Xiao Chong smiled faintly as he sheathed his sword.
"It's also thanks to your agile maneuvering, otherwise this strike would have been hard to land."
After the worm disappeared, the two reunited in front of the massive mirror once more.
Zi Yan smiled, her eyes sparkling with disbelief.
"Just now, in the illusion, I encountered the 'Spirit of the Sandstorm.' It told me that the 'Essence of Sand' is hidden within the Heart of the Phoenix Tree, but we must pass the final trial."
"The Heart of the Phoenix Tree..." Xiao Chong pondered for a moment, "It seems this is far from over."
Sunlight filtered through the layers of green leaves, casting dappled shadows that added a dreamlike quality to this mysterious Heart of the Phoenix Tree.
The air was filled with the faint scent of flowers and the earthy aroma of soil, making one involuntarily take a deep breath to savor this rare purity and tranquility.
However, this tranquility did not last long.
"Zi Yan, be careful!" Xiao Chong sharp senses detected movement. Before his words faded, several thick roots, like agile pythons, burst from the ground, lunging straight at them. Zi Yan leaped gracefully, avoiding the attack, her emerald eyes flashing with surprise.
"The trees here are also sentient?" she murmured softly, a delicate dagger appearing in her hand, glowing faintly as if resonating with the life force around her.
Xiao Chong, meanwhile, drew the long sword from his back, its blade shimmering with a pale blue light. He clashed with the massive roots, each strike accompanied by a thunderous roar, showcasing his strength and determination.
"We can't force our way through; we must find a way to pass," he reminded Zi Yan between breaths.
At that moment, a gentle yet ancient voice echoed in their minds.
"Travelers from afar, this is the Heart of the Phoenix Tree, the resting place of the souls of ancient trees that have stood for millennia. To obtain the 'Essence of Sand,' you must prove your respect and commitment to protecting life."
Zi Yan and Xiao Chong exchanged a glance, their confusion and wariness easing slightly. They understood that this was the trial of the Heart of the Phoenix Tree.
Zi Yan asked softly "Noble Spirit of the Phoenix Tree, how should we prove ourselves?"
"Guide these lost souls back to their rightful places, calm the turmoil within their hearts. Use your hearts as the guide and your strength as the proof," the voice gradually faded, and the atmosphere around them seemed to soften.
Xiao Chong pondered for a moment, then looked at the restless trees and formulated a plan. He said to Zi Yan.
"We'll split up. I'll handle the roots tainted by dark energy, and you use your abilities to soothe the souls of these trees."
Zi Yan nodded, her figure transforming into a green shadow as she darted through the forest. Wherever she went, she gently touched the tree trunks, whispering words of comfort.
Strangely, the once violent trees gradually calmed under her touch, as if they had found solace.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chong battled the roots with astonishing speed and strength. His swordplay was precise yet gentle, each strike aimed to disperse rather than destroy. Sweat dripped from his forehead, but the determination in his eyes never wavered.
After a strenuous effort, the Heart of the Phoenix Tree finally regained its former tranquility.
The massive trees slowly lowered their branches, as if expressing their gratitude to the two.
At this moment, a radiant pearl slowly descended from the phoenix tree at the center, landing in Xiao Chong's open palm, emitting a warm and gentle glow—this was the "Essense of Sand."
Xiao Chong lowered his head, gazing intently at the "Essense of Sand" in his palm. The warm light seemed to resonate with the rhythm of his heartbeat. Beside him, Zi Yan was also in awe, softly exclaiming, "This... is this the power of the Phoenix Heart? It's truly astonishing."
"Yes, I never expected the 'Essense of sand' to contain such immense vitality."
Xiao Chong slowly stood up, the pearl in his hand reflecting his handsome face.
"We must quickly find the next condition—the 'Breath of Water.' According to the Sandworm, it's hidden deep within the dark and mysterious Emerald Spring Valley."
Zi Yan furrowed her brows, concern evident in her voice. "Emerald Spring Valley? That place is said to be extremely perilous, even experienced explorers dare not venture there lightly. Are you sure we should go?"
"For the hope of restoring our clan, I must face any danger, no matter how great." Xiao Chong's tone was firm, his eyes shining with unyielding determination.
....
The two then embarked on a new journey, traversing lush forests and crossing turbulent rivers, finally arriving at the entrance of Emerald Spring Valley. The valley's mouth was shrouded in a layer of mist, like a natural barrier isolating it from the mortal world, exuding an air of mystery.
"This... is Emerald Spring Valley." Zi Yan tightened her grip on her weapon, cautiously scanning their surroundings.
Xiao Chong nodded, taking out an ancient compass from his backpack. The needle on the compass spun wildly the moment he stepped into the valley, eventually stabilizing and pointing deep within.
"Follow the compass. The 'Breath of Water' should be in that direction."
They carefully ventured into the valley, the surroundings gradually becoming damp and chilly. Occasionally, low murmurs of water echoed through the deep valley, adding to the sense of mystery and unease. As they went deeper, a silver waterfall came into view, cascading like a galaxy into the valley's depths, its mist rising and forming a rainbow-colored halo.
"Look, there's light behind the waterfall!" Zi Yan pointed at the dazzling light, a hint of excitement in her eyes.
The two slowly approached the waterfall along the slippery rocks, relying on each other's strength to finally pass through the water curtain and enter a hidden cave. Inside, a tranquil spring lay quietly, its surface gently rippling, emitting a faint blue glow—this was the location of the "Breath of Water."
Just then, a cold wind suddenly swept through, and a black figure silently descended from the cave's ceiling, standing before the spring, blocking their path.
"Hmph, so someone has found this place. You should know that the 'Breath of Water' is not something just anyone can take." The figure was a mysterious person cloaked in black, their voice carrying an undeniable authority.
Xiao Chong tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze sharp.
"No matter who you are, you cannot stop me."
"Brave, but lacking in strength." The mysterious figure sneered, then moved with lightning speed, charging towards Xiao Chong.Just as the crisis was about to erupt, a gentle yet firm force pushed Xiao Chong aside.
It was Ziyan who acted in time, using her superb archery skills to shoot an arrow imbued with a binding spell, entangling the mysterious figure's movements.
"Run, your strength is not enough to challenge us," Ziyan said coldly, the glow on the arrow growing brighter, forcing the mysterious figure to retreat.
The mysterious figure vanished into the darkness, leaving behind only a single sentence:
"Remember, power is not everything. The true test is yet to come..."
Gazing in the direction where the mysterious figure had disappeared, Xiao Chong and Ziyan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination for the future and trust in each other.
[Note : Ngl this fic turn kinda cringe all of the sudden]