Chapter 47: The Body of Darkness

Dao Wei turned around, chuckling at her sudden boldness. The sound of her laughter filled the air, and he couldn't help but smile. "The water is so warm," she called out, her voice soft and inviting. "Care to join me?"

He hesitated for only a moment before removing his robe, revealing his toned, muscular body. Stripped down to his shorts, he dove into the river after her.

Splash!

Liu Mingxia giggled as she splashed water at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. They played in the water, their laughter ringing out through the forest, a melody of carefree joy that washed away all their worries.

"How about another race?" she challenged, her eyes glinting with competitive spirit.

"So you can cheat again?" Dao Wei smirked, wiping water from his face.

"First one to the other side wins," she declared, pointing to the opposite bank.

"Let me guess, no techniques?" Dao Wei sighed, already knowing her answer.

"Obviously..." Liu Mingxia's smile was so infectious that he found himself agreeing despite knowing she'd try to pull another trick.

"Okay, on the count of three," Dao Wei started, but before he could finish, she had already begun the countdown.

"Three, two..." She was off, swimming at her fastest speed. "Go!"

"You little..." Dao Wei laughed as he swam after her, their playful shouts and laughter carrying on the breeze.

As they reached the opposite bank, both breathless and laughing, the sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting a warm golden light over the forest. The brief escape from their responsibilities had been refreshing, a moment of pure happiness in their otherwise tumultuous journey.

Dripping wet but content, they climbed out of the river, their clothes clinging to their bodies as they gathered their things. Dao Wei glanced over at Liu Mingxia, her face flushed with exertion and happiness, and felt a deep sense of peace settle over him.

"Ready to get back on the road?" he asked, his voice soft.

Liu Mingxia nodded, her eyes still bright with the remnants of their playful chase. "Yes," she said, her tone filled with contentment. "Let's go."

Together, they set off once more, their spirits lifted, the bond between them stronger than ever. The journey ahead was long, but in that moment, with the sun setting behind them and the promise of a new adventure before them, everything felt right.

The dawn broke gently, casting a golden hue over the forest. Dao Wei and Liu Mingxia were already on their way, moving steadily through the dense foliage. 

The forest seemed alive, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls. Dao Wei led the way, his senses keenly attuned to any potential threats.

Suddenly, Dao Wei halted, his eyes narrowing as he sensed a disturbance in the Qi around them. 

"Something's not right," he murmured, scanning the surroundings.

Liu Mingxia stepped closer, her eyes filled with concern. "What is it, Wei?"

Dao Wei didn't respond immediately, his focus entirely on the subtle vibrations in the air.

"There's been a battle nearby." 

Without waiting for a response, he dashed forward, his speed astonishing.

Liu Mingxia hurried to keep up, her heart pounding with a mix of worry and curiosity. They navigated through the forest, following the traces of disrupted Qi until they came upon a small clearing. 

There, amidst the broken branches and scorched earth, lay a young girl, barely conscious and covered in wounds. She could be 12 or 13 years old. Her delicate body was bruised and scared, with blood all over. 

Dao Wei knelt beside her, his hands glowing with a soft, golden light as he injected his Qi into her frail body. "Stay with me," he whispered, his voice filled with urgency.

The girl stirred as the healing energy flowed through her. Her breathing steadied, and the color began to return to her cheeks. 

"Hmm… Body of Darkness. Interesting." Dao Wei smiled as he continued healing the young girl.

Body of Darkness was one of the seven ancient bodies. It is mysterious and mostly seen as evil. In all the Seven Ancient bodies, it is probably one of the strongest, but also rarest. 

Liu Mingxia watched from a distance, a pang of jealousy gnawing at her as she observed Dao Wei's tender care.

"Who could have done this to a child?" Liu Mingxia muttered, her fists clenched in anger.

The young girl's eyes fluttered open, and she gazed up at Dao Wei with a mixture of fear and relief. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"You're welcome… And what is your name?" Dao Wei asked.

"M—My name… is Xuner..." The young girl had an expression of fear all over her face. Who would blame her? She had just escaped from the jaws of death.

Dao Wei smiled gently. "You're safe now, Xuner. Can you tell me what happened to you?"

Xuner's eyes filled with tears as she recounted the attack. 

