Chapter 13

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The atmosphere was thick with tension, a fragile silence settling over the celestial realm. Doming, arms crossed over his chest, leaned back with a mocking grin, gauging the reactions of those gathered before him. "So, you refuse to give us the power stone? If you continue to oppose us, we'll unleash chaos upon your precious heaven."

In response, Wen Shia's expression turned steely, her voice steady with defiance. "You'll have to go through me first. We will not yield to threats."

Just then, the Heavenly God arrived, imposing yet calm amid the brewing conflict. "Listen carefully, Doming. That stone is not in our possession. Sixteen or seventeen years ago, when you attacked, we almost touched it to secure it, but it fell from the heavens, colliding with a star and plummeting to the earth. We have searched relentlessly since then but to no avail. It was never yours to claim."

Doming's disbelief slowly morphed into contemplation. If the Heavenly beings possessed the stone, they would have used it against his kind during their previous conflicts. "Fine. We shall search for it together. But the moment we find it, it becomes ours," he declared, a challenge concealed in his words.

Xiang stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "We refuse to let you take that stone. If it falls into your hands, devastation will inevitably follow. Attack the earth to pursue your quest, and you'll regret it."

Doming smirked, ignoring 's warning. "Remember your words, then," he said coolly, turning to leave. But someone from his faction wasn't as reasonable. A demon, itching for a fight, declared, "If we're here, we're going to attack! We won't withdraw!"

As the command rippled through the ranks, chaos erupted. The denizens of heaven, caught off-guard, quickly rallied, weapons drawn in defense. A defensive strike from one of the soldiers injured a few of the elder members engaged in dialogue, shattering the fragile truce.

Wen Shia reacted instantaneously, her sword slicing through the air to dispatch the assailant. But in the throes of the battle, something inexplicable occurred. A sword aimed at Xiang, who stood at a distance, suddenly stopped mid-air, falling harmlessly to the ground.

Xiang, bewildered, glanced around. "What just happened?" She could scarcely grasp the energy that seemed to envelop her.

Dhyan, using an unrecognized power, raised his hand and formed a protective barrier around Xiang, shielding her from harm. The onlookers gasped in astonishment, their fight momentarily forgotten as they sought to comprehend the extraordinary display.

"Are you alright?" Wen Shia rushed to Xiang's side, concern etched in her features. "What just happened? Where did this new power come from?"

"I... I don't know," Xiang stammered, still reeling from the incident. "When Doming attacked, something just came to my aid without warning."

Doming, intrigued, regarded Xiang closely. "I merely wanted to assess who this girl was. But now, I recognize you. You're the one I encountered long ago."

Xiang's eyes widened. "Your voice... It's familiar. Almost like that of the masked man."

Doming quickly dismissed her recognition. "This is our first meeting. I know nothing of your past. And you? What exactly are you?"

With a wry smile, Xiang replied, "I'm neither a celestial being nor a god. I'm just an ordinary girl, struggling to master my techniques—barely able to wield a sword."

Doming chuckled derisively. "An ordinary girl? How amusing to think you could lead us."

Her frustration bubbled over. "Lead? Do you truly believe someone like me could possess the power to command? I lack your devilish energy, and I will never align myself with what you represent!"

As the heated exchange continued, the sky above darkened ominously, foreboding storms stirring in the distance. A tremor rippled through the ground, hinting at greater dangers lurking beyond their sight—forces that could tip the balance of all realms as the search for the power stone commenced.

Wen Shia gathered her composure, addressing the group with newfound resolve. "We must unite our strengths to locate that stone. If we operate as adversaries, we will only amplify the chaos. Our focus must be on protection—of our realms and of one another."

With agreement etched on reluctant faces, this unlikely assembly set forth on their perilous quest. Each carried a tapestry of unhealed scars, unrecognized potential, and the weight of their choices. Their journey was not merely about seeking the