Chapter Fourteen: The Divine Sword and Shadow of the Butterfly

“Brother Chi, it’s me.” Hearing the familiar voice, Chi Yuan immediately withdrew Frostblade.

“Sun Lang? Why are you here? Where’s Ling Yan?”

“After we entered the city, I only recall falling into a long dream. When I awoke, I found myself alone. I began searching for you all, and just now, I saw you outside and followed you in.”

“So that’s how it is. Earlier, I encountered an elderly woman—she said the seal suppressing a divine sword here had been broken, causing everyone in the city to remain asleep. I found Xiao Yuan but couldn’t awaken her; I suspect Ling Yan is also slumbering now,” Chi Yuan replied gravely.

“In that case, we should hurry and seek out the sword. If your words are true, finding it may offer a solution. I fear if we delay, Miss Xiao Yuan and Miss Ling Yan may be in danger,” Sun Lang said anxiously.

“That’s precisely why I came here. Now that I’ve met you, I’m even more confident. Let’s go.”

Chi Yuan gripped Frostblade tightly and, together with Sun Lang, ventured deeper into the mansion.

Beyond the courtyard, they found a broken door. Pushing it open, a deep, narrow path revealed itself. As they proceeded, more and more black butterflies emerged the further they went.

“It seems we’ve found the right place,” Sun Lang observed. Chi Yuan didn’t reply but quickened his pace.

At the end of the path, a vast cavern appeared. At the mouth, Dream-Soul Butterflies fluttered out incessantly. The two exchanged glances and entered the cave.

Silvery ores lined the cave walls, reflecting their figures like countless mirrors, adding an air of confusion. Despite the depth, the strange materials kept the cave bright.

At the cave’s end lay a platform several yards wide, crowded with Dream-Soul Butterflies. They swirled around a sword as if guarding it. This sword, surely, was the Shadowed Butterfly.

Chi Yuan halted, stunned. “Is this…”

“There it is!” Before Chi Yuan could speak, Sun Lang stepped forward.

The butterflies were startled, swirling through the cave like a black tempest. Sun Lang summoned a pair of ghostly blue wings and swept them, trying to drive the black butterflies away, but they seemed enraged, swarming toward the two like a dark tide.

Instinctively, the two tried to fend them off, only to realize the butterflies passed straight through their bodies.

“Chi Yuan, these butterflies have no physical form. Quickly, take possession of the Shadowed Butterfly; the butterflies will disperse on their own.”

“Shadowed Butterfly?” Chi Yuan was startled and asked, “Didn’t the old woman say the seal had to be restored?” He had never mentioned the sword’s name—how did Sun Lang know?

“No!” Sun Lang replied. “If you reseal it, everyone in the city will be trapped in dreams forever—including Xiao Yuan!”

Suddenly, the black butterflies converged, swirling into a massive vortex. The butterfly shapes within grew indistinct, leaving only flickering purple runes.

“Don’t hesitate!” Sun Lang shouted. “If the Dream-Soul Butterflies gather enough energy, both of us may fall back into the dream!”

The vortex began to condense at its center; the cave walls were drawn in, spreading similar purple runes. The air grew thick with spiritual power. Chi Yuan felt a growing unease. “There’s no other way now.”

He rushed to the sword, slashing Frostblade at the dark purple barrier encircling it. After a flash, its glow faded, the seal crumbling beneath the sword’s aura.

“At last…” A clear, ethereal woman’s voice echoed through the cave.

All the Dream-Soul Butterflies surged toward the seal, darkness blooming, then suddenly vanishing, replaced by a stark whiteness. Within the seal hovered a snow-white cocoon, seemingly binding a white-haired woman.

The woman’s eyes snapped open; the cocoon’s walls cracked, leaving only a shell woven from silk. She brushed aside a few strands and stepped out, long slender legs pale as jade, clad only in a white gauze. Her figure was alluring, her expression enchanting, her purple eyes captivating, and behind her, a pair of enormous butterfly wings trembled gently. She smiled seductively, her silver hair drifting gracefully as she moved. The wings folded forward, covering her entirely, and when they opened again, her attire had changed—a simple white strapless gown accentuated her slender waist, wide sleeves and flowing silk lending her an ethereal air. Her hairpin was adorned with butterfly-patterned silver, elegant rather than garish.

Her fingertip slid from her snowy shoulder, pointing at Chi Yuan. “You… released me?”

Chi Yuan held Frostblade protectively and stepped back, his gaze sharp. “What manner of demon are you?”

The woman laughed, her voice echoing harshly in the narrow cave. “Demon? You, youngster, have the looks, but your words are so unpleasant.” She drifted forward, scattering spots of light with every step. “Enough. For breaking that Taoist’s seal, I’ll grant you a request—after I’ve consumed the city’s spiritual power.” Her purple eyes brimmed with greed.

Hearing this, Chi Yuan thought of Xiao Yuan’s half-transparent spirit. “You fiend, causing harm and speaking nothing but lies…”

“And what if I am a fiend?” The woman lifted her head disdainfully, conjuring a black butterfly between her fingers, which she sent gently to land on Chi Yuan’s shoulder. She closed her eyes lazily, then opened them—her purple gaze swirling, leaving Chi Yuan momentarily stunned. “Why not stay with me forever? You can have whatever you desire.”

“Don’t look into her eyes!” Sun Lang suddenly realized the danger and shouted, “Her eyes can beguile the mind!”

Yet Chi Yuan remained motionless, his hand slack, Frostblade dropping.

Seeing this, Sun Lang rushed to Chi Yuan, but the woman summoned a swarm of black butterflies to envelop him. Thinking them mere illusions, Sun Lang tried to pass through, only to discover they had become corporeal—pain pierced his body, and he realized his entire frame was bound, unable to move.

“Fool,” the woman sneered at Sun Lang. “Wait and see—drained of your spiritual power, you’ll die lost in dreams.”

She walked slowly to Chi Yuan, lifted his chin to gaze into his vacant eyes, and murmured softly, “That’s a good boy.” Withdrawing her hand, she traced a rune over her chest; her pale skin shimmered with purple light, and soon a purple-gold orb emerged slowly from her chest.

“This pace won’t do.”

Her butterfly wings spread wide, lifting her into the air. The orb expanded, enveloping her in a spherical space. Through its glow, she could be seen with eyes half-closed, forming hand gestures; tiny black dots appeared around her, multiplying until they filled the space, forming a floating black sphere radiating a subtle aura of power.

The cave fell silent. Chi Yuan remained dazed and motionless, Sun Lang bound and unable to escape, feeling thousands of needles piercing his flesh, his spiritual power draining more rapidly with every moment.

Suddenly, eerie purple runes illuminated the cave walls. The once-black Dream-Soul Butterflies turned entirely purple, their golden markings shining, the air trembling, and a sharp, piercing sound echoed throughout.

The sphere overhead suddenly shattered, releasing tens of thousands of Dream-Soul Butterflies. As they dispersed, every butterfly transformed from black to purple, filling the air with fluttering violet shadows.