In the depths of that dark forest, the silence was so profound it seemed to freeze even the air, only occasionally pierced by the screeches of a night owl, breaking the suffocating stillness. A mysterious figure, like a ghost silently drifting in the night, exuding an inexplicable eerie aura, appeared before Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue.

The figure wore a robe as black as the night, the fabric seemed to be dyed by darkness, with every thread reflecting depth and mystery. The hem swayed gently with the breeze, each movement devouring all surrounding light as if the robe itself was a bottomless black hole. On his face, a fierce mask tightly covered it, the lines on the mask twisted and terrifying, like a demon's curse. Only a pair of eyes flickering with ghostly light were exposed, eyes like a hellish abyss, emitting a chilling aura that made it impossible to see his true features, adding more mystery and terror. Around him, there seemed to be an invisible powerful aura swirling, as if from another dimension, carrying a cold and oppressive feeling that involuntarily inspired awe and fear, as if merely approaching him would cause one to be swallowed by this aura.

"You must be Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue." The mysterious man's voice was deep and hoarse, each word squeezed out from the depths of his throat, carrying an indescribable sinister quality that made eardrums tremble.

In an instant, Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue's nerves tightened, like a bowstring pulled taut. Their hands unconsciously gripped their weapons tighter, fingers turning white from exertion. Their eyes were full of vigilance and alertness, like two small beasts forced to the brink, ready to deliver a deadly strike at any moment.

"Who are you? How do you know our names?" Shen Jingqi's voice carried a hint of tremor, an instinctive reaction when facing an unknown powerful enemy, as he felt his heart pounding wildly in his chest, as if it wanted to break free.

The mysterious man laughed coldly, the laughter echoing in the silent forest like a summons from hell, each syllable carrying chill. The mysterious man crossed his arms over his chest, his tone full of disdain: "It doesn't matter who I am. What's important is that the Chaos Spirit Pearl in your hands does not belong to you." His tone carried undeniable authority, as if everything was under his control, like a supreme ruler pronouncing judgment.

"The Chaos Spirit Pearl is something we are meant to protect, you shall not take it!" Shen Jingqi's eyes burned with a resolute flame.

The mysterious man spoke no more, his hands slowly rising, the movement slow yet indescribably oppressive. A vast power gathered in his palms, that power like a black torrent, carried a destruction of all momentum, surging towards Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue. They quickly sidestepped to dodge, their bodies agile like leopards, simultaneously launching a counterattack, their weapons carving dazzling arcs through the air, like meteors slicing through the night, attempting to fend off the powerful assault.

However, the mysterious man's strength was too overwhelming, their attacks seemed to be mere itching to him, utterly ineffective. The mysterious man easily dissolved their attacks and then advanced towards them one step at a time, each step as if stomping on their hearts, causing their heartbeat to unconsciously speed up, as if about to jump out of their throats.

Filled with despair, Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue knew that with their current strength, they were no match for the mysterious man. Could they just give up the Chaos Spirit Pearl, abandon their duty to protect it? No, they couldn't! Shen Jingqi shouted in his heart, his eyes showing unwillingness.

Just as they were about to despair, suddenly, a warm and powerful force surged from the Chaos Spirit Pearl, like rain nourishing parched land, pouring into their bodies. Their bodies were seemingly reignited, their strength instantly enhanced. That feeling was like undergoing a rebirth, refreshed, as if granted a new life.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue felt a surge of joy in their hearts, like grabbing onto a lifeline. They launched another attack, this time, their assaults were fiercer, each move filled with power and determination, like petrels in a storm, forging ahead fearlessly. The mysterious man had to respond seriously, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, clearly not expecting them to grow stronger in such a short time.

Growing somewhat impatient, the mysterious man's eyes flickered with a touch of irascibility, he suddenly waved his hands, a vast power like raging tides surged towards Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue. That power carried black light, seemingly capable of devouring everything, where it passed, trees were uprooted, the earth turned over, even the air was twisted.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue felt the powerful force, startled in their hearts. They quickly sidestepped to avoid, simultaneously swinging their weapons, trying to block this assault. However, the power was too formidable, their weapons shattered with a crack upon contact. Their bodies were also struck by the force, flung away like kites with broken strings, crashing heavily to the ground.

Their bodies began to show scars, blood stained their clothes. Shen Jingqi felt his chest hammered hard, each breath accompanied by piercing pain. Lin Yue's shoulder was slashed deeply by the force, the blood flowed continuously, staining her arm red. Yet their eyes still burned with determination, they gritted their teeth, struggling to rise from the ground, ready to launch another attack.

"We cannot give up, we must protect the Chaos Spirit Pearl!" Shen Jingqi shouted in his heart, his eyes burning with steadfast flames. Lin Yue also gripped her weapon tightly, her eyes revealing an unyielding will.

However, the mysterious man did not give them a chance to catch their breath. He intensified his attacks again, beams of black light shot from his hands, howling towards Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue. The light, like black venomous snakes, carried deadly threats, instantly surrounding them.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue found themselves in dire straits once more, enveloped by the dark light, as if placed in a dark abyss. Their bodies were scorched by the light, the pain unbearable. They swung their weapons, trying to break through the dark encirclement, but each attack was rebounded by the light, causing further injuries.

Just as they were about to falter, suddenly, a dazzling light descended from the sky. The light was as bright as the sun, illuminating the entire forest in an instant. The mysterious man was blinded by the sudden brilliance, his attacks momentarily halted.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue also felt the warmth of the light, joy surged in their hearts, as if they saw the dawn of hope. They lifted their heads, gazing towards the source of the light, only to see a figure slowly stepping out from it.

It was the elder, holding a magical treasure, appearing like a deity descending from the heavens.

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