Multiple Personalities

As they walked out of the cave, the sky outside had gradually darkened. The night unfurled over the land like a massive black silk, as if an invisible black hand was tightly gripping everything within. The surrounding light rapidly dimmed, leaving only sparse starlight twinkling on the distant horizon, like eyes peering out from the darkness.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue proceeded along a rugged path. The trees on either side of the path swayed in the night breeze, producing a rustling sound, as if countless ghosts were whispering. The surroundings were silent, with only their footsteps echoing in the still night air, each step seeming to tread on an unknown destiny.

"Do you really think the Divine Artifact is in the ruins?" Lin Yue broke the silence, her voice seeming somewhat frail in the night wind, carrying a hint of uncertainty and worry. Her gaze occasionally swept around, clutching the short blade in her hand tightly, as if it could bring her some sense of security.

Shen Jingqi pondered for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed, with images from earlier in the cave flashing through his mind. He slowly said, "From what we saw in the visions, it should be correct. However, we still don't know where exactly the ruins are located. Moreover, those black-clad men will certainly not give up easily, and they will do everything they can to seize the box again." His eyes revealed vigilance and determination, as his grip on the sword tightened subconsciously.

Lin Yue frowned, a hint of anxiety flashing in her eyes, and said, "Then we need to speed up and find the Divine Artifact before they do. Otherwise, once they catch up, we will not only have to contend for the artifact but also guard against their attacks, making the situation even more difficult."

The two continued forward, each step taken with great caution, staying alert for any potential dangers around them. Suddenly, a deep roar echoed from the front. The sound seemed to emanate from the depths of Hell, carrying a goosebump-inducing terror, like some massive and ferocious beast venting its fury. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue immediately became vigilant, their bodies tensed like drawn bowstrings. They gripped their weapons tightly and stealthily moved toward the direction from which the sound came.

As they circled a grove of trees, the scene before them made them gasp in shock. A gigantic Demon Beast appeared before them, its body towering like a mountain, covered entirely in black scales; each scale gleamed with a cold light, as if forged from the hardest steel. Its eyes, like two blazing fires, exuded a fierce and greedy light, fixing on Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue as though they were two delectable treats about to be devoured. Roaring from its mouth, it bared sharp fangs, each like a dagger, instilling a chilling dread upon sight.

"What kind of Demon Beast is this?" Lin Yue asked in horror, her voice trembling slightly with fear, her body involuntarily stepping back. Her eyes were filled with fear and unease as she clung closely to Shen Jingqi.

Shen Jingqi took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, his eyes fixed on the Demon Beast. "It seems very powerful. Let's deal with it carefully and first observe its attack patterns and weaknesses." His voice, though steady, carried a hint of tension.

The Demon Beast seemed to be aware of their presence, letting out an angry roar that sent the surrounding trees quivering. Following that, it lunged at them, its massive body descending upon them like a black mountain, carrying an overwhelming force. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue quickly dispersed, Shen Jingqi's figure flashed to the beast's left side like a ghost, while Lin Yue deftly darted to the right.

Seizing an opportunity, Shen Jingqi shouted and swung his sword at the beast's leg. His blade, carried by a fierce gust, sliced through the air in a cold arc. Yet the beast's scales were incredibly hard; his sword only sparked upon impact, failing to cause substantial harm. The beast merely shuddered slightly before swiftly turning and lunging towards Shen Jingqi again.

Shen Jingqi deftly dodged, his body agile like a leaf, skillfully evading the beast's attacks. Meanwhile, Lin Yue rushed in from the side, her figure swift as lightning, thrusting her short blade toward the beast's eyes. Sensing the danger, the beast flicked its head abruptly, the blade grazing its eyelid, leaving only a shallow scratch. The beast let out an enraged roar, its tail swinging like a steel whip towards Lin Yue. Lin Yue reacted swiftly, leaping onto a large rock nearby, narrowly escaping the blow.

The battle descended into a stalemate, with Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue gradually feeling fatigued. Their breaths became rapid, drenched in sweat. Meanwhile, the beast seemed to fight more vigorously, its attacks intensifying, each strike carrying immense force, leaving Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue struggling to defend.

"This isn't working; we need to find its weak spot," Shen Jingqi shouted, a hint of urgency in his eyes.

While evading the beast's attacks, Lin Yue replied, "But its entire body is covered in scales, and we can't find any apparent weak spots."

Just as they were feeling desperate, Shen Jingqi suddenly recalled the power of the box. In the cave earlier, that power had helped them escape a predicament. With a stirring heart, he shouted, "Lin Yue, let's try using the power of the box again!"

They focused once more, attempting to harness the power within the box. Closing their eyes, the image of the box appeared in their minds as they endeavored to sense the mysterious power hidden deep within. This time, they succeeded. A surge of potent energy emerged from the box, surrounding them like warm sunlight. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue felt power coursing through their bodies, their movements becoming more agile and their attacks more ferocious.

With the power of the box, they gradually gained the upper hand. Seizing the right moment, Shen Jingqi charged at the beast with lightning speed as it turned, plunging his sword into its heart. The beast let out a terrible cry, echoing throughout the entire valley. Its body swayed a few times before crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, understanding that this was just a small episode in their journey of adventure. More dangers and challenges awaited them ahead. With no room for complacency, after a brief rest, they continued their journey to find the ruins.

As they moved forward, the surrounding scenery grew increasingly desolate. Wild grass thrived, some reaching higher than a person, swaying wildly in the night wind like an array of clawed ghosts. Jagged rocks of substantial size were scattered haphazardly on the ground as if a giant had carelessly tossed them aside like toys.

This place seemed to be a forgotten corner of the world.