The Yunnan Encounter

The mountains of Yunnan resembled an ink-wash painting, layered and hazy, appearing and disappearing in the mist.

Yeh Yao stood outside Kunming Airport, taking a deep breath of the fresh air, feeling the starkly different climate and atmosphere compared to Hawaii. Here, the air was dry and cool, carrying a unique fragrance of grass and trees.

"Wow, it's so beautiful here!" Naser exclaimed, looking around excitedly. "Much more modern than I imagined."

Alicia shook her head with a smile. "This is just the provincial capital. Our destination is deeper in the mountains—that's the real 'Yunnan.'"

Marcus was already arranging transportation, speaking fluent Chinese with a taxi driver. Yeh Yao noticed that no matter where they went, Marcus seemed effortlessly adept at handling local languages and cultures, deepening his curiosity about the mysterious mentor's background.

"Where are we headed?" Yeh Yao asked quietly as he approached Marcus.

"Shangri-La," Marcus replied. "A county town in northwestern Yunnan, near the Tibetan border. According to our intel, the wielder of the Bow of Light was last seen near a small village there."

"Shangri-La?" Naser raised an eyebrow. "Like the legendary paradise?"

Marcus nodded. "Yes, though the real Shangri-La may not be as mystical as the legends say, it's still a beautiful and special place."

They took a taxi to Kunming's long-distance bus station, preparing to board a bus to Shangri-La. The journey would take nearly ten hours, traversing towering mountains and crossing multiple climate zones.

"Why not just fly?" Naser asked, eyeing the crowded bus station uneasily.

"Shangri-La has an airport, but flights are limited," Marcus explained. "Besides, traveling by land lets us better understand the local terrain and culture, which might help our mission."

Once the bus departed, the four sat in the back and began discussing what they knew about the Bow of Light's wielder.

"Do we know her name?" Yeh Yao asked.

Marcus shook his head. "Only scattered clues. She's said to be a young archaeologist studying ancient ruins in the area. There were reports of her displaying extraordinary abilities during a landslide, rescuing trapped villagers."

"An archaeologist..." Alicia mused. "That's interesting. If she's researching ancient relics, she might have already come across historical records about the Weapons of Light."

"That's possible," Marcus agreed. "It might be why the Bow of Light chose her. Each weapon has its own selection criteria—the bow seems to favor those with sharp insight and an exploratory spirit."

Naser looked curiously at his hands, as if he could see the hidden power of the Hammer of Light within them. "Then what about the hammer? Why did it choose me?"

Marcus smiled. "The hammer seeks those with fearless, challenge-facing souls. Your act of charging into a storm to save people perfectly embodies that."

Yeh Yao thought of his own encounter with the Sword of Light—during that critical moment when he tried to protect Alicia. Each wielder seemed to be chosen at a pivotal moment, and it was no coincidence.

The bus wound along the mountain roads, the scenery outside shifting from cities to villages, plains to highlands. As the altitude rose, the temperature dropped, and the vegetation changed.

By evening, they arrived at a place called "Tiger Leaping Gorge" for a rest stop. One of the deepest gorges in the world, the Jinsha River roared through it like thunder.

"We'll stay here tonight," Marcus said. "We'll continue to Shangri-La early tomorrow."

They checked into a simple inn with a stunning view of the gorge and the river. Dinner was authentic Yunnan cuisine—fragrant steamed chicken, spicy rice noodles, and various wild mushrooms. Naser showed great enthusiasm for the novel dishes, eagerly sampling everything and attempting broken Chinese to ask the innkeeper about the cooking methods.

After the meal, the four sat on the inn's terrace, gazing at the starry sky and the gorge, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

"Have you ever wondered," Naser suddenly spoke, his tone more contemplative than usual, "why now? Why are these Hellgates suddenly appearing worldwide? If the Weapons of Light have existed for millennia, there must have been similar crises before, right?"

Marcus nodded. "Indeed. According to the Watchers' records, Hellgates have appeared multiple times in history, but never at this scale or frequency. The last major outbreak was about five hundred years ago, when five wielders united to fight the threat."

