Chapter 5

The second artifact, the Phoenix Eye, was said to be hidden in the ancient city of Chengdu, in the heart of Sichuan Province. The Eye was rumored to be in the possession of a powerful sorceress, known only as the "Witch of the West." The journey to Chengdu was fraught with danger, as the Black Dragon's minions were hot on their trail. Mei Ling and her companions had to navigate treacherous mountain passes and evade ambushes at every turn. But they pressed on, driven by the knowledge that the fate of the Jade Phoenix—and perhaps the entire world—depended on them. When they finally reached Chengdu, they discovered that the Witch of the West was not what they had expected. She was a young woman, barely older than Mei Ling, with a tragic past and a deep connection to the Jade Phoenix. Her name was Li Na, and she had been cursed by the Black Dragon to guard the Eye, unable to leave the city until the curse was broken. Mei Ling knew that they could not simply take the Eye from Li Na; they would have to find a way to break the curse. With the help of Master Wu's wisdom and Xiao Hong's cunning, they devised a plan to confront the Black Dragon and free Li Na from her bondage. The battle that followed was fierce, with Mei Ling and her companions facing off against the Black Dragon's minions in the heart of Chengdu. In the end, it was Mei Ling's courage and determination that broke the curse, freeing Li Na and allowing them to claim the Phoenix Eye.