A/N: All rights to the original content are reserved by the respective copyright owner.

Comment and Vote to show your support, thank you!

---

The battlefield was a chaotic maelstrom of desperation as the behemoth dragon's grotesque transformation continued to unfold. The Elemental Guardians of Earth and Water stood as the last bastion against the eldritch monstrosity. Each of them knew that this battle was unlike any they had faced before.

They had watched in horror as the dragon voraciously absorbed the flesh of fallen warriors, a grotesque process that seemed to only fuel its malevolence. With each sickening gulp, the creature's scales, once vulnerable, hardened into an impenetrable armor, rendering their attempts to subdue it increasingly futile. Its body swelled with grotesque proportions, as if fueled by an insatiable hunger for power.

The Earth Guardian, his demeanor resolute and unyielding, surveyed the dire situation. The fate of Xianzhou hung in the balance, and he knew they had to find a way to stall the dragon, even if only for a brief moment. Turning to Aoqing, the Water Guardian, he spoke with a voice heavy with the weight of a grave decision.

"Go," he commanded, his eyes reflecting the urgency of the situation, "Tend to the others and heal them. We need you to ensure our comrades survive this battle."

The Water Guardian's eyes welled with emotion, and her voice quivered as she responded to the Earth Guardian's command, "I understand the necessity, but it's painful to leave you to face this monstrosity alone. Our comrades... they're like family to us."

Her voice trailed off, and she turned her gaze towards the battlefield, where their fellow Guardians and allies fought bravely against the eldritch dragon's relentless onslaught.

The Earth Guardian's voice gentled as he added, "Think rationally, dear sister. We must call upon Lan, our Aeon, to lend his might. His arrow can be the hope we need to end this threat once and for all." His words were a painful reminder of the responsibility they bore as Elemental Guardians.

Aoqing's heart was heavy, her eyes welling with tears as the burden of her duty weighed upon her. The desire to save her fellow Guardians, her kin, tugged at her very essence, threatening to overwhelm her with emotion. But she knew that her oath as an Elemental Guardian bound her to a higher duty – the protection of Xianzhou. With great reluctance, she nodded, her resolve unbroken even in the face of heart-wrenching decisions.

---

The Earth Guardian found himself drawing inspiration from an unexpected source – the legendary figure, Y/N. Throughout the annals of Xianzhou's history, Y/N had been celebrated as a paragon of unwavering courage and indomitable willpower. He had transcended the ages, a symbol of valor that ignited the spirits of all who heard his tale.

As the tumultuous battle raged on, the Earth Guardian's towering form remained unwavering. In this desperate hour, he became a vessel for the spirit of Y/N, channeling the legendary hero's tenacity and unyielding resolve. It was a connection that went beyond time and flesh, a tribute to the greatest swordsman that Xianzhou could have claimed.

From the very earth beneath him, the Earth Guardian summoned a colossal greatsword, a weapon that seemed as if it had been hewn from the bedrock of their realm itself. The sword, immense and awe-inspiring, weighed more than even the grandest of flagships, a symbol of the Guardian's unwavering determination to protect their realm.

With his heart aflame with the spirit of Y/N, the Earth Guardian wielded the immense greatsword with both of his massive hands. The colossal weapon crackled with elemental power, a testament to the profound inspiration that had coursed through the Guardian's being.

Summoning all his strength, the Earth Guardian heaved the gigantic sword, his muscles straining under the immense weight. With a sweeping arc, the greatsword descended upon the ever-expanding form of the eldritch dragon. The impact was nothing short of cataclysmic, sending shockwaves reverberating across the battlefield.

The dragon, a behemoth of dark power and malevolence, was forcibly dislodged from its previous position. Hurtling through the air, it soared towards another area of the battlefield. In that place, a congregation of Cloud Knights and Denizens of Abundance had gathered, their weary faces revealing the toll of their own battles.

Among them stood General Jinhua, a figure of great authority, and yet she, too, was gripped by a profound fear. The enormity of the eldritch dragon, with its ever-evolving might, cast a long shadow over them. A single strike from the beast could spell their utter annihilation.

Despair loomed on the horizon, threatening to engulf them all. However, in that very moment, hope manifested in the form of a descending figure. It was the Earth Guardian, whose valor and unwavering determination had carried him across the battlefield.

With a mighty downward slash of the colossal greatsword, the Earth Guardian aimed at the dragon's wings, intent on crippling the eldritch creature and forever altering the course of this harrowing battle.

