Xu Yang stared at shrine's center.Chen Yu frowned."Waiting for you?"Xu Yang nodded slowly."He was standing in front of something."Yan Luo stepped closer."What something?"Xu Yang closed his eyes,trying to hold onto the fading image."A door." Lin Chen's expression changed."A door?" Xu Yang nodded."An enormous stone door buried beneath the shrine."His voice became quieter."There were chains wrapped around it."Lin Chen glanced toward the ruined shrine."Chains?"Xu Yang's fingers tightened around the flower in his hand."Silver chains."
The masked man's eyes suddenly narrowed,but he said nothing.Xu Yang noticed."And behind the door..."He paused.His breathing became uneven. "Someone was screaming."The group fell silent.Lin Chen's expression changed. "Someone was trapped inside?"Xu Yang shook his head."I don't know."He closed his eyes."But the voice kept calling my name. "Chen Yu immediately asked,"What did it say?"XuYang's lips trembled."It said..."He struggled to remember."...'Don't open the door.'"
Yan Luo's eyes narrowed."Then why would you be standing there?"Xu Yang looked at him."Because someone else was trying to open it."Chen Yu's expression hardened. "Who?"Xu Yang slowly turned his head.The moment his eyes landed on Zhao Ming, everyone understood.Zhao Ming was standing several steps away,watching him in silence.Xu Yang's voice became cold."You." ZhaoMing didn't deny it."Yes."
Lin Chen immediately stood."You were going to open that door?"Zhao Ming calmly replied,"I have been trying to find it for years."Yan Luo drew his sword."Why?" Zhao Ming's eyes shifted toward the shrine. "Because someone is still waiting inside." Chen Yu stepped forward."Who?" Zhao Ming's expression became distant. "Someone Heaven wanted forgotten."
The black Threads behind him slowly began moving."Someone whose existence was erased from every record."Xu Yang stared at him."And you think that door will bring them back?"Zhao Ming looked at him."Not think." His voice became firm."I know."Chen Yu's expression hardened."Then you planned to use XuYang."Zhao Ming's silence answered him.Lin Chen's face filled with anger."You knew the Heart Blossom was a key from the beginning!"Zhao Ming looked toward Xu Yang."I knew it could open the path."
Yan Luo stepped forward."And you didn't tell us."Zhao Ming's eyes became cold."Would you have helped me?"Yan Luo's sword pointed directly at him."No."Zhao Ming gave a faint smile."Then I made the correct choice."Chen Yu immediately formed a spiritual seal."You're not using Xu Yang again."Zhao Ming looked at him."You still don't understand."The Threads suddenly rose behind him,forming a massive black shape above the ruined village."The door isn't waiting for me."Everyone froze. Xu Yang's Heart Blossom suddenly pulsed violently."It's waiting for..."Zhao Ming's gaze slowly settled on Xu Yang."...him."
The crimson mark on Xu Yang's wrist burned brightly.Xu Yang gritted his teeth."Why me?" Zhao Ming didn't answer."Tell me!"Xu Yang shouted.The Heart Blossom released another pulse and sudden image flashed through his mind.Where he saw stone door with sea of colourful threads.Inside room he saw figure kneeling before it.And Zhao Ming standing behind that figure with blood covering his hands then the vision changed. Xu Yang saw himself standing on the other side of the door.His own hand was pressed against the stone.And something inside the door whispered his name."Xu Yang!"ChenYu grabbed his shoulder.
Xu Yang suddenly returned to reality.He was breathing heavily."I saw..."He looked horrified."I saw myself opening it."LinChen's face went pale."Then we don't let him get near that door."Zhao Ming slowly raised his hand.The Threads moved with him."You still don't understand."Chen Yu stepped in front of Xu Yang."We understand enough." Yan Luo raised his sword."You're willing to control him to reach that place."Lin Chen stood beside them."And we're not letting you do it."
Zhao Ming looked at all three of them."You would fight me?"Chen Yu's spiritual power began gathering around his body."If we have to."Yan Luo's sword ignited with spiritual flames."Without hesitation."Lin Chen clenched his fists."You hurt Xu Yang once." He stared directly at Zhao Ming."You won't get another chance."Xu Yang slowly stepped forward.His expression was no longer confused."Zhao Ming."
