Unexpected Intervention

A bright flash of light lit up the forest like a thunderbolt that split the dark night. All the guards who had been surrounding Xiao Shao and Mei Hua paused, their eyes staring at the source of the incoming light with great intensity. The power that came from the flash was not ordinary—it was an energy that felt greater than anything they had encountered before.

The deep voice that echoed earlier came from a figure that emerged from the shadows of the forest. His face was hidden behind a black robe, only his eyes were visible with a dark red color that was full of authority. In his hand, a large silver staff glinted under the moonlight. It was as if the power emanating from this figure surpassed everything around them.

"Who are you?" Mei Hua asked, her eyes filled with wariness. She could sense that this figure was no ordinary guard. Even from a distance, the aura that this figure exuded was extremely terrifying—like an unstoppable flow of energy.

The figure raised his hand, and with a very gentle movement, all the guards surrounding them retreated quickly. Not a single one of them dared to resist. "I am one of the rulers of this area," the voice replied calmly, though it was filled with pressure. "And I do not like it when people disturb the peace of this forest."

Xiao Shao and Mei Hua looked at each other. They felt strange about this figure's presence. There was a feeling of intimidation, but there was also a deep sense of curiosity. Was this figure a friend or an enemy?

"Are you part of the Dark Shadow?" Xiao Shao asked, remaining vigilant. Although this figure seemed powerful, he did not want to be careless. The Dark Shadow had a very wide influence, and even people who seemed uninvolved could have connections with them.

The ruler of the forest laughed softly, his voice filled with mystery. "The Dark Shadow? They are just a small part of the big picture. I have no business with them. But it seems like you two are on a very dangerous path." His red eyes stared at them sharply, as if he could read their minds. "You are heading to a place you should not be going to."

Xiao Shao felt his heart beat faster. "What is that place? What is there?"

The figure paused for a moment, as if considering whether or not to answer. "There is more to it than you think. That place is not just an ordinary place, and the shadows you chase will lead you into a darkness deeper than you can imagine."

Mei Hua could not wait to hear it. "My brother is there. I don't care what happens, I must save him."

The ruler stared at Mei Hua with a sharp gaze, as if judging her courage. "Your courage is great, but it is not enough to face the darkness there. If you continue to walk without proper preparation, you will only become part of a big game that has been played for a long time."

Mei Hua almost opened her mouth to respond, but Xiao Shao stopped her. "What do you mean by a big game?" Xiao Shao asked in a lower voice, but filled with determination.

The forest ruler raised his silver staff high, and instantly, a powerful aura surrounded his body, causing the air around them to tremble. "This world is full of layers that are invisible. What you see is only the surface of something deeper and more dangerous. The Black Shadow is only a small part of a larger puzzle. If you want to survive, you must dig deeper, and face a power greater than you can imagine."

Xiao Shao and Mei Hua felt that this was a clear warning. The ruler was not just a mysterious figure. He knew more about the Black Shadow and the place they were heading to than anyone they had ever met. However, along with his words, Xiao Shao could sense a change. Although there was a strong sense of danger, there was also a deep curiosity about what was happening in this world. What was hidden behind the curtain of darkness that was so great?

Mei Hua frowned, trying to process the figure's words. "What should we do? What do you want from us?" Mei Hua asked, slightly angry.

The figure stared at Mei Hua deeply, then lowered his staff. "I don't want anything from you," he replied calmly. "However, I can tell you one thing: If you continue on this path, you will encounter many more formidable obstacles. The power within you, Xiao Shao, has already been awakened, but that is only the beginning. If you want to achieve your goal, you must dig deeper. Sharpen your strength even further. This is not is just about survival. It's about how you face a bigger and darker world."

Xiao Shao felt something strange in those words. "The power within me?" He remembered the hard training he had gone through—his cultivation process that was still far from complete. However, this figure's words gave him a new clue. There was something bigger, something stronger, that he needed to find within himself.

The figure stepped back, his eyes still staring at them sharply. "I will not hinder your journey, but remember, this world is not what you imagine. If you truly want to find what you seek, then prepare yourselves as best you can. The darkness you face will not be easy to overcome. And remember—if you dare to enter, you must be prepared to survive in the darkness."

With those words, the mysterious figure disappeared, leaving behind only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. Xiao Shao and Mei Hua looked at each other, mixed feelings filling their hearts. They felt both more threatened and more interested in continuing their journey.

"Should we continue?" Mei Hua asked, her voice filled with hesitation.

Xiao Shao nodded slowly, his eyes still filled with determination. "We can't turn back now. We're already so close to our destination."

However, the ruler's words continued to ring in his mind. What exactly was meant by deeper darkness? What would they encounter on this journey? As they journeyed forward, Xiao Shao felt that every step they took was bringing them closer to something very big—something that could change everything.

Their journey had only just begun, and greater dangers awaited them.