The first light of dawn filtered through the trees as Lin Yu, Elder Wu, and Zhao Feng packed their belongings and set off toward the western mountains. The forest was still, the silence broken only by the soft crunch of their footsteps on the undergrowth. The air was crisp, and a thick fog clung to the ground, wrapping the world in a muted haze.
Lin Yu walked at the front, his eyes scanning the horizon as his thoughts turned to the task ahead. The rumors of the Hand of Xiangliu gathering weighed heavily on him, as did the growing presence of the serpent's influence. Each step toward the mountains felt like stepping closer to the heart of a storm—one that threatened to consume him if he wasn't careful.
The whispers hadn't stopped. Xiangliu's voice slithered through his thoughts, insidious and persistent.
You're walking into your own fate, the serpent hissed, its voice thick with amusement. The closer you come to the cult, the closer you come to accepting what you are. Why fight it? You cannot outrun destiny.
Lin Yu pressed a hand to the jade amulet around his neck, feeling its cool surface against his skin. The relic had helped to suppress the serpent's power, but it wasn't enough. Not anymore. The pull of Xiangliu grew stronger with each passing day, and no matter how much he resisted, he could feel the serpent's power building inside him, waiting to be unleashed.
"Lin Yu," Elder Wu's voice brought him back to the present. "We'll reach the base of the western mountains by midday. From there, it's a long climb to the temple where the cult is rumored to gather."
Lin Yu nodded, though his thoughts were still clouded with doubt. "Do you think we'll be able to catch them off guard?"
Zhao Feng, walking just behind Elder Wu, shook his head. "The Hand of Xiangliu isn't like the Black Lotus Sect. They're more cautious, more secretive. If they suspect we're coming, they'll have measures in place. But we can't afford to wait. If we hesitate, they'll be gone, and we'll lose our chance."
Elder Wu's expression was grim. "We must be prepared for anything. The cult has waited centuries for this moment, and they won't allow us to interfere lightly. We must be cautious, but we must also be swift."
The hours passed quickly as they made their way toward the mountains. The terrain grew rockier, and the trees became sparse, giving way to steep cliffs and jagged peaks. As they climbed higher, the wind picked up, howling through the narrow passes and whipping their robes around them.
By midday, they reached a vantage point overlooking the valley below. The temple was just visible in the distance—a dark silhouette against the craggy mountainside. From this distance, it looked abandoned, like a relic of a long-forgotten time. But Lin Yu could sense the dark energy emanating from it, faint but unmistakable. The cult was there, waiting.
Zhao Feng crouched behind a cluster of rocks, peering through the mist at the temple. "That's the place. The Hand of Xiangliu is gathering there."
Lin Yu narrowed his eyes, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. "We don't have much time. If they're planning something, we need to stop it before they can act."
Elder Wu rested a hand on Lin Yu's shoulder, his expression calm but serious. "Remember, Lin Yu. The cult is not like the sects. Their devotion to Xiangliu is absolute. They will not hesitate to sacrifice everything for their cause. Be prepared for the worst."
Lin Yu nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He had faced the Black Lotus Sect's assassins, but the Hand of Xiangliu was different. They weren't interested in controlling power—they wanted to unleash it, to bring Xiangliu back in full force.
As they descended the rocky path toward the temple, the fog thickened, making it harder to see more than a few feet ahead. Lin Yu's senses were on high alert, every sound, every shift in the wind putting him on edge. He could feel the serpent's presence growing stronger the closer they got to the temple, the whispers in his mind turning into a low, constant murmur.
They are waiting for you, Xiangliu's voice whispered, a hint of glee in its tone. They know who you are. They know what you carry. You cannot escape me, Lin Yu. You are my vessel. My chosen.
Lin Yu clenched his jaw, his grip on his sword tightening. He wouldn't let Xiangliu control him. Not now, not ever.
They reached the temple's outer courtyard, the crumbling stone walls towering above them. The air was thick with tension, and Lin Yu could feel the weight of centuries of dark rituals embedded in the stones. The courtyard was eerily silent, devoid of any sign of life, but Lin Yu knew the cultists were nearby.
Zhao Feng motioned for them to stop, his eyes scanning the area for any movement. "It's too quiet," he muttered. "Something's wrong."
Elder Wu frowned, his grip tightening on his staff. "Be ready for anything. The cult is known for using illusions and traps. They may already know we're here."
Lin Yu's heart pounded as they cautiously moved deeper into the courtyard. The temple doors stood ajar, the shadows within beckoning them forward. Lin Yu could feel the dark energy pulsating from inside, growing stronger with each step.
As they entered the temple, the air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around them. The main chamber was vast, its walls lined with ancient carvings of serpents and dark gods. At the center of the room, a large stone altar stood, draped in black silk. Surrounding the altar were several hooded figures, their faces obscured by shadows.
Lin Yu's blood ran cold. The Hand of Xiangliu.
The cultists turned as one, their movements unnaturally smooth and synchronized. The leader of the group, a tall figure with piercing eyes, stepped forward, his voice echoing through the chamber.
"Welcome, Lin Yu," the cult leader said, his tone dripping with satisfaction. "We've been expecting you."
Lin Yu's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'm not here to join you," he said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at the edges of his mind. "I'm here to stop you."
The cult leader chuckled, a dark, hollow sound that reverberated through the room. "Stop us? You misunderstand, child. You cannot stop what is already in motion. Xiangliu's power is inevitable, and you are the key to his return."
Lin Yu took a step forward, his sword half-drawn from its scabbard. "I won't let you resurrect him."
The cult leader's eyes gleamed with an unnatural light, his smile widening. "You have no choice, Lin Yu. The serpent's blood flows in your veins. It calls to you. You can hear it, can't you? The whispers in your mind, the pull of his power. It's only a matter of time before you give in."
Lin Yu's heart raced, the serpent's voice echoing louder in his mind. The mark on his wrist burned, and he could feel the dark energy swirling around him, pressing in from all sides.
But he wouldn't give in.
"I'll never let Xiangliu control me," Lin Yu growled, drawing his sword fully. "I'll fight him with everything I have."
The cult leader's smile faded, his eyes narrowing. "So be it."
With a flick of his wrist, the cult leader unleashed a wave of dark energy, sending it crashing toward Lin Yu and his companions. The room exploded into chaos as the cultists attacked, their movements swift and deadly.
Lin Yu blocked the first wave of strikes, his sword clashing against the cultists' blades. Zhao Feng darted to his side, his dagger flashing as he deflected another attack, while Elder Wu raised his staff, summoning a barrier of spiritual energy to shield them from the worst of the onslaught.
But the cultists were relentless, their attacks fueled by the dark power of Xiangliu.
Lin Yu's heart pounded in his chest as he fought back, every swing of his sword met with resistance. The serpent's whispers were louder now, deafening, urging him to unleash the full extent of his power.
You cannot win like this, Xiangliu hissed in his mind. You are holding back. Let me help you. Let me guide you. Together, we can end this.
Lin Yu gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he deflected another strike. He could feel the serpent's power just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed, but he knew that once he gave in, there would be no turning back.
The cult leader stepped forward, his eyes glowing with dark energy. "You're fighting a losing battle, Lin Yu. Give in to the serpent. Accept your fate."
Lin Yu's vision blurred as the cult leader raised his hand, summoning a dark vortex of energy that swirled around the room, threatening to consume everything in its path.
And in that moment, as the world seemed to close in around him, Lin Yu felt the pull of Xiangliu stronger than ever.