Legend of the Embroiderer

The silent night wind blew quietly, carrying a hint of murderous intent, gently passing through the gaps between every leaf in the forest, making the entire forest shrouded in a solemn and murderous atmosphere.

The bonfire was burning fiercely, and the flames danced on everyone's faces, illuminating their solemn expressions.

They sat on the ground around the fire, their eyes gradually focused on the mysterious shadow. All kinds of speculations surged in everyone's mind, and an uneasy mood spread in the night.

The air around them seemed to freeze, making one feel suffocated. At this moment, the figure moved like a ghost.

His movements were slow, yet filled with an indescribable determination, as if each step carried an important mission. He gently lifted the veil covering his face, revealing the face hidden in the darkness.

In an instant, a face so familiar it couldn't be more familiar suddenly appeared before everyone's eyes. Those deep eyes, that resolute mouth, were actually Li Xiang, their best friend who had long been presumed dead!

His appearance was like a bolt from the blue, breaking the tranquility of the night and shattering everyone's cognition.

Everyone was stunned, their faces filled with disbelief. Li Zhao subconsciously gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.

His voice trembled like a candle in the wind: "Li Xiang? We always thought you were dead..."

The words were half-spoken, but were replaced by deep doubt. Everyone fell into an awkward silence, as if even the air had frozen.

A complex emotion flashed across Li Xiang's eyes. His gaze slowly swept across the faces of the crowd, piercing their astonished expressions deeply into their hearts.

His voice was deep and powerful, as if it could penetrate the vast night sky:

"Don't be alarmed, my friends. I'm not dead. I suffered a great disaster that day and unfortunately fell into the hands of the Netherworld Cult and became their prisoner. But after going through untold hardships, I finally managed to escape. During my escape, I not only saw through their hidden secret plan, but also stumbled upon a conspiracy that could change the world!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire forest fell into a dead silence. Only the crackling of the campfire seemed to bear witness to the shocking news. Everyone's eyes were fixed on Li Xiang, waiting for his next words.

Li Xiang took a deep breath and his eyes became more determined: "Of course, in addition to these, I also discovered an unexpected thing - there is a traitor in your team." Although his voice was not loud, it was loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

Su Mengyao's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes, like the moon covered by dark clouds, stared at Li Xiang intently. Her voice was as cold as ice: "Since you have escaped the Netherworld Cult, why did you only show up now?"

There was a hint of displeasure and caution in her tone. She didn't believe that this traitor who had once driven them to despair would so easily turn over a new leaf.

Li Xiang's expression was calm, and his voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet loud enough for everyone to hear clearly:

"I'm not turning to the light, but from the beginning to the end... I'm not one of yours." His words undoubtedly dropped a heavy bombshell in everyone's hearts again.

Wu Chen, standing nearby, gripped the hilt of his sword tightly with his right hand, his knuckles turning white. He looked at the other person warily and said in a deep voice:

"Why should we trust you? It's well known that the Netherworld Cult is treacherous and cunning. Who can guarantee that you're not a spy sent by them?"

Li Xiang suddenly fell silent. He took a deep breath and his gaze became more determined than ever.

"I know you won't easily believe my one-sided story. But I have something crucial to tell you—the Netherworld Cult's true intentions are far more than simply controlling the 'Space-Time Xuan Ji'. Their true goal is to unleash a terrifying force capable of subverting the world!" His voice echoed in the night sky for a long time...

His voice was like a heavy hammer hitting an ancient stone tablet. The dull echo slowly spread in the air, deafening.

In the night, the wind blows gently, and the leaves rustle, as if it is the whisper of nature, or as if it is conveying some secret message.

"The Netherworld Cult's leader, Yue Mo, has entered the realm of the 'Formless Heavenly Demon,' a place free from desire and transcending all things. To gain even greater power, he has risked opening a spacetime portal left over from the ancient war between immortals and demons, attempting to introduce the dreaded 'Taiyi Dark Demon Soul' into our world!"

As he spoke, Li Xiang's eyes flashed with a determined light, as if to penetrate the thick darkness.

The "Taiyi Dark Demon Soul" is said to be one of the most terrifying demon souls in ancient times. Its ferocity is enough to make all the gods fear it.

In that turbulent era, in order to stop this evil spirit from wreaking havoc on the mortal world, the immortals and demons joined forces and paid a huge price before finally sealing it in the rift of time and space.

However, now, this seal is about to be broken, and the terrifying demonic spirit is about to reappear in the world! When thinking of this possibility, everyone's heart is filled with a heavy sense of oppression.

"If this news is true, then we don't have much time left."

Li Xiang's voice echoed in the night sky, carrying an undeniable sense of urgency. "We must act quickly. We must not let the Netherworld Cult succeed!"

Deep in this secret jungle, in an open space covered by dense leaves, an orange-red bonfire burned brightly in the darkness.

The flames danced, tinging everything around with warmth. However, the people sitting around the bonfire were not in a relaxed mood.

Their faces flickered in the firelight, like ancient and profound paintings. Their eyes were full of determination, but also of unconcealed worry and doubt.

Li Xiang's sudden appearance and the shocking news he brought broke the momentary tranquility. His voice carried an unquestionable firmness and confidence, as if it were an invisible force guiding the way in the darkness.

