Chen Tian tackled the man aside, not quite fast enough. Several bolts struck the Peaceful Earth cultivator, burning through his skin, and the impact drove them both to the ground. More bolts flooded from the Moonless Dark woman's hand, devastating the surrounding fields. Other refugees began screaming and panicking, scattering from their clusters.
On the ground, Chen Tian was grateful he hadn't been struck. Though his movement might have appeared selfless, part of his goal had been to position the Earth Guard between himself and all that raw qi. Now the Peaceful Earth man was pushing him aside and rising via his staff, while Chen Tian stayed low and reconsidered the situation.
So the woman was a cultivator, most likely of the Qi Condensation stage. It frustrated him not to be able to sense her cultivation base, but without being a cultivator himself, Chen Tian could only guess. He had no idea how many in the crowd were cultivators, though surely at least a few would be.
"Now see here, there is no need for that!" The Earth Guard approached, thumping his staff against the ground. "These are peaceful lands, so we will have none of this violence!"
He raised his staff and warm light enclosed the woman. It was the gentlest of restraining techniques... but to someone from the Moonless Dark Realm, it must have seemed like a horrifying trap of blazing qi. The woman clutched her eyes and dropped to her knees, but soon retaliated.
The hail of light bolts tore through the restraining qi and sent the Earth Guard staggering backward. Chen Tian was surprised by the ferocity, he didn't think the Moonless Dark woman was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, or her attack would have killed many, but she must have built her Qi Condensation stage more thoroughly than the Earth Guard.
Several others with staffs frowned and approached, beginning to surround her. Though blinded and still trying to shield her eyes, the Moonless Dark woman could sense them, more power gathering in her hands. She shouted "Stay away!" in a Moonless Dark dialect, she was so shocked she wasn't speaking Peaceful Earth language and probably didn't understand them.
This would only escalate. Chen Tian had wanted to maintain a low profile, but decided he needed to intervene directly or this would attract unwanted attention.
"She is frightened, not hostile." He spoke soothingly as he touched the first Earth Guard's back. "I have walked in her realm, so allow me to speak with her."
"Stop her from destroying the crops," the Earth Guard said, but gestured to the others to maintain distance. They might dislike intruders who brought violence, but they were always open to cooperation. Chen Tian touched another Earth Guard reassuringly on the shoulder and stepped closer.
As he did so, he whistled a low tone. It took several attempts to recall the exact notes, but they soon returned to him. A simple series of three notes that carried across the empty fields of the Moonless Dark Realm, announcing the presence of a friendly guest. Because it drew attention in the darkness, it was a position of intentional vulnerability.
When she heard it, the young woman hesitated, her head turning so one ear faced his direction. "Who are you? What is this hell?"
"This is the Peaceful Earth Realm," Chen Tian said quietly, focusing intently and hoping his soul would naturally adapt to her language. She froze, concentrating on his location. "I wish to help you. Allow me to give you something to ease the light."
He took one step forward and her hand rose, ready to burn him, but she hesitated. Chen Tian removed his outer robe, placed it on the ground before him, then backed away. The Moonless Dark woman squeezed her eyes tighter, fearing some trap, but cautiously crept forward to retrieve the robe. She quickly wrapped it around her shoulders and face, warding off some of the blinding light.
"May I ask your name?" Chen Tian kept his tone cool and maintained distance. The woman shifted backward nervously, but eventually answered.
"I am Li Yuyue. Who are you?"
"I am Zhang Kai." If he accomplished anything, using his real name would be foolish. Besides, it was all meaningless sounds to her. "I once walked in your realm for a time."
"This place is terrible. So... so bright, so loud..."
"Others from the Moonless Dark Realm have endured in this world, but you need better protection for your eyes." Chen Tian found himself smiling, though she couldn't see him. The expression felt false and the warmth was entirely fabricated, but he did want to prevent her from causing more trouble. "No one here will harm you, and they will maintain distance now. I will try to find something better for you. Please wait here."
"I will wait, Zhang Kai." She sat on the ground and miserably pulled the robe tighter over her face.
The immediate crisis had been averted, but Chen Tian wasn't certain what to do next. He made eye contact with all the Earth Guards individually to ensure they understood not to approach her and waited until they nodded comprehension. Moving past them, Chen Tian surveyed the group, trying to remember the Moonless Dark cultivators he had known and how they had dealt with the brightness of other realms.
First, he acquired a piece of silk from one of the Silver Moon refugees. They tried to make him pay, but he argued that none of them had money and all food was free anyway. Silk was a good beginning, as it wouldn't be painful against Moonless Dark skin, but it wouldn't suffice.
"You are creating a blindfold for the Moonless Dark one." The rumbling voice startled him, but he saw that the Stone Giant from the Yan clan sat nearby. It had nothing resembling a normal head, but a sphere of stone set with gems turned toward him.
"Yes, that's correct." Chen Tian felt relief just talking to someone who wasn't stumbling around in ignorance. "Are you a cultivator or stone shaper? Could you help me?"