A Fantasy Love Story Across the Warring States Period

Chapter 33 Relics and Mechanisms and a New Crisis

The sounds of mechanisms activating from deep within the ruins grew louder, the clicking and clattering echoing through the dusty, tense space like the tolling of death's bell, sending chills down one's spine. Cracks spread rapidly across the ground like a spiderweb, and golden light shone ever brighter from their depths, casting an eerie glow over the surroundings.

Despite his injuries, Huanmo stared intently at the widening crack and the shimmering golden light. He was filled with both worry and curiosity. Worried about what terrifying thing might be emerging from the ground, and curious whether it would be their chance to escape the giant sand beast's clutches, or the beginning of a nightmare that would plunge them into even deeper despair. Though weakened, his eyes remained resolute. He silently vowed to protect Wanru no matter what, even if it cost him his life.

Wanru clung tightly to Huanmo, her eyes filled with terror, her hands unconsciously gripping Huanmo's clothes. Having just endured the fierce attack of the giant sand beast, and with Huanmo injured, they thought their situation had reached its worst, but now this bizarre turn of events at the ruins had occurred. She felt as if she were trapped in an endless nightmare, surrounded by unknown fears, desperately hoping for a miracle that would allow them to survive this ordeal.

The man in white, holding a jade flute, watched the unfolding events with a furrowed brow and a grave expression. He knew this ruin was shrouded in mystery, and every new development could conceal a hidden secret or a deadly crisis. He played the jade flute, attempting to use its enigmatic melody to continue disrupting the giant sand beast's movements, while simultaneously observing the changes in the cracks in the ground. He pondered a solution, but his mind was a jumbled mess, unable to devise a foolproof plan.

Qingwan clutched the Spirit Pearl tightly, its soft light appearing somewhat dim under the golden glow. Her face grew increasingly pale, and fine beads of sweat covered her forehead. She poured all her energy into her magic, maintaining the Spirit Pearl's healing effect on Huanmo, while simultaneously remaining vigilant for any new dangers that might arise. She silently prayed that it was all just a false alarm, but the increasingly loud mechanical sounds and the ever-brighter golden light ruthlessly shattered her hopes.

The white tiger growled softly to the side, its blue eyes fixed on the crack in the ground and the giant sand beast, its white fur standing on end in tension. It paced back and forth around the group, seemingly searching for an opportunity to continue attacking the sand beast while also guarding against any unknown threats that might emerge from the crack.

The giant sand beast seemed startled by this sudden turn of events. It stopped attacking the group, raised its massive head, and watched the cracks in the ground and the shimmering golden light with wary eyes. It let out a series of low roars, as if it too was wary of something.

As everyone watched this tensely, suddenly, a huge metal puppet burst forth from a large crack. The puppet was tall, more than two people high, and its entire body was made of an unknown metal that gleamed with a cold luster under the golden light. Its limbs were thick and powerful, with flexible joints, and each hand held a huge blade, the blades radiating a chilling aura.

"What...what is this?" Wanru asked in horror, her eyes wide and her voice trembling.

Huanmo frowned, his heart tightening. He knew this newly appeared enemy would likely bring them another fierce battle. "Whatever it is, we have no choice but to fight!" he said through gritted teeth. Although his body had not fully recovered, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and charge forward.

Seeing this, the man in white made the tune on his jade flute even more urgent, trying to use that invisible power to interfere with the actions of both the giant sand beast and the metal puppet.

Qingwan then amplified the light of the spirit pearl, forming an even stronger protective barrier in front of everyone. She knew that in the face of these two powerful enemies, they had to ensure their own safety first.

Seizing the opportunity, the white tiger pounced on the giant sand beast again, tearing at its legs with sharp claws and teeth, trying to completely draw the sand beast's attention so that Huanmo and the others could concentrate on dealing with the metal puppet.

Huanmo took a deep breath, gripped the mysterious bead in his hand, and, using the power granted by the bead, charged towards the metal puppet. He leaped into the air and threw a punch at the puppet's head. However, the puppet reacted quickly, slightly dodging Huanmo's attack, and then swung its sharp blade down at Huanmo.

Huanmo couldn't dodge in time and his arm was slashed by the sharp blade, blood flowing out immediately. He staggered back a few steps in pain, but the determination in his eyes only intensified. "Hmph, you think you can hurt me? Not so easy!" he growled in a low voice, charging towards the puppet again.

At the same time, the giant sand beast, enraged by the white tiger's attack, suddenly turned around and stomped down on the white tiger with its front hooves. The white tiger nimbly dodged the attack, but the sand beast immediately swept its tail across the white tiger. The white tiger couldn't dodge in time and was struck in the body, letting out a painful roar as it was thrown a long distance away.

"White Tiger!" Wanru was extremely anxious upon seeing this, and she ran towards the white tiger regardless of the danger.

The man in white and Qingwan rushed over to help. The man in white played the jade flute while using some of his power to try to heal the white tiger, while Qingwan extended the light of the spirit pearl to envelop the white tiger and provide it with protection.

During his fierce battle with the metal puppet, Huanmo gradually discovered some patterns in its movements. Although it was powerful and agile, it seemed to pause briefly after each attack, which might be its weakness.

So, Huanmo seized the opportunity and, in the instant the puppet paused after an attack, rushed forward and forcefully smashed the mysterious bead in his hand into the puppet's chest.

The bead collided with the puppet's chest with a loud bang. Then, the puppet's body trembled slightly, and the blade in its hand was no longer wielded as nimbly as before, as if it were being restricted in some way.

"It's working!" Huanmo was overjoyed and was about to press his advantage when he noticed that the puppet's body suddenly began to emit a strong light, which grew brighter and brighter, almost blinding him.

Just as the light reached its peak, the puppet's body began to disintegrate, and countless metal fragments flew out in all directions.

Huanmo couldn't dodge in time and was hit by some metal fragments, adding several more wounds to his body. He fell to the ground in pain, but secretly rejoiced that at least the puppet had temporarily lost its fighting ability.

However, at that moment, several more identical metal golems emerged from other cracks. They lined up in a row, raising their sharp blades high and coldly staring at the crowd, as if waiting for the order to attack.