Bitter truth or deceptive realities?
As the colossal door to the mysterious chamber creaked open, it revealed Zi Qian's motionless figure sprawled across the cold stone floor, a crimson stream trickling from his lips and nose, staining the ground beneath him. The dim light cast eerie shadows across the scene, heightening the tension in the air.
With measured steps, the deputy leader of the Ghost Lotus Alliance entered the chamber, his eyes narrowed with determination. Each footfall echoed through the silence, the sound resonating with the gravity of the situation. In his grip, his sword gleamed menacingly, a silent threat to those responsible for Zi Qian's condition. With every step closer, his expression grew more resolute showing his disappointment and dissatisfaction.
Ling Hui's heart lurched in her chest as she caught sight of the deputy leader's steely gaze. She knew all too well the gravity of her actions; disobeying the deputy leader meant challenging the authority of the alliance's leader himself. A sense of dread washed over her as she realized the inevitable consequences of her defiance. Caught between the formidable authority of the deputy leader and the revered wisdom of the elderly member, Ling Hui found herself in an impossible predicament. With her knees pressed against the cold stone floor, she offered a heartfelt apology to the deputy leader, her voice trembling with remorse. Meanwhile, the elderly member observed the scene with a contemplative expression, his weathered hands gently stroking his beard as he weighed the gravity of the situation.
"Deputy Leader, I humbly beg for your forgiveness," Ling Hui pleaded, her voice quivering with sincerity as she knelt before him, her head bowed in contrition. She dared to steal glances toward the unmoved figure of the old man, hoping for a sign of understanding.
However, before the deputy leader could respond, the old man cleared his throat, capturing their attention. His gaze pierced through the tension, locking onto the deputy leader's eyes with unwavering determination. "Get up, girl," the old man commanded, his voice firm yet surprisingly gentle. "Why do you ask for forgiveness? We take orders from our lord alone, not his sidekick." His words carried the weight of authority, offering a glimmer of reassurance amidst the turmoil. "Grandmaster," the deputy leader began, his voice respectful but tinged with an underlying tension, "I am aware that many of the elders in the Ghost Alliance hold grievances against me. However, I do not act on my own accord. My sole duty is to convey the desires of our leader. He specifically ordered that this individual be kept alive and that he would retrieve the bead personally. Now that this task has been accomplished, it would be wise for you to explain the situation directly to him."
The deputy leader bowed deeply before the old man, his posture a mix of deference and defiance, knowing all too well the disapproval that often emanated from the Grandmaster's demeanor."An explanation!" The Grandmaster's voice boomed with indignation, his disdain palpable as he turned to face the deputy leader. "You dare ask me to justify my actions to him? My loyalty lies with the Ghost Alliance, and my lord knows that everything I do is for its welfare. I owe him no explanations." With a dismissive wave of his hand, he brushed off the deputy leader's request, refusing to acknowledge his authority.
Ignoring the deputy leader's presence, the Grandmaster turned his attention to Ling Hui, his expression softening slightly. "Come, Ling Hui," he said, his tone gentler now as he beckoned her to follow. Without another word spared for the deputy leader, he strode away, his robes billowing behind him, leaving a lingering tension in his wake. Ling Hui cast a hesitant glance back at the deputy leader before hurriedly trailing after the Grandmaster, their departure signaling the end of the confrontation.
"Ling Ge! Ling Ge!" Run Yu burst through the door, breathless, his eyes widening in alarm as he took in the scene before him. "What happened?" he gasped, rushing to Ling Qiang's side, his gaze flitting between the unconscious Zi Qian and the departing figures of the old man and Ling Hui. Ling Qiang remained silent, his expression clouded with disappointment and regret as he stared down at Zi Qian's prone form. After a moment of heavy silence, he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, laden with sorrow.
"Send him back to the academy," Ling Qiang instructed, his tone heavy with resignation. "He won't survive in this state." "We never intended for this outcome," he continued, his voice tinged with bitterness. "But the Grandmaster wielded too much force and magical prowess in his attempt to retrieve the bead from Zi Qian's body."
A sense of despair settled over Ling Qiang as he uttered the grim truth. "His primordial spirit is fading," he concluded somberly, his disappointment evident in every word. With a heavy heart, Ling Qiang turned on his heels and strode purposefully away, his steps echoing the weight of his burden as he made his way toward the chambers of the Lord of the Ghost Alliance. Determination etched into every line of his face, he braced himself for the difficult conversation that lay ahead. However, Run Yu hesitated for a moment, torn between his loyalty to Ling Qiang and his curiosity about the unfolding events. In the end, his eagerness to seek answers propelled him forward, and he broke into a sprint to catch up with Ling Qiang, determined to accompany him to meet their leader.
