Huo Feng rushed toward Wu Xin, her heart pounding with fear for him.He almost fell, and she caught him—her voice trembling as she whispered:"Don't be afraid. I'll protect you."
Then she fell silent, staring at him strangely.There was a shadow in her eyes— a reflection of the serpent's gaze.
Her pupils widened. And when she spoke again, her voice carried a faint hiss, like leaves brushing stone:"Don't be afraid… I'll free you from this pain."
Her tone, her eyes—both were frighteningly calm, almost tender.Inside, she felt it— a wild, primal urge rising from the same darkness as the serpent.She didn't want to save Wu Xin anymore.She wanted to devour him. Not out of hate—but because something inside him called to her.The parasite. The living corruption the serpent had sensed.
Then—his voice cut through her trance, laced with exhausted humor:"You toyed with my heart once…and now I'm just a delicious meal?"
He opened his arms mockingly, a bitter smile on his lips."I don't mind."
Something snapped inside her. She lunged forward, instinct taking over.Her fangs—no, her teeth—sank into his neck. Blood bloomed like a red flower between them.He winced, but didn't push her away.Instead, he gripped her shoulders, pulled her close, and murmured against her lips:"Then eat me properly, greedy one."
Teacher Li could do nothing but watch— powerless, horrified, yet strangely sorrowful.He shouted at her, but she didn't hear him. She was lost—in hunger, in pain, in memory."A delicious meal indeed," he muttered bitterly.
Then, desperate, Li pulled her hair harshly— and that, absurdly, worked.The woman inside her snapped awake, startled not by guilt but by vanity."Don't you dare ruin my hair!" she yelled, slapping him hard.
And then she saw it— Wu Xin's blood dripping from his neck, staining his lips.For a second, she thought he had vomited it, and horror seized her.
"I… I feel like a monster," she whispered."A creature that devours everything strong, everything bright… even those I love.I'm poison to everyone around me."
Li's voice softened, steady as dusk."Then let me be your compass, so you never lose your way."
Wu Xin, leaning weakly against the ancient tree, felt a storm of emotions tearing him apart—pain, weakness… and an odd, quiet joy.He stood with effort, reached for her hand, and said:"Then don't be afraid. I'll be your light."
Huo Feng smiled faintly, tears glimmering in her eyes."Good," she whispered."I won't stray, then…For one of you is my compass and the other, my destination."
Huo Feng sank deep into her thoughts.She knew the cure was within her — and, in a strange way, she had become the experiment itself.
She had finally found the remedy… and now, she was testing it inside her own veins.There, the serpent's light rippled like living threads, chasing the shadows of the parasite rooted within her.
"Such a powerful parasite," she whispered inwardly."But I must be smarter. The furnace's power shows no mercy — if I let it ignite, it will devour both poison and cure alike. I must let the serpent play its role… as it waits for the perfect moment to strike."
The furnace within her began to boil suddenly, but she restrained it with effort."I must not let the flames destroy it. Let the serpent confirm the cure... Be patient, Huo Feng, just as the serpent waited for its prey."
The voice of Master Li cut through the silence, rising from behind her hair."Why don't you start the treatment?"
She lifted her head and answered aloud, loud enough for Wuxin to hear as well:"The treatment requires celestial tools… ones I don't have yet.You two should head to the Celestial Kingdom. I'll follow soon."
Wuxin stepped forward, his voice hoarse."No. I'm not leaving you here alone."
She smiled faintly, her expression calm yet unreadable."Don't worry. I'll ask Suo to come fetch you.As for me — I have my compass… my Master Li."
Li whispered, confused,"Then why didn't you summon him before? Why not bring him with you from the start?"
She hesitated, looked down, then replied quickly:"He left for the Celestial Kingdom…"Her voice softened."Or perhaps… he vanished."
Li's voice rose, tinged with quiet concern."Did he truly return to the heavens?"
She shook her head slowly."I don't know… I thought he was with you."
A heavy silence fell between them.At last, Li murmured, almost sadly:"What happened?"
Her gaze drifted, lost in thought."It's… a long story."
But inside, her mind was spinning.Could their disappearances all be connected? Suo… little Fu… Shushu… and what about young Li?
Then suddenly, her eyes lit up with a flash of realization."Master, tell me—how can I quickly locate someone within the Shadow Realm?"
Li's tone grew wary."You're looking for Suo here? Why here, of all places?"
Her lips curved into a mysterious smile."I told you… it's a long story.And perhaps—you're its hero."
Silence lingered for a heartbeat before Li spoke again, his voice steadier now."I thought this journey would be short."He inhaled deeply."We have a record here—similar to the one in the Celestial Kingdom…The difference between them is small."
Huo Feng's eyes gleamed once more, light flickering within them. "And what difference is that?"