The Impending Catastrophe

Wu He and Wan Lingyue hurried along the rugged mountain path under a sky darkened ominously, as if a storm brewed in the distance. Just as they were about to leave this eerie place, the ground trembled violently, a thunderous sound piercing the air, startling the birds and beasts in the forest. Their hearts tightened, and they instinctively gripped each other's hands.

"What's happening?!" Wan Lingyue asked urgently, her face full of fear and unease.

Wu He looked toward the center of the mountains with a grave expression. He saw thick fog converging rapidly toward a point deep within the mountains, as if drawn by some force, forming a massive column of mist. A sense of dread crept into his mind—it reminded him of his master's final words: the seal over this forest was broken.

At that moment, the ground shook again. A massive crack split open beneath their feet, and crimson gas spewed out from the fissures, filling the air with a sickening stench. This red mist, filled with malevolent energy, was spreading in every direction, as if to consume the entire forest.

"This energy… no! It's the evil energy leaking from the broken seal!" Wu He gasped, suddenly understanding. This was the dangerous force his master had sealed at great cost. Now, with the seal failing, this malevolent energy was finally breaking free, flooding into the world.

"Wu He, what should we do?" Wan Lingyue looked at him, her eyes flashing with deep fear as the red mist surged toward them like a flood, corrupting everything around it.

Wu He tightened his lips and took a deep breath, his gaze firm. "We need to get out of here as quickly as possible and warn the world. There might still be time to stop this from spreading, or the consequences will be unimaginable."

Gripping Wan Lingyue's hand, he led her in a hasty descent down the mountain, hardly daring to pause. The surroundings grew more twisted, the leaves on the trees turning a sickly red from the malevolent mist, filling the air with a stinging, nauseating smell. Despite his fear and anxiety, Wu He pressed on. He knew that if they couldn't escape and spread the warning, the city, maybe even beyond, would fall into chaos.

As they ran, a thunderous boom echoed from the mountain behind them. A massive stone gate inscribed with ancient runes emerged from the rock face, vast as if sealing the entrance to a hellish underworld. Pale blue light glowed around the gate, struggling to contain the malevolent mist, but the force from within grew stronger, and the gate's glow began to fade.

Wu He stopped for a moment, staring at the mysterious stone gate and sensing its ancient, imposing aura. The symbols carved upon it radiated an ancient power, a relic of some long-forgotten era. But the seal was already fracturing, with malevolent energy gnawing away at the light surrounding the gate.

Remembering his master's words, Wu He felt his heart sink. His master had exhausted his life's energy to create this seal, a barrier meant to isolate the malevolent energy and protect the world. Now, with his master gone, the seal lacked support. If it broke, the evil energy would engulf the forest, perhaps even the city, and open pathways for creatures from beyond.

"Wu He, can we really escape?" Wan Lingyue's voice broke, her gaze filled with helplessness and terror.

Wu He gritted his teeth, shaking his head resolutely. "We can't give up. As long as there's a sliver of hope, we have to survive. At the very least, we can warn others."

He took Wan Lingyue's hand and continued running. The malevolent mist pressed closer, its screeches filling the air. The two ran, hearts pounding, feeling overwhelmed by despair and fear.

Meanwhile, in the city command center, an emergency meeting was underway. The tense atmosphere was thick, and the screens displayed erratic energy readings, with mountain activity reaching unprecedented peaks. Operators reported the latest data, the red zone on the screen spreading across the mountain range as alarms blared continuously.

"Report! Unusual energy levels detected within the mountain, with a rapid increase in concentration!" an operator reported gravely.

The commander frowned, pondering briefly before issuing a command: "Initiate level-one emergency protocol! Seal off the forest entrance, evacuate nearby residents, and ensure everyone's safety!"

With the order, the command center moved swiftly. The news spread to surrounding areas, and emergency evacuation announcements played over the loudspeakers. Residents fled their homes, filled with fear and unease, heading away from the mountains.

On the mountain's edge, Wu He and Wan Lingyue finally reached an open area. They gasped for air and looked back at the forest, watching as the red mist rolled like a tidal wave, completely engulfing the mountains. The blood-colored fog churned ominously in the air, like a monstrous beast awakening, bringing with it the threat of annihilation.

"Wu He, is there anything we can do?" Tears shone in Wan Lingyue's eyes, her voice laced with helplessness.

Wu He was silent for a moment, gently squeezing her hand and speaking calmly, "We've done all we can. At least we've spread the warning. Perhaps, that's enough."

His voice was steady and resolute, his gaze unwavering. Though he, too, felt helpless and distressed, he understood that, as a cultivator, he couldn't control everything. All he could do was try his best and trust fate. They had escaped to deliver the warning—already a significant act.

Just then, a deafening roar echoed from the sky. A bolt of purple lightning tore through the clouds, striking the heart of the malevolent mist and illuminating the mountains. The mist recoiled briefly, subdued by the lightning, only to surge once more, rolling toward a wider area.

Wu He looked at the mountains, letting out a deep sigh, his heart filled with complex emotions. He knew that, though their strength was limited, they would keep going as long as there was hope, awaiting the chance to turn the tide.

Wu He and Wan Lingyue continued fleeing the forest, feeling a mixture of dread and urgency. Watching the malevolent mist consume the forest like a beast, they scrambled over the increasingly steep mountain path, which could collapse at any moment. With every step, they felt the mist closing in.

Suddenly, Wu He felt the ground give way beneath him, and he lurched forward. He instinctively grabbed a tree branch, nearly falling. The branch snapped, echoing through the air. Behind him, the path had crumbled under the mist's corruption, and dust floated, tainted red like the cries of countless evil spirits.

"Wu He, watch out!" Wan Lingyue shouted, catching hold of him.

"No stopping—run!" Wu He gritted his teeth, pulling Wan Lingyue onward. They rushed through the twisted forest, the trees shriveled and dark red, branches clawing at them like ghoulish hands.

At last, they reached the city outskirts, surrounded by red mist with almost no clear path ahead. The mist, as if sentient, crept toward them, releasing an oppressive force. Wu He and Wan Lingyue stood at a cliff's edge, their hearts pounding, feeling cornered.

"What do we do?!" Wan Lingyue's eyes were filled with deep terror as if they were trapped in a blood-colored prison. The sky above roiled with crimson thunderclouds, casting the world into an apocalyptic scene.