---

As the battle raged on, Aoqing found herself as the sole Elemental Guardian on the battlefield, surrounded by the beleaguered High Cloud Quintet. She rushed to the side of Ying Xing, whose condition was growing increasingly dire. His body bore the grievous wounds inflicted by Y/N, their black miasma oozing like cursed tendrils. The dragon's claw marks, gushing with a sinister gas, revealed a type of corruption that threatened to devour his already limited life force.

With unwavering determination, Aoqing channeled her water elemental magic to heal Ying Xing's wounds. She meticulously removed the spore-like entities that had embedded themselves in his injuries, a byproduct of the dragon's insidious power. Her efforts were not in vain, as the spores were successfully extracted, offering a glimmer of hope. However, the wounds with black scarring defied her efforts to heal, closing at a painfully slow pace.

Baiheng, carrying the unconscious Jing Yuan, rushed to Aoqing's side. Jing Yuan was in dire straits, his head wound bleeding profusely, and he bore holes in his lower abdomen, inflicted by the dragon's cruel tail spikes.

Aoqing turned her healing powers to Jing Yuan, acknowledging the overwhelming might of the ancient dragon. She mended his injuries with care, her efforts focused on staunching the flow of blood and alleviating his pain. The battle had taken an unimaginable toll on the High Cloud Quintet, and they were now left with a deep sense of humility in the face of this legendary eldritch adversary.

As the Water Guardian worked her healing magic with unwavering determination, her voice trembled with disbelief, "I can't fathom the depths of this beast's power. These wounds, this corruption... it's unlike anything we've ever encountered." Her hands glowed with a soft, azure light as she tried to counter the dark forces at play.

Dan Feng, who had joined the healing circle, responded with a solemn and tired tone, "This is no ordinary dragon, Lady Aoqing. It's a creature from the old era, a time of legends. Their power, their very essence, is beyond our comprehension. What we face today is the culmination of time and untold strength."

As she tended to Jing Yuan and absorbed Dan Feng's wisdom about the ancient dragon's might, she couldn't help but cast a mournful gaze toward the Wind Guardian's lifeless form. The once lively and valiant Guardian lay lifeless, his body now a vessel for the insidious spores that had burrowed deep within him. It was a grim reminder of the dragon's malevolent power.

Regret and self-doubt gnawed at Aoqing's heart as she contemplated their duty as Elemental Guardians, chosen by Lan himself. She knew that their responsibility was to protect Xianzhou from threats like the ancient dragon, yet at this moment, their power felt insufficient. She confided in Dan Feng, her voice heavy with emotion, "I underestimated the dragon's prowess, Dan Feng. Our powers, our purpose as Guardians, they all feel meaningless in the face of this monstrosity. If we, chosen by Lan, can't even challenge this creature and prevail, then what is the true purpose of our abilities?"

The weight of responsibility and the burden of their calling pressed down on Aoqing, and she knew that their struggle against the ancient dragon was not just a physical battle but a test of their very purpose and existence.

Dan Feng, who had experienced the burden of powerlessness when Y/N had gone berserk, remained silent for a moment, absorbing Aoqing's words. He understood her sense of helplessness, doubt, and the feeling of inadequacy that weighed heavily on her.

After a solemn pause, he finally spoke with empathy, "We've been in a similar situation before, haven't we? When Y/N lost control, The High Cloud Quintet and I had no choice but to take his life to save Xianzhou. Sometimes, there's no easy solution, and the burden of our power is to make the hardest decisions. But remember, we are a team, a unity of purpose. We'll do whatever it takes to face this ancient dragon, and we won't let the weight of our responsibilities break us."

Aoqing nodded in acknowledgment, her determination rekindled by Dan Feng's words.

In the hushed stillness that followed their conversation, Aoqing couldn't help but wonder about the true purpose of their powers, especially when faced with a threat as overwhelming as this one. Dan Feng's understanding and shared burden served as a reminder that they were not alone in this struggle.

Dan Feng, and indeed the entire High Cloud Quintet, shared in Aoqing's heavy burden and understood the profound weight that her words carried. The feeling of helplessness and the grim realization that sometimes there was no other path but the most difficult one – these were sentiments that bound them together as comrades, as protectors of Xianzhou.

In this shared understanding, an unspoken vow emerged, a silent commitment to do whatever it took to face this ancient dragon and emerge victorious, regardless of the challenges and sacrifices that lay ahead. Their unity and unwavering determination would be their greatest strength in this dire hour of need.

---

As the surviving starskiffs landed with a gentle thud, the High Cloud Quintet and their wounded companions turned their weary eyes towards the newcomers. They were too drained to exhibit any surprise or shock, but a glimmer of hope sparked in their gazes. One of the starskiff pilots, well-versed in the arts of healing, disembarked with supplies and a determined look on their face.

