Yu Chen's eyes snapped open, his breathing shallow but steady as he took in his surroundings. Beside him, Wei Yu stirred, his face pale but alert. Both men locked eyes with the ghost that still lingered in the dimly lit room. Its hollow gaze held an eerie desperation.
"You... you're going to help me, right?" the ghost asked, its voice a trembling echo that seemed to chill the air.
Yu Chen sat up and brushed the dust from his robes, his expression thoughtful but determined. "You're Mei'er," he stated firmly, narrowing his eyes as if piecing together a puzzle. "I think I know where she is."
The ghost's form flickered, trembling with barely contained emotion. "You do? Please, I must see her!"
Yu Chen stood, drawing his sword with a sharp metallic hiss. The others in the room—Wei Yu, Hua Rong, and Li Ming—exchanged tense glances before following him out. The ghost hovered anxiously behind them.
"Where's Ling Xiao?" Wei Yu asked as they hurried through the shadowy forest path.
"One of the sect elders called him away," Li Ming replied, his tone clipped but tinged with worry. "He left just before this started."
Their footsteps quickened, the sound of dry leaves crunching beneath them adding to the oppressive silence of the night. The distant hoot of an owl echoed, heightening their unease as they approached the gates of a small, decrepit house.
Yu Chen came to an abrupt stop, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "There's demonic energy here," he murmured, his gaze scanning the area. "And a barrier. A strong one."
Wei Yu stepped forward, his expression serious. "I've got the Broken Array talisman." He rummaged through his bag, his hands trembling slightly as he pulled out the paper talisman, its ink glowing faintly in the moonlight.
"Here," Wei Yu said, passing it to Yu Chen.
Yu Chen took it and approached the invisible barrier, pressing the talisman firmly against the unseen wall. The air around it shimmered and crackled with energy.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!" Hua Rong warned, her voice tight with urgency.
Boom!
The barrier shattered with a deafening explosion, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. Dust and debris scattered, and the faint hum of demonic energy dissipated. The group wasted no time, charging inside the house.
The interior was dark and suffocating, the air thick with an unnatural chill. Shadows seemed to twist and crawl along the walls. In the center of the room stood a young girl, her back turned to them. Her movements were jerky and unnatural, as though controlled by invisible strings.
"That's her," the ghost whispered, its form flickering wildly as it drew closer.
As soon as the ghost within the girl sensed its counterpart, it let out an unearthly wail. The girl's body went rigid before collapsing to her knees. A pale, ethereal figure emerged, its face twisted with fear and anger.
"Mei Lian, Mei'er!" the ghost accompanying Yu Chen breathed, its voice breaking with recognition.
The second ghost now identified as Mei Lian turned toward them, her spectral eyes narrowing. "You... you dare bring him here?" Mei Lian hissed, her voice a venomous echo. "You abandoned me!"
The room grew colder, frost forming on the walls as tension crackled in the air.
Yu Chen stepped forward, his sword glowing faintly with protective runes. "Mei Lian, calm yourself," he commanded firmly. "We're here to end this."
The two ghosts locked eyes, their forms flickering as memories and emotions clashed in the suffocating stillness of the room. Mei Lian's expression shifted, her anger giving way to sorrow.
"You don't understand," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I didn't mean to hurt her... I just wanted to stay close to him."
Yu Chen's grip on his sword tightened. "Then tell us what happened. The truth."
Mei Lian's spectral form shuddered, her translucent hands covering her face as sobs wracked her body. "I don't know," she cried, her voice raw with anguish. "After I died, someone came to me… He told me I could be with A'Yan again! I didn't know what else to do!"
Her voice trembled as she continued, "Then he struck me with something, and when I woke up, I was here. I saw you… and A'Yan. I swear, I truly don't know anything else!"
Wei Yu frowned, his brows furrowing as he glanced at the others. "Wait," he said slowly, "if she was unconscious this whole time… then who orchestrated this? Mei Lian's possession, Yan Bo turning into a vengeful spirit—what kind of person would even do something like this?"
Before anyone could answer, a sinister laugh echoed through the dense, foggy courtyard. It was a sound filled with twisted glee and malice, reverberating off the decayed walls. The group froze, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
"Well, well," the voice drawled, dripping with mockery. "I guess the game's over, isn't it? How unfortunate."
