Multiple Personalities

This sound was like a curse, casting a shadow over their hearts.

What the sound said was not without foundation.

They had just escaped from a terrifying place, but would the road ahead truly be more difficult?

Renault clenched his fists, a wave of unyielding determination surging in his heart, "No matter how tough the road ahead is, we must keep moving forward." Though Renault's voice trembled slightly, it was full of determination, "We can't be bound by fate anymore; we need to control our own destiny."

Li Baiyu also nodded in agreement.

Shen Jingqi looked at their determined expressions, a sense of relief welling up within him.

Just then, a sudden gale swept up, like an enraged beast carrying endless fury and destructive force, pouncing toward them.

Renault felt an immense force attacking him, almost blowing him away. He quickly grabbed onto a nearby large tree, his fingers digging deep into the bark, barely stabilizing himself. Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu did the same, clutching tightly to the trees beside them.

"What... what's going on?" Renault exclaimed in surprise, his voice so weak amidst the gale, as if it could be devoured any moment. He widened his eyes, trying to make sense of the sudden change, but all around was chaos and the howling wind, nothing could be seen clearly.

Shen Jingqi frowned, his gaze deep, as if piercing through the storm, seeing the truth beyond. A sense of foreboding surged within him, this wind was unusual and definitely not a natural phenomenon. There had to be some force manipulating all this, a powerful and eerie force that made them feel an unprecedented threat.

"Hold your breath," Shen Jingqi reminded them, his voice not loud but extraordinarily firm, as if bringing a touch of peace to the three amidst the storm. The wind might conceal unknown dangers, and any negligence could lead them into a place of no return.

Following Shen Jingqi's advice, they held their breath, attempting to reduce their connection with the outside world. However, an eerie laughter suddenly emerged from the wind, ghostly piercing their eardrums, reaching deep into their souls. That laughter was full of endless mockery and disdain, as if seeing them as mere playthings.

"Haha... you think escaping the stone tablet means you can escape me?" The laughter grew closer, echoing in their ears. They looked around nervously, trying to find its source, but besides the raging wind, there was nothing. The laughter seemed to come from the void, and yet was omnipresent, sending shivers down their spines.

"What exactly is going on?" Li Baiyu couldn't help but ask, his voice tinged with a slight tremor. He had never encountered such a bizarre situation, and fear crept into his heart. He clung tightly to the tree, afraid of being swept away by the wind by mistake.

Shen Jingqi frowned further, his gaze flickering amidst the storm. After a moment of contemplation, his eyes suddenly lit up as if he realized something. He shouted, "I know! It must be the force inside the stone tablet acting up. We escaped from the tablet, but it hasn't given up on hunting us. This storm is one of its methods."

Renault and Li Baiyu shivered with a chill at Shen Jingqi's words. They knew Shen Jingqi was right. That force was too powerful; they had experienced it in the stone tablet before. The endless darkness, eerie whispers, and the terror that seemed to devour everything had left them with lingering fear. Now, this power had pursued them here, intending to completely destroy them.

"What should we do then?" Renault clenched his fists, gritting his teeth as he asked. Determination flickered in his eyes. He knew they couldn't just sit and wait; they had to find a way to fight this force.

Shen Jingqi contemplated for a moment, scanning their surroundings, trying to find a glimmer of hope. However, with the wind raging and chaos all around, there were no clues. He sighed and said, "We must stay united and think of a solution. Although this force is powerful, we are not entirely defenseless. As long as we stand together, we can find a way to counteract it."

No sooner had he spoken than an even stranger laughter emanated from the wind. That laughter, like a demonic tone, pierced their eardrums, reaching deep into their souls. It carried endless ridicule and contempt, as if seeing them as insignificant ants.

"Hmph... You think unity can defeat me? How laughable... My power is beyond your imagination..."

The laughter grew more rampant, seemingly considering them already in their grasp.

Renault felt a surge of anger in his heart, clenching his fists tightly, gritting his teeth, "We're not afraid of you! Though you're powerful, we are not to be trifled with. We have our beliefs and determination, and we will surely defeat you!"

Shen Jingqi also shouted, "That's right! We've escaped the stone tablet; we're no longer the weaklings we once were. We've been through so many trials and tribulations, becoming stronger and braver. We have our beliefs and strength, and we will surely defeat you!"

Li Baiyu also gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming with determination. He knew they had no retreat; only by defeating this force could they protect their lives. He shouted, "We're not afraid of you! Bring it on! We will make you pay the price!"

No sooner had they spoken than an angry roar erupted from the wind, deafening as thunder. They knew the force was enraged, about to launch a more intense attack. Yet, they felt no fear, their beliefs and determination only solidified further.

The wind raged even more violently as if swallowing the entire world. They stood together, supporting each other, trying to withstand the storm's onslaught. Determined light flickered in their eyes, as if piercing through the storm, seeing the hope of the future.

Just then, Shen Jingqi suddenly noticed something. He widened his eyes, staring intently in a direction within the storm. He shouted, "Look! There's something flickering there!"

Renault and Li Baiyu followed Shen Jingqi's finger, seeing nothing.

"Close your eyes and then look carefully."

Li Baiyu and Renault complied, and upon reopening their eyes, they brightened.

"I see it!"

There was indeed something flickering in the storm.

It was a faint light, appearing and disappearing, seemingly about to be swallowed by the storm at any moment.

However, that light gave them a sliver of hope, lifting their spirits like never before.