Meanwhile, amidst the shadows of the chamber, Zi Qian's battered body lay still, his consciousness slowly returning as his eyes fluttered open. His hand, slick with blood, trembled with effort as he attempted to rise, each movement sending waves of pain coursing through his body. With a grimace, he forced himself upright, his gaze sweeping over the scene before him. A sickening realization dawned as Zi Qian took in the sight of his own bloodied form. Panic surged within him, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to comprehend the events that had transpired. And as he glanced down, horror washed over him as he noticed the first signs of his once-dark hair now streaked with stark white highlights, a physical manifestation of the turmoil that consumed him.
"Why? Why am I like this?" Zi Qian's voice echoed with desperation, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to make sense of the terrifying changes overtaking him. With each passing moment, the fear gnawed at him, threatening to consume him whole. He wracked his brain for any shred of memory, but the events leading up to his current state remained shrouded in darkness. Suddenly, the amulet that Xiao Yang had entrusted to him began to shimmer with an ethereal light, casting a soft glow in the dimness of the chamber. A voice, distant yet unmistakable, resonated from within the amulet, cutting through Zi Qian's turmoil.
"Close your eyes," the voice commanded, its tone both soothing and commanding. "Focus on my voice. You will see me." With a sense of trepidation, Zi Qian obeyed, shutting his eyes tightly and centering his thoughts on the enigmatic voice emanating from the amulet. He felt a strange sensation wash over him, as if he were being drawn into another realm, where the boundaries of reality blurred and the unknown awaited.
"Open your eyes, young man," the unknown voice urged once more, its gentle command coaxing Zi Qian from the depths of his mind. Slowly, he complied, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal a world bathed in a soft, iridescent glow. At first, his vision was blurred, the edges of the scene blending into a surreal haze. But as he blinked away the remnants of confusion, the breathtaking beauty of the unknown realm unfolded before him in all its splendor. Before him stretched a landscape of unparalleled magnificence, where the vibrant hues of nature danced in harmonious unity. A majestic tree, adorned with delicate pink leaves and blossoms, stood tall and proud at the heart of the scene, its branches reaching skyward in a graceful arc. The air was alive with the melody of birdsong, their sweet notes mingling with the soothing rush of a distant waterfall, its crystalline waters cascading down moss-covered rocks with effortless grace. Zi Qian found himself seated in the midst of this ethereal sanctuary, his form draped in the tranquility of a lotus position. As he gazed around in awe, he watched in wonder as petals from the tree above drifted down like ethereal confetti, each one a testament to the beauty and fragility of life. Mesmerized by the spectacle unfolding before him, Zi Qian felt a sense of peace wash over him, the worries of the mortal world fading into insignificance in the presence of such otherworldly magnificence.
"You are looking for me?" the unknown voice echoed once more, drawing Zi Qian's attention like a magnet. Slowly, he turned around, his gaze sweeping across the enchanting landscape until it landed on the source of the voice. As his eyes fell upon the figure before him, they widened in astonishment, his breath catching in his throat. Zi Qian's world narrowed to a single point of focus as he confronted Yu Xuan, the embodiment of his darkest nightmares. "You!" he spat, his voice trembling with suppressed rage and anguish. "You're Yu Xuan, the vile fox responsible for so much suffering, the architect of the Spider Eyeballs!" Driven by a sudden surge of instinctual fury, Zi Qian lunged forward, his hands closing around Yu Xuan's neck with a vice-like grip, pinning him against the trunk of the tree. The air crackled with tension as their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills, the weight of past grievances hanging heavy between them like an invisible barrier.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still as Zi Qian grappled with the conflicting emotions raging within him. Anger and hatred warred with confusion and disbelief, each vying for dominance in the tumult of his mind. Yu Xuan's serene smile remained unchanged, a beacon of calm amidst Zi Qian's storm of emotions. With a gentle yet firm touch, he reached up and delicately removed Zi Qian's hand from his neck, a silent gesture of understanding and forgiveness. "I understand your anger," Yu Xuan spoke softly, his voice carrying the weight of countless years of wisdom. "But first, let us tend to your wounds."
Guiding Zi Qian to sit beneath the sheltering branches of the ancient tree, Yu Xuan positioned himself behind him, his presence a reassuring presence at his back. As he settled into a comfortable position, a soft pink glow began to emanate from Yu Xuan's form, enveloping Zi Qian in a warm embrace of healing energy. With each passing moment, the gentle glow intensified, suffusing Zi Qian's body with a sense of profound calm and tranquility. It was as if Yu Xuan were channeling the very essence of life itself, his touch a balm to the wounds that marred Zi Qian's soul.
