aback. The fire enchantress Su Xie exclaimed, "Three hundred years ago?"

Master Lu grasped his arm and quickly said, "Young Master, let us go outside!"

These halos of disillusionment ebb and flow, shifting between purple and blue, ever-changing. From above, darkness presses down in waves.

Shi Hao followed Master Lu, accompanied by four attendants who filed out in succession. Although the rain outside had lessened considerably, it had not ceased; in the distance, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed. The bolts of lightning could not penetrate the darkness before them.

Looking to the side, I saw the young master clenching his fists tightly, his shoulders trembling slightly

Shi Hao rose to his feet, bowed to both sides, and said: "I am Shi Hao, merely a scholar, with no affiliation to any sect. May I ask the names of the two young ladies, and what place this is?"

Until he began to feel that something was not quite right, he suddenly sat up, coughed violently for a while, and then finally regained his composure

The Blue Crane Daoist wreaked havoc everywhere, delivering one punch after another, his massive and sturdy physique towering like a mountain

He felt as if he had collided with something, yet his body, amidst this series of jolts, became so numbed that even his senses dulled

The two women in white and red garments were also sizing him up

Suddenly, a long whinny echoed, and mud splashed up. Shi Hao turned around and saw the horse startled, once again cutting through the sky with a thunderous sound, illuminating the horse's eyes, as it kicked its legs wildly.

Shi Hao walked through the mountainous terrain where the path was barely visible. Occasionally, lightning illuminated the area from above, casting light on the enormous sinkhole beside them

Rumbling, rumbling, rumbling

Is anyone here? Shi Hao shook himself awake, but then with a sudden clap, he sat back down on the ground, taking a while to collect his thoughts.

The Blue Crane Taoist, unwilling to involve others, suddenly took out a tiger-shaped stone engraved with runes from his bosom after those few people had left.

The woman in white said coldly: "I dare not! How can I compare to the fire enchantress who stirs the rivers and lakes, brings calamity to the world, makes nineteen demons bow in submission, and instills fear across the land, even silencing the cries of infants? Everyone says that the next Evil Emperor and Demon Lord will likely be you."

Their gazes all fell upon him, creating an invisible pressure.

Shi Hao first looked to the left, and he was astonished to see a stunningly beautiful lady

The lady in the red dress chuckled and said: "Why must the Fairy Shengxuan be so modest? The pearl platform has descended with the bronze talisman scroll, and clusters of golden flowers rise with purple smoke. The purple smoke soars up to the Lingxiao Palace, where the sun and moon shine brightly over the vast world... Oh dear, just look at your poetic title, Fairy; how grand and remarkable it is! If it were anyone else, they would be too embarrassed to recite such a title in public."

Suddenly, two streams of air parted, and the sounds of two women humming came from either side of Shi Hao.

As a time traveler, yet in such a sorrowful era, as a scholar with no strength to even bind a chicken, I die in a pit created three hundred years ago, for reasons unknown.

Master Lu let out a sigh of relief in secret. Having roamed the martial world for some time, he was well aware that during the case-handling process of the Six Doors, it was not uncommon for innocent lives to be taken indiscriminately, or even for the virtuous to be wrongfully accused and credited with others' merits.