Zhao Ming looked at him."If the door really needs me..." Xu Yang raised his glowing wrist."Then I'll decide when it opens."Zhao Ming's eyes narrowed."And if I refuse?"Xu Yang's gaze hardened."Then you'll have to get through all of us."For several seconds, Zhao Ming said nothing then he laughed."So this is how it begins."The threads suddenly erupted from the ground.The group took their positions.Chen Yu shouted, "Everyone, stay together!"Yan Luo stepped forward. "Don't let the Threads separate us!Xu Yang, stay behind us!"Xu Yang shook his head. "No."He looked at the glowing rose mark. "This time...I'm standing with you." Zhao Ming's eyes flashed.The Threads surged forward like a black tide.
Zhao Ming suddenly raised his hand,and the darkness around him exploded outward like a storm.Chen Yu's robes whipped in the pressure."Everyone,move!"The ground beneath them shattered.Yan Luo jumped backward as a wave of black energy tore through the street and smashed into the remaining houses.Lin Chen rolled beneath the attack and came up with his sword already drawn."He's not giving us another chance!"
Chen Yu pulled three talismans from his sleeve."Then we don't give him one either!" He snapped his fingers and talismans shot forward and spread through the air,forming a golden triangular formation around Zhao Ming.Zhao Ming glanced upward.The golden symbols reflected in his eyes."Chen Yu..."His voice was low."Don't force me to hurt you."ChenYu's expression hardened. "You've said that enough."He slammed his palm downward."Seal!"Golden chains burst from the talismans and shot toward Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming twisted away from the first chain and second wrapped around his arm.He pulled hard and the golden light cracked. "Now!"Chen Yu shouted.Lin Chen charged through the opening.His sword flashed beneath the golden light and struck toward Zhao Ming's shoulder.Zhao Ming released the chain and turned at the last moment.The sword scraped across his robe instead of piercing him.Lin Chen immediately reversed the blade and swung again.Zhao Ming blocked it with his forearm and dark barrier formed between them.The impact threw sparks across both their faces."You're hesitating!"Lin Chen shouted.
Zhao Ming's eyes narrowed."I'm trying not to kill you."Lin Chen pushed his sword harder."Then stop fighting like you're afraid of yourself!"Zhao Ming suddenly twisted his arm and knocked the sword aside.Lin Chen lost his balance for a second.Zhao Ming's fist stopped directly in front of his chest.He could have struck.But he didn't.Lin Chen stared at the fist.Zhao Ming lowered his hand."Move."
Lin Chen's expression changed."You really won't kill us..."Before he could finish,a blue streak cut through the air.Zhao Ming immediately turned.Hei Long's Blade flew toward him like a piece of falling moonlight.It was a crescent-shaped jade blade,almost transparent,with deep blue light flowing through its center like water beneath ice. Zhao Ming raised his hand.The jade crescent struck his palm and forced him several steps backward.
Hei Long pulled his fingers sharply.The jade blande curved away from Zhao Ming's hand and returned through the air.Hei Long caught it without looking."You still leave openings when you protect someone." Zhao Ming looked at him."And you still notice them."Hei Long's eyes became cold."Then I'll use them."He flicked his wrist.The jade crescent split into three glowing arcs in midair.They flew toward Zhao Ming from different directions.Zhao Ming ducked beneath the first,turned aside from the second,and blocked the third with dark energy.The blue weapon exploded against the barrier and released a wave of cold light that froze the ground beneath his feet.
Zhao Ming's expression tightened.He slammed his foot down and black demonic energy burst through the frost and shattered it."Hei Long!"Lin Chen shouted."Again!" Hei Long ong didn't answer.He was already moving.The crescent blade flew from his hand and curved around Zhao Ming's back.Zhao Ming sensed it and turned,but Yan Luo came from the opposite side.His flame sword descended like a burning streak across the night."Zhao Ming!"Yan Luo roared."Look at me!"
Zhao Ming raised both hands and wall of dark energy formed in front of him.The flame sword crashed into it and entire street shook.Fire exploded outward.Yan Luo's hair whipped around his face as he pushed with both hands."You said you wouldn't kill us!" Zhao Ming gritted his teeth."I won't!" Yan Luo's eyes burned with anger."Then why are you fighting us like this?!"Zhao Ming's voice suddenly broke through the flames. "Because you won't let me go!"
The dark barrier shattered.Yan Luo's sword struck Zhao Ming across the chest.Zhao Ming staggered backward,but before Yan Luo could follow,he disappeared into the smoke."Where is he?" Yan Luo's eyes swept across the street.His flame sword remained raised,its fire flickering against the thick black smoke."Don't let your guard down!" Chen Yu shouted."He's still here!"The smoke suddenly twisted and faint crimson glow appeared behind them.XuYang's eyes widened."Behind...!"Before he could finish,a dark figure flashed through the smoke and appeared directly in front of him.
