Chapter Eight: Misunderstandings

The scorpion demon thrust out its pincers to defend itself, but the instant it touched the first crimson lotus, it let out a long, agonized screech. As the thirteen lotuses bloomed in unison, the demon was reduced to dust, scattering with the wind, unable to reassemble its form for the time being.

By now, Chi Yuan had soared into the thundercloud astride his sword. He turned to Ling Yan and said, “The formation is damaged. That scorpion demon cannot regain its spirit form for a while. Now is the time—break the array at once.”

“Understood!” Ling Yan replied and began channeling her spiritual power. The Soul-capturing Bell drifted upward, floating to the center of the thundercloud. With a sharp cry, Ling Yan sent forth waves of clear chimes from the bell. The lightning entwined around the Frostblade Sword flared violently, surging toward Ling Yan. Chi Yuan stepped forward, raising Wuya to cut through the violet lightning, but at that moment, Xiaoyuan’s voice echoed in his mind: “Little fool, don’t use your power to resist. This violet lightning will hasten the fusion of the sword and the Heavenly Sword Bone. It’s a great boon to you.”

At these words, Chi Yuan halted his strike and allowed the violet lightning to rampage through his body. At once, he felt as though a thousand ants gnawed at his every vein and sinew. Gritting his teeth, he forced down the urge to deploy his energy in defense. The savage force of the violet lightning coursed through his meridians, and for a moment, the pain nearly drove him to unconsciousness. Yet as the lightning encircled his flesh, a steadily intensifying golden glow began to emanate from his skin.

Time seemed to stretch interminably for the two of them. How long had passed, they could not tell. At last, the final arc of lightning on Chi Yuan’s body was consumed by the golden light. With a tremendous shattering sound, the black ice encrusting the Frostblade Sword was smashed to pieces, and the spell array finally dissolved.

In the center of the dissipating thunderclouds, a blinding ray of sunlight pierced through, and at its heart, the Frostblade condensed into a single point of cold brilliance, shooting directly toward Chi Yuan.

He raised his right hand, watching as the sword’s icy radiance flashed before him, halting an inch from his palm and going no farther. A mysterious golden sigil appeared on Chi Yuan’s brow. With a thunderous shout, he commanded the Frostblade, which began to tremble violently, emitting a resonant hum. The vibrations gradually subsided, and the sword turned into a deep blue mote of light, flying into the golden sigil, which faded away in turn.

“Not good!” Chi Yuan spun around just in time to see Ling Yan collapse, plummeting earthward. He swiftly guided his sword downward.

At that moment, a turquoise figure flashed through the sky, catching Ling Yan with one arm around her shoulders and the other beneath her knees, gently cradling her as they descended.

On the ground, a deep blue shadow shot away into the distance—it was the scorpion demon’s soul, now stripped of the array’s protection and knowing itself outmatched, trying to flee. But from the figure holding Ling Yan, a massive hand formed entirely of azure spiritual power emerged, seizing the scorpion soul and drawing it back with astonishing speed. Only then did Chi Yuan get a clear look at the newcomer.

The man’s features were as exquisite as sculpted gold and jade, his skin pale as snow. A jade-green crown loosely gathered his ink-black hair at the nape of his neck, and his long blue robe flowed elegantly in the breeze.

Chi Yuan landed steadily, eyes fixed warily on the stranger, spiritual energy ready in his sword hand, prepared for any threat.

Ling Yan, revived in the man’s arms, opened her eyes. “Miss, you—” the man began, but before he could finish, Ling Yan cried out in alarm, wriggling free from his embrace. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger, she swiftly shaped a spell with her hands, conjuring crimson lotuses that blossomed in rapid succession. The man immediately gathered his power, a blue aura swirling protectively around him, while Chi Yuan stepped forward, slicing the lotuses apart with his sword energy. Each burst of red light shattered the surrounding ice, which dissolved into thick mist that spread outward. Chi Yuan realized Ling Yan had held back, intending no real harm.

“You’re a strange one—someone saves your life and you try to kill him for it!” the man’s voice drifted through the mist, tinged with laughter.

“Hmph! Scoundrel, and you dare call that saving me!” Ling Yan retorted loudly.

As the white mist cleared, Chi Yuan finally saw the two facing each other. The man stood unmoved while Ling Yan faced him from a distance, her cheeks still flushed with indignation. She was about to cast another spell when Chi Yuan turned to her and said, “Miss Ling, wait. I truly failed to reach you in time, and it was thanks to this gentleman’s help that you were unharmed.”

Ling Yan, hearing this, hesitated, her hands falling to her sides. She turned her head away with a pout, clearly displeased.

“See? At least this young man knows how to be reasonable,” the man said with a note of triumph.

Chi Yuan smiled and nodded, “May I ask your name, sir?”

“Oh, I’m Sun Lang. I was just passing by and sensed demonic energy here, so I came to investigate,” the man replied casually, a smile on his lips.

“I am Chi Yuan, and this is Miss Ling Yan,” Chi Yuan introduced, though he did not reveal their purpose as Sun Lang had.

“Ling Yan—a fine name, though your temper…” Sun Lang began.

“Scoundrel! One more word and I’ll blast you to pieces! Give me back my scorpion!” Ling Yan snapped.

“Scorpion? Oh, you mean this fellow?” Sun Lang recalled the scorpion demon he’d just caught and extended the enormous blue spiritual hand toward her.

“This person harbors no hostility. He’s no enemy,” Xiaoyuan’s voice sounded from Wuya.

“I agree,” Chi Yuan replied, putting Wuya away.

Meanwhile, outside the Ice City, a gray shadow darted through the forest. “If not for the ‘Mirror Talisman’ my father gave me, I’d have been finished today. Chi Yuan, I’ll remember this—just you wait!”