The temple was eerily silent as Lin Yu wiped the blood from his blade and slid it back into its scabbard. His heart still raced, but the adrenaline that had fueled his battle against the cult leader was fading fast, leaving only exhaustion in its wake. The Hand of Xiangliu had been scattered, their leader dead at his feet, but the victory felt hollow. He had won the battle, but the war was far from over.
Elder Wu and Zhao Feng approached him cautiously. The old master's face was calm, but Lin Yu could see the weight of worry behind his eyes.
"You did well, Lin Yu," Elder Wu said quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You resisted the serpent's pull. That alone is a great victory."
Lin Yu's gaze remained on the body of the cult leader. The whispers of Xiangliu had quieted, but they hadn't vanished. The serpent's presence still lurked beneath the surface, waiting, watching. He had fought it off for now, but how long could he continue to resist? The mark on his wrist, though faint, pulsed with a slow, steady rhythm, reminding him that Xiangliu's power was still very much alive.
"I had to use some of it," Lin Yu admitted, his voice heavy with guilt. "I couldn't fight them all without it."
Elder Wu nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "The power of Xiangliu is a dangerous force, but it is not inherently evil. What matters is how you choose to wield it."
Lin Yu shook his head. "But what if I can't control it? What if I become what they wanted me to be—just another vessel for the serpent?"
Zhao Feng, standing a few paces away, spoke up, his voice filled with conviction. "You're not like them, Lin Yu. You fought to protect the world, not to destroy it. That's the difference. You're stronger than they are because you know what's at stake."
Lin Yu glanced at Zhao Feng, his words offering some measure of comfort, but the doubt in his heart remained. **I'm strong enough for now,** he thought. **But what happens when the serpent's power grows beyond my control?**
"We should leave this place," Elder Wu said, his voice cutting through Lin Yu's thoughts. "The Hand of Xiangliu may have retreated, but they will not give up so easily. And there are likely more of them lurking in the shadows."
Zhao Feng nodded in agreement, his eyes scanning the temple's dark corners. "There's no telling how many more cultists are out there. We should return to the village and warn the others."
Lin Yu glanced around the ruined temple one last time, his thoughts lingering on the battle that had just taken place. The carvings on the walls, depicting serpents coiled around rivers and mountains, seemed to pulse with dark energy, as if the temple itself was alive with the remnants of Xiangliu's power. He shuddered and turned away, eager to put the place behind him.
The three of them left the temple, stepping into the crisp mountain air. The fog had lifted slightly, and the early morning sun cast long shadows across the jagged peaks. Lin Yu felt a strange sense of relief being out of the oppressive atmosphere of the temple, but the weight of what lay ahead pressed down on him.
They made their way down the mountain path in silence, the gravity of the situation hanging heavily over them. Lin Yu's thoughts churned as they descended, his mind replaying the events of the past few days—the destruction of the jade tablet, the fight against the cult, the growing influence of Xiangliu's power.
But it was more than just the battles that troubled him. It was the feeling that no matter how hard he fought, he was always one step behind. The Hand of Xiangliu had been gathering their forces for years, perhaps even centuries. They had been waiting for this moment, for Xiangliu's power to awaken once more. And now that it had, they wouldn't stop until they had either claimed it or destroyed Lin Yu.
Elder Wu's voice interrupted his thoughts. "We must be vigilant, Lin Yu. The Hand of Xiangliu may have been scattered, but they will return. And when they do, they will be even more desperate to fulfill their plans."
Lin Yu nodded, though the thought of facing them again filled him with unease. "What should we do now? How do we prepare for what's coming?"
Elder Wu paused, considering his words carefully. "We will return to the village first. There are others we can call upon—those who have fought against the sects and the cults for years. We will need allies if we are to stand against the forces that seek to control Xiangliu's power."
Zhao Feng looked thoughtful. "I know a few people who could help. Former disciples of the Black Lotus Sect, other cultivators who have been wronged by the sects and the cults. They won't hesitate to fight if they know what's at stake."
Lin Yu felt a flicker of hope at Zhao Feng's words. The idea of gathering allies, of not fighting this battle alone, brought some measure of comfort. But even as the prospect of a united front formed in his mind, the whispers of Xiangliu returned, faint but insistent.
**You can gather all the allies you want,** the serpent's voice murmured in his mind. **But in the end, it is only my power that will decide this battle. You cannot win without me.**
Lin Yu clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't want to rely on Xiangliu's power, but deep down, he knew the serpent was right. The cult, the sects, the forces gathering against them—they were too powerful for him to defeat on his own.
But giving in to Xiangliu meant losing himself.
They reached the base of the mountain by midday, the village just visible in the distance. The sight of the familiar rooftops and winding streets brought a sense of calm to Lin Yu, but it was fleeting. The village may have been a place of safety for now, but it wouldn't be long before the cult came for them again.
As they walked toward the village, Lin Yu turned to Elder Wu. "Do you think it's possible to control Xiangliu's power without becoming like them? Without losing who I am?"
Elder Wu's gaze softened. "It is a difficult path, Lin Yu, but not an impossible one. The key to mastering such power lies not in rejecting it entirely, but in understanding it. You must learn to harness it, to make it serve your will rather than the other way around."
Lin Yu sighed, his mind heavy with doubt. "And if I can't?"
Elder Wu placed a hand on his shoulder, his expression filled with quiet strength. "Then you must be prepared to let it go. There are some battles that can only be won through sacrifice."
Lin Yu didn't respond. The thought of letting go of the serpent's power, of abandoning the strength he had fought so hard to control, felt like admitting defeat. But deep down, he knew Elder Wu was right. If he couldn't find a way to control Xiangliu, then the serpent would eventually control him.
As they approached the village, Zhao Feng quickened his pace, eager to relay what they had learned to the villagers. Elder Wu followed, but Lin Yu lingered at the edge of the village, his eyes fixed on the distant mountains where the Hand of Xiangliu had gathered.
The wind stirred, carrying with it the faintest whisper of the serpent's voice.
**The storm is coming, Lin Yu. And when it does, you will have no choice but to embrace me.**
Lin Yu closed his eyes, steadying his breath.
The storm was coming, and he would have to be ready.