Zhao Ming's hand struck toward his chest. Xu Yang barely raised his arms to block.The impact sent him flying backward.He crashed through a broken wooden wall and rolled across the stone ground."Xu Yang!"Lin Chen shouted.Xu Yang tried to push himself up, but pain shot through his ribs.He coughed blood.He wiped blood away and stared at the blood on his fingers."Again..."His breathing became heavy."Not again."He slowly forced himself onto one knee.
Zhao Ming emerged from the smoke several steps away.His chest was already bleeding from Yan Luo's attack,but his expression remained calm.Xu Yang stared at him. "You're supposed to be the one dying here..."Zhao Ming's eyes narrowed slightly. "You still have enough strength to talk."Xu Yang gritted his teeth and stood. "Unfortunately."He tightened his fists and Demonic energy gathered around his body, but it flickered weakly and disappeared. "Come on..."he whispered to himself."Just move."Nothing happened.
Xu Yang stared at his own trembling hand. Why is my body so weak?...Everyone else is fighting.I'm standing here getting thrown around like a useless extra...He looked toward the battlefield where Chen Yu was preparing talismans,Yan Luo was gripping his flame sword."And I'm the one carrying the Heart Blossom?"He clenched his jaw. "Who wrote this character?"For a brief moment,even Xu Yang looked offended by his own situation.Why did they give me nine lives and then make me useless whenever something important happens?...
Zhao Ming stared at him."I warned you to stay away."Xu Yang wiped the blood from his mouth."And I ignored you."Zhao Ming's eyes flickered."Why?"Xu Yang looked at him. "Because you're hurting people I care about. "Zhao Ming hesitated.Xu Yang noticed it immediately.His eyes narrowed."There." Zhao Ming frowned."What?"Xu Yang forced himself upright."You hesitated."Zhao Ming's expression hardened."Don't mistake restraint for weakness."Xu Yang gave a tired smile."Funny.I was about to say the same thing."
Zhao Ming suddenly disappeared.Xu Yang's pupils contracted."Again?!"A dark blur appeared beside him.Xu Yang twisted away, but Zhao Ming's hand caught his shoulder and threw him toward the ground.Xu Yang hit hard.His vision blurred.For several seconds,all he could hear was the ringing inside his ears."Get up..."he muttered. "Come on...get up."His fingers dug into the cracked stone."I can't keep lying here."He tried to stand.His injured leg shook violently and gave way again."Damn it!"
Zhao Ming stood several steps away, watching him silently."Stay down."Xu Yang looked up at him."No."Zhao Ming's eyes darkened."You won't survive another attack."Xu Yang slowly pushed himself upright."Then I'll survive this one."A faint crimson glow appeared around his body.The Heart Blossom on his wrist pulsed once. Xu Yang's expression changed."You heard me..."Zhao Ming's gaze immediately fell toward the rose mark."Don't use it."
Xu Yang noticed the sudden change in his voice."Why?"Zhao Ming didn't answer.Xu Yang raised his hand and crimson light began spreading across his arm."Because you're afraid of it?"Zhao Ming's expression became colder."Xu Yang."The warning in his voice made Xu Yang stop for half a second. "What?"Zhao Ming looked directly into his eyes."If you awaken it here,you won't be the only one who suffers."Before Xu Yang could answer,Yan Luo's voice suddenly came from behind."Get away from him!"A blazing sword swept across the battlefield.
Zhao Ming immediately jumped backward and flames passed between him and Xu Yang,forcing him away.Xu Yang fell onto one knee.Yan Luo landed beside him and immediately looked down."Are you alright?" Xu Yang breathed heavily."I've been better." Yan Luo glanced at the blood on his robe. "You call this better?"Xu Yang gave him a weak smile."I'm still alive."Yan Luo's expression tightened."Don't make jokes." Xu Yang looked toward Zhao Ming."I'm not joking."
Zhao Ming stood across from them.His hand remained pressed against the wound on his chest."Move away from Xu Yang." Yan Luo raised his flame sword."No."Zhao Ming's eyes darkened."Then I'll move you." Yan Luo's flames suddenly surged."Try."He charged.Zhao Ming met him head-on.Their attacks collided in the middle of the street.A wave of fire and black energy exploded outward.
