The entire Bubble Cloud Path shook harder and harder.
The Light Bubbles around them flashed wildly, as though they might burst at any moment.
Twisted black energy poured through the cracks in the stone gate. Wherever it passed, Light Bubbles winked out one after another.
"Get back!"
The abbot gave a low shout and swept his sleeve. A gentle force wrapped around the four of them and carried them straight out of the Cloud Path.
Gon still gripped the Cloud-Bubble Spirit Fruit tightly as he stumbled onto the open ground behind the monastery.
As soon as he steadied himself, he looked toward the edge of the Zen Monastery.
The Zen-Protecting Barrier had changed color.
The once translucent, pale-gold barrier was now riddled with black cracks.
A cold, violent Xiewei charged with an overpowering hunger to plunder slammed against it.
Every impact left another crack.
Plants caught in its wake withered instantly, every last trace of life drained from them.
Crack!
A sharp snap rang out.
The Zen-Protecting Barrier shattered completely.
Black Xiewei surged in like a tide.
A figure slowly walked in across the withered grass.
He was an elderly red panda.
His fur was dull, several patches on his back had gone bald, and a piece of his left ear was missing. His eyes were as sinister as a viper's.
Black Xiewei swirled around him. With every step, the grass beneath his feet turned to ash.
It was the complete opposite of the monastery's gentle, pure Xiewei.
"Mozhu!"
The Red Panda Assistant Instructor's expression changed sharply. He stepped forward, shock filling his voice.
"It's you! You actually dared to come back!"
Mozhu?
Gon and the other three exchanged bewildered looks.
They had never heard the name before.
"Why wouldn't I dare?"
Mozhu stopped and gave a sinister laugh.
"Back