The massive giant with dark flame wings towered over the broken hill, its glowing eyes blazing like wild fires that lit up the smoky sky, shaking the ground with a roar that split the air like thunder. The Lotus Soul Amulet dangled precariously on the chasm's jagged edge, its golden lines flickering weakly like a tiny candle struggling in the wind, just out of Lin Hao's desperate reach. His body screamed with pain from deep cuts and bruises, blood dripping down his arms, but his heart pounded with a fierce will to keep going, no matter how tough it got.
The Verdant Lotus Sect lay in ruins under the fading Starfall Festival dawn, the air thick with swirling dust and the sharp, bitter smell of burned magic that stung the nose. Disciples staggered through the wreckage, their green staffs dim and cracked like old wood, their chants barely a whisper as the chasm yawned wider, swallowing rocks with a hungry growl. Elder Qian Yu knelt nearby on shaky legs, her torn robe stained with dirt and blood, her face pale but fierce with a hope that refused to flicker out, even in the darkest moment.
"This is the Ethereal Gate's chance to win if we fall now," she gasped, her voice rough but strong like a leader's call. She raised her broken staff with a trembling hand, a faint green shield flickering to life, struggling to hold back the giant's dark power that pressed down like a heavy weight. "Lin Hao, grab that amulet—we're all counting on you to turn this around!"
Lin Hao crawled closer through the rubble, his hands bleeding from scraping against sharp rocks and broken stones. "I'll save it no matter what," he panted, stretching his trembling fingers toward the amulet with a desperate hope that fueled his every move. Lian Wei stumbled to his side, their silver robe shredded and covered in dust, their staff glowing a weak blue like a dying star struggling to shine. "The Gate's breaking the sky's barrier wide open," they said, voice shaky but urgent with a spark of courage. "The festival's power still lingers, like it did in the 8th Cycle—grab it and fight with everything you've got!"
The giant swung its flaming wings with a mighty whoosh, a dark blast roaring down like a hungry beast unleashed from the shadows. The hill shook hard, the chasm growing with a loud crack that split the ground even further, sending tremors through the earth. Rong Shen cackled wildly, his red cloak flapping like a torn flag, purple fire blazing in his hands like a furious storm that lit the sky with angry light.
Jiao Mei charged forward with a fierce yell that echoed off the ruins, her sword glowing with magic lines that danced like fiery snakes. The gaunt guy summoned a black-flamed eagle, its screech piercing the air with a chilling sound that made the ground tremble underfoot. Lin Hao's fingertips brushed the amulet, its warmth sparking back to life like a sudden flame, filling him with bold energy that lifted his tired spirit and gave him strength.
Qian Yu's green shield shattered with a loud pop that rang in their ears, but she stood tall with a determined grunt, refusing to give up. Wei Tao gathered the scattered disciples, their chants weak but steady like a faint heartbeat, their green light mixing with the dawn's fading glow to push back the dark just a little. Lian Wei's blue magic clashed with the eagle, ice shards flying like a sharp blizzard across the battlefield, cutting through the smoky air.
Lin Hao grabbed the amulet with a tight grip, clutching it close, and chanted the Starfall Codex with all the strength he had left in his weary body. A golden flower shield bloomed big and bright in front of him, its petals shimmering like stars twinkling in the dusty sky. The giant's dark blast hit it with a thunderous bang that shook him to his bones, but the shield held firm like a brave warrior standing against a storm.
Rong Shen's purple fire joined the attack with a furious roar, the hill trembling with every fiery burst that scorched the ground and sent sparks flying. Jiao Mei's sword sparked against the shield, her moves fast and fierce like a hungry wolf leaping at its prey, her eyes burning with rage. The eagle's flames roared loud and hot, the chasm widening more with every fiery breath, its dark mouth ready to gulp down the hill and everyone on it.
The altar's scattered pieces glowed faintly like dying embers, its magic clinging to the air like a soft echo that whispered of better days. Lin Hao pushed harder with a determined grunt, the golden flower standing strong, its light cutting through the darkness like a shining blade that gave hope to the fallen. Qian Yu's green magic boosted him with a warm surge, the colors blending into a dazzling wave that lit the hill like a festival lantern, sparking courage in the hearts of the weary sect.
Lian Wei's staff smashed the eagle with a loud crack that echoed like a whip, turning it to fading smoke that drifted away like a ghost in the wind. The gaunt guy fell back with a stumble, his face pale and terrified, his hands trembling like leaves caught in a storm. The giant roared louder than ever, its dark energy swelling into a massive storm that turned the sky black, blocking out the dawn's light and casting a shadow over the battlefield.
"You can't stop the Gate's rule over all," it boomed, the storm swirling wild and loud like an angry dragon let loose from its cage. The hill split further with a groan, rocks crashing into the chasm with a thunderous boom that echoed across the valley, shaking the very bones of the earth. Lin Hao's shield wobbled like a leaf in the wind, his energy slipping fast, his legs shaking under the heavy weight of the giant's power pressing down on him.