Zi Qian's mind churned with confusion as Yu Xuan's unexpected act of compassion unfolded before him. "Why is he healing me?" he mused silently, his thoughts swirling with doubt and disbelief. "He's supposed to be an evil villain. But this...this doesn't seem like the actions of a villain at all." Before Zi Qian could voice his bewilderment, Yu Xuan's gentle voice broke through the haze of his thoughts. "Alright, it's done," he declared, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
Zi Qian's gaze snapped up to meet Yu Xuan's, his eyes wide with incredulity. "You! Weren't you dead?" he blurted out, unable to contain his astonishment any longer. "How...how can you be here, in this amulet?" he demanded, his voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and curiosity. Zi Qian's mind reeled at Yu Xuan's revelation, his heart pounding with a mixture of shock and apprehension. "Calm down," Yu Xuan urged, his voice a soothing balm to Zi Qian's frayed nerves. "I was supposed to possess your body, but instead, I found myself drawn into this amulet." As Zi Qian struggled to process this new information, Yu Xuan continued, his words measured and deliberate. "This amulet is no ordinary trinket," he explained, his tone tinged with reverence. "It holds great power, power that could aid me in regaining my physical form. But there is more to it than meets the eye." For now, my priority is to gather my spirit essence within this amulet so that I may eventually free myself from its confines," Yu Xuan explained, his tone resolute yet tinged with urgency. "As for your questions, Zi Qian, allow me to clear your doubts. I have been sealed within the Eternal Divine Amber bead for over ten thousand years. Your very existence is intertwined with mine in a way you may not have realized. You were born stillborn, your life extinguished before it had a chance to begin. It was your father who, in a desperate bid to bring you back from the brink of death, used the Eternal Divine Amber bead to revive you. Unbeknownst to him, this act sealed my essence within your body for twenty long years. Now that the bead has been taken and I am free, I have sought refuge within this amulet. I assure you, Zi Qian, I mean you no harm. In fact, I seek your cooperation in my mission to retrieve the six divine tools, two of which are already within the Ghost Alliance's possession."
As the weight of Yu Xuan's revelation settled over Zi Qian like a heavy shroud, he found himself unable to form words, his mind reeling with the enormity of what he had just learned. "Born dead?" The words echoed in the caverns of his consciousness, each syllable a thunderous reminder of the fragility of his own existence. Zi Qian's voice was barely a whisper as he spoke, his words heavy with the weight of revelation. "This explains why..." he began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to articulate the flood of emotions coursing through him. "Why I used to suffer inexplicable pain of heart."
Zi Qian's resolve wavered on the precipice of despair, his emotions teetering on the edge of breaking point. But with a steely determination, he pushed back the tide of uncertainty threatening to engulf him and rose to his feet, facing Yu Xuan with a gaze that burned with newfound resolve.
"Why should I be the one to help you?" Zi Qian's voice rang out, tinged with a hint of defiance. "What if your real mission is to harm others?" The questions hung heavy in the air, the silence that followed pregnant with unspoken doubts and fears. Zi Qian's mind churned with conflicting thoughts, torn between the desire to trust Yu Xuan and the lingering shadows of suspicion that lingered in the depths of his consciousness. "I know that it is not easy for you to trust me after all that is what the entire world has painted me to be," Yu Xuan spoke softly, his words heavy with the weight of centuries of misunderstanding. "I cannot force you, Zi Qian. But I will always remain by your side, ready to protect you, just as you protected me." Zi Qian watched as the world around them dissolved into darkness, the ethereal realm fading away like a fleeting dream.
When Zi Qian awoke, he found himself lying on the cold stone floor of the chamber, the memory of his encounter with Yu Xuan still fresh in his mind. Zi Qian's gaze drifted to the amulet hanging around his neck, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light. As he watched, mesmerized by its radiance, his thoughts turned to the enigmatic figure of Yu Xuan and the revelations they had shared.
Before he could dwell further on the mysteries of the amulet, a distant voice pierced the silence of the chamber, growing louder with each passing moment. Startled, Zi Qian turned to see a girl rushing towards him, her features twisted with urgency and concern.
Zi Qian blinked in surprise as Rou Ya, the fox lady, rushed towards him with a mix of concern and impatience written across her features. "Hey brat! Are you fine?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation as she shook Zi Qian's body in an attempt to rouse him.
Zi Qian winced as Rou Ya's hand slid into his clothes, retrieving her fox necklace with a deft movement. "Ah! Stop shaking me!" he protested, swatting her hand away with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.
With a huff of annoyance, Rou Ya rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, a mischievous glint dancing in her gaze. "Well, excuse me for trying to make sure you're still breathing," she retorted, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh you are still alive," I thought they killed you fox sister....."
Rou Ya's playful expression softened into a rueful smile as she shook her head in mock exasperation. "Oh, you thought they got rid of me that easily, did you?" she quipped, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. Zi Qian chuckled, relieved to see Rou Ya unharmed despite the dangers they had faced together. "Well, I suppose I should have known better than to underestimate you," he admitted, a sense of warmth flooding through him at the sight of his resilient new friend. Zi Qian's coughing fit subsided as Run Yu entered the room, his presence a welcome sight amidst the lingering uncertainty. "We are going to send you back to the academy now," Run Yu announced, his voice firm yet tinged with concern as he opened a portal, its swirling vortex beckoning them towards their destination.