"Did they succeed?" Alicia asked.

Marcus's expression turned complex. "Yes, but at a great cost. Three of the five wielders perished."

The answer cast a silence over the group. Yeh Yao felt a chill—not just from the cold mountain night.

"So... what about this time?" he finally asked. "What are our chances?"

Marcus met his gaze squarely. "Honestly, I don't know. This situation is worse than anything in recorded history. But I believe that if the five wielders unite as one, there's hope."

"Alright," Naser broke the heavy mood, raising his teacup. "To unity, and to hope!"

The others raised their cups as well, silently making wishes under the stars.

The next morning, they continued their journey. As the altitude climbed further, the scenery grew even more breathtaking—snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, and lakes intertwined into a mesmerizing landscape.

"It really does look like the legendary Shangri-La," Alicia marveled, gazing at the rolling snow peaks outside the window. "No wonder James Hilton was inspired by it."

By afternoon, the bus finally arrived in Shangri-La. It was a small town blending Tibetan, Naxi, and Han cultures, with unique architecture and prayer wheels and prayer flags visible everywhere.

Marcus led them to an inn in the old town, then began gathering information about the archaeologist. He spoke fluent Tibetan with the locals, asking about recent archaeological digs and unusual events.

"Got a lead," Marcus said excitedly when he returned to the inn hours later. "Someone saw a young female archaeologist heading to a place called 'Moonlight Valley' nearby. There's supposedly an ancient ruin there that might be connected to the Weapons of Light."

"When do we leave?" Yeh Yao asked, already ready to move.

"First thing tomorrow," Marcus replied. "I've arranged for a guide and transport. Moonlight Valley is deep in the mountains—it'll take several hours of hiking to reach."

That night, Yeh Yao tossed and turned. Standing on the inn's balcony, he gazed at the starry sky and distant snow peaks, his thoughts in turmoil. Since the Blood Moon night, his life had turned upside down. From an ordinary university student to a wielder of a Weapon of Light tasked with saving the world—the change had come so fast that it still felt unreal at times.

"Can't sleep?" Alicia's voice came from behind. She walked over, wrapped in a thick coat.

Yeh Yao smiled faintly. "A little nervous. Tomorrow, we might meet the third wielder."

"We've found two, three more to go," Alicia said. "Good progress."

Yeh Yao looked at her, warmth rising in his chest. No matter how tough things got, Alicia always saw the bright side—one of the things he admired most about her.

"Thank you for always being by my side," he said softly. "I don't know if I could've made it this far without you."

Alicia smiled and squeezed his hand. "We grew up together. No matter what happens, I'll be here. That's my choice—and my promise."

The two stood quietly on the balcony, savoring the brief moment of calm, knowing tomorrow would bring new challenges.

At dawn, the four gathered at the inn's entrance to meet their guide—a young Tibetan man named Danzeng. He arrived on a rugged off-road motorcycle, ready to lead them to Moonlight Valley's entrance.

"Moonlight Valley is special," Danzeng explained in heavily accented Chinese. "Legends say it's where deities dwell. Few outsiders go there—the mountain paths are too dangerous."

They boarded an off-road vehicle and traveled along rugged mountain roads. As the altitude rose, the air grew thinner, making breathing difficult.

"Breathe slowly," Marcus advised. "Altitude sickness is normal—avoid strenuous activity."

Two hours later, the vehicle could go no further, and they had to proceed on foot. Danzeng led them along an almost invisible trail through dense forests and steep slopes.

"They say Moonlight Valley only reveals its true form on full-moon nights," Danzeng said as they walked. "Normally, it's just an ordinary valley. But under the full moon, the ancient ruins glow faintly, guiding truth-seekers."

"Sounds mystical," Naser remarked. "But I like it."

After three grueling hours, they finally reached Moonlight Valley's entrance. A narrow valley embraced by towering mountains, it had a clear stream meandering through lush vegetation and blooming wildflowers—serene and beautiful.

