Ne Zha: The Demon Child

A Crack in the Dragon Pearl, Danger Returns

Beneath the calm surface of the sea, a faintly glowing Dragon Pearl rests quietly in Ne Zha’s hands.

But in that seemingly peaceful moment, a tiny crack, like a venomous snake lying in wait, silently creeps across the pearl’s surface.

“Th-this… What’s going on?” Ne Zha’s eyes widen, and his voice trembles despite himself.

Ao Bing hurries over at the sound of his voice, his expression instantly turning grave.

“How could the Dragon Pearl have cracked? Was it damaged in the battle earlier?” Ao Bing furrows his brow, his heart full of worry.

The little octopus also pokes its head out curiously and gently touches the Dragon Pearl with a tentacle, seeming to sense that something is wrong.

Ne Zha is frantic with worry. He grips the Dragon Pearl tightly in both hands, as if that could stop the crack from spreading.

“No, we have to find a way to repair it. If something happens to the Dragon Pearl, who knows what disaster it might bring?” Ne Zha says.

Uneasy and full of questions, the two decide to return to the mysterious underwater palace and seek the old man’s help.

When they reach the palace, however, its gates are tightly shut, without a sound from within.

Ne Zha pounds on the door and calls out, “Senior! Senior, are you there? We urgently need your help!”

Only the cold seawater and endless silence answer them.

Ao Bing tries to push the gates, but they do not budge, as if sealed by a mysterious force.

“Could the senior be away, or has something happened to him?” Ao Bing murmurs.

Just as they are at a loss for what to do, the palace gates slowly begin to tremble.