From the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked in dark robes embroidered with faint, glowing talismans. His face was sharp and familiar, though twisted with a cruel smile.
"Third Uncle?" Yan Bo exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and horror.
The man gave a mocking bow, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "It's been a long time, hasn't it, A'Yan?" he said with a grin that didn't reach his cold eyes. "You look just like your father. Brings back memories..."
Yu Chen stepped forward, his sword glinting in the pale moonlight. "You're behind all of this," he said, his voice low and steady. "The possessions, the vengeful spirit, the barrier. Why?"
The Third Uncle tilted his head, feigning surprise. "Why? Oh, my dear! must there always be a reason? Power, control… a little revenge, perhaps? Take your pick. After all, why waste such… useful tools?"
He gestured to Mei Lian and Yan Bo with a casual wave of his hand, as though they were nothing more than pawns on a chessboard.
"You twisted their souls!" Hua Rong shouted, her fists clenched. Li Ming continued, "For what? To torment them?"
"Torment?" The man chuckled, his voice dripping with mock innocence. "Oh no, my dear girl. I gave them a purpose. A chance to be together, to hold onto their precious little emotions even after death. Isn't that what everyone wants?"
Yan Bo's ghost surged forward, his form crackling with raw energy. "You lied to me!" he roared, his voice echoing with fury. "You said Mei Lian was waiting for me, that I could protect her!"
"And you did, didn't you?" the Third Uncle replied smoothly, his tone almost patronizing. "Such loyalty. Such devotion. Pity it was all for nothing."
Yu Chen raised his sword, the runes along its blade glowing brightly. "Enough," he said, his voice commanding. "You'll answer for your crimes."
The Third Uncle's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Oh, Yu Chen right? I've heard about you, you truly are your sect's golden boy. But do you really think you're a match for me?"
With a flick of his wrist, dark energy erupted from his robes, spreading like ink through the air. The oppressive force sent a chill down everyone's spine as the battle began.
Yu Chen tightened his grip on his sword, the runes flaring brighter as he met the sinister gaze of Yan Bo's Third Uncle. "Who are you, really?" he demanded, his tone steady despite the tension crackling in the air. "What drives you to such cruelty?"
The man smirked, his dark robes rippling as he stepped forward. "Cruelty?" he repeated, feigning offense. "You speak of cruelty as though you understand it. Very well, allow me to teach you the meaning of the word."
He raised his hands, summoning a vortex of dark energy that surged toward the group. Wei Yu leaped forward, unsheathing his dual sabers. "Yu Chen, don't take him lightly!" he shouted, the blades sparking as they intercepted the wave of dark energy.
Yu Chen nodded, his expression hardening. "Li Han," he said, addressing the man by his name for the first time. "Your cultivation has taken a dark turn, but I won't let you harm anyone else."
Li Han's smirk widened. "You think you can stop me, boy? I've spent decades refining my power. You're just a fledgling by comparison."
With a flick of his wrist, Li Han unleashed a barrage of spectral chains, their glowing black links whipping through the air. Yu Chen dodged nimbly, his sword slicing through one of the chains as Wei Yu covered his flank. The courtyard erupted into chaos, the clash of spiritual energy sending shockwaves that rattled the trees and cracked the stone walls.
Hua Rong and Li Ming stayed back, their hands glowing faintly as they prepared defensive formations. "This energy is overwhelming," Hua Rong muttered, her eyes darting toward Yu Chen and Wei Yu. "They're holding him back, but for how long?"
Yu Chen darted forward, closing the gap between himself and Li Han. His sword struck out in a flurry of precise arcs, each one infused with mid-stage Nascent Soul energy. Li Han parried effortlessly, his laughter echoing through the courtyard.
"Is that all you've got?" Li Han taunted, summoning a spear of condensed demonic energy. He thrust it toward Yu Chen, who barely managed to block, the impact sending him skidding back. Wei Yu rushed in, his sabers creating a shield of light that deflected Li Han's next attack.
"I'm not letting you win!" Wei Yu growled, slashing toward Li Han's chest.
"Hmph! A mere foundation establishment cultivator?" He sneered.
Li Han stepped back, a dark aura rippling around him. "You're both talented, I'll give you that," he said, his tone laced with mockery. "But talent won't save you."