"Where are the ruins?" Yeh Yao scanned the area but saw no signs of man-made structures.

Danzeng pointed deeper into the valley. "There, but invisible now. Only on full-moon nights, when moonlight hits certain rocks, does the entrance appear."

"What about the archaeologist?" Alicia asked. "How did she get in?"

Danzeng shrugged. "I'm only taking you this far. From here, you'll have to find your own way." With that, he turned to leave. "I'll wait at the entrance, but return before sunset—the mountains are dangerous at night."

After Danzeng left, the four began searching the valley for clues. They split up, looking for any traces of the archaeologist or the ruins.

Yeh Yao followed the stream, carefully observing his surroundings. Suddenly, he noticed strange markings on a rock in the water—an arrow-shaped symbol pointing upstream.

"Over here!" he called, drawing the others' attention. "I found something!"

They gathered quickly to examine the discovery.

"This isn't natural," Marcus confirmed. "Someone left this deliberately."

Following the arrow's direction, they soon found more markings guiding them through thick bushes to the valley's depths. Finally, they stopped before a steep cliff face.

Covered in moss and vines, the cliff seemed no different from its surroundings. But upon closer inspection, Yeh Yao noticed something hidden beneath the foliage.

"There might be an entrance here," he said, clearing the vines.

The others joined in, and soon, a man-made opening appeared—small, only allowing one person to crouch through, and pitch-dark inside.

"Seems we're in the right place," Naser said, pulling a flashlight from his backpack. "Who's going in first?"

"I will," Yeh Yao volunteered. "If there's danger, I can summon the sword immediately."

He crouched into the tunnel, the others following. The narrow passage was damp and cold, its walls slick with moisture. It sloped downward, twisting and turning as if leading deep into the mountain.

After about ten minutes, the tunnel suddenly widened, revealing a massive underground cavern. At its center was a small lake, its crystal-clear water reflecting faint light from somewhere above. Surrounding the lake were stone pillars, each carved with ancient runes strikingly similar to those on the Weapons of Light.

"This is... a temple," Marcus whispered, his voice trembling slightly with awe. "An ancient temple dedicated to the Weapons of Light."

Just then, a voice came from across the lake: "You've finally arrived."

The four turned sharply to see a young woman standing on the opposite shore. Dressed in practical field attire, her hair in a ponytail, her face was resolute and striking. But what drew the eye most was the weapon in her hands—a longbow glowing softly green, its surface covered in the same runes as the pillars.

"Wielder of the Bow of Light," Marcus murmured, then raised his voice. "Hello, we're—"

"I know who you are," the woman interrupted, a note of wariness in her voice. "Wielders of the Sword and Hammer of Light, and a member of the Watchers. I've been waiting for you."

"How did you know we'd come?" Yeh Yao asked, surprised.

She pointed at the lake. "This lake has special properties—it shows fragments of the past and future. I've studied here for three months, learning much about the Weapons of Light and the coming crisis."

She stepped closer, the light from the water illuminating her face. She looked younger than Yeh Yao expected, maybe mid-twenties, but her eyes held wisdom and resolve beyond her years.

"My name is Eunice," she introduced herself. "From a minority village in Yunnan, now a Ph.D. candidate in archaeology at Peking University."

Yeh Yao, Alicia, and Naser introduced themselves in turn. Marcus briefly explained their mission—to gather the five wielders and unite against the Shadow Realm's threat.

Eunice listened intently, then nodded. "The lake showed me most of this. Hellgates are opening worldwide, and Shadow Creatures are invading."

"Then... will you join us?" Yeh Yao asked, hoping for a yes.

Eunice didn't answer immediately. Instead, she walked to the lake's edge and dipped her hand in. Ripples spread, forming images—Hellgates, Shadow Creatures, battles, and finally, five wielders standing together with their weapons.

"The lake shows that only with all five wielders united can this disaster be stopped," she said, determination in her voice. "Of course I'll join. But before we leave, there's something I must complete."

