Lin Yu's heart raced as the growl of the approaching creature grew louder. The air around him felt charged, thick with the tension of impending danger. He glanced at the cloaked figure before him, his instincts screaming that something wasn't right. This was no coincidence. The beast had arrived, and it wasn't just a wild animal—it was part of a greater plan, part of a game that Lin Yu had only begun to understand.
"You knew this was coming," Lin Yu said, his voice cold and unwavering as he took a step forward, eyeing the cloaked figure. "You set this up."
The figure tilted their head slightly, their face still hidden in shadow. "I didn't set it up, Immortal King. I merely… provided the opportunity." Their tone was unsettlingly calm. "But don't worry. The creature is simply a messenger."
"A messenger?" Lin Yu echoed, his fists clenching. "From who?"
"From the ones pulling the strings," the figure said softly, almost as if this were all a game. "The ones who have been waiting for you. The ones who know you better than you know yourself."
Lin Yu's mind raced. These people—the ones who had betrayed him, the ones who had dragged him back to this world—had been waiting for him. But what did they want? What was the true purpose of his return?
Before he could voice his thoughts, a loud crash interrupted the conversation, followed by a deep, rumbling growl. Lin Yu turned quickly. Through the broken window at the far end of the room, he saw it—a monstrous form, its glowing eyes fixed on him. The beast had arrived.
It was bigger than the one he had faced earlier, its body twisted with unnatural proportions. Its claws scraped against the ground as it advanced, its teeth bared in a terrifying snarl. But what struck Lin Yu the most was its aura—the unmistakable presence of something… controlled. This wasn't just a random monster. It was being manipulated, led toward him with purpose.
"Get ready," the figure said, stepping back and raising a gloved hand. "The game has begun. Let's see how you play."
With that, the figure melted into the shadows, disappearing from sight, leaving Lin Yu alone in the dimly lit room with the monstrous beast. The creature roared, the sound reverberating through the walls, shaking the ground beneath his feet.
Lin Yu's body tensed as he reached for the power within him. His cultivation techniques had been regaining strength, but they were still far from what they once were. Still, he wouldn't back down. Not now. Not when Cheng Xi's life was at risk.
The beast charged, its monstrous form moving with terrifying speed. Lin Yu barely had time to react before it was upon him, its claws slashing through the air. He ducked just in time, the force of the beast's strike sending a gust of wind past him. His heart pounded in his chest as he focused all his energy into a single, concentrated blast.
With a sharp movement, he thrust his hand forward, releasing a burst of spiritual energy. It wasn't as powerful as he wanted, but it was enough to send the beast stumbling back, its claws scraping against the ground. The creature hissed in pain, but it wasn't finished. It lunged again, faster this time.
Lin Yu's eyes flickered with determination. He couldn't keep evading it forever. He had to finish this. But he also knew that his strength was still not enough to defeat the beast outright. There was something wrong—something deeper at play.
"Stay back, Cheng Xi!" he shouted, his voice strained as he sidestepped another attack. Cheng Xi had been quiet up until now, but Lin Yu could feel her presence, her fear. He couldn't let her be a part of this fight—not when the stakes were so high.
Cheng Xi hesitated, but then, as if coming to a decision, she ran toward him. "No, I'm not leaving you!" she yelled back. "You're not alone in this!"
Lin Yu wanted to stop her, to keep her safe, but there was no time to argue. The beast was relentless, its eyes filled with fury. Lin Yu could feel the energy surging around them—the spiritual energy of Earth was still thin, but it was enough for him to tap into if he could just focus.
With another roar, the beast launched itself at him again. Lin Yu's instincts kicked in. He gathered all the energy he could muster, focusing it into a single, devastating strike. As the creature neared, he released the energy, his hands crackling with force. The blast of power collided with the beast's chest, sending it flying backward.
It hit the wall with a sickening thud, its body crumpling to the ground. Lin Yu's breath came in ragged gasps as he stood tall, his body trembling with the effort. The creature was down, but not dead—only momentarily stunned.
But Lin Yu didn't have time to rest. He could feel something else—something darker—looming. The spiritual energy around him shifted again, growing more intense.
Cheng Xi, still standing beside him, looked up at him, wide-eyed. "What… What just happened? Was that… you?"
Lin Yu nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "It was me. But there's more to this. I don't think this is the last we'll see of these creatures."
Before Cheng Xi could respond, a voice rang out, cold and distant.
"Impressive. You've done well to hold your ground."
The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, echoing through the room. Lin Yu spun around, his senses flaring. The figure from the library—the one who had spoken to him—stepped out from the shadows once again, his presence more imposing than before.
"You?" Lin Yu said, his voice cold. "You've been behind this all along?"
The man nodded slowly, his face still obscured in shadow. "Not behind it, no. But I've been involved. I have been watching you for a long time, Immortal King. And now, it's time to see what you're truly capable of."
Lin Yu's heart raced. He had known something wasn't right. This man had been pulling the strings all along. But what was his true goal? And why had he targeted Cheng Xi?
"You're not just some observer, are you?" Lin Yu asked, his voice edged with fury. "What do you want with me? And why her?"
The man's smile was barely visible in the dim light, but it was enough to send a shiver down Lin Yu's spine. "I want nothing, Immortal King. I'm merely a messenger. The one who has waited for you to return. And now, I am here to make sure the game reaches its end."
Before Lin Yu could respond, the air around them seemed to warp, and the world itself felt like it was shifting. Something was coming. Something much bigger than the beast or the man before him.
"Prepare yourself, Lin Yu," the man said, his voice chilling. "Your fate has only just begun."