The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly before them, a suffocating sense of inevitability hanging in the air as Tianwu stood frozen, caught between the light and the figures that had closed in on him. His heart raced wildly in his chest, adrenaline surging through his veins as he tried to make sense of what was happening. The voice, familiar yet distant, rang in his ears, and everything inside him screamed to reach out for it, to understand the source. But before he could act, a sharp pain shot through his chest, the pressure tightening around his ribs like a vice.His breath hitched, a mixture of panic and confusion seizing him. "Who's there?" he croaked, but his voice faltered, the words catching in his throat."Don't look so frightened, Tianming," the voice spoke again, soft but commanding. The light intensified as the figure stepped out of the shadows, revealing themselves slowly, as though savoring the effect their presence was having on him. It was a man—tall, with dark, wild hair and a sharp, almost cruel smile on his lips.Tianwu's breath caught in his throat. "You…"Before he could finish, the man took a step forward, and the oppressive weight of the hallway seemed to lighten, just a little. The light pulsed like a heartbeat, wrapping itself around Tianwu, as if it were drawn to him, feeding off his confusion and fear."You've been looking for me," the man said, his voice low and full of something dangerous, something that made Tianwu's pulse quicken. "But I'm right here, now. And you've found me."Tianwu's mind spun with questions, but one thing above all else was clear: this man—this strange, magnetic presence—was not something he could ignore. Not anymore.The figure was closer now, just a few feet away, and Tianwu could feel the heat radiating from him, the intoxicating energy that seemed to draw him in. His heart was erratic, out of control, and he didn't understand why it felt as if he were being pulled toward this man, despite every instinct screaming at him to run."You've been so lost," the man murmured, reaching out to touch Tianwu's face, his fingers brushing gently against his skin. "But it's okay now. You don't have to remember. Not yet."Tianwu froze, caught between the man's touch and the sharp sense of warning that filled his mind. There was something intoxicating about him, something that made Tianwu's head spin. But then, just as quickly, the warmth of the light around him dimmed, and reality came crashing back."Who are you?" Tianwu breathed, his voice barely a whisper.The man smiled again, the curve of his lips almost mocking in its allure. "It's not so simple, Tianming. But for now, you can call me Nian."Before Tianwu could react further, a shadow moved behind them, and the figures that had been standing motionless in the background began to stir again. Their presence was palpable, their eyes fixed on Tianwu with cold, unreadable stares."You're not the only one looking for him," one of the masked figures spoke, his voice grating, as though every word was dragged out against its will. "He's ours to claim."Tianwu's body tensed, his pulse spiking again, but it wasn't the figures he feared—it was the strange man, Nian. His presence was overwhelming, and he felt a strange mix of attraction and fear swirling within him, a tension building between them that made his chest tighten.Nian chuckled softly, almost as if he could sense Tianwu's internal struggle. His hand moved from Tianwu's cheek, slowly sliding down to the curve of his neck, where his fingers lingered, pressing lightly against the delicate skin."You're so much more than you know," Nian murmured. His breath was warm against Tianwu's ear, and it sent a shiver down his spine. "And you don't have to fear what comes next. Let me show you."Tianwu's body seemed to react before his mind could catch up. The heat from Nian's touch burned into his skin, and he couldn't help but lean into the sensation, despite every part of him telling him to run. He wanted to pull away, wanted to scream, but the moment the words formed in his throat, they were swallowed by a dangerous silence.But then, as if fate itself had decided to intervene, a loud crash echoed through the hallway. The moment was shattered, the spell broken, and Tianwu snapped back to reality, his breath ragged. His heart pounded in his ears as the figures moved quickly, their footsteps echoing down the hall."Get away from him!" Yuren's voice rang out, his figure appearing at the end of the corridor. He was charging toward them, sword drawn, his expression a mask of barely contained fury. "Tianming, move!"Before Tianwu could fully process what was happening, Yuren was beside him, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from Nian's lingering touch. But Tianwu felt strangely disoriented, his mind a whirlwind of sensations and confusion. The warmth of Nian's touch still lingered on his skin, a ghost of a feeling that made his heart race in a way that made no sense.As Yuren pulled him further down the hall, Tianwu's mind struggled to catch up with his body. The words Nian had whispered were still echoing in his ears, but they no longer felt like a warning. They felt like a promise—one that he wasn't sure he could resist.But before he could reflect on any of it, something unexpected happened.The light flickered again, this time stronger, almost blinding in its intensity. And as the figures vanished into the shadows, their forms melting away like smoke, Nian's voice echoed in the stillness."I'll see you soon, Tianming. You'll remember, whether you want to or not."Tianwu stumbled back, his mind clouded with uncertainty and confusion. His chest ached, and the lingering touch of Nian's fingers seemed to burn through him, leaving him feeling both hollow and full at the same time.Yuren had no time to check on him. He was already scanning their surroundings, his hand never straying far from his sword. Weiyang, too, was on high alert, but both of them could sense the unease radiating off Tianwu, and it only served to make their instincts sharpen further.But Tianwu, still trying to process the encounter, could barely keep his focus. His eyes were glued to the darkness ahead of them, to the uncertainty that loomed over him like a shadow. The world felt off-kilter, as if nothing was what it seemed.And as they moved deeper into the shadows of the estate, Tianwu could feel that something was about to snap. The tug on his soul, the pull of the strange man, was only growing stronger. And he wasn't sure if he could outrun it.---Just as Tianwu tried to catch his breath, as the weight of Nian's touch faded into the darkness, a sharp, distinct voice pierced the silence once more."This is not over, Tianming. Not by a long shot."But before he could look up, everything went dark. The world around him vanished, replaced by an oppressive stillness.And then... nothing.