Xue dashed away. Hui dangled off his shoulder, desperately holding on. Er, Xue! Where are we going?
Laughing, Xue shrugged. A safe place. He turned around and fired another two slashes of his fan at the trio. They huddled down and cast a barrier between the three of them, seconds before they vanished under the flas.
Not going to fight them? Hui asked. That blast of fla was easily at the fourth stage! He could take them all out with no effort!
I cant stay out long. This realm doesnt like it, and anyways He glanced up at the sky and flinched. He shook his head. We have to find a place to hide.
Curious, Hui sent a small probe of qi into Xues shoulder. As Xue had warned, the heat of his yang energy quickly faded, while the cold yin energy rushed up to take its place. Again, Hui noticed the smoke, the cold blotch in the yang. That it almost feels like
Huinows not the ti, Xue bit, distracted.
Ohsorry. Hui retracted his qi. But Ill have to ask him. Later.
Over there! I found A blast of fire shut the cultivator up.
Xue ducked into the castle and raced down the corridors at random. Hui craned over his shoulder to see ahead.
Left, left, go left! he hissed.
Xue turned left and found a staircase. They bolted up it, into the next level. Near the top of the stairs, Xue paused. Ghouls ahead.
Scare them down the stairs with your fire! Hui called.
Xue smirked. Good call.
Closing his fan, he charged at the ghouls. They turned to face him, opening their mouths.
Xue slashed at the ground behind them. A bonfire lit up where he slashed. Instinctively, the ghouls fled. They rushed past Xue and Hui, down the stairs.
Distantly, the other cultivators rushed into the castle. Whered they go?
Whoa! Watch out! Ghouls!
Breathing heavily, Xue ducked into a room. He pressed a hand against the door. Spark-Flint Fusion.
Fire seared along the edges of the door. The flint sparked, then rged together.
Outside, footsteps clattered down the hallway. Hui held his breath. Xue pressed a hand over his own mouth and leaned against the wall, listening.
Damn ghouls!
Whered they go?
They have to be in here sowhere
That Gao Trio, lying to us that was definitely yang-form Bai Xue! And full power at that!
But it was Bai Xue. At least they didnt get that wrong.
The footsteps faded away.
Hui took a breath. He looked at Xue. Who are you?
Xue shrugged at him. Bai Xue. What else is there to say?
Is everyone from Bai clan like you? Hui asked.
Can they swap between yin and yang forms? Not everyone, but it's in our bloodline. Many mbers of my clan can. I told you, its a unique cultivation technique only mbers of my bloodline can practice. Xue wandered to the window and peeked out, distracted.
Er should I call you Elder Sister or Elder Brother? Hui asked.
Xue shrugged. He ran a hand over his hair and glanced back at the door. A nervous energy ran through his actions. I dont care.
Xue? Are you alright? Hui asked.
Its almost midnight. I can feel it.
What happens at midnight?
Xue shot a harried glance at Hui. You deserve to know. Before you die.
Xue, co on, tell , Hui said, concerned. I liked them better when they were just trying to touch my hair.
He shook his head. Im cursed. Ilike those idiots out there, a demonic cultivator decided they wanted to use as a furnace. Our Bai clan a consequence of our technique is that it purifies our yin and yang energies. To so cultivators, this makes us the ultimate furnaces. Even better, we can swap forms at will, making us ideal for both genders.
I was born with pure yin energy. It only took to second stage to purify my yang. Most Bai clan mbers are fifth stage or higher before they fully purify one of their energies, which gives them a better chance to defend themselves against those twisted freaks. Theres still high-ranking demonic cultivators, of course, but your average cultivator isnt going to risk it against a fifth-stage cultivator, and by that age, theyve forged alliances and built powerful friendships.
I never had that chance. The Bai clan hid for as long as they could, but it couldnt last forever. Word got out. And then
Hui winced. Thats horrible.
Xue shrugged. I had just broken through into fourth stage. I thought I was invincible. Its partially my fault for being so reckless.
Xue
He waved it away. I went out one night, against the advice of my elders. Ran into a demonic cultivator. I got away, but not before he cursed . Because of the curse, I fell back a realm well, my yin form did. Which made my yang form unstable and hard to maintain for long.
The elders did their best, but they couldnt break the curse. They reduced it. Theres a few side effects
Is that why the rope? Hui guessed.
Xue nodded, glancing at his ankles. It disguises my gait. And when I turn He shook his head. The curse only activates at midnight now, instead of eating away at all the ti. It still eats at , but slower, now. Only when Im in this form. And it makes it harder to swap forms. Xue took a deep breath, then stopped. He pressed his hand to his mouth, thoughtful.
The curse turns you undead, doesnt it? Hui said.
Startled, Xue stared at him.
Earlier, I sensed death qi inside you. Or I thought it was death qi. I guess I was right, Hui muttered, half to himself. That, and your shuffling gait, and the rope. Its there to disguise the fact that undead-you cant climb up stairs or over thresholds, right?
Xue laughed. He patted Huis head. You are clever.
Shut up! Hui replied. He leaned away, covering his hair.
Xue reached after him, grinning, then flinched back. He put a hand over his face. A shudder crawled over his skin. In the dimming light, his pale skin looked paler. He sucked in a ragged breath. Ah, shit.
What if we open the door? Send you out there to rampage? Those third-stage cultivators Hui started.
Xue shook his head. I turn into a ghoul in many respectsthe weaknesses, the stiff limbsbut I maintain my fourth-stage strength. Its a curse. Its ant toto force to kill those I care about, or force them to kill . In a situation like this, where the Mysterious Heavenly Forest Sect ca to eradicate ghouls they ca equipped to exploit my weaknesses. I only retain my bodily strength, not my skills, spells, or intelligence. They could take down easily. Im sorry, Hui, but I must survive. For the sake of my clan.
L-last night. You handled it, no problem, Hui said, rembering.
I was in my yin form. The curse is sealed there, and I have talismans in my clothes to help . Now
Cant you swap back?
Xue gave him a pained grin. Wish I could. Not until the yang qi runs out.
Dammit, then why did you steal so much of my qi? Hui raged silently.
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