The atmosphere around Mount Kijo grew dense with a cold, oppressive air as Yuan and Bai Zhi faced off against the terrifying apparition that had plagued the villagers for weeks. The ghost, a monstrous figure with twisted limbs and glowing eyes, hovered menacingly before them. Its wailing scream sent shivers through the air, a sound that seemed to chill the very bones.
Yuan felt the familiar pulse of spirit energy in his veins, but this was different. He was no longer a novice; he was an exorcist, trained and ready to face the forces of darkness head-on.
"Stay close, Yuan," Bai Zhi instructed, his voice steady but sharp. He held his ground as the ghost swirled around them, its movements erratic and violent. "This will be your first real test of the techniques I've taught you."
Yuan nodded, his hands instinctively moving to summon his spirit energy. The ghost let out a high-pitched shriek, launching itself toward them with deadly speed. Yuan's heart raced, but he didn't hesitate. In the past, he would've been overwhelmed by such a powerful spirit, but now, after years of training, he knew what to do.
"Now!" Bai Zhi barked, and Yuan immediately activated the Spirit Cloak.
The technique was one of Bai Zhi's signature moves, a rare and powerful technique that enveloped the user in a cloak of cyan spirit energy. The energy intensified, wrapping around Yuan's body like a protective shell, boosting his strength and speed to supernatural levels. His muscles felt like steel, his reflexes faster than ever. The cloak pulsed with energy, the spirit energy weaving itself around him, enhancing his abilities beyond his normal limits.
The transformation was instantaneous. Yuan could feel the ghost's malevolent presence drawing near, but he didn't flinch. With the Spirit Cloak enveloping him, he felt unstoppable.
The ghost lunged at him with amazing speed, its claws slashing through the air. But Yuan was faster. He moved effortlessly, his body a blur of cyan energy as he sidestepped the ghost's attack. In the same fluid motion, he extended his arm, channeling his spirit energy into his palm. He released a powerful pulse, sending a shockwave of energy that slammed into the ghost's ethereal form.
The ghost screeched in pain as it recoiled, but Yuan was already on the move again, his movements a blur of speed. He followed up with a flurry of attacks, each strike powered by the amplified strength of the Spirit Cloak. The ghost's body began to flicker, its form destabilizing as Yuan's spirit energy tore into it. In less than two minutes, the ghost let out a final, agonizing wail before it disintegrated into nothingness, its spirit vanquished.
Yuan stood panting, his chest heaving as the cyan cloak dissipated, leaving him standing alone in the silence. The ghost was gone, its presence erased from the mountain.
Bai Zhi walked up beside him, his gaze thoughtful but approving. "You did well. Very well. The Spirit Cloak is a difficult technique to master, but you used it without hesitation. I'm proud of you."
Yuan smiled, still catching his breath. "Thanks, Bai Zhi. It feels… incredible. Like I could take on anything now."
Bai Zhi gave a rare, approving nod. "That's the power of spirit energy. But remember, it's not just about strength. It's about control. Don't get too cocky."
Yuan laughed. "No promises."
After the successful exorcism, Bai Zhi and Yuan made their way back to the nearby village to inform the locals of the ghost's defeat. The villagers were overjoyed and grateful, offering them food and drink to celebrate. But the two exorcists were more interested in one thing: the feast.
Later that night, after a long and hearty meal, they found themselves sitting in a quiet tavern, the warmth of the alcohol loosening their spirits. Yuan, feeling the effects of the wine, chuckled loudly, his face flushed.
"I gotta say, Bai Zhi, this was a good deal. We slay a ghost, get a feast, and now we drink. Maybe this exorcism thing isn't so bad after all!" Yuan grinned, raising his cup in a toast.
Bai Zhi, though slightly more reserved, took a sip of his drink. "You're still too young, Yuan. You haven't had enough practice to truly appreciate the importance of the work we do."
Yuan slumped against the table, his face turning serious for a moment. "Bai Zhi… you know… I've been thinking." He paused, his mind slightly foggy from the alcohol. "You've taught me so much. I've learned so much from you, and… I want to thank you."
Bai Zhi glanced at him, a flicker of something almost like fondness in his eyes. "You've done well, Yuan. You've surpassed my expectations. You've grown into a fine exorcist."
Yuan squinted, his head swirling. "No, really. I mean it."
Before Yuan could finish his sentence, his words slurred and he dropped his head onto the table, clearly exhausted from both the battle and the alcohol. Bai Zhi just stared at him for a moment, then chuckled softly to himself.
"Don't get too sentimental, kid. You're drunk. We'll talk when you're sober," he said, shaking his head.
Yuan mumbled something, but it was lost in the haze of his drunken state. Bai Zhi simply laughed again and took another sip of his drink, letting the warmth of the evening settle over them.
For a brief moment, the two of them shared a quiet bond, one forged through years of training, battles, and unspoken understanding. Yuan may have been drunk, but Bai Zhi knew that his student had truly grown into something much more than just an apprentice.
And for the first time in a long while, Bai Zhi allowed himself to relax, even if just for a moment.