Aoqing, the sole Elemental Guardian on the battlefield, felt a deep sense of gratitude for this unexpected aid. However, she raised a weary hand and said, "Your efforts are kind, but we need no healing now. Attend to our comrades who may still draw breath. We will be the vanguard here."

Cloud Knights, their armors tarnished but spirits undimmed, nodded, commencing their arduous task of seeking, aiding, and perhaps, saving those they could amidst the fractured remnants of the battleground.

A moment of quiet resolution enveloped Aoqing as she extracted an intricate device, its design a delicate symphony of elegance and purpose, intended for communing with Lan, the Aeon of Hunt. Her fingers, unsteady yet deliberate, sent a signal into the abyss, an appeal intertwined with desperation and urgency, for the essence of Xianzhou Luofu wavered precariously between salvation and damnation.

Aoqing, her fingers tracing the cool, intricate surface of a communication device. Her eyes, pools of resolute sorrow, met those of her companions as she spoke, her voice a whispered echo through the desolation. "To invoke Lan's arrow is to conjure a tempest of obliteration upon our land, extinguishing life both foul and innocent alike. But to withhold the call is to permit this ancient, terrible darkness to fester, to transform Xianzhou Luofu into a hellscape of eternal agony."

Dan Feng, his brow furrowed, voiced his vehement disagreement, his gaze fixed on Aoqing. "We cannot sacrifice a part of our city and its people!"

In the charged silence that followed, Baiheng, the whisper of a daring idea fluttering in her spirit, stepped forward. "There is an alternative," she declared, her voice steady, "a path where I lead the beast away, coaxing it into the barren expanses of Xianzhou Luofu, away from the breath of life."

Dan Feng's anger flared, his voice edged with desperation as he responded, "No! I won't lose another friend. We can't afford to let you sacrifice yourself. Jingliu wouldn't want this. Her heart would shatter further if we chose such a path. There must be another way." The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air, the High Cloud Quintet torn between two dire choices, both fraught with sacrifice.

A potent, verdant glow emanated from the device within The Water Guardian's grasp, heralding Lan's somber acknowledgment. Her voice barely a breath, Aoqing spoke, "The arrow...it soars toward our destiny."

As the realization that their fate had been set in motion settled upon them, Baiheng sprung into action. With unwavering determination, she hastened toward the nearest starskiff, her heart pounding in her chest. The aircraft roared to life, its engines thundering, and in the blink of an eye, she was airborne, flying directly toward the colossal dragon.

Dan Feng, weakened by exhaustion and despair, attempted to chase after Baiheng, his legs moving sluggishly. He called out to her, his voice tinged with sadness and despair, his hands outstretched towards the retreating figure. "Baiheng, no! Please, we can't lose you too!"

But it was to the wind he spoke, as Baiheng, now a mere speck against the cataclysmic skies, soared toward destiny, her heart both heavy with sacrifice and alight with the fragile, desperate hope of salvation. And below, the Quintet gazed upwards, locked in a moment eternal, wherein hope and despair danced upon the edge of destiny's unforgiving blade.

---

As Baiheng's starskiff ascended into the ominous sky, the battlefield below bore witness to the dreadful aftermath of the eldritch dragon's rampage. The ground was a canvas of chaos, painted with the somber hues of suffering and death. Most of the soldiers, whether they hailed from the noble ranks of Xianzhou's defenders or the invading forces, lay lifeless or wounded, their once-unyielding formations reduced to nothing more than disarray and despair.

Amidst the horror and carnage, General Jinhua emerged as a testament to unbroken spirit. Despite the grievous loss of her right arm in the brutal melee, she clung to her sword, a symbol of her unwavering leadership and indomitable will. The blade, now serving as both weapon and crutch, was an extension of her very being.

Meanwhile, the Earth Guardian, a towering embodiment of unwavering strength, pressed on with relentless determination. His colossal greatsword, once summoned from the very bedrock of their realm, had transformed into a mighty hammer of retribution. Each resounding strike sent the eldritch dragon crashing to the earth, the echoes of his power reverberating through the battlefield.

Yet, amidst the fierce battle, the ancient dragon exhibited an eerie bloatedness, an otherworldly transformation that defied explanation. It appeared as though the malevolent creature teetered on the precipice of a horrific metamorphosis.

In a desperate gambit to regain the upper hand, the dragon, with an almost inhuman agility, leaped high into the sky. The heavens themselves seemed to shudder in response to its ascent. What followed was a scene of nightmarish terror, a display of power that sent shivers down the spines of those who bore witness.

