Chapter 42

As Wen Shia approached the battlefield, a wave of disorientation washed over him. The landscape he had known transformed before his eyes, a chaotic tapestry of figures dressed in gleaming armor amid the dust and debris. The soft murmur of the villagers, the familiar sounds of Sun City Mountain, were muted in this sudden clash. Here, the soldiers of Heaven stood like a wall of unwavering resolve, their numbers overwhelming. 

To Wen Shia's shock, he noticed not only the presence of the divine soldiers but also the absence of the villagers he had rushed to protect. Anxiety clawed at his stomach as he realized the stakes were higher than he had anticipated. He felt the gaze of his own troops, confusion and fear etched across their faces. 

Suddenly, chaos erupted. Without warning, the soldiers from Heaven attacked, forcing Wen Shia to react instinctively. Adrenaline surged through him, but amidst the frenzy, he found himself trapped in an internal struggle—whose side should he fight for? He could not turn against the divine, risking the hard-earned progress he had made. But if he stood idle, he risked losing everything and everyone he cared for.

His thoughts spiraled when a swift sword sliced through the air, aiming directly for him. In that split second, Xiang sprang into action, her reflexes honed from years of training. She knocked the blade aside, saving Wen Shia from a potentially fatal blow. 

"Focus, Wen Shia!" Xiang urged, her voice rising above the din of clashing steel. "If you get hurt, we're all done for!"

Charged with determination, Xiang channeled her power, an ethereal glow illuminating her form as she summoned forces beyond the ordinary. Her chi swirled around her like a tempest, and the soldiers of Heaven found themselves struggling against a wave of energy that rendered them momentarily blinded. 

But Bin Se, a seasoned warrior among Wen Shia's ranks, attempted to reign in her fury. "Xiang, you cannot kill them!" he shouted, battling to cut through the noise of combat.

"If we don't fight back, they'll kill us!" she retorted, desperation tinging her words. "We must defend ourselves!" 

A fierce exchange ensued, the clash of metal echoing across the battlefield. The few defenders of Sun City Mountain were quickly overwhelmed, but Xiang's might sent waves of confusion through the ranks of the Heavenly soldiers, evening the odds momentarily. Her growing power rendered their attackers invisible, twisting reality as they faltered. 

In the heart of this chaos, Wen Shia gritted his teeth. He did not harbor a desire to kill, only a need to protect, but Xiang's wrath was uncontrollable. Watching her press on, even against her own allies, filled him with dread. Despite his efforts to reason with her, she continued her relentless assault, a tempest wreaking havoc on their supposed foes. 

The tide turned, yet despite their loss, the soldiers of Heaven refused to concede defeat. Just then, the air shimmered as the God of Heaven appeared, a figure radiating authority and fear. His eyes blazed with rage as they locked on Xiang. "How dare you raise your hand against us?" he thundered, the very ground quaking beneath him. 

It was then that Dhyan, a once-innocent child with no knowledge of his lineage, stepped forward. His body trembled slightly as he met the gaze of his adversaries. "You killed my parents!" he accused, fury mingling with grief in his voice.

"Kill your parents?" The heavenly deity scoffed, his voice laced with contempt. "They are alive and awaiting you! How dare you speak such nonsense?" 

Xiang's protective instincts ignited once again, and she thrust herself toward the God of Heaven, determined to shield Dhyan. "You dare to lie?" she cried out, her anger palpable. 

With a surge of energy, she unleashed her power at the God, her movements a sweeping dance of strength and rage. The God staggered backward, caught off guard by the raw ferocity of her attack. 

Wen Shia called out, desperation flooding his voice. "Xiang, stop! You can't attack them! They're not our enemies!" 

But her fury had consumed her reasoning. She was beyond listening, a warrior in the throes of battle.

"Why won't she listen?" the God of Heaven turned to Wen Shia, confusion etching lines upon his brow. "What has happened to her? Has she lost her senses?"

Wen Shia grasped at his thoughts, racing to make sense of a spiraling situation