The murmurs grew louder, more distinct, morphing into a chorus of playful voices that imitated all around Xuan Jing. As they walked, the barren, starry expanse transformed before his very eyes. Lush trees materialized, their branches heavy with blossoms, casting soft, colorful light over the path. The air grew fragrant with the scents of hyacinths, osmanthus, and cherry blossoms, each flower blooming in vivid shades. It was like stepping into a dream—a garden crafted from his innermost memories and preferences.
Wei Lin trailed behind, his deep garnet eyes cracking open slightly as he took in the surreal beauty of the place. "This is a little… much, isn't it?" he muttered under his breath, crossing his arms. His tone was casual, but his posture was tense. He didn't trust this sudden shift in scenery, no matter how breathtaking it was.
Before Xuan Jing could respond, the whispers grew clearer, sharper, and then, one by one, they began calling out to him.
"Xiǎo Xuán!"
"Ā Xuán!"
"Xuán Xuán!"
"Xiǎo Jǐng Jǐng!~"
"Xuán Gē!"
"Ā Jǐng!"
"Jǐng Gē!"
"Xuán Lǎodì!!"
The voices were warm, teasing, and undeniably familiar. Xuan Jing froze, his silver eyes narrowing as shadowy figures began to emerge from the trees. The spirits were unlike anything he'd seen before—humanoid but black as ink, their forms shimmering like smoke under the starlight. Their eyes, however, glowed the exact shade of his silken silver hair, making them appear strangely connected to him.
"Xiǎo Xuán, your hair has gotten so long!" one of them exclaimed, rushing forward with a delighted laugh.
Another figure followed quickly, brushing its shadowy fingers through his hair. "So silky!" it cooed, its tone filled with admiration.
Xuan Jing stood still, his expression unreadable as more of them began to swarm around him. They poked at him, tugged at his sleeves, and chattered endlessly.
"Ā Xuán, you've gotten taller!" one spirit giggled.
"Even taller than me, Xuán Xuán!" another chimed in, its voice tinged with mock indignation.
Wei Lin watched the scene unfold with mild amusement, his lids half-closed as though he couldn't be bothered. Yet, beneath his calm demeanor, his hand rested lightly on the hilt of his dagger. His deep garnet eyes flicked over the spirits, noting every movement and every word.
"Xuan Jing," Wei Lin called out softly, his tone holding a subtle edge. "Do you… know them?"
Xuan Jing didn't answer immediately. Instead, he let the spirits surround him, their touches light and strangely comforting. They pinched his cheeks, ruffled his hair, and giggled endlessly as if they had known him all his life.
"Xiǎo Jǐng Jǐng, you're so quiet!" one teased, poking his nose. "Still the same stoic face, huh?"
"Xuán Gē, don't ignore us!" another whined, wrapping its smoky arms around his shoulders.
"Come on!" they all urged in unison, their voices rising like a joyful choir.
Xuan Jing finally moved, his silver eyes flickering with a faint glimmer of something unreadable. "You're awfully familiar for people—or spirits—I've never met," he said coolly, though his tone wasn't unkind.
The spirits only laughed, their forms shimmering as they spread wide, misty wings that looked impossibly vast yet impossibly light. The wings were dark as obsidian but seemed to glow faintly at the edges, as if reflecting the starlight above.
Wei Lin, still observing from behind, raised a brow. "Wings now? You've got yourself quite the fan club, Xuan Jing," he remarked dryly.
One of the spirits turned to Wei Lin, its glowing eyes narrowing playfully. "And you must be Wei Lin!" it said, giggling. "You're always so grumpy!"
"I am not," Wei Lin retorted flatly, his garnet eyes narrowing in return.
"You totally are," another spirit chimed in, swooping closer to him. "We see it all, you know. Always trailing behind Xuán Gē like a shadow."
Xuan Jing glanced at Wei Lin, his lips twitching upward in the faintest semblance of a smirk. "Grumpy shadow… it suits you," he murmured, his tone light with rare amusement.
Wei Lin groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fantastic. Just what I needed—heckling spirits."
The spirits ignored Wei Lin's grumbling, their attention once again fixated on Xuan Jing. They fluttered around him with their massive wings, their shadowy forms moving with a grace that bordered on hypnotic.
"Xuán Gē, we've been waiting for you!" one of them said, its voice soft yet brimming with excitement.
"Waiting?" Xuan Jing echoed, tilting his head. "For what?"
The spirits didn't answer directly. Instead, they giggled and flitted ahead, their wings stirring the air and sending petals from the surrounding trees into a whirlwind around Xuan Jing and Wei Lin. The scent of flowers grew stronger, mingling with the faint hum of the stars above.
"Come with us, Xuán Gē," they said in unison, their voices overlapping like a haunting melody. "There's so much we want to show you."
Xuan Jing's grip tightened slightly on the Soul Lantern. The flame flickered, casting long shadows across the path as he took a measured step forward. "Lead the way," he said simply, his voice steady despite the strange, otherworldly atmosphere around him.
The spirits laughed again, their wings beating softly as they flew ahead, their forms blending into the starlit mist. Xuan Jing followed without hesitation, his silver hair gleaming under the light of the lantern. Wei Lin sighed heavily, his garnet eyes sharp as he trailed behind, his dagger now fully unsheathed.
"Whatever this is," Wei Lin muttered under his breath, "I really hope it doesn't turn into one of your infamous messes."
Xuan Jing didn't respond, his focus entirely on the spirits.