Chapter 26: "Veil of Secrets"

Lady Elysia lay unconscious on the ground, her celestial energy weakened by Yuan Qiu's devastating attack.

Liu Chen, Li Qingyun, and the other celestial masters rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces.

"We must get Lady Elysia to safety," Liu Chen urged, his voice laced with worry.

Li Qingyun nodded, her gaze still fixed on Yuan Qiu, who stood amidst the remnants of his malevolence. "But what about Yuan Qiu? We cannot give up on him."

With a heavy heart, Liu Chen agreed.

He could not bear to see his old friend consumed by darkness, even if it meant facing the malevolent forces head-on.

As they prepared to tend to Lady Elysia's injuries, a chilling presence filled the air once again.

The Veiled One emerged from the shadows, their dark cloak billowing ominously.

"You meddle in affairs that do not concern you," The Veiled One's voice was cold and devoid of emotion.

Liu Chen's eyes narrowed, "Who are you? What do you want with the celestial realm?"

The Veiled One chuckled darkly, "I am but an enigma—a keeper of secrets and a harbinger of darkness. As for what I want, it matters not to you. Your realm's fate is sealed."

Li Qingyun's hand tightened around her sword, her resolve unwavering. "We will not let darkness consume us. We will protect the celestial realm and its unity."

The Veiled One's eyes glinted with amusement, "Ah, such fervor. But can you truly stop the inevitable?"

Before they could respond, The Veiled One vanished, leaving behind an unsettling silence.

With Lady Elysia safely taken to a celestial sanctuary for healing, Liu Chen and Li Qingyun turned their attention back to Yuan Qiu.

His eyes held a glimmer of turmoil, as if his true self fought to break free from the malevolence's hold.

Liu Chen approached Yuan Qiu cautiously, his voice gentle yet firm, "Yuan Qiu, we know you're still in there. Fight against the darkness. Remember who you truly are."

Yuan Qiu's celestial energy flickered, and he spoke with a mixture of agony and determination, "I... I can't control it. The darkness consumes me."

Li Qingyun stepped forward, her hand reaching out to Yuan Qiu, "We believe in you, Yuan Qiu. Your wisdom and integrity can still prevail."

For a brief moment, it seemed like Yuan Qiu was breaking free from the malevolence.

His eyes softened, and his celestial energy wavered.

But just as hope surged within Liu Chen and Li Qingyun, a haunting laughter echoed through the hall.

The Veiled One reappeared, their eyes gleaming with malice, "Such pitiful attempts. The celestial realm will fall, and there is nothing you can do to stop it."

Liu Chen's determination hardened, "We will not give in to darkness. We will protect the celestial realm and its unity."

The Veiled One smirked, "We shall see."

In a blinding flash of dark energy, The Veiled One launched an attack that sent Liu Chen and Li Qingyun flying backward.