Xuan Yang ran desperately, his lungs feeling as if they might burst, and his legs heavy like they were filled with lead. Sweat soaked his clothes, clinging to him and causing an uncomfortable stickiness. But he dared not stop; he knew the shadow was right behind him, relentless like a parasite, its cold presence pressing against his back, sending chills down his spine.
He couldn't look back; he feared that if he did, he would lose the courage to keep running. All he could do was push forward, casting aside all fear and anxiety.
The time Qu Si Yang had bought for him must be used wisely; he could not waste her sacrifice. Her frail figure repeatedly blocking attacks for him was etched into his mind like a brand. He could almost hear her clear voice and feel her warm presence.
He had to grow stronger!
Only by becoming stronger could he protect himself, protect Qu Si Yang, and protect the village! This thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, cutting through the chaos in his mind and reigniting a flicker of hope.
As he ran, he silently recited the incantation for the Puppet Master technique, trying to summon the power within him. The obscure chant now resonated within him like a powerful battle song.
He felt a surge of energy stirring inside him, though it was faint, as if it could vanish at any moment. This power flickered like a candle flame in the wind, ready to extinguish at any time.
Damn it, not now!
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to concentrate and continue reciting the incantation. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, but he dared not let his focus waver. He had to seize this last glimmer of hope; otherwise, there would be no escape from doom.
Suddenly, he felt the ground give way beneath him, and he plummeted downward.
What the hell!
He cursed inwardly as his body fell uncontrollably. The sensation of weightlessness made him dizzy; he barely had time to scream before plunging into endless darkness.
He had no idea how long he fell; all he could hear was the rush of wind around him while everything remained pitch black. He felt like a leaf caught in a storm, drifting aimlessly without knowing where it would land.
Finally, he crashed heavily onto the ground, feeling as if all his bones were about to shatter. The intense pain forced a muffled groan from his lips; it felt as though his insides had been displaced.
He struggled to get up, realizing he was in a dark, damp cave. The air inside was humid and stifling, carrying a putrid odor that made him feel nauseous.
The cave was eerily quiet, with only the sound of water dripping onto the ground. "Drip, drip," the monotonous noise echoed in the stillness, striking his heart with each drop.
Looking around, he found himself utterly alone. The walls were slick with moss, emitting a strange glow that added to the unsettling atmosphere.
What the hell is this place?
His mind was filled with confusion and unease; he knew he had to leave quickly. A sense of foreboding washed over him, warning him that this cave concealed unknown dangers.
He groped his way forward, hoping to find an exit. His hands searched the cold stone walls for any hint of light, any glimmer of hope.
Suddenly, he felt his foot slip, and he fell back to the ground.
Looking down, he saw a puddle of viscous liquid that reeked horrifically. The dark green substance emitted a nauseating stench that nearly made him gag.
What the hell is this stuff?
Feeling sickened, he scrambled to his feet, desperate to escape this dreadful place. He fought against his nausea, pushing himself up from the ground with great effort.
At that moment, he heard a rustling sound behind him. It was faint but sent chills down his spine.
He spun around abruptly and saw a shadow slowly approaching him. The figure flickered in and out of visibility in the darkness like a ghost, sending shivers through him.
As it drew closer, he finally discerned its shape.
It was a massive spider, pitch black with eight eyes glowing an eerie green that made his skin crawl. Its size dwarfed any spider he had ever seen—easily as large as a cow. The bristles on its body stood erect like steel needles, radiating a chilling light.
"Damn it, what the hell is this thing?"
A wave of fear washed over him as he realized he had to escape quickly. He turned and ran, but the spider was much faster and soon caught up to him.
The spider opened its massive jaws, lunging at him. Its mouth was filled with sharp teeth, glinting like saw blades in the dim light.
He dodged frantically but was still hit by the spider's venom. The liquid was dark green and emitted a pungent stench.
A sharp pain shot through him, leaving him weak and disoriented. The world around him began to blur, and he felt his body growing numb, his consciousness slipping away.
Despair settled in as he closed his eyes, knowing it was over for him.
Just then, he heard a familiar voice.
"Xuan Yang!"
He opened his eyes to see Qu Si Yang standing before him, radiating a brilliant light. She looked like an angel descending to Earth, dispelling all darkness and fear.
"Si Yang, how did you get here?" he asked weakly, his voice hoarse and strained, as if it were being forced from deep within his throat.
"I came to save you!" Qu Si Yang declared. With that, a dazzling beam of light shot from her hand, striking the spider. The light pierced through its body like a sword.
The spider let out a horrific scream and collapsed to the ground, motionless. Its body quickly began to decay, turning into a puddle of black liquid.
Qu Si Yang approached him and helped him up, concern etched on her face. "How are you?" Her voice was gentle yet powerful, bringing waves of warmth to him.
"I'm fine," he replied, shaking his head as he felt a bit of strength returning. He struggled to stand but still wobbled unsteadily.
"Let's hurry, it's too dangerous here," Qu Si Yang said, supporting him as they made their way out of the cave.
They finally escaped the cave and returned to the surface. The sunlight outside was a bit blinding, making him feel slightly disoriented.
"Si Yang, thank you for saving me," he said gratefully.
"No need to thank me, we're friends," Qu Si Yang replied with a gentle smile in her eyes.
He looked at Qu Si Yang, feeling a surge of emotion. He knew he had to become stronger to protect her and the village.
Taking a deep breath, determination filled his gaze.
He would definitely become a true Puppet Master!
Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed from afar.
They looked up and saw flames rising high in the direction of the village.
What had happened?
Anxiety filled their hearts as they hurriedly ran towards the village…
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