From cannon fodder villain to superpowered queen

"Yaoyao, are you alright?" His voice was low and hoarse, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

Bi Yao looked up, and their eyes met, as if sparks were flying.

The surrounding air seemed to become scorching hot, filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.

"I'm fine." Bi Yao's voice trembled slightly, her eyes were unfocused, and a blush rose on her cheeks.

Jiang Ruiyuan gently stroked Bi Yao's face, his fingertips tracing her skin, bringing a tingling sensation.

Bi Yao closed her eyes, feeling his tenderness, and her breathing gradually became rapid.

“Yao Yao…” Jiang Ruiyuan’s voice was full of longing.

Just then, a melodious flute melody broke the enchanting atmosphere.

The flute music was melodious and pleasant, yet it carried a strange chill that sent shivers down one's spine.

"What was that sound?" Bi Yao opened her eyes.

Jiang Ruiyuan also frowned, listening carefully to the direction of the flute sound.

"Be careful, that flute music..." Before he could finish speaking, the flute music suddenly became sharp and piercing, like a sharp blade stabbing into their eardrums.

"Ah!" Bi Yao covered her ears and groaned in pain.

Jiang Ruiyuan also felt dizzy and his body was swaying.

"This flute music...something's strange!" Jiang Ruiyuan's heart tightened, and he quickly steadied himself, his eyes sharpening.

He reached out and gripped Bi Yao's shoulders tightly, forcing himself to stay awake.

Bi Yao felt a warm force coming from Jiang Ruiyuan's palm, and her pain gradually lessened.

She looked at him gratefully, and the two exchanged a knowing glance, deciding to follow the sound of the flute.

The surrounding environment grew increasingly gloomy, and the shadows of the trees appeared distorted and terrifying in the moonlight.

The withered branches and fallen leaves on the ground rustled under their feet, each step seeming to warn them: this place is full of unknown dangers.

Jiang Ruiyuan gripped his short sword tightly, and Bi Yao also gripped her staff. The two of them cautiously looked around.

The chill in the air gradually intensified, as if an invisible pair of eyes were secretly watching them.

"The flute music is coming from over there." Jiang Ruiyuan pointed to a dense forest ahead, his gaze firm and resolute.

Bi Yao nodded, but her unease grew stronger.

She sensed an ominous aura, as if something was lurking in the shadows, waiting for them.

"Should we retreat first and look for other clues?" Bi Yao said in a low voice, her voice tinged with hesitation.

“No, this flute music is related to our safety. We must find out where it came from.” Jiang Ruiyuan shook his head, his eyes flashing with determination.

The argument between the two seemed to distort the shadows of the surrounding trees, and the branches swayed gently in the wind, making a rustling sound, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Bi Yao felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet. She knew time was running out and she couldn't waste any more time arguing here.

“Alright, we can’t afford to scatter our forces any further.” Bi Yao took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner unease.

She looked at Jiang Ruiyuan, "Follow me, I will protect you."

Jiang Ruiyuan nodded, and the two clasped hands tightly, as if at this moment they had become inseparable partners.

Just then, the flute sounded again, this time clearer and sharper, as if guiding them in the right direction.

The two quickened their pace, but their vigilance never wavered.

"No matter what lies ahead, we will face it together," Bi Yao said softly, her voice echoing in the night sky with an incredible determination.

"This flute music is strange; it's definitely a smokescreen!" Bi Yao calmed down, a sharp glint flashing in her beautiful eyes. She quickly analyzed, "They're trying to lure us in with the flute music so they can catch us all in one fell swoop. What an old trick!"

Looking at Bi Yao's calm and analytical demeanor, Jiang Ruiyuan's eyes were filled with admiration. She truly deserved to be his best partner; she was reliable in crucial moments!

He put aside his previous worries, a confident smile appearing on his lips: "Yao Yao is right, there is indeed something wrong with this flute music. We can't let it lead us by the nose anymore!"

The two quickly reached a consensus and stood together again, back to back, to face the unknown crisis together.

The previous romantic atmosphere was instantly replaced by the atmosphere of battle, and their eyes were filled with determination and vigilance.

Just then, a powerful dark force suddenly descended!

The surrounding air instantly became viscous, and space began to distort, as if something terrifying was trying to break free from the void!

A figure shrouded in black mist slowly appeared before them.

He exuded a suffocating sense of oppression, and the powerful energy fluctuations made the surrounding trees tremble as if in fear of his arrival.

