A streak of light flashed across the horizon, illuminating the entire night sky and catching the attention of many people.
The stream of light plunged straight downward, prompting numerous figures to give chase.
"Boom!"
As the light crashed into the distance, a deafening explosion echoed through the trees, startling a flock of sleeping birds and sending them scattering in panic.
Where the light had fallen, a deep crater was gouged into the earth. Inside lay a figure, enveloped in a glowing halo of light.
The figure within the light seemed to open its eyes, gazing around at the surroundings.
"Where am I?" Chuxuan felt as though he had just emerged from a haze. His consciousness was only just waking up, and he had not yet recovered from the disorientation.
Chuxuan found that he could not move; he could only open his eyes and stare blankly at his surroundings, his body utterly paralyzed.
He tried to force his limbs to obey while frantically piecing together what had happened before.
At that moment, two figures suddenly appeared near the woods, having evidently tracked the noise.
They were traveling together. One of them wore a grey suit, a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, and spotless black leather shoes.
The other was a fat monk dressed in a pale yellow monastic robe with prayer beads around his neck. His robes were blackened and wrinkled, giving him a deeply slovenly appearance.
The pair moved with astonishing speed, crossing a vast distance in the blink of an eye. They looked around restlessly, as if searching for something.
Catching sight of the birds taking flight from the woods ahead, the two exchanged a glance and instantly understood each other.
"Over there!"
"Let's move!"
They dashed toward the woods, vanishing into the pitch-black night.
"We're pressed for time. Let's split up and search!"
"Right!"
Rushing into the trees, they separated, leaping gracefully from branch to branch while scanning their surroundings.
The two searched meticulously, leaving no corner unchecked.
Before long, they located the crater left by the falling light.
The man in the suit called out in a low voice to the fat monk, "Thunder Smoke Cannon, I found it. Come over here!"
Thunder Smoke Cannon hurried over at the sound. Staring down into the crater, he asked the bespectacled man beside him, "Calamity Seed, what is this thing?"
Calamity Seed shook his head, looking at the glowing object in the crater. "I only just got here. I have no idea."
"This is the front mountain of Longhu Mountain. We shouldn't stay long. We need to get out of here before those Taoist priests spot us, or it'll be a hassle to shake them off," Thunder Smoke Cannon murmured, glancing warily at the surrounding woods as he caught the faint sound of movement in the distance.
"Right, we need to hurry."
"I'll go down and take a look. Whatever it is, I'm taking it." With that, Thunder Smoke Cannon leaped directly into the crater.
"Hurry up, Thunder Smoke Cannon. I'll keep watch up here." Calamity Seed scanned the perimeter with heightened vigilance.
Approaching the glowing sphere, Thunder Smoke Cannon vaguely made out Chuxuan trapped inside. The light seemed to be radiating from a circular object on Chuxuan's chest.
"It must be a treasure," Thunder Smoke Cannon thought, certain that the glowing round object was a valuable artifact. Looking closer, he realized it appeared to be a pocket watch.
He reached out and grabbed straight for the pocket watch on Chuxuan's chest.
Inside the light, Chuxuan caught sight of Thunder Smoke Cannon and felt a spike of alertness. This sudden fat monk was clearly up to no good!
"Bang!"
Thunder Smoke Cannon's attempt failed; his hand slammed directly against the barrier of light.
"Huh?"
"The light is being emitted by this treasure. This might actually be a top-grade magical tool!" Thunder Smoke Cannon's eyes lit up with excitement.
At the edge of the crater, Calamity Seed called out a warning, "Thunder Smoke Cannon, make it quick! The Taoist priests of Longhu Mountain are almost here."
"Got it." Hesitating no longer, Thunder Smoke Cannon struck the barrier with a heavy palm strike.
An instant later, a flash of light vanished, and Thunder Smoke Cannon was sent flying backward through the air.
"What the hell?" Calamity Seed muttered in confusion as he watched his companion get thrown back.
Groaning, Thunder Smoke Cannon picked himself up from the distance and stomped back over, his face dark with fury as he growled, "This damn thing is wicked—it actually fights back."
"Well, the light is fading. Looks like we can get close to it now," Thunder Smoke Cannon noted, watching the glow inside the crater die down.
He jumped back into the crater, only to find Chuxuan lying on the ground.
As the light faded completely, Chuxuan finally regained control of his body. He groggily pushed himself up, his mind still clouded and unable to recall what had happened.
Though perplexed, Thunder Smoke Cannon didn't hesitate. He grabbed Chuxuan by the shoulder and hauled him out of the crater.
"Shen Chong, this is what was inside the light."
"Oh? It's a person. Perhaps he has some special qualities. We should take him back for a proper study," Shen Chong said, eyeing Chuxuan up and down.
Chuxuan looked back at Calamity Seed and Thunder Smoke Cannon, sharply sensing that neither of them was a benevolent character.
"Dragging this guy along won't be convenient. Let me strip whatever he has on him, and then we'll get out of here," Thunder Smoke Cannon proposed.
"Fair enough." Calamity Seed gave a slight nod.
"Hey kid, hand over that pocket watch on you!" Thunder Smoke Cannon snapped, glaring down at the standing Chuxuan.
"What pocket watch?" Chuxuan asked, confused.
"Hah? Playing dumb?" Thunder Smoke Cannon growled, noticing Chuxuan's dazed expression.
"Fine, I'll take it myself!" A flash of cruel murderous intent crossed Thunder Smoke Cannon's eyes. He clenched his fist and lunged, aiming a lethal punch straight at Chuxuan's chest to finish him in one blow.
Chuxuan snapped out of his daze. Just as he had suspected, these two were vicious killers who wouldn't hesitate to take a life over a few words.
Cold determination flashed in Chuxuan's eyes. Even though a wave of mortal dread washed over him in the face of the attack, he managed to react in the nick of time.
"Kid, dodging my punch like that? Looks like I definitely can't let you live," Thunder Smoke Cannon said, his murderous intent burning bright and unchecked.