The Princess And The Lord

In the mystic realm, the sky began to rumble as gray clouds swirled and the sea rose like a raging beast smashing onto the surface one after another mercilessly, at the same time golden flames gradually engulfed Zhao Li Xin, and the flames grew bigger and wilder creating a barrier around him like a sphere made of blazing fire.

"What happened?" Panic rose through her like a tide.

"It's time to test his strength," Huo Long said.

"What does it mean?" Lory's voice edged with fear.

"If he goes through this turbulence, he will enter the Earth God level," Huo Long explained.

Before Lory could ask again, he was startled by the sound of an explosion, she looked up and saw lightning flash behind the dark clouds, as soon as the sound of thunder reverberates.

Lory's body went cold with fear, in the mystical realm everything fell into a stalemate, the day never changed and the weather remained the same as if time froze in this place, time goes without beginning or end as everything move in stagnant therefore Lory was fascinated when she saw the weather change dramatically for the first time.

Suddenly lightning struck Zhao Li Xin luckily he was safely protected within the fire barrier, but then thunder roared like an angry beast and lightning struck Zhao Li Xin twice harder, the fire barrier started to wobble a little then quickly gather as strong.

the lightning strikes him again mercilessly one after another without stopping. Lory had lost count of how many times the lightning had struck Zhao Li Xin, each attack louder and bigger than the previous one slowly the fire barrier around Zhao Li Xin shrunk, Lory was sweating in fear as she watched Zhao Li Xin from afar. 

"The barrier can't hold on any longer!" Lory said anxiously.

"You can't interfere, Lory. This is his turbulence he has to pass this test on his own, he has to prove himself that he is worthy of this power, if you interfere his efforts will be in vain!" Huo Long warned Lory sternly.

[Lory, you have to trust him!] Girsha chimed in.

Lory clenched her fists, fear flooded all over her however she was still able to think clearly,  Girsha was right she had to believe in Zhao Li Xin as he believed in her. Lory mustered up her courage, she consoled herself by saying if anything happened she would use all her gifts to heal Zhao Li Xin, just like the first time they met.

The next powerful attack beat Zhao Li Xin's barrier completely, she should have panicked but Zhao Li Xin remained calm as if he expected this, Zhao Li Xin sneered as lightning came onto him then strike him hard. Unable to see him hurt Lory look away. 

"How many times will he be struck by lightning?" it took every strength she got not to rush to Zhao Li Xin with all her might. 

"Thirty-five times…" Huo Long replied

"WHAT!" Lory couldn't believe what she heard 

[He's already hit twenty-five times, so ten more!] Girsha adds in.

"Twenty?" Lory gasped in horror "Will he survive twenty more strikes?!"  color draining from Lory's face.

" Don't worry, he won't die from this" Huo Long's unflappable confidence gave Lory little comfort even though she was still in doubt.

Meanwhile, Zhao Li Xin who was struck by lightning remained in midair, Zhao Li Xin smells the reek of burning flesh he guessed it must be coming from himself, Zhao Li Xin wanted to check her own condition, unfortunately, his entire body was paralyzed moreover he didn't have time to comprehend his condition when more lightning struck him again. 

Even though the lightning struck him non-stop Zhao Li Xin found solace knowing is a familiar feeling he had been through all of his life, compared to what he had to see in that awful dream, Zhao Li Xin would rather be struck by lightning. 

'….What you become, what decision you make will change everything'

Arthea's words rang in her head at the most unexpected moment as if to remind her, perhaps this is the' motivation' she talking about hence she also said he was the savior and destroyer of his world, and everything would depend on him, Zhao Li Xin didn't care too much but Arthea it perhaps the only way to change Lory fate if that so then everything is different.

He would show the Seeress what 'Motivation' really looks like.

Zhao Li Xin had calculated that the attack would stop for a few seconds after thirteen strikes therefore it would give him time to regain his strength before the next strike, Zhao Li Xin quickly lead his Qi to his dantian then slowly healed his broken nerves, his effort succeed for his breathing gradually stabilized soon he able to twitch his fingers slowly he finally able to clench his fists but he had no time to celebrate.

