Chapter 8

The expressions of the returning Fu Clan followers were pale and exhausted, as if they carried an unbearable burden of bad news. "Why have you returned in such a miserable state?" The leader of the Fu Clan, Fu Tao, eyed his people coldly. "Where is Fu Yao?" "Master Yao has been killed." One of them, panting heavily, delivered the news that sent shockwaves through everyone, freezing them in fear and disbelief. "What?" Fu Tao stood abruptly, his face filled with shock. "Impossible! He was a master strategist! Defeating Wi Dar should have been no problem for him. His cultivation level was also formidable!" "Master, we fought with all our strength. The battle against Elder Wi Dar was intense, but we were handling it. We were on the verge of victory," one of the followers reported, his voice trembling. However, just as they were about to secure complete dominance, the situation suddenly took a drastic turn. "But when we thought we had won, a mysterious man appeared out of nowhere. He fell from the sky with incredible speed and overwhelming power." Fu Tao clenched his fists, his heart burning with fury. His expectations had been shattered. "And Master Yao? How could he possibly lose?" His voice rose with disbelief. The follower lowered his head, shame filling his eyes. "That man was terrifyingly strong, Master. They fought fiercely. Master Yao used every technique he had, but that man… he possessed power unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. In just a moment, Master Yao fell, completely powerless." A heavy silence filled the room, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind sneaking through the gaps in the walls. Fu Tao stood still, his gaze fixed on the window, trying to process the bitter reality before him. Tension and deep emotion clouded Fu Tao’s face. "Summon all the clan elders—immediately!" he roared, his voice echoing through the hall, sending chills through everyone present. --- Meanwhile, in the Wi Clan, the atmosphere was calmer but no less serious. Elder Wi Dar, wise and dignified, fixed his gaze on Zhi Hao—the young man who had just inherited a legendary power. "Hao, since you have inherited the Power of the Destroyer God, I hope you can help me," he said, his tone full of expectation. Zhi Hao nodded slowly. "What is it, Elder?" he asked, his curiosity burning. "You carry the Ring of the Destroyer God, don't you?" Wi Dar asked. "Is this it?" Zhi Hao showed him the ring. "Yes, that's the one. Inside it, there exists a special space—a miniature world that resembles our own, capable of storing living beings." Zhi Hao swallowed hard, studying the black ring on his finger. The dim candlelight flickered against the mysterious engravings on its surface. "Is that true, Elder? A special space that can hold all of us?" Wi Dar nodded seriously, his sharp eyes locked onto Zhi Hao’s. "Yes, Zhi Hao. That ring is no ordinary ring. It was created by the Destroyer God himself and is believed to have the power to contain anything within the world it holds inside." Zhi Hao felt his heartbeat quicken, a flicker of fear igniting at the realization of the power resting at his fingertips. He looked up at Wi Dar, searching for reassurance. "And if I put everyone inside… Can we return?" Wi Dar smiled, as if understanding the storm of thoughts raging inside Zhi Hao. "We can return—but only if you allow it. You are the keyholder of that world, Zhi Hao." Zhi Hao's eyes widened, a new understanding of the immense responsibility now resting on his shoulders. His hands trembled slightly as he lifted the ring closer to his face, scrutinizing its intricate details. "So… was I training inside this ring all along?" he murmured to himself. "Don’t do it!" A voice suddenly echoed inside Zhi Hao’s mind, mysterious and forceful. He reached out into the darkness of his thoughts, trying to grasp who was giving him this warning. "I’m sorry, Elder Wi, but I haven’t mastered it yet," Zhi Hao admitted, his voice unsteady, pleading for understanding. Wi Dar’s face clouded with disappointment as he studied Zhi Hao. "I understand. You’ve only just begun, but time is not on our side." "Then… how do I defend Wi Village, Elder?" Zhi Hao asked, anxiety creeping into his voice. Wi Dar let out a heavy sigh, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "We must hold out against their next attack." "Why don’t we strike first tonight or set traps along their approach?" Zhi Hao suggested, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Ah, it’s not that simple," Wi Dar shook his head. "Not everyone in Wi Village is a fighter, and many of our warriors are already wounded." A hint of despair crept into his tone. "That’s why I was hoping you could use the ring to protect us, even if only temporarily. But I fear we cannot rely on it." Wi Dar studied Zhi Hao closely, his eyes flickering with both certainty and doubt. He was convinced the young man was hiding something—logic dictated that if Zhi Hao could exit the ring’s world, he should also be able to re-enter it. But for now, Wi Dar chose not to press the issue. "Very well, take some time to rest. Reflect on how to return to the ring’s space," Wi Dar said in a calm yet authoritative voice. "Understood, Elder," Zhi Hao replied, his voice weary but respectful. "You can use the empty room in this house—the one that once belonged to my traitorous disciple. But be prepared to clean it yourself. It has been abandoned for a long time and is likely filled with dust and shadows of the past," Wi Dar added, his gaze fixed on Zhi Hao’s reaction. Zhi Hao bowed respectfully before heading toward the room. As he pushed open the door, a thick cloud of dust greeted him, stinging his lungs. He quickly waved his hand, dispersing the floating dust as it drifted toward the large ventilation opening in the room. Zhi Hao sat down and began meditating. Then, the same voice spoke again. "Do not reveal the existence of that ring to anyone. Danger lurks around you!" Zhi Hao turned his gaze toward his bracelet, a firm belief settling in his mind—this bracelet was speaking to him. "What… are you?" he asked in a hushed voice.