The appearance of the Dark Messenger made the air incredibly heavy, as if it could crush a person into a pulp.

"What the hell is this?" Jiang Ruiyuan couldn't help but curse, his grip on the short sword tightening involuntarily. He could clearly feel the opponent's power, a power that was enough to make them feel despair.

The Dark Messenger gave them no chance to catch their breath. He stretched out his withered palm, and a burst of black energy erupted instantly, sweeping towards them like a whirlwind!

Bi Yao quickly raised her staff, and a golden light flashed, forming a solid defensive shield that blocked the fatal blow.

"Bang!" The shield trembled violently under the impact of the dark energy, emitting a muffled thud as it struggled to withstand the strain.

Bi Yao and Jiang Ruiyuan both felt a tightness in their chests, as if they had been hit by a heavy hammer, and their breathing became difficult.

"Don't panic, let's go together!" Bi Yao gritted her teeth and shouted loudly.

She knew that, faced with such a powerful enemy, they had no choice but to fight to the death.

The two were of one mind and simultaneously unleashed their strongest power.

Bi Yao's staff emitted a dazzling light, and countless magical runes swirled around her, while Jiang Ruiyuan brandished his short sword, drawing sharp streaks of sword light in the darkness as he engaged in a fierce battle with the Dark Messenger.

The Dark Messenger's attacks came like a relentless tide, each strike carrying devastating power.

Bi Yao and Jiang Ruiyuan were forced to retreat under the onslaught of darkness, and wounds began to appear on their bodies, their clothes stained with blood. The battle was extremely fierce, as if the end of the world had arrived.

"Damn it, this guy is too strong!" Jiang Ruiyuan gasped for breath, his body already bearing multiple bruises.

His sword-wielding speed also began to slow down, his heart filled with resentment.

"We can't give up, we will definitely defeat him!" Bi Yao wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes even more determined.

She knew that if they fell, an even more terrible fate awaited them.

"I will protect you, I will never let go of your hand, even if it means my death!" Jiang Ruiyuan roared. Looking into Bi Yao's determined eyes, he felt a surge of power he had never felt before.

He instinctively gripped the sword in his hand, feeling something awakening within him...

Jiang Ruiyuan roared, his eyes flashing with a dazzling light, and the short sword in his hand hummed as if in response to his determination.

A powerful force erupted from his body, as unstoppable as a volcanic eruption!

He raised his short sword high, and a huge golden sword aura shot into the sky, instantly dispelling the surrounding darkness!

This sword energy contained destructive power, as if it would tear everything apart!

"Holy crap! What kind of godlike move is that?!" Jiang Ruiyuan was stunned. The skill effects were absolutely amazing!

The Dark Messenger clearly hadn't expected Jiang Ruiyuan to have this move. His face, hidden in the black mist, seemed to show a surprised expression. Although his exact features were unclear, his paused movement was enough to prove his shock at that moment.

"It's done!" Bi Yao's heart was filled with hope when she saw this. She thought she was going to die, but the situation took a dramatic turn for the better. This feeling was simply amazing!

However, the Dark Messenger quickly realized what was happening.

He sneered, "A mere trick!" He suddenly swung out a palm, and black energy transformed into a giant claw, directly grabbing at Bi Yao!

"Yaoyao, be careful!" Jiang Ruiyuan was shocked and tried to stop her, but it was too late.

"Boom!" Bi Yao was struck by the sharp claws and flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Yao Yao!" Jiang Ruiyuan was extremely anxious. He wanted to rush over to protect Bi Yao, but the Dark Messenger blocked his way.

"Your opponent is me!" The Dark Messenger's tone was icy, tinged with sarcasm.

Jiang Ruiyuan roared and swung his sword at the Dark Messenger again, but his attacks were easily neutralized by the Dark Messenger.

"It's useless, your power is too weak." The Dark Messenger spoke with disdain, as if looking at an ant.

Just then, Bi Yao struggled to her feet. She clutched her chest, her face pale, but her eyes were unusually firm.

Suddenly, she realized something and stared intently at the runes on the Dark Messenger's body.

"Wait... these runes..."

Before she could think further, the Dark Messenger launched a new attack, black energy surging in like a tidal wave, completely engulfing her...

"Yao Yao!" Jiang Ruiyuan cried out in anguish, but he was powerless to stop it from happening.

He watched helplessly as Bi Yao was swallowed by darkness, his heart filled with despair and anger.

"You...damn it!"