Chapter 53
The Village of Red Light
The shadow vanished, and with it, Einver disappeared into the depths of the dark forest, leaving behind only the echo of a storm of events.
Elsewhere, far from the incident, Luo Mo gasped for breath as he wiped the blood dripping from his nose, muttering in a hoarse voice:
"At last… it's stopped."
He staggered to his feet with difficulty, then hurried to help his sisters rise. Ma Yui also stood, but exhaustion and fear were etched clearly on all their faces. The powerful sound waves had paralyzed them, causing each to collapse one after another, blood streaming from their noses and ears.
Luo Ri spoke sharply as she wiped her own bloodied nose:
"Damn it… they overwhelmed us with such incredible speed! I didn't even have the time to activate any defensive technique!"
Everyone panted bitterly. None of them had expected an assault of such raw power, and time had given them no chance to prepare. In the very moment the sound waves descended upon them, they had collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain, their bodies feeling like torn strings.
Luo Ri slowly lifted her gaze around them, realizing at last that the waves had ceased. But the moment of relief was fleeting. From deep within the black forest, a long crimson shadow emerged.
Before she could catch her breath, a strange crimson wind surged forward, striking her with merciless force. She collapsed within three seconds, as though her body could no longer bear the weight of her own soul.
The crimson air rushed toward Luo Mo next, for he was the only one slightly away from the attack's center. He raised his sword, attempting to coat it in magical energy to defend himself, but his effort was in vain. His knees buckled, and he too fell.
The wind then surged toward Ma Yui. The small girl froze in terror, eyes wide, heart trembling violently, before she too collapsed, drained of all strength.
But when it was Luo Ri's turn, she recovered herself with astonishing speed. She raised her hands before her chest, chanting strange words like an ancient song. The moment the crimson air reached her, a radiant blue halo burst around her body, resembling a crystalline shield of the heavens. The crimson wind attempted to penetrate it—but failed.
Yet the ordeal did not end there. The crimson air seized the unconscious bodies of Luo Rai and Ma Yui, dragging them deep into the forest, leaving Luo Ri alone before the unknown, with only Luo Mo beside her.
She crawled quickly toward her brother, shaking him, trying to wake him. But nothing worked. She placed her hands upon his body, channeling her energy into him with calm patience, as though breathing life into his soul. After a heavy minute, Luo Mo suddenly opened his eyes—but instead of peace, he released a horrifying scream, a shriek of terror that pierced his sister's heart.
Luo Ri rushed to him in panic, shaking him:
"What's wrong, brother?! Calm yourself!"
But he would not. He screamed, wept, and begged forgiveness of unseen people, as if haunted by the spirits of the dead. What struck her most was that he was apologizing to Bin Ma—the girl who had died on their journey, driven to suicide by his actions.
Bin Ma? How… how can he see her now? What did that crimson air do to his mind?!
The thought tore through Luo Ri's mind, but she had no time to dwell on it. For suddenly Luo Mo drew his sword, turning it upon her.
She trembled. Though she was far stronger than him—she in the High Division of the Sky Realm, while he was in the High Division of the Earth Realm—she stood frozen, unable to move. This was no ordinary battle, but a struggle against something beyond her comprehension.
He spoke in a hoarse voice, dripping with bitterness:
"Why didn't anyone stop me? Why didn't someone kill me when I committed all those dark deeds?! Fine… it doesn't matter."
With a swift, decisive strike, he plunged his blade into his own chest. The sword pierced his heart and emerged from his back before he collapsed lifeless to the ground.
Luo Ri let out a desperate cry, kneeling beside him, lifting his head into her lap. She brushed back his disheveled hair with trembling hands, wiped the blood from his lips, and pressed her forehead to his as she wept bitterly.
No matter what he had done… in her eyes, he would always remain her younger brother.