"The…I-It was the Death Zen Sect. They… they killed everyone and destroyed our village. My family... they're all gone."

Dao Wei's expression hardened, his eyes blazing with conviction. "This Death Zen..." he said, his voice low. It was as if his emotions were being stirred and he had no control over them.

Liu Mingxia, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "Calm down first, Wei'er. They need to be stopped, I know, but you don't have to face them alone." She placed her delicate hand on his masculine chest.

Dao Wei looked at her, his eyes softening. "Thank you, Mingxia. Are you sure you don't want to return to the Demon Sect first?" somehow her touch was able to calm his raging emotions.

She nodded firmly. "I am. Besides, someone needs to make sure you don't do anything reckless."

Dao Wei chuckled, appreciating her resolve. "Alright, then. Let's head to her village first."

Dao Wei hoped to find tracks of the Death Zen, however, he also knew it would be sad for Xuner, but she had a strong spirit and agreed. After all, they were doing it for her.

They immediately set off towards the Xuner's village, Liu Mingxia couldn't help but voice her thoughts. "You were very gentle with her, Wei... It's nice to see that side of you."

Dao Wei glanced at her, slightly confused. "She's just a child." He shrugged, "besides, she needed help."

Liu Mingxia sighed, shaking her head with a smile. "You really are hopeless." 

"It's more than that. It shows you care deeply, even if you don't always realize it."

Dao Wei didn't know how to respond to that, so he focused on the path ahead. "We need to be careful."

The journey to Xuner's village was somber. The devastation left in the wake of the Death Zen Sect's attack was more than evident as they approached. 

As Dao Wei, Liu Mingxia, and Xuner arrived at the village, they were greeted by a scene of utter devastation. The air was thick with the acrid stench of death and smoke, the remnants of a brutal massacre. 

Bruised and broken bodies lay strewn across the ground, their lifeless forms a stark contrast to the once lively village. Flames still licked at some of the houses, sending plumes of black smoke curling into the sky, the only movement in an otherwise deathly still landscape.

Dao Wei's heart sank at the sight, his expression hardening as he surveyed the carnage. Liu Mingxia's hand tightened around his, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the horror before them.

"Heavens! What happened here?" Liu Mingxia whispered, her voice trembling with shock and disbelief. 

The village had been completely annihilated. Blood stained the earth, and not a single soul appeared to have survived the onslaught. It was as if death itself had swept through the village, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. 

It was clear to Dao Wei that this was no random attack; whoever was responsible had been searching for something—or more likely, someone. His thoughts immediately went to Xuner. The girl's unique body physique made her a target, and unless their attackers were unaware of her true nature, there was no other reason to destroy an entire village without taking slaves. The senselessness of it all made his blood boil.

They moved cautiously through the village, their eyes scanning the wreckage for any sign of life. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional crackle of flames. The scent of smoke and blood hung heavy in the air, making it difficult to breathe.

Suddenly, a small, heart-wrenching cry pierced the silence. "Grandfather! Wake up!" Xuner's voice was filled with desperation as she ran towards the lifeless body of an old man lying in the dirt. She collapsed beside him, her tiny hands shaking as she tried to rouse him from death's grip.

Liu Mingxia's heart broke at the sight. She moved swiftly to Xuner's side, wrapping the girl in a tender embrace. "He's gone, Xuner," she whispered, her voice thick with sorrow. "He's dead."

Xuner clung to her, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed into Liu Mingxia's chest. "Why would they do this? How dare they?" Liu Mingxia's voice trembled with a mix of anger and grief, her usual calm shattered by the horror before her.

Dao Wei watched them, his heart heavy with a mix of fear and sorrow. He had never seen Liu Mingxia so overcome with emotion, and it unnerved him. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her that everything would be okay, but the words felt hollow in the face of such senseless violence.

As Xuner's sobs began to quiet, a sudden, searing pain shot through Dao Wei's head. It was a familiar sensation, one he had felt before when the strange stone had first entered his body. The pain was intense, almost unbearable, and he staggered, nearly losing his balance.

"AHH... My head!" Dao Wei cried out, clutching his temples as the pain intensified. It felt as if his skull was being split in two, and he could barely keep his vision from blurring.