I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi stood before the Flame Gate. The scene before them was like purgatory. Blazing flames danced through the cracks of the gate, as if mocking their courage. The guardian of the Fire Element, a massive figure composed of flames, loomed behind the gate. Its every breath brought a scorching wind that distorted the surrounding air.

Zhang Wanqing gripped the sword tightly, engraved with ancient runes. This was a divine weapon she had obtained from the previous level, capable of resisting the invasion of fire. Fengxi adjusted his breathing, knowing that the upcoming battle would be a contest of endurance and wits.

Fengxi spoke first, his voice remarkably firm amid the roar of the flames. "Guardian of the Fire Element, we have no intention of becoming your enemy. We only hope to pass this level and continue our journey."

A figure within the flames slowly coalesced into form, its voice like boiling magma: "To pass this place, you must prove your worth. You must endure the test of fire, proving your will and strength."

Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi exchanged a glance, each seeing determination in the other's eyes. They knew this would be a difficult battle, but also an opportunity for them to grow.

The battle began. The Fire Elemental's guardian swung his arms of flame, each strike carrying an intense heat that seemed to burn everything to ashes. Zhang Wanqing dodged nimbly, her sword dancing like flowing water, each swing carrying a chill that countered the flames.

Fengxi used his speed and agility to constantly shuttle through the flames, looking for opportunities to attack. He knew that it would be unwise to directly confront the guardian of the fire element. He had to find the opponent's weakness.

As the battle progressed, Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi gradually discovered the attack pattern of the Fire Elemental Guardian. Although it was powerful, it would pause briefly after continuous attacks, which was the best time for them to counterattack.

"Now!" Feng Xi shouted. He used his speed advantage to lure the guardian of the fire element into continuous attacks. Then, at the moment it paused, Zhang Wanqing's sword, with an icy airflow, accurately hit the chest of the guardian of the fire element.

The flaming figure roared, a crack appeared on its chest, and flames gushed out. The guardian of the fire element seemed to be enraged by this blow, and its attacks became more violent, but also more chaotic.

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi seized the opportunity and began to counterattack in an orderly manner, with each attack accurately hitting the Fire Elemental Guardian's weaknesses. As time passed, more and more cracks appeared on the Fire Elemental Guardian, and its flames began to become unstable.

Finally, under a powerful combined attack, the Fire Elemental's guardian let out a deafening roar before slowly dissipating into the air. The Flame Gate slowly opened, revealing the path to the next level.

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi panted heavily, supporting each other. Though exhausted, their eyes gleamed with a glint of victory. They knew this was only the beginning of their journey, but this victory gave them confidence, making them believe that no matter how difficult the road ahead, they could make it together.

Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi stood before a hazy realm, the domain of the ether. This ancient and mysterious element is considered one of the fundamental substances that make up the universe. Formless and colorless, it is omnipresent, permeating all matter and space. In ancient philosophy and mysticism, ether is often described as a subtle, fluid medium, a vehicle for light and sound, and a bridge connecting the material and spiritual worlds.

"Aether," Windbreath murmured, a look of awe in his eyes. "It has no form or substance. How can we fight it?"

Zhang Wanqing gazed at the mist ahead, the tip of her sword gently touching the ground, as if sensing the subtle changes in the realm. "Although the ether is invisible, everything has its own laws. We only need to find its laws to unlock its secrets."

They stepped into the etheric realm, and the surrounding landscape began to blur, as if everything was flowing and shifting. Their footsteps became hollow, even the echoes difficult to detect. Fengxi gripped his staff tightly, feeling the power of the ether surging around him. It was neither cold nor hot, neither light nor heavy; it felt like existence itself.

"We have to be careful. The Guardian of the Ether may use the environment here to confuse us." Fengxi reminded.

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her gaze sharp as an eagle's. Although the surrounding scene was blurry, her perception was exceptionally sharp. "We must not be deceived by appearances. We must focus on the inner feelings."

They continued forward, each step like passing through layer after layer of veil. Suddenly, Fengxi stopped, sensing a faint ripple. "There," he pointed ahead, "I sense a wave of power."

Zhang Wanqing followed closely behind. They discovered a vortex composed of etheric energy, spinning quietly, like a portal to another world. Feng Xi reached out and gently touched the edge of the vortex. A chill penetrated his fingertips and reached his heart.

"This is the portal to the ether, the guardian must be inside." There was a hint of uncertainty in Fengxi's voice.

Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath. She knew this would be an unknown battle. "Whatever is inside, we have to face it."

They stepped into the vortex, and the scene before them changed instantly, entering a space filled with intertwined light and shadow. Here, light and shadow were no longer simply contrasting, but seemed to have life, sometimes interweaving, sometimes separating, forming a series of ever-changing patterns.

In the center of these lights and shadows, the guardian of the ether element stood quietly. Its image was vague, like an illusion made up of countless lights and shadows. Its existence was both real and illusory, making it difficult to grasp.

"Welcome to the Aether Realm, brave adventurers." The Guardian's voice echoed through the space, its voice both gentle and powerful. "If you want to pass through here, you must solve the mystery of the Aether."

Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi exchanged a glance, knowing this would be a test of wisdom and courage. Fengxi began chanting a spell, the tip of his staff emitting a soft glow that echoed with the surrounding light and shadow. Zhang Wanqing drew her longsword, its blade gleaming with a sharp, cold gleam in the light and shadow.

"Ether is invisible, but we can use power to sense it." Fengxi's voice echoed in the light and shadow.

Zhang Wanqing nodded and began to wield her sword. Each swing stirred up a gust of wind, which intertwined with the light and shadows, forming streaks of sword energy. These sword energies shuttled through the light and shadows, trying to find the guardian's physical form.

The guardian's silhouette flickered in the light and shadows. It didn't seem to be in a hurry to attack, but rather was observing every move of Zhang Wanqing and Fengxi. Its silhouette was sometimes clear, sometimes blurry, as if it was playing a game of hide-and-seek with them.

Fengxi's spells grew faster and faster, the light on the tip of his staff growing brighter. He began to guide the light and shadow, trying to find the Guardian's weakness. Zhang Wanqing's swordsmanship also became more and more fierce. Her sword energy intertwined with the light and shadow, forming a net, trying to capture the Guardian's phantom.

At that moment, Fengxi noticed a pattern in the Guardian. Though its silhouette was blurry, within the flow of light and shadow, there was always a moment when its substance would be revealed. Fengxi immediately signaled to Zhang Wanqing, who understood. Her swordsmanship became even more swift, her sword energy weaving through the light and shadow, awaiting that moment.

Finally, the Guardian's figure revealed its entity amidst the light and shadows. Zhang Wanqing's sword energy instantly erupted, aiming directly at the Guardian's heart. The Guardian seemed to have not anticipated the precision of Zhang Wanqing's attack. Its figure trembled in the sword energy and eventually dissipated.

The light and shadow began to dissipate, and the space gradually became clear. Where the guardian had dissipated, a transparent key was left behind, emitting a faint glow, like the essence of ether.

Zhang Wanqing and Feng Xi smiled at each other. They knew that they had solved the mystery of ether.