But her tears were not left in silence. From the depths of the forest came a chilling laughter, as though the trees themselves mocked her grief. The long crimson shadow appeared again before her brother's corpse, laughing coldly.
Luo Ri tried to rise to strike him, but the crimson wind coiled around her body, binding her completely.
The shadow spoke in a calm, cold voice:
"This is your fault. If you had left him asleep, perhaps he would have found a way to escape… however slim the chance. Still, it would have been better than this ending."
He paused briefly, then continued mockingly:
"Do you know what your brother saw in his sleep? I made him witness every vile act he had committed. All those he killed appeared before him, tormenting him, screaming at him. In reality, he slept only thirty seconds. But in that nightmare, he lived a long time. Weak… foolish… unable to endure even a few days of torment before he broke."
The shadow stepped closer, a dark smile stretching across his face:
"And now… it's your turn, children of the Luo family. You came to the Forest of Dreams seeking what your vile uncle left behind, didn't you? Well then, I won't tell you the story… I'll make you live it."
He snapped his fingers. Luo Ri instantly fell unconscious, the crimson wind coiling around her body, carrying her with the shadow deep into the black forest.
---
…Elsewhere
In a quiet, beautiful little village known as the Village of Red Light, lived no more than nine hundred souls. At the heart of this village sat its chief, Sai Mai, a man in his fifties, in his modest home, deep in contemplation.
He had just advanced to the Yin-Yang Realm—the Initial Division—after ten long years of effort and perseverance. Opening his eyes with a smile, he rose steadily to his feet, saying:
"At last… I've done it."
He stepped outside toward the school where they awaited him. As he opened the door, the students rose in respect, bowing together. He smiled kindly and said:
"Stand… no need for that."
One of the elders approached, greeting him warmly:
"Congratulations, Chief. You've advanced at last!"
Sai Mai smiled:
"Yes… I've done it. Tell me, what of Sai Moi?"
The elder answered with uncertainty:
"He is still in his meditation, not yet emerged. Only a month remains until the Grand Tournament… are we truly sending him?"
The chief lifted his gaze to the sky, answering with confidence:
"Yes. I believe in him and in his rare gift—the Dream Realm. He is only nineteen, yet he has already reached the Sky Realm—the Initial Division. An extraordinary feat for his age. We will send him to the Grand Martial Tournament, where the Four Kings shall gather. We must triumph… to give our small village a new future."
The elder sighed, uneasy:
"But our village lacks resources. That is why even you yourself advanced so late, Chief."
Sai Mai smiled with sorrow:
"I know… but we chose to focus all our efforts on one person. If he succeeds, he will raise us all. That person is Sai Moi."
The elder nodded, then left the chief to his path.
Outside the village, Sai Mai walked among the tall forest trees, breathing the fresh air, listening to the chirping of birds. He sat beneath a great tree, closing his eyes to focus his energy. Sunlight streamed through golden rays between the leaves, caressing his face.
He had made it his habit to come here daily, emptying his mind and attuning his energy to the forest, until the trees and animals had grown familiar with him, loving him as he loved them. Here, in this forest, he had first met his wife. Here he had begun his training. Here he had advanced to the Sky Realm. This was the home of his dearest memories.
He slowly opened his eyes, then smiled at one of the trees, saying:
"How long will you keep hiding, Sai Mo?"
A small shadow dropped from the branches. It was a boy of about thirteen, smiling shyly.
The chief stroked his beard lightly, speaking with playful reproach:
"What are you doing here?"
The boy replied happily:
"I'm here to protect you, Chief."
Sai Mai laughed, then scolded him gently as he patted his head:
"How many times must I tell you… call me Father, you little fool!"
The two laughed together, and the chief lifted the boy, placing him upon his shoulders.
"Do you like the view from up here?"
"Yes, Father!" the boy answered, clutching his father's head.
The chief smiled with affection:
"Then it's time we head back."
And he walked with confident steps, carrying his son upon his shoulders, returning to the village that awaited them.
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