Volume One: Birth Chapter Twenty: Figures of the Dark Power

Liu Kaixin watched the demonic shadows surging forth from the mist and shouted, "Everyone, be careful!" The group immediately took up defensive positions, ready to face the new challenge.

The shadows gradually clarified. At the head was a tall man wearing a black hood, emanating an intense aura of darkness and wielding a scythe that flickered with a ghostly light. Behind him followed a host of grotesque apparitions—some spectral, others feral like werewolves—their eyes glowing with a blood-red light that betrayed endless malice.

"Do you think you can easily undo the Demon God's seal? How naive!" the hooded man sneered coldly. "I am the Shadow Demon, a loyal servant of the Demon God, and today shall be the day of your demise."

Unfazed, Liu Kaixin pointed his golden longsword at the Shadow Demon and retorted, "Since we have come this far, we do not fear creatures of darkness like you."

The Shadow Demon let out a cold laugh and swung his scythe, sending a wave of black energy sweeping toward the group. Liu Kaixin met it head-on, channeling the power of the Black Tortoise to conjure a sturdy shield that blocked the wave. However, the force of the impact was so great that he was still knocked back several paces.

Seeing this, Tigress and Cow-Woman immediately charged at the Shadow Demon. Tigress brandished her sharp blades, carving streaks of cold light toward the demon's head, while Cow-Woman gathered her strength for a lethal strike. The Shadow Demon flickered, effortlessly evading their attacks, before spinning his scythe to strike at Cow-Woman. She managed to block with a defensive barrier, but the power behind the blow left her arm numb.

Meanwhile, other shadows launched their own assaults. Rat-Man and Monkey-Man darted through the fray, using their agility to exploit the enemies' weaknesses. Dragon-Woman manipulated wind, rain, and lightning to unleash area-of-effect attacks; bolts of lightning struck down, illuminating the dim hall and causing many shadows to shriek in agony.

Princess Holly did not lag behind. She raised her magic staff and cast powerful spells, sending rays of light to clash against the encroaching darkness.

Liu Kaixin understood that the Shadow Demon was the leader; defeating him would collapse the enemy's offensive. He once again invoked the power of the Four Divine Beasts—the Golden Dragon's strength sharpened his sword, while the White Tiger's grace brought his speed to its peak. Like a flash of golden lightning, he lunged toward the Shadow Demon.

Sensing the grave threat, the Shadow Demon parried with his scythe. The collision of their attacks generated intense energy ripples, as if the very air in the hall were set ablaze.

During the fierce struggle, Liu Kaixin realized the Shadow Demon’s scythe was coated in a dark magic capable of corroding his power. Every time his sword crossed the blade, he felt a sliver of his internal energy being eroded.

Struck by this realization, Liu Kaixin changed his tactics. He feigned defeat and retreated. Thinking his opponent was fleeing, the Shadow Demon gave chase. As the demon closed the distance, Liu Kaixin suddenly spun around and channeled the power of the Vermilion Bird, exhaling a torrent of fire that engulfed the Shadow Demon.

The demon roared in fury, thrashing his scythe in an attempt to disperse the flames, but the fire of the Vermilion Bird was not so easily extinguished. Taking advantage of the distraction, Liu Kaixin invoked the power of the Black Tortoise, manifesting stone pillars within the fire to imprison his foe.

Seeing the Shadow Demon trapped, the morale of the group surged. They redoubled their efforts against the remaining shadows, which soon began to falter and break.

Yet, just as victory seemed within reach, countless black runes appeared on the hall's walls. They flickered with a sinister glow, and a surge of even more potent dark energy poured forth.

A mysterious figure, draped entirely in black robes, manifested before them. He radiated a power so overwhelming that one could hardly bear to look at him; upon his arrival, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop by a dozen degrees.

"You foolish mortals, to dare tamper with the Demon God’s seal!" the figure stated coldly. "I am the Dark Demon Envoy, master of the Demon God's dark power. Today, you shall all perish here."

Liu Kaixin felt a surge of grave danger; he knew this envoy was far more powerful than the Shadow Demon.