"What is it?" Naser asked curiously.

Eunice pointed to a passage deep in the cavern. "This temple hides something crucial—the 'Book of Prophecy.' It's said to contain all knowledge about the Weapons of Light and the Shadow Realm, including how to permanently close the Hellgates. I've been searching for it, but the temple has traps and guardians—I couldn't proceed alone."

"Guardians?" Alicia asked warily. "What kind?"

"Ancient sentinels," Eunice explained. "Enchanted statues that attack anyone approaching the book. But with three Weapons of Light, I believe we can break through."

Marcus thought for a moment, then nodded. "The book is vital to our mission. If it truly holds the key to sealing the Hellgates, it's worth the attempt."

Decision made, the five prepared to venture deeper. Eunice led them along stone paths by the lake to a passage leading inward. Flanking the entrance were two massive statues—lion-like but winged, standing motionless as sentries.

"These are the guardians," Eunice whispered. "Once we enter, they'll activate and attack."

"Any strategy?" Yeh Yao asked, ready to summon his sword.

Eunice nodded. "I'll use the bow to draw their attention. Yeh Yao and Naser can attack at close range. Marcus and Alicia, focus on retrieving the book."

With the plan set, the three wielders summoned their weapons. Yeh Yao's Sword of Light gleamed silver-white, Naser's Hammer of Light pulsed with golden energy, and Eunice's Bow of Light shimmered green. The three glows intertwined, illuminating the cavern.

"Ready?" Eunice asked, drawing back the bowstring—a pure energy arrow forming.

Yeh Yao and Naser nodded, gripping their weapons tightly.

"Then move!" Eunice released the arrow.

It struck the left statue's head with blinding speed. The statue roared to life, eyes glowing red. The right statue also awakened, and both guardians lunged at the intruders.

Yeh Yao and Naser engaged one each while Eunice provided ranged support. Marcus and Alicia slipped past, rushing down the passage.

The battle was fierce. Though made of stone, the guardians were agile and powerful. Yeh Yao's sword could cut stone, but their hides had some magical resistance. Naser's hammer was more effective, each blow chipping away at them.

Eunice's arrows struck weak points—eyes and joints—with precision. The three fought in perfect sync, gradually gaining the upper hand.

Meanwhile, Marcus and Alicia hurried through the passage, walls adorned with murals depicting the Weapons of Light's origins.

"Look!" Alicia suddenly pointed at one mural. "Is that a Hellgate?"

Marcus stopped to examine it. The mural showed a massive vortex surrounded by five figures wielding glowing weapons.

"Yes, this records the last Hellgate crisis," he confirmed. "Five hundred years ago."

They pressed on, finally reaching a circular stone chamber. At its center stood a pedestal holding an ancient book, emitting a faint glow.

"That's the Book of Prophecy," Marcus whispered, cautiously approaching.

Just as he was about to touch it, the chamber trembled violently. The ground split open, and a massive stone construct rose—a larger, more powerful guardian, shaped like a dragon.

"Get back!" Marcus shoved Alicia behind him, drawing his specialized weapon.

The stone dragon roared and attacked. Marcus's weapon seemed ineffective. In desperation, Alicia noticed a groove on the dragon's chest—its shape eerily similar to the Weapons of Light's runes.

"Marcus, that groove!" she pointed. "I think it's a keyhole!"

Marcus understood immediately. "We need a Weapon of Light!"

He shouted, hoping the others would hear. Fortunately, Yeh Yao, Naser, and Eunice had just defeated their guardians and rushed to help.

"That groove needs the weapons' energy!" Marcus directed.

The three wielders acted instantly. Eunice fired an energy arrow into the groove; Yeh Yao and Naser channeled their weapons' power. The three energies merged, forming a complex pattern that perfectly filled the groove.

The stone dragon halted, slowly retreating underground. The Book of Prophecy on the pedestal began to glow, as if inviting them closer.

Eunice carefully picked it up and opened the first page. The text inside seemed to shift languages based on the reader—now displaying modern Chinese.