A blue wall shot up from Lian Wei with a bright flash, joining Qian Yu's magic in a dazzling burst that lit the ruins like a sudden hope. The storm slowed, its edges tearing apart like old rags under their combined power, giving the sect a precious moment to catch their breath amidst the chaos. Jiao Mei stabbed again with a fierce yell that cut through the noise, her sword nicking the shield's edge, cutting Lin Hao's side with a sharp, burning sting that made him clench his teeth against the pain.
Blood trickled down his side, pain shooting through him like a hot whip cracking across his skin, but he held on with every last bit of will he could muster. He poured the amulet's power into the codex with a loud cry, a golden wave blasting out with a whoosh that shook the ground, pushing Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy back with a heavy thud that rocked the hill. The storm weakened for a breath, the giant staggering with a deep growl that rumbled like distant thunder, its strength fading just enough to give them a chance.
"Stand tall and fight with all you've got," Qian Yu shouted, her voice ringing out like a leader's horn cutting through the swirling dust and smoke. The disciples' shields flickered like tired flames struggling to stay alive, their chants rising with hope and determination despite the danger closing in like a dark cloud. The chasm's edge crumbled more with a groan, its dark depth pulling at the hill's remains, the festival's power wild and chaotic, tossing magic like a stormy sea that threatened to drown them all.
Lian Wei's blue light hit the giant with a bright flash, ice cracking its dark wings with a loud snap that echoed off the broken hills like a battle cry. The black-cloaked figure chanted in a creepy, low tone that sent shivers down their spines, a new dark wave rolling toward the hill like a shadowy flood ready to sweep them away. Lin Hao's energy drained away fast, the amulet cooling like a cold stone, his vision blurring with heavy exhaustion that dragged him down into a foggy haze.
He gripped the amulet tight with both hands, its warmth flickering like a tiny candle fighting against a howling wind. The golden flower dimmed in his mind, the festival's power slipping away like sand through his fingers, leaving him weak and dizzy with every breath. Qian Yu's green array faltered with a soft whimper, the disciples struggling hard, their magic fading under the dark wave's crushing push that threatened to break their spirits and end their fight.
"Find your deep strength inside you," Lian Wei urged, their staff glowing bright like a guiding star piercing the gloom with hope. Qian Yu rallied the team with a loud, heartfelt cheer, their green light flaring up again like a sudden campfire bursting to life, lifting their tired hearts with a surge of new fire. Lin Hao sang the codex with all his heart and soul, a final golden burst lighting the hill like a blazing sunrise, pushing back the darkness with a mighty roar that shook the air and rallied the fallen.
The dark wave paused with a shudder, the black figure stumbling back with a hiss of fury that curled the dust into angry swirls. Rong Shen roared like a wild beast set free from its chains, the violet tear widening with a greedy, hungry pull, sucking at the hill's magic like a thirsty monster. The giant raised its arms high with a menacing growl, dark energy swirling into a huge blast that lit the sky with a fiery glow, promising to wipe them out in one final strike.
Lin Hao's shield broke apart with a loud bang that rang in his ears like a bell, his energy nearly gone, his body collapsing to the dusty ground in total exhaustion that left him breathless. The blast hit with a deafening boom that shook the world, the hill exploding with light and sound, rocks flying like angry birds in every direction, pelting the fighters with sharp edges that cut through the air. He rolled to the side with a groan, the amulet slipping from his sweaty hand once more, teetering dangerously on the chasm's edge, its glow fading like a dying hope that hung by a thread.
Qian Yu and Lian Wei pushed back with all their might, their magic clashing with the blast in a wild burst of color and power that lit the ruins like a desperate flare. The disciples' chants grew faint and shaky, their shields shattering like fragile glass under the giant's overwhelming might, leaving them exposed to the dark energy. The hill's edge crumbled more with a deep groan, the chasm's dark depth pulling at the ground with a hungry roar, swallowing debris and magic alike into its endless maw.
The violet tear pulsed with a deep, steady beat that vibrated through the earth, the giant figure growing even larger and more terrifying, its wings spreading wide like a shadow of doom. Rong Shen cackled with a wild, triumphant laugh, his fire flaring bright and hot like a furnace, Jiao Mei and the gaunt guy rushing forward with fierce determination burning in their eyes. Lin Hao crawled through the wreckage, his hands bleeding and raw from the rough stones, reaching for the amulet with a desperate lunge, its faint glow calling to him like a lifeline in the dark.
His fingertips grazed it with a shaky touch, the warmth rushing back with a bright spark that lit his hand like a torch cutting through the gloom. The hill shook harder with a violent shudder, the chasm widening with a groan that sounded like the earth crying out in pain, the festival's energy wild and chaotic, tossing magic like a stormy whirlwind that battered the fighters. A new violet shape burst from the tear with a blinding flash, its eyes glowing brighter than the sun, a deep voice booming, "The Celestial Gate rises to claim all realms and beyond!"
The shape grew into a colossal giant with wings of dark flame that danced like living shadows, its presence filling the sky with a suffocating weight. Lin Hao clutched the amulet with a tight grip, his energy sparking back to life with a jolt that made his heart race like a drum, the Starfall Festival's fate hanging by a thin, fragile thread that could snap with the next breath. The colossal giant roared with a power that shook the dawn sky, splitting the ground with jagged cracks, its wings spreading wide to crush the hill and everyone on it, leaving no hope of escape as the tear pulsed with an endless hunger.