city of despair
As the sinister aura relentlessly spread, the city quickly transformed from bustling to desolate ruins. The sky darkened like ink, and the aura engulfed the streets and buildings, casting the city into a haunting silence. Wuxing and Wan Lingyue moved swiftly through the debris, surrounded by distant, muffled screams and the sound of explosions. Everywhere, panicked people tried to escape, leaving abandoned vehicles behind. The streets were clogged with cars, forming endless traffic jams, drivers frantically honking, some even abandoning their vehicles to flee. The entire scene looked like a descent into hell.
"Wuxing, do we still have any hope?" Wan Lingyue's voice trembled, her face filled with helplessness and exhaustion.
"Hold on!" Wuxing tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes determined. "The aura can't engulf the entire city all at once. We still have a chance to find a safe area; we just need to move quickly."
But their hope was soon shattered. The crimson mist, swirling with malicious intent, seemed to have a mind of its own and pursued them relentlessly. The military gathered massive forces, deploying tanks, rocket launchers, even the latest weaponry, determined to block the aura's advance. Yet, every attack seemed as futile as a stone dropped into the ocean—the aura, like a ravenous beast, devoured all life and matter in its path, expanding continuously.
Wuxing watched as soldiers ahead gave their all to halt the advance, but it was in vain. Pain and frustration filled his heart. He knew that to truly resolve this crisis, he would have to convey the truth to those in power; only with greater forces at hand might there be hope. However, his plan was intercepted by someone with malicious intent, who blocked his message, allowing the aura to spread unchecked. Countless soldiers were sacrificed on an uncontainable front.
As Wuxing led Wan Lingyue through their desperate escape, he noticed soldiers and civilians crowding toward transportation hubs, but the crimson mist spread swiftly, overtaking them in mere minutes, consuming everyone within its reach. Wuxing's heart wrenched in anguish—he wanted to save these innocent lives, but he knew his strength was limited. His only hope was to keep Wan Lingyue safe and continue their escape, clinging to the slim chance of survival.
Suddenly, the sky erupted with another booming sound as a fleet of bombers sped across, flames illuminating the red mist above. Yet, the aura seemed impervious to physical attacks; bullets and rockets passed through as though striking empty air, unable to cause any harm. The command center issued repeated orders to retreat, but it was too late—the entire city was now shrouded in the aura. Wuxing and Wan Lingyue looked around as the red mist swallowed everything in its path, as if the city itself was sinking into an abyss of destruction.
"Wuxing, what is this thing? Why is it so powerful?" Wan Lingyue whispered in despair, tears streaming down her face.
Wuxing felt his heart break but could only comfort her softly, "This is the sinister aura—ordinary people can't resist it. But I promise, I'll find a way. As long as we're alive, there's still a chance."
He understood that the spread of the aura could no longer be stopped, and they had to reach safer ground. Gripping Wan Lingyue's hand tightly, he hurried towards the distant area untouched by the aura.
Only then would they have a chance to survive. If he could complete his cultivation, he knew he could resolve this calamity. As thoughts of his parents filled his mind, a pang of sorrow struck his heart. They might be in grave danger… But he couldn't let despair take over. Perhaps the country had a secret weapon; if not, everyone would perish in despair. No, he couldn't give up now. If only he had enough time, he was certain he could bring an end to this disaster.