The Arrival of WuBie
Following Xiao Yan's guidance, the group journeyed toward the place where he had awakened a thousand years ago. Every step closer weighed heavily on him. The land itself felt unchanged—silent, desolate, and steeped in an ancient stillness that clawed at his heart. The memories of that moment resurfaced vividly: the cold ground beneath his hands, the emptiness that surrounded him, the fear of not knowing who he was, and the sharp, lingering sense of betrayal that had never truly faded.
Lu Qi slowed his pace as they reached the familiar terrain. His eyes softened as he studied the ground, as though seeing echoes of the past layered upon the present.
"There you were," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Like a baby then."
His words were gentle, but they struck Xiao Yan deeply. He clenched his fists, breathing steadily, reminding himself that he had survived once—and would do so again.
As they advanced further, movement caught their attention.
Ahead of them stood a lone figure, bent toward the earth. His movements were deliberate and unhurried, as though the world around him did not exist. He appeared to be searching for a plant, carefully brushing aside soil and stone with calm precision. Around his feet, water swirled faintly, moving as if alive, responding to his presence.
Di'or stepped forward immediately, her body tense, her aura sharp.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the stillness.
The figure did not answer at once. He remained where he was, unmoved by the challenge. Slowly, he straightened, standing upright at last. The water around his feet gathered more visibly now, flowing in smooth, controlled patterns.
"You must be the god of fire," he finally said. His voice was calm, measured, and unwavering. "I am the god of water… WuBie."
The name struck the group like a sudden blow.
WuBie.
Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed as his thoughts raced. The weight of the name carried meaning far beyond a simple introduction. Power radiated from the man effortlessly, not in an explosive display, but in a quiet, oppressive manner that pressed down on them all.
Before anyone else could speak, Di'or's anger surged uncontrollably.
"You're Ansha!" she shouted, her voice shaking with fury.
The moment the name left her lips, WuBie's composure shattered.
His eyes flared violently as water erupted around him, surging upward and twisting into a massive, dragon-like form. The air grew heavy, damp, and charged with power.
"How dare you speak his name with such familiarity!" WuBie roared, his voice booming as the water dragon coiled fiercely around him.
Nem stiffened, his eyes widening in shock. His mind churned violently as realization and disbelief collided.
"How can this be?" he muttered under his breath. "You're one of the Ansha's associates… I thought I killed them all…"
Fear flickered briefly in his gaze.
WuBie raised his arms, and the water dragon responded instantly, surging forward with terrifying speed and overwhelming force.
"Today," WuBie declared coldly, "none of you shall leave alive!"
Xiao Yan reacted without hesitation. Flames burst from his palms, blazing fiercely as he stepped forward, meeting the attack head-on. The heat roared against the rushing water, steam erupting violently between them.
Behind him, Nem, Di'or, and Lu Qi moved together, instinctively gathering their respective powers. Wind, energy, and elemental forces converged, forming a united shield that pulsed with combined strength.
"Divided we fall, united we stand!" Xiao Yan shouted, his voice filled with resolve. "Begone!"
With a tremendous surge, the combined force slammed forward. The water dragon shattered, dissolving into mist under the overwhelming assault. The ground trembled, and the air rippled violently as the clash subsided.
WuBie remained suspended above them.
His eyes burned with fury, his aura surging even stronger than before.
"You're powerful," he bellowed, rage vibrating through every word. "But none of you shall survive this!"
He rose higher into the air, water gathering rapidly around him once more. In an instant, it solidified—forming jagged, glistening ice spikes that hovered menacingly, aimed directly at them.
The battle had only just begun.