The eldritch dragon unleashed a relentless cascade of gas bombs, each one bursting upon impact with the ground. The ensuing explosions released a thick smoky veil that quickly enshrouded the battlefield, obscuring the horrors that unfolded within. The Earth Guardian, his instincts honed by the gravest of threats, acted swiftly. He summoned a colossal barrier crafted from earth and stone, not only to shield himself but also to extend protection to General Jinhua and a small number of Cloud Knights who had found safety within the barrier's protective embrace.

However, the fate of those warriors who remained outside the protective bulwark was far more ominous. The malevolent gas, tainted by the insidious spores of the ancient dragon, possessed a sinister power to leech away life force. Stricken soldiers, once valiant defenders of Xianzhou, now writhed in agony and desperation. Their strength waned rapidly, and the insidious spores took a relentless toll on their bodies.

High above the chaotic battlefield, the eldritch dragon, its grotesque form swollen with dark power, soared through the air. Its eyes, aglow with a malevolence that bordered on the otherworldly, now fixated upon the Palace of Astrum, the towering headquarters of Luofu's Sky-Faring Commission. The dragon's intentions were unmistakable, and it seemed resolute in its pursuit of destruction, particularly targeting the heart of Xianzhou's strength.

Baiheng, steadfast in her pursuit of the dragon, guided her starskiff through the turbulent skies. Her heart was a heavy burden of determination, a solemn vow to protect her beloved city from the impending catastrophe. With each passing moment, the fate of Xianzhou Luofu hung in the balance, and they drew closer to the epicenter of the impending cataclysm.

---

The mighty starskiff, its essence woven with celestial might and entrusted dreams, sliced through the astral chaos, guided by Baiheng - the Nameless. Her legendary feats whispered through tales, yet her identity has always been an enigma, her persona a gentle echo amidst the explorers of the cosmos below. Baiheng, even before her days as a member of the esteemed High Cloud Quintet, embraced the mantle of The Nameless, veiling her identity in a shroud of mystery to stand symbolically for all the unseen, unrecognized cosmic voyagers.

Pursuing the starry dragon, a formidable manifestation of evolution and necromancy, her path was a veiled self-sacrifice, a secret shared only with Aoqing, Dan Feng, and a select few of the Cloud Knights, who, concealed amidst the skeletal remnants of Xianzhou Yuque, cast their eyes and silent prayers skyward, their aspirations entwining with Baiheng's clandestine journey through the celestial abyss.

Baiheng's heart, a vessel of unspoken hopes and quieted fears, harbored visions of a tranquil Xianzhou Luofu, where laughter of children playing beneath the celestial veil and serene smiles of contentment from civilians stitched a tapestry of peace and harmony. A place where the horrors of the celestial war were but a distant memory, erased by the joyous echos of vibrant lives lived without the looming shadow of despair.

Below, within the protective veils of sanctuaries, the inhabitants remained ignorant of the cosmic battle and sacrificial odyssey unfolding above, their spirits momentarily lulled into a peaceful reprieve amidst the celestial turmoil.

In the skies above, Baiheng, swathed in the tranquil yet ominous embrace of the void, orchestrated a cascade of celestial projectiles from her starskiff. Their luminescent trails, while gracefully caressing the cosmos, assaulted the dragon, successfully diverting its vengeful gaze upon her solitary silhouette. A perilous victory unfolded as she lured the luminous behemoth away, its silent roars imprinting despair upon the astral void.

Baiheng, with the dragon of evolution and necromancy in pursuit, sailed across the celestial skies toward the mysterious, uncharted lands within Xianzhou Luofu, embarking upon a journey where the veils between legend and reality, life and death, began to blur into an entwining tapestry of cosmic mystery.

Amidst the echoing silence of the cosmos, Baiheng whispered to the void, her voice a mere wisp amidst the stellar winds. "Jingliu... I am sorry," her words, imbued with a melancholy resolve, traversed through the interstellar abyss. "May the tranquility I've sought for our land be realized in my absence. Forgive me for this solitary departure... into the unknown."

The foxian's journey, luminous yet shrouded by an impending gloom, intertwined her spirit with those she sought to protect. Even though her chosen few could not witness her heroic endeavors amidst the celestial folds, her silhouette, forever seared into their memories, flickered - an undying flame amidst the stellar wilderness, crafting a chronicle of unsung farewells and unbroken vows.

As her silhouette merged with the void, Xianzhou Luofu beneath the tempest held its collective breath, unwittingly pausing on the cusp of a story yet to unfold, where the Nameless Guardian ventured into the unknown, clasping their fates gently in her indomitable grasp, forging ahead into the abyss for the promise of a dawn where hope could bloom unshackled.