Chapter 16: The Sandstorm's Fury
The vast desert stretched endlessly, the golden sands shimmering under the relentless sun. Lin Yue and Li Wei trudged forward cautiously, scanning the horizon for shelter. Fei Feng soared above them, his sharp eyes alert.
As they moved, Lin Yue spotted something gleaming in the sand—a faint green glow. Curiosity got the better of her, and she stopped.
"Li Wei, look at that!" she exclaimed, pointing to the jade-like object partially buried in the sand.
Li Wei frowned. "Be careful, Lin Yue."
Ignoring his caution, Lin Yue approached the object and dug it out. It was a beautiful piece of jade, intricately carved and faintly glowing. She felt warmth radiating from it.
"Could this be the jade mentioned in the space's book?" she wondered aloud, turning it over in her hands.
Before Li Wei could reply, a low, ominous growl of wind swept across the desert.
"Lin Yue, hurry back!" Li Wei called, urgency thick in his voice.
---
The sandstorm struck with terrifying speed. Winds howled, carrying walls of sand that swallowed the landscape. Lin Yue clutched the jade, struggling to make her way back to Li Wei.
"Li Wei!" she screamed, her voice lost in the storm's deafening roar.
Through the chaos, she saw him running toward her. Before she could reach him, a powerful gust knocked her to the ground.
Li Wei reached her just in time, pulling her close. "Hold on to me!"
Together, they fought against the storm, but the wind's fury was relentless. Sand stung their skin, and visibility was near zero. A sudden blast of wind sent them tumbling down a dune.
Lin Yue landed hard but unhurt. She scrambled to Li Wei, who groaned in pain, clutching his side.
"Li Wei! Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine," he rasped, though blood seeped through his tunic.
Realizing they couldn't endure the storm any longer, Lin Yue activated her spatial ability, pulling them into the safety of her magical space.
---
Inside the serene haven, the children rushed to their side.
"Mommy, what happened to Daddy?" Qin Ze asked, his voice trembling.
"He's hurt," Lin Yue said, laying Li Wei on a bed. Her hands shook as she cleaned his wound.
Fei Feng swooped down, his feathers ruffled from the storm. "Lin Yue, wait! Ren An might be able to help!"
Lin Yue looked at him in confusion. "Ren An? What can he do?"
Fei Feng flapped his wings impatiently. "The boy has healing power —. Let him try!"
Ren An hesitated, stepping forward. "Mommy, I… I think I can help."
Lin Yue's heart pounded. "Ren An, are you sure?"
He nodded solemnly, his small hands beginning to glow with a soft blue light.
Ren An placed his hands over Li Wei's wound, and a soothing warmth filled the room. The blood stopped, and the wound began to close.
Lin Yue watched in awe, tears streaming down her face. "Ren An, you're incredible."
The boy swayed, his energy drained. Lin Yue caught him, pulling him into a tight hug.
"I did what I could, Mommy," he said softly. "But Daddy still isn't waking up."
---
Hours passed, and Li Wei remained unconscious. Lin Yue sat by his side, holding his hand, worry etched on her face.
Ren An climbed into her lap, wrapping his arms around her. "Don't cry, Mommy. Daddy will wake up."
Lin Yue kissed his forehead. "Thank you, Ren An. You're so brave."
Fei Feng landed on the table, where the jade rested. "Lin Yue, that jade—it's not ordinary. I think it triggered the storm."
Lin Yue's blood ran cold. Her gaze shifted to the jade, its green glow pulsing ominously.
Before she could respond, Li Wei's chest heaved sharply, and his body convulsed.
"Li Wei!" Lin Yue cried, panic surging through her.
The children watched in terror as Li Wei's body writhed, his breaths turning ragged. The jade flared brightly, casting an eerie light across the room.