Chapter 5: Chentangguan in Crisis
The once - vibrant town of Chentangguan was now on the brink of destruction. The combined attacks of the Four Dragon Kings and Wuliang Xianweng had reduced many of its buildings to rubble. The streets were filled with the screams of the townspeople, their cries for help echoing through the chaos. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky, obscuring the sun and casting an eerie gloom over the entire area.
Ne Zha and Ao Bing, battered and exhausted, but with determination burning in their eyes, refused to yield. They knew that if they gave up now, Chentangguan and its people would be doomed.
"Ne Zha, we can't let them win," Ao Bing said, his voice hoarse from the effort of the battle. "We have to find a way to stop them."
Ne Zha nodded, his teeth gritted. "You're right. I won't let this place be destroyed. I promised to protect these people, and I will!"
Just then, a massive wave of water, summoned by the Dragon Kings, surged towards the town. It was so large that it seemed to blot out the sky. Ne Zha and Ao Bing quickly flew towards it, trying to hold it back. Ne Zha unleashed a torrent of fire, while Ao Bing created a barrier of ice. The two elements clashed with the water, creating a deafening roar. Steam rose up in thick clouds, making it hard to see.
In the midst of the chaos, Li Jing and Lady Yin were doing their best to evacuate the remaining townspeople. Li Jing, with his sword in hand, fought off the debris and the magical attacks that threatened to harm the civilians. Lady Yin, her eyes filled with worry for her son, used her own spiritual powers to protect the weak and the injured.
"Everyone, stay calm! Follow the evacuation route!" Li Jing shouted, his voice barely audible over the noise of the battle.
But the situation was dire. The Dragon Kings and Wuliang Xianweng seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Wuliang Xianweng, with a cruel smile on his face, launched a series of powerful energy blasts towards Ne Zha and Ao Bing. Each blast sent shockwaves through the air, making it difficult for them to maintain their defenses.
"Ne Zha, look out!" Ao Bing shouted as one of the blasts headed straight for Ne Zha. He quickly moved to block it with his own body, taking the full force of the attack. He was sent flying backwards, crashing into a nearby building.
"Ao Bing!" Ne Zha cried out in horror. He rushed to his friend's side. "Are you okay? Why did you do that?"
Ao Bing coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "I couldn't let you get hurt. We're in this together, remember?"
Ne Zha's heart filled with anger and determination. "We'll make them pay for this, Ao Bing. I promise."
Just then, Shen Gongbao, who had managed to recover from the earlier attack, joined them. His eyes were filled with a fierce resolve. "I may have been on the wrong side before, but I won't let Wuliang Xianweng get away with this. I'll help you two."
Ne Zha and Ao Bing looked at him, a glimmer of hope in their eyes. "Thanks, Shen Gongbao," Ne Zha said. "We need all the help we can get."
The three of them, united in their goal to protect Chentangguan, prepared to face the seemingly insurmountable odds. They knew that the battle ahead would be tough, but they were ready to fight with all their might. With the fate of the town and its people hanging in the balance, Ne Zha, Ao Bing, and Shen Gongbao charged back into the fray, ready to face the Dragon Kings and Wuliang Xianweng once again.