The Envoy raised a hand and flicked his wrist, sending a pillar of black energy hurtling toward them. The group scattered to dodge, but the range and speed of the attack were such that many were grazed and suffered minor wounds.

Daoist Xuan Yi frowned, knowing they could not afford to panic. He closed his eyes and began chanting, searching for the Envoy’s weakness.

Liu Kaixin once again invoked the power of the Four Divine Beasts, merging them into a single, vibrant, and powerful force. Channeling this energy into his golden sword, he charged at the Dark Demon Envoy.

The Envoy smiled dismissively and reached out to intercept. Just as the sword was about to strike, the Envoy vanished. Startled, Liu Kaixin turned, only to find the Envoy behind him, holding a sphere of black energy that he slammed into Liu Kaixin's back.

Unable to dodge, Liu Kaixin could only channel the Black Tortoise for full defense. The impact sent him flying uncontrollably across the hall, where he slammed heavily into the wall.

"Kaixin!" the group cried out.

Princess Holly immediately cast healing magic to tend to his wounds. Gritting his teeth, Liu Kaixin rose to his feet. His eyes were filled with resolve; he knew he could not fall, or all would be lost.

Opening his eyes, Daoist Xuan Yi shouted, "The Envoy's power stems from those black runes! We must destroy them to weaken him!"

The group dispersed to hunt for the runes. Rat-Man and Monkey-Man darted along the walls, seeking the symbols' weak points, while Tigress and Cow-Woman guarded them against incoming shadows.

Dragon-Woman kept the Envoy occupied with her elemental attacks, and Princess Holly continued to provide support.

Liu Kaixin took a deep breath and drew upon the Four Divine Beasts again, this time fusing his mental focus with their power to trace the flow of the Envoy’s energy. He discovered that the Envoy drew power from the black runes via a crystal orb in the center of the hall.

Deciding to risk it all, Liu Kaixin waited for an opening while the Envoy was distracted by Dragon-Woman, then dashed toward the orb.

The Envoy sensed the move and lunged, his black energy roiling. Refusing to yield, Liu Kaixin accelerated. As the Envoy’s attack descended, he leaped onto the crystal orb.

Pouring every ounce of his strength into his golden sword, he struck the orb with a deafening boom. A crack appeared, and a powerful wave of energy erupted from within.

The Dark Demon Envoy roared, abandoning his assault on Liu Kaixin to rush toward the orb. Knowing his blow was insufficient to shatter it, Liu Kaixin used the Vermilion Bird’s fire to create a ring of flame, blocking the Envoy's path.

Seeing this, the others redoubled their efforts to destroy the runes. One by one, the symbols shattered. As they broke, the Envoy’s power waned, his attacks grew sluggish, and his black robes began to tear.

Seizing the moment, Liu Kaixin concentrated all his remaining energy into his sword and struck the orb once more. This time, the crystal could not withstand the force and shattered into pieces with a loud crash.

The Dark Demon Envoy let out a piercing shriek as his form turned translucent and dissipated into the air. The other shadows, deprived of their source of power, dissolved into black smoke.

The group finally exhaled in relief, having successfully thwarted the dark force and protected the seal's core.

Liu Kaixin looked at the shattered orb, his heart filled with solemn thoughts. He knew this was only the first step; more challenges awaited.

"We cannot let our guard down," warned Daoist Xuan Yi. "The seal is not yet fully broken, but we have stirred the Demon God's dark power. He will surely send more formidable servants to stop us."

The others nodded, their eyes burning with determination. Through this battle, their strength and teamwork had reached new heights.

"No matter the difficulties ahead, we will face them together," Liu Kaixin declared. "We must undo the seal and restore peace to the world."

With this firm belief, they marched deeper into the heart of the seal. Though they knew not what perils lay ahead, they trusted that as long as they stood united, nothing could block their path.

After they had left the hall, a pair of red eyes suddenly appeared on the wall, filled with endless fury and resentment, as if watching the group depart.

"Do you think it ends here?" a deep voice echoed through the hall. "This is only the beginning. I will make you pay for what you have done today."

The red eyes vanished, and Liu Kaixin and his companions continued their trek toward the unknown, their adventure far from over.