Douluo Continent: Dragon Shadow Rebirth

As the stone door opened with a bang, an indescribable dark aura poured out from inside the door, and the air was filled with an icy chill that made people shudder. Zhang Meng widened his eyes, tightly gripped the giant axe in his hand, and swallowed his saliva: "Qin Feng, this time we seem to have really run into something we shouldn't have touched."

Qin Feng didn't speak, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes were fixed on the darkness inside the stone gate. Although he was a little nervous, he was more curious and vigilant - what exactly did the Dark Cult seal here?

The breath inside the door became stronger and stronger, as if something was awakening from the depths. Suddenly, a low and hoarse voice came from the stone door, with an ominous echo: "Who... disturbed my sleep?"

Zhang Meng jumped up immediately, his face full of horror: "Did you hear that? This place can talk! Did we release some ancient monster?"

Qin Feng didn't look back, but said calmly: "Keep calm, Mengzi. We don't know what's inside yet."

“Calm down? You’re asking me to calm down at this time!” Zhang Meng’s eyes widened, his tone filled with obvious anxiety. “If a man-eating monster really shows up, how can you stay calm?”

As they were talking, a heavy sound of footsteps came from the door. Then, a black figure slowly appeared in front of them. It was a giant wearing tattered armor, with a burly figure, a pale face, and empty eyes, as if he had already lost his life.

"What...is that?" Zhang Meng was stunned for a moment, then quickly raised his giant axe and prepared for battle.

Qin Feng also vigilantly clenched the sword in his hand, his eyes fixed on the giant. The giant's aura was extremely powerful, but there was no life at all, as if it was just some kind of existence resurrected by the power of darkness.

The giant stood silently at the door, with his head lowered, as if he was lost in some kind of contemplation. After a moment, the deep voice sounded again: "Who am I?"

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, slowly took a step forward, and asked tentatively: "Are you the one who was sealed here? Was it the Dark Cult who did it?"

The giant did not answer immediately, but slowly raised his head, his hollow eyes seemed to penetrate everything: "Darkness... power... I was once its slave, but... I no longer remember..."

Zhang Meng moved closer to Qin Feng and whispered, "This guy looks like he has lost his memory? Has he forgotten that he is a member of the Dark Cult?"

Qin Feng nodded, and had some guesses in his mind: "He may have been sealed for too long, and his memory is confused. The Dark Cult may have only used part of his power, but did not completely control his consciousness."

"Then what should we do?" Zhang Meng frowned, "Fight or not?"

Qin Feng did not answer immediately, but continued to ask the giant: "Do you still remember who you are? Why are you sealed here?"

The giant was silent for a while, as if trying to recall the past. Finally, his voice sounded again: "I... was once the protector of this land. But darkness fell... it corrupted my soul... and made me its puppet."

"It seems that he was not an enemy before." Qin Feng said softly, turning to Zhang Meng and said, "We can't attack him directly, maybe there is a way to solve it."

"I understand." Zhang Meng nodded, but still remained alert. "But he doesn't look easy to deal with. Are you sure you don't want to hit him with an axe first?"

Qin Feng shook his head, and then said to the giant: "If you don't want to be controlled by darkness, we can help you get rid of it."

The giant lowered his head slightly, with a hint of fatigue in his voice: "I am no longer the person I used to be... Even if I break free from the darkness, my existence is already meaningless."

Qin Feng heard the helplessness and sadness in his words, and was touched: "You are not useless. Perhaps your power can be used to stop the dark sect and help us fight them together."

The giant slowly raised his head, and a faint light seemed to flash in his empty eyes: "Stop... the darkness... I was once its slave, but if you can... redeem my soul..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the giant suddenly stepped forward, and his armor made a heavy metal collision sound. He approached Qin Feng and Zhang Meng, and although his aura was strong, he had no malice.

"It seems like he is going to join us?" Zhang Meng looked at the giant in disbelief, blinking his eyes, "He won't fight us?"

"It seems that he is willing to help us." Qin Feng nodded and said, "This is good news. His power will be of great help to us in fighting against the Dark Cult."

The giant walked up to them, stopped, and said in a low voice: "I was once corrupted by darkness. Now if I have a chance to atone for my sins... I am willing to lend you a hand."

"Great!" Zhang Meng patted the giant axe with a smile on his face, "We now have a super fighter. It looks like the black-robed monsters are going to be in trouble this time!"

"Don't be too complacent, Mengzi." Qin Feng reminded, "This is just the beginning. The Dark Cult will definitely not let us get close to their core base easily."

"I know, I know." Zhang Meng said confidently, "No matter what tricks they play, I can solve them with one axe."

"You need to be careful." The giant said slowly, his voice low and solemn, "The Dark Cult has already gained enough power, and they are planning a bigger conspiracy. Sealing me is just a test of theirs, and the real threat is still ahead."

Qin Feng was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly: "We know. No matter what dangers lie ahead, we will face them."

The giant nodded, then turned and walked deeper into the stone gate. "There is a secret passage ahead, leading to the stronghold of the Dark Cult. I will lead you there, but you must be prepared to face greater challenges."

"Secret passage?" Zhang Meng was puzzled. "So, we don't have to go around the mountain anymore?"

"Yes, the secret passage was once the guard passage of this valley, but now... it has been eroded by the power of darkness." The giant's voice was a little sad, "You will encounter the remnants of darkness in the secret passage, so be careful."

“No problem!” Zhang Meng swung the giant axe confidently, “With me here, any darkness can be chopped away cleanly!”

Qin Feng smiled and said, "Then let's act, time is running out."

The giant led them into the stone gate. The entrance to the secret passage was hidden behind the stone gate. The passage was narrow and dark, and the air was filled with a strong smell of decay. Despite this, Qin Feng, Zhang Meng and the giant still walked firmly towards the unknown dark stronghold.

As they went deeper, the dark power in the passage became stronger. The surrounding walls were covered with strange black vines, and the ground was littered with corroded stones and debris.

"These things don't look very friendly." Zhang Meng muttered, "Be ready to chop them down at any time."

"Stay alert, Mengzi." Qin Feng reminded, "The Dark Cult will not let us get close to their base easily."

Suddenly, a low roar was heard from the front of the passage, and then several distorted dark monsters emerged from the wall and blocked their way.

“They are coming!” Zhang Meng shouted excitedly, swung his giant axe and rushed forward, “Let me deal with them!”

Qin Feng and the giant followed closely behind, ready to face this fierce battle. The shadow of the dark power enveloped the entire passage, and the dangerous aura surrounded them, but their hearts were full of faith and courage.

No matter how unfathomable the conspiracy of the dark sect is, they will continue to move forward and face all challenges.