Despite their combined efforts, Yu Chen and Wei Yu struggled to keep up with Li Han's overwhelming power. Just as the tide seemed to turn in Li Han's favor, Yu Chen saw an opening. With a burst of energy, he struck, his sword cutting through Li Han's defenses and grazing his shoulder.
Li Han stumbled, his expression twisting into fury. "You dare?" he spat, blood staining his robes. With a surge of desperation, he launched a final, reckless attack, but Yu Chen and Wei Yu countered, their combined strength overwhelming him.
Li Han fell to his knees, his breathing labored as his aura flickered. "You've won," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "But do you even understand what you've defeated?"
Yu Chen lowered his sword but kept it at the ready. "Speak," he said. "What drove you to this?"
Li Han laughed bitterly. "You ask as though it matters. But fine… let me tell you. My dear nephew," he said, looking at Yan Bo, who stood frozen in shock, "your father, Yan Kai, was always the favored one. The prodigy, the hero. He had everything—respect, admiration, even the love of my life."
Yan Bo's eyes widened. "What?"
"That's right," Li Han hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "The woman I loved chose your father. Do you know what it's like to be overshadowed, to be cast aside for someone who's always better?"
Yu Chen's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"I turned to demonic cultivation out of desperation," Li Han continued. "It gave me the power to surpass your father, but by the time I achieved it, he already was living the life. His whole happiness only with you. Leaving behind a perfect son to carry on his legacy." He sneered at Yan Bo. "You." He laughed, "So I figured why not ruin your whole family's life?"
Yan Bo took a step back, his expression a mixture of sorrow and disbelief. "Li Han!" He screamed! "You think he loved me? That I'm the perfect son?" His voice shattered as he desperately spoke, "If he loved me would he have killed me? He killed his own son God damn it!"
"Save your whining," Li Han snapped. "I wanted to destroy everything he loved dearly."
As Li Han spoke, his aura surged one last time. Summoning the last of his strength, he hurled a dark, crackling spell toward Yan Bo.
"Yan Bo, watch out!" Hua Rong screamed.
Before anyone could react, Mei Lian's spectral form darted forward. Her face was calm, almost serene, as she placed herself in the path of the spell. "A'Yan" She screamed as she used her body as a shield.
Time stopped, Yan Bo watched in Horror as the love of his life was dying, again. Yyet, he couldn't do anything. Helpless!
"No!" Yan Bo shouted, his voice breaking.
The spell struck Mei Lian directly, her form disintegrating in a burst of light. For a moment, her figure flickered, her gaze lingering on Yan Bo. "A'Yan," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll protect you… always."
Yan Bo frantically tried to hold her hand, but his hand passed right through her hand, "Mei'er" He cried, "Why? Why?" He questioned.
Mei Lian could only smile helplessly as blood seeped from the corners of her mouth, "Why? Love makes people blind."
"She- she has been struck with a very powerful force," Hua Rong continued, "Never to be reincarnated. I'm sorry."
Yan Bo's eyes became wider, "Don't lie! Does this look like a place for lying!?"
"A'Yan, stay with me for my last moments?" She politely asked.
Yan Bo collapsed to his knees, his ghostly form trembling as he reached out to where Mei Lian has been. "Mei Lian…" he whispered, tears streaming down his face.
"Maybe we will never talk again," She cried, "But, at least I got liked by you at one point." Her voice shattering, "Those were the best moments of my life."
Saying that, she reached out to touch Yan Bo's face for the last time, but before it could even touch his face her soul shattered and flew away along with the wind.
"MEI'ER! Come back! I demand it!" With all his might Yan Bo screamed, "Don't go." he said hopelessly.
Li Han fell backward, his strength spent. He laughed weakly, the sound hollow. "Even in death," he murmured, "she chose you." With one final breath, his body crumbled into ash, leaving only silence in his wake.
The group stood frozen, the weight of the moment pressing down on them. Yu Chen sheathed his sword, his expression heavy with sorrow.
"Let's finish this," he said quietly, his voice firm despite the grief in his eyes. "For Mei Lian." with a final swipe of Yu Chen's sword, Li Han throat got separated from his body. His head flew in an opposite direction and he died.