Twelve years later, on the China National Highway 219—the Xinjiang–Tibet Road leading toward Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province—a line of trucks rumbled steadily forward, a lone van trailing close behind. All were bound for a rice plantation in Jinghong, where their cargo would be loaded before distribution across China.

Inside the van sat two young men—Aiugo and Hua—newly hired workers tasked with transporting rice to the cities.

By the time they reached Jinghong, the trucks rolled straight into the plantation grounds. Workers swarmed around, hauling heavy sacks of rice into the containers. Aiugo and Hua joined in, filling their van. But while Hua focused on his work, Aiugo’s eyes caught something unusual: a faint but dazzling dark-purple glow flickering deep within the plantation.

“That light… it could be worth more than these sacks of rice. Maybe gold—or even diamonds,” Aiugo whispered, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

“Forget it,” Hua muttered. “We were told to stick with the group. You want to get fired on the first week?”

“They won’t even notice we’re gone,” Aiugo pressed. “It’ll take hours to load all those trucks. Come on—let’s just check it out.”

Hua hesitated, then reluctantly gave in. He started the van and drove toward the glow. The further they went, the more unsettling the plantation became. The neat rows of rice faded into tangled undergrowth, bushes clawing at the sides of the van.

Finally, Aiugo spotted the source of the glow. Beneath a large stone, the light pulsed brighter than before. Hua stopped the van. Aiugo jumped out, heaved the stone aside, and uncovered a glass bottle filled with shimmering purple liquid.

Hua reached for it, but Aiugo snatched it first. The glow immediately dimmed.

“This has to be worth a fortune! I’ve never seen anything like it,” Aiugo said breathlessly.

Hua frowned. “Exactly. No one’s ever seen it—which means it’s probably dangerous.”

“Dangerous? No. We’re rich! We’re—”

Aiugo’s voice died in his throat. His face twisted in terror.

“What? What is it?” Hua asked, his back stiffening.

“B-b-bear! Run!” Aiugo screamed, bolting for the van, bottle clutched tight.

A massive bear lumbered into the clearing, roaring. Hua, trying to be brave, pulled a pistol from his pocket.

“Fear not! I’ll handle—”

The bear swiped its paw, knocking the gun from his hand before he could fire. Hua froze, trembling.

“Okay, I can’t handle him. Plan two: RUN!” Hua yelped, diving into the van.

The engine roared to life, and the vehicle lurched forward. Branches snapped, the van swayed violently, but the bear thundered after them.

“He’s still behind us!” Hua shouted, staring at the side mirror.

“There’s a cliff ahead—turn right!” Aiugo warned.

Hua swerved sharply, heart pounding. A tunnel loomed ahead.

“There’s no way back,” Hua muttered.

“Then straight through it—faster!” Aiugo urged.

The van shot into the tunnel, the echo of the engine drowning out the bear’s furious roars. Too large to enter, the beast stopped.

“We made it… thank heaven,” Hua sighed, shoulders sinking in relief.

But relief came too soon. The tunnel spat them out—directly over a cliff.

The van plummeted. Metal screamed. Glass shattered. Twisted wreckage scattered across jagged rocks below.

Aiugo groaned, dragging himself from the wreckage. The bottle—miraculously—remained intact. He stumbled to Hua, unconscious at the wheel, and shook him until he stirred.

“Look at this mess!” Hua rasped, clutching his bruised arm. “All because you couldn’t be satisfied!”

“I just wanted us to be rich!” Aiugo snapped. “Stop nagging—let’s get out of here.”

Two hours later, weak and battered, they trudged through the wilderness. Strange bones and skulls littered the path—creatures unlike any they had ever seen. Aiugo stumbled and fell. The glass bottle slipped from his grasp, shattered, and spilled its contents onto the ground.

The liquid spread, glowing fiercely, curling into shapes—shapes that twisted into human-like forms and monstrous silhouettes.

“What’s happening…?” Aiugo whispered.

“We should run. Now!” Hua shouted.

They sprinted, but behind them the glow erupted into a blinding light. When it faded, the forms had solidified.

Roc.

Xiong Yīng, the leader of the Stymphalian birds.

A horde of Ulama and Stymphalian birds.

Dark creatures—once slain by Phoenix—now stood resurrected.

Roc stretched his massive wings and laughed darkly.

“I live again! And Phoenix will die. I will claim his power, destroy China, and then—conquer the world!”

“My lord,” Xiong Yīng said, clutching a drop of the glowing liquid, “it seems this Dark Resurrection Liquid was spilled here. It revived us.”

“Then waste no time,” Roc ordered. “Send the Stymphalian birds and Ulama. Hunt down the ones who released it.”

The screeches of monstrous wings filled the sky. Aiugo and Hua fled, panic fueling their legs.

Meanwhile, Roc raised a dark-purple staff. A bolt of energy shot skyward, tearing the air.

The Dark Realms reappeared—palaces, caves, and armies of creatures materializing under a force field of shadow.

“He’s rebuilding the Dark Realms—we’re doomed!” Hua cried.

The two stumbled into a cave, but inside lurked more horrors. Monstrous birds blocked every escape. A wing slashed across Aiugo’s hand, sending him tumbling down a rocky ledge. Hua screamed as talons seized him.

Dragged before Roc, the two young men trembled.

“So, you’re the fools who brought us back,” Roc sneered. “Shall I reward you with death—or servitude? Choose.”

“B!” Aiugo shouted before Hua could speak.

“You idiot!” Hua snapped. “You’ll get us killed!”

Roc chuckled. “He chose well. B means servitude. A was death—fed to my birds. Be grateful.”

Hua glared at Aiugo, defeated.

“Better a servant than bird food,” Aiugo muttered.

“Xiong Yīng,” Roc commanded, “tend to his wound. Prepare uniforms for our new servants.”

“But, my lord, we’ve never had servants before,” Xiong Yīng said cautiously.

“Then improvise. I’ll be in my palace.”

Roc’s dark robe swept the ground as he turned, the emblem of a great bird etched into its folds. Xiong Yīng followed, while the Ulama circled above, their cries echoing across the reborn Dark Realms.