However, his words failed to completely dispel everyone's doubts. Wu Chen's eyes were as sharp as a sword drawn from its sheath. He stared directly into Li Xiang's eyes through the flickering flames, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible tremor:

"Li Xiang...what you said has exceeded our trust. After all, no one can prove that what you said is the truth."

Lu Zhanyuan also tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his eyes as cold as the starlight in the cold night:

"Wu Chen is right. The Netherworld Cult has always been secretive and unpredictable. We have to proceed with caution."

Su Mengyao gently tried to calm everyone down, "Li Xiang was once our brother who fought alongside us. His return at this time may truly be destiny."

We should give him a chance to explain." Her voice was as gentle and firm as the spring breeze, like a clear spring flowing through everyone's hearts.

The mysterious old man remained silent, gently stroking his long beard, his deep eyes gleaming with wisdom.

As everyone stared in silence, he finally spoke slowly, "At this critical moment, we must proceed with caution. Is Li Xiang's return a blessing or a curse? It's still unclear. But we must remain vigilant and calm to prepare for any eventuality."

Facing the doubts and skepticism of the crowd, Li Xiang did not lose heart or retreat. He took a deep breath and scanned each face with a determined gaze:

"I understand the concerns and worries in your hearts. But time is running out, and we have no time to hesitate. I am willing to accept any test and examination to prove my innocence and loyalty. Because I know that only by working together can we prevent the impending disaster!"

As Li Xiang finished speaking, the tense atmosphere in the air seemed to freeze. The team members looked at each other, their eyes filled with determination.

They understand that a tough battle is coming, but they are ready to face all challenges and difficulties.

Li Xiang stood before his team, his silhouette outlined in the night sky with a deep and resolute presence. The flickering flames burned in his pupils, as if to deeply imprint the urgency and anxiety on everyone's hearts.

In the light of the fire, his face looked even more resolute and serious, like a warrior who was about to lead everyone into an unknown battlefield.

"The ambitions of the Netherworld Cult are more terrifying than any of us could imagine."

Li Xiang's voice was deep and powerful, each word coming from the depths of his heart. "They are using the 'Space-Time Xuan Ji' to unleash a force capable of destroying the world. This power is what the Netherworld Cult has been searching for, and it's the ultimate weapon they've always dreamed of."

Su Mengyao's brow furrowed, her eyes filled with worry and confusion. She couldn't imagine what kind of power could drive the Netherworld Cult so mad, even to the point of burning themselves. She turned to Li Xiang, trying to find the answer in his eyes.

Li Xiang paused for a moment before continuing, "It's said that this is the Netherworld Cult's sacred object, containing the power to destroy the heavens and the earth. However, the energy of this sacred object is too evil and dangerous. If it falls into the hands of others, it will bring endless pain and disaster to the world."

Therefore, the Netherworld Cult has always kept it tightly sealed and protected, fearing it would fall into the hands of outsiders."

"But why would the people from the Netherworld Cult want to open its seal?" Wu Chen asked, with a hint of confusion and doubt in his voice.

"Because someone wants to satisfy their own ambitions," Li Xiang said in a deep voice, a hint of anger and helplessness flashing in his eyes. "'Space-Time Xuanji' is the key to unlocking the seal. And this person is none other than the current leader of the Netherworld Cult—Moon Demon."

Su Mengyao suddenly realized that it was no wonder that the Moon Demon valued this key so much. It turned out that it was the key to unlocking the sacred object of the Netherworld Cult.

A chill ran down her heart. If the Moon Demon really opened the seal and released the evil power, what would happen to the entire world?

"According to our intelligence, the Moon Demon has found the location of the mysterious power through the 'Space-Time Xuan Ji'." Li Xiang continued, his voice revealing a hint of urgency and anxiety.

That is the Netherworld Cult's core location—the 'Dark Prison.' Only those who enter the Dark Prison have the opportunity to come into contact with that mysterious power."

Wu Chen gripped the hilt of the sword tightly, his eyes flashing with determination. He knew that stopping the Moon Demon's plan was urgent.

They must act quickly to find the mysterious power before the Moon Demon and seal it up again.

"So, we must enter the Dark Prison." Wu Chen's voice was firm and powerful, as if he was declaring an unchangeable fact to everyone.

Li Xiang nodded, his eyes filled with trust and expectation. "But the Dark Prison is the core area of ​​the Netherworld Cult and is heavily guarded. We must be fully prepared before we can go deep into it."

Su Mengyao looked at Li Xiang, her heart full of hesitation and struggle. She had been deceived by Li Xiang before, so it was difficult for her to trust him again.

However, she knew that Li Xiang had no reason to joke about such a thing. Moreover, she was well aware that the future of the world was at stake. In the end, she chose to trust Li Xiang.

"Li Xiang, I hope what you said is true." Su Mengyao's voice was trembling, but full of determination and courage. "This time, I am willing to believe you."

The night was as dark as ink, with only the starlight, like scattered diamonds on the sea, illuminating this desolate land. Occasionally, a cool breeze slid through the treetops, bringing with it an indescribable sense of anxiety and restlessness.

The low roar of beasts coming from afar added a bit of horror and weirdness to the atmosphere.