Once again the dark sky was lit up by lightning, the forked lightning start to clash at each other and one by one the lightning merge into one gigantic thunderbolt that seemed to come in full force for one last time. 

Zhao Li Xin smirked, his worn-out face lit up with excitement, he had wait for this, Zhao Li Xin jumped towards the lightning, blazing flames swirled around her like a tornado and above the flashes of light descending at high speed, Lory saw fire and lightning flashing against each other.

Lory's breath hitched and she screamed frantically, "LI XIN!"

Zhao Li Xin grinned widely, " Come to me!" he hissed.

Zhao Li Xin stretched out his hand towards the sky and a blazing fire rushed from behind him the next thing happen two forces collided in the sky the explosion of the two great powers shook everything around the heavy impact lifting the sea surface like a small tsunami.

Lory quickly merged with Girsha and flew into the sky at the same time creating a barrier to block the raging waves in front of her, Huo Long changed to his true appearance as a red dragon, he plunged into the sea and let out ear-shattering roars towards the giant waves and the waves pushes back at the same time the lightning gradually dissipates then followed by a clear sky and all of a sudden everything calms down, however, both Lory and Huo Long was still frantic searching for Zhao Li Xin.

[Lory, over there!] Girsha shouted.

Lory found Zhao Li Xin lying on a small rock in the middle of the ocean, she quickly flew towards him together with Huo Long following her. When Lory landed, she dashed towards Zhao Li Xin in a hurry but didn't dare touch him casually.

Zhao Li Xin's clothes were barely tattered, her entire body was burnt leaving red marks like three branches all over his body, although this is a common scar to anyone who was struck by lightning, but she had never seen a mark this big before, Tears streamed down her cheeks as she knelt beside Zhao Li Xin, with trembling hands she checked the pulse on Zhao Li Xin neck.

"I'm not dead yet!" Zhao Li Xin suddenly opened her eyes and smirked.

Lory stifles a chuckle, she covered her mouth as tears falling down her cheeks. Huo Long and Girsha exchanged glances of relief.

"I… I will heal you" Lory raised his hand above Zhao Li Xin but he grabbed her hand.

"No, don't do it," Zhao Li Xin said hoarsely.

"But you're hurt!" Lory insisted.

"I have absorbed the power of lightning, I'm in a middle adjusting the lightning power with the immortal flame, the pain told me if I succeed or not." Zhao Li Xin smile.

Lory pressed her lips together, Lory didn't care how strong Zhao Li Xin became she only didn't want him to get hurt, Lory didn't know a breakthrough could be so difficult and dangerous if it was only the first level then what would happen to him on next level.

Seeing Lory's doubts, Huo Long comforted her gently, "That boy is right princess, he will be fine and the scar will go away on its own after a few days"

[Her heart sounds strong, she will be fine Lory] Girsha reassured her.

Lory saw Zhao Li Xin's tired face, she took a deep breath, "Okay..." She reluctantly agrees.

Zhao Li Xin smiled faintly then she patted Lory's hand "Don't worry, I just need to lie down for a bit"

Lory held her hand tightly "I'll be here with you then..."

"No, I'll be fine here, you go home and rest," he said.

Lory gives a cheeky smile while caressed his cheek "You can't get rid of me that easily" as she spoke she secretly heal the scars on Zhao Li Xin's face, in the end, Lory healed him a bit, she thought this much should be fine, right.

Girsha and Huo Long give each other a knowing look and the two left quietly.

Lory carefully placed Zhao Li Xin's head on her lap, she tucked her hair behind her ear then she lowered her head and gently kissed his lips, "Rest, I'll be here..."

Zhao Li Xin's expression softened, "I think I'll have a nice dream for now." Zhao Li Xin closed his eyes and fell asleep right away.

Lory rubbed her thumb on her cheek "Sweet dreams, love"