Lian's anger was a palpable force, radiating from him like a dark aura. The trees trembled, their branches swaying violently as if caught in a hurricane. The ground shook beneath their feet, the sound of cracking stone and splintering wood filling the air.
Mochen's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Lian, his face pale with fear. "Lian, what's happening to you?" he whispered.
But Lian didn't respond. His eyes had turned a deep, fiery red, his pupils glowing like embers. His face was twisted in a snarl, his teeth bared like a beast.
Jian Wushi took a step back, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at Lian. "What sorcery is this?" he muttered.
Lian's response was a low, menacing growl. He charged at Jian Wushi with a speed that belied his human form, his fists flying in a flurry of punches.
Jian Wushi raised his sword to defend himself, but Lian's attacks were relentless. He punched and kicked with a strength that sent Jian Wushi flying across the garden.
The god stumbled to his feet, his face pale with shock. "You're...you're not human," he stammered.
Lian's laughter was a cold, mirthless sound. "I'm not human?" he repeated, his voice dripping with venom. "You gods are always so quick to judge, so quick to condemn. But what do you know of humanity?"
As Lian spoke, his body began to change. His muscles bulged, his skin taking on a dark, scaly texture. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly energy, his presence radiating an aura of malevolence.
Jian Wushi stumbled back, his eyes wide with fear. "You're...you're a demon," he whispered.
Lian's laughter grew louder, his voice echoing through the garden like a challenge. "I'm not just any demon," he snarled. "I'm the monster you gods have always feared."
As Lian spoke, his attacks grew more ferocious. He punched and kicked with a strength that made Jian Wushi's ability a joke.
Mochen watched in horror as Lian's transformation continued. He had never seen anything like this before. What was happening to Lian?
As he watched, Mochen realized that he had to get Bai Ye to safety. He rushed over to the unconscious demon's side and lifted him into his arms.
"I'll take care of Bai Ye," Mochen whispered to himself. "But what about Lian?"
He glanced over at Lian, his heart heavy with worry. What would happen to his friend now that he had unleashed this monstrous power?
As Mochen carried Bai Ye away, Lian's laughter echoed through the garden, a sound that sent shivers down his spine.
Mochen rushed inside, his heart racing with worry. He gently laid Bai Ye down on the bed and began to treat his wounds. As he worked, Bai Ye's eyes flickered open, his gaze weak but urgent.
"Mochen..." Bai Ye whispered, his voice barely audible. "Go...stop Lian."
Mochen's hands trembled as he worked. "But how? I'm not a cultivator, I'm just a lowly disciple of a physician. What can I do?"
Bai Ye's breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling with effort. "Take...me outside," he whispered.
Mochen's eyes widened in alarm. "What? No, Bai Ye, you're too weak. If you go outside, you'll..."
Bai Ye's gaze locked onto Mochen's, his eyes burning with intensity. "Do as I say, Mochen."
Mochen hesitated, then nodded. He carefully lifted Bai Ye into his arms and carried him outside.
As they emerged into the garden, Mochen's eyes widened in shock. Lian was still fighting Jian Wushi, his movements a blur of fury and rage. Jian Wushi was stumbling back, his face pale with fear.
Bai Ye's eyes closed, his chest rising and falling with effort. He raised a hand, and the guqin appeared in his grasp. He began to play, the melancholy notes echoing through the garden.
As the music washed over Lian, his movements began to slow. His rage and fury began to dissipate, replaced by a calm, peaceful energy. His eyes closed, and he swayed, his body relaxing.
Jian Wushi took advantage of the distraction to make a hasty retreat. He turned and fled, disappearing into the trees.
As the last notes of the guqin faded away, Lian's body went limp. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Bai Ye's eyes opened, his gaze locked onto Lian's still form. He smiled, a faint, weary smile. Then his eyes closed, and he passed out, his body exhausted.
As Bai Ye blacked out, Mochen rushed to his side, cradling his head in his lap. "Bai Ye, no! Don't leave me!" he whispered, his voice trembling with worry.
Lian, still unconscious, lay nearby, his chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. The Guqin, now silent, lay beside him, its strings still vibrating with the last notes of the melody.
Mochen gently stroked Bai Ye's hair, his eyes welling up with tears. "What have you done, Bai Ye?" he whispered. "You've exhausted yourself again...".
Just then Lian's eyes flickered open, his gaze locking onto Bai Ye's pale face. He sat up, his movements slow and groggy. Mochen, who had been watching over Bai Ye, looked up at Lian with a mixture of relief and wariness.
"Bai Ye..." Lian whispered, his voice hoarse. He reached out, his hand trembling as he touched Bai Ye's forehead.
Mochen's eyes narrowed. "Lian, what...what happened to you?" he asked, his voice cautious.
Lian's gaze dropped, his face scrunched up in confusion. "I...I don't remember," he muttered.
Mochen's expression turned skeptical, but he said nothing. Instead, he nodded. "Let's get Bai Ye inside. He needs treatment."
Lian nodded, his movements still slow and clumsy. Together, they carried Bai Ye inside, Mochen leading the way.
As they laid Bai Ye down on the bed, Lian looked at Mochen with a frown. "Why haven't you treated him yet?" he asked.
Mochen's eyes darted away, his expression evasive. "Bai Ye believed you were the first priority," he muttered.
Lian's gaze lingered on Mochen's face, but he said nothing. Instead, he watched as Mochen began to stitch up Bai Ye's wounds, his hands moving with quick precision.
As Mochen worked, Lian's gaze drifted back to Bai Ye's face. His hair, once a pure white, now seemed to be tinged with a faint grey. Lian's brow furrowed, his mind foggy. Was this some kind of demon thing? he wondered.
But he said nothing, his gaze fixed on Bai Ye's still form.
Finally, Mochen finished treating Bai Ye's wounds. He stepped back, his eyes tired. "I'll get some clean clothes for him," he said.
Lian nodded, his gaze still fixed on Bai Ye. "I'll stay here," he muttered.
Mochen's eyes lingered on Lian's face, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned and left, leaving Lian alone with Bai Ye.
As the door closed behind Mochen, Lian's gaze drifted back to Bai Ye's face. He felt a strange, unsettling sensation in his chest, like a knot was twisting tighter and tighter
Mochen returned with a set of clean clothes, his eyes darting between Lian and Bai Ye. "You can leave now. I'll change him into these," he said, his voice neutral.
Lian's gaze snapped up, his eyes narrowing. "Why would I leave?" he muttered, his tone almost aggressive.
Mochen's expression turned cautious. "I just thought...since I'm here to take care of Bai Ye...you could...".
Lian's glare deepened. "I'll change his clothes," he said, his voice low and even.
Mochen's eyes widened, but he said nothing. Instead, he stood up, his movements slow, and left the room.
As the door closed behind Mochen, Lian's gaze drifted back to Bai Ye's still form. He felt a strange, unsettling sensation in his chest, like a knot was twisting tighter.
Why did the idea of Mochen changing Bai Ye's clothes bother him so much? Was it just because he was used to having Bai Ye to himself?
Lian's brow furrowed as he began to change Bai Ye's clothes, his hands moving with slow precision. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
What was wrong with him?