"It's really the Book of Prophecy," she marveled. "It contains all knowledge about the Weapons of Light, the Shadow Realm, and the Hellgates."

She skimmed a few pages, then looked up gravely. "According to this, the Hellgate crisis isn't natural—someone from the future is deliberately causing it, trying to alter history."

"From the future?" Yeh Yao repeated, stunned. "How?"

"Time isn't as linear as we think," Eunice explained, reading on. "Under certain conditions, it can bend, allowing matter or energy to cross between points. This being is injecting Shadow energy into our present to open the Hellgates."

"But why?" Naser asked, baffled. "Why would anyone do this?"

Eunice turned a page. "The book says this being aims to create a new species—a hybrid of humans and Shadow Creatures—to save humanity from extinction in the future."

"Saving humanity by unleashing monsters? That makes no sense," Alicia commented.

"In his logic, it does," Eunice continued. "Future humans face some catastrophe—environmental collapse or disease—driving them to extinction. He believes only by merging with Shadow genes can humanity survive in some form."

"A twisted savior complex," Marcus remarked. "He thinks he's saving humanity, even if it means sacrificing billions now."

"Does the book say how to stop him?" Yeh Yao asked—the most crucial question.

Eunice flipped to the back. "The prophecy states that only when all five Weapons of Light are united, and their wielders share a true bond, can they generate enough power to close all Hellgates and stop this being."

"We've found three," Naser said. "Still need the Staff of Light and the Gauntlet of Light."

"Does the book mention their locations?" Marcus asked.

Eunice kept reading, then nodded. "There are clues. The Staff's wielder may be in England, the Gauntlet's in Russia."

"Then our next stop is England," Marcus decided. "To find the Staff's wielder."

Eunice closed the book, carefully storing it in her backpack. "I'll bring this—it's vital to our mission."

The five left the temple. By the time they surfaced, dusk was falling. Danzeng waited faithfully at the entrance, relieved to see them return safely.

"Find what you were looking for?" he asked curiously.

Marcus nodded. "Yes, thank you for your help."

On the way back to Shangri-La, Eunice shared how she'd found the Bow of Light. Three months ago, during an archaeological dig, she'd discovered an ancient chamber with murals about the weapons. As she studied them, a landslide struck, trapping her. At the brink of death, the bow had emerged from the mural, choosing her as its wielder and giving her the strength to rescue herself and others.

"Since then, I've researched the weapons' history," she said. "I came to Moonlight Valley seeking more knowledge—never expecting to meet you here."

"Fate's design," Naser said cheerfully. "We're meant to face this together."

Back in Shangri-La, they prepared for England immediately. Eunice needed time to organize her research and belongings but promised to be ready in two days.

That night, Yeh Yao stood again on the inn's balcony, gazing at the stars. He felt the team growing stronger with each new member, each bringing unique skills and perspectives. Eunice's arrival, especially the discovery of the Book of Prophecy, had given them clearer direction and deeper understanding.

"Thinking again?" Alicia's voice came from behind—their nightly ritual under the stars.

"About our journey," Yeh Yao replied. "From Malaysia to Hawaii, then Yunnan, next England and Russia. In just weeks, we've crossed half the globe."

Alicia stood beside him, also looking at the stars. "That's what adventure is, isn't it? Going to unknown places, meeting different people, facing challenges together."

Yeh Yao smiled. "Yes. Dangerous as it is, I have to admit—it's unforgettable."

"And we're still together," Alicia said softly. "No matter where we go or what we face, we're by each other's side. That's what matters most."

Yeh Yao turned to her. Moonlight made Alicia especially beautiful. He suddenly realized that no matter how this journey ended, having her alongside him was the greatest fortune of all.

"Yes," he whispered. "That's what matters most."

The two stood quietly on the balcony, savoring this fleeting moment of peace, knowing tomorrow would bring new travels and new challenges. But here, now, under the stars of distant Shangri-La, everything felt perfect.