Chapter 9 - The Breaking Point

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The room shook with the clash of darkness and light. Xiao Zhan was still under Lian's possession—his eyes half black, half glowing golden.

Yibo held him tightly against his chest.

Yibo said with a trembling voice 〰️

"Zhan… listen to me. You are mine. You live in every breath of mine. Nothing can separate you from me—not the past, not this shadow." 💔🔥

Inside Xiao Zhan, Lian's cold laughter echoed.

Xiao Zhan/Lian: "Your love came too late, Yibo. You forgot me… and now your

punishment will be that I take Zhan away. So you'll always remember… that you once lost me." 👻

Tears welled in Yibo's eyes, but his voice thundered like lightning.

Yibo: "I never forgot you, Lian. But I loved Zhan—because he is my life. And I cannot live without him!"

Suddenly, Xiao Zhan's eyes flickered. It was as if two voices were colliding inside him.

Xiao Zhan (weak, from within): "Yibo… help… I can't…"

Yibo cupped his face, pressing his lips gently against his forehead.

Yibo (soft but firm): "Zhan, come back. To me. Into my arms. This is where you belong." ❤️

A blinding wave of light burst forth ⚡. Xiao Zhan's body trembled, and Lian's scream pierced the air—

Lian: "No! This is impossible!"

At the same moment, Han began chanting loudly from the book. But then his words faltered. There was something in his eyes—a strange, hidden pain.

Han (quietly, to himself): "Zhan… if you return, then my truth can no longer stay hidden."

Yibo didn't hear him; he was clinging to Xiao Zhan. Slowly, Xiao Zhan's eyes began to clear. Lian's grip was weakening.

Xiao Zhan (in a faint voice): "Yibo… I'm… with you."

And the moment he said it—Lian's shadow let out a final, piercing scream before dissolving into mist and vanishing into the air. 🌑➡️✨

Silence fell. Xiao Zhan lay unconscious in Yibo's arms.

But in Han 's eyes, a storm was raging. He looked at Yibo, then at the unconscious Xiao Zhan.

Han (in his mind): "Now… the time to reveal the truth is near. Because Zhan doesn't only need protection from Lian… but also from me." 😶‍🌫️

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