Xu Yang shielded his face from the pressure. "They're fighting at this level.... And I'm barely standing."His hand tightened around the Heart Blossom."I really am useless right now."Then another thought struck him."No." He slowly looked at Zhao Ming."If I can't fight him..."His eyes sharpened."...I can at least figure out what he's trying to do."
Across the battlefield,Zhao Ming blocked Yan Luo's sword and suddenly glanced toward the shrine.Xu Yang noticed."He's still watching that place."His breathing steadied slightly."He's not trying to defeat us."Xu Yang looked toward Chen Yu."He's waiting for something."Before he could explain, Lin Chen suddenly rushed through the smoke. His sword flashed toward Zhao Ming's shoulder."Zhao Ming!"Zhao Ming turned sharply.The sword barely missed his neck.He stepped aside and Lin Chen's blade cut across his cheek and thin line of blood appeared.Zhao Ming touched it and looked at his fingers.
Lin Chen raised his sword again."I won't let you reach Xu Yang."Zhao Ming looked at him."I know."Lin Chen charged. Their blades of spiritual energy collided again and again. Lin Chen attacked high, then low,then turned his sword and drove it toward Zhao Ming's side.Zhao Ming blocked each strike,but Lin Chen refused to give him space."Chen Yu!" Lin Chen shouted."Now!"
Chen Yu had already prepared six talismans. He threw them into the air.They surrounded Zhao Ming in a circle."Heavenly Seal!"The six talismans released pillars of golden light that locked Zhao Ming in place.Zhao Ming's knees bent under the pressure."You..."His breathing became heavier."Really learned this formation."Chen Yu's expression was grim."I learned it because one day I knew I'd have to use it."Zhao Ming looked at him. "Against me?"Chen Yu's eyes flickered with uncertainty."I didn't know it would be you." Zhao Ming gave a faint smile."Neither did I."
The golden formation tightened.Chen Yu shouted,"Yan Luo!"Yan Luo understood.He raised his flame sword and flames around the blade suddenly changed.They became brighter and denser,forming a long burning edge that illuminated the entire ruined street.Yan Luo rushed forward. "Zhao Ming!" Zhao Ming's eyes lifted."Don't."Yan Luo's sword came down.Zhao Ming broke one of the golden seals and moved just enough to avoid the center of the strike.
The flame blade tore through his side instead of his heart.Blood sprayed across the stones.Zhao Ming stumbled.Yan Luo froze for a moment."I..."Zhao Ming suddenly struck the ground with his palm and massive wave of dark energy exploded between them.Yan Luo was thrown backward.Chen Yu's formation shattered.Lin Chen rushed toward Yan Luo and caught his arm before he hit the ground."Are you hurt?"Yan Luo pushed himself upright."I'm fine."His eyes immediately returned to Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming was standing several steps away. His hand pressed against his side and blood was flowing between his fingers."He's wounded."Hei Long's voice was quiet.Zhao Ming looked toward him."Don't worry." Hei Long tightened his grip on the blue crescent."I'm not worried about you." Zhao Ming smiled faintly."Good."He suddenly vanished.Hei Long's eyes sharpened.The blue crescent flashed from his hand.Zhao Ming appeared directly in front of him. Hei Long swung upward as jade weapon and Zhao Ming's dark energy collided.The blue light exploded between them.Hei Long's arm shook.Zhao Ming pushed forward. "Move." Hei Long refused."No."Zhao Ming's expression hardened."I don't want to hurt you."
Hei Long stared directly into his eyes."Then you'll have to get past me without hurting me."Zhao Ming's hand trembled."Why do all of you make this so difficult?"Hei Long's answer was cold."Because you're not the only one who has lost someone."Zhao Ming froze.Hei Long used that instant to pull the jade crescent backward.The weapon curved around Zhao Ming and struck his shoulder and deep cut opened.Zhao Ming staggered. Hei Long ong caught the weapon as it returned."Zhao Ming..."Chen Yu slowly raised another talisman."It's over."
Zhao Ming looked at him.Then he looked at Everyone.Finally,his eyes moved toward Xu Yang.He could see the Heart Blossom glowing faintly on Xu Yang's wrist."No..." Zhao Ming whispered."Not yet."His demonic aura erupted again and entire village shook. Chen Yu shielded his face as black energy swept across the village."He's forcing his body past its limit!"Lin Chen shouted."Stop him!"Yan Luo raised his flame sword again. "Together!"Chen Yu threw every remaining talisman into the air.
Hei Long's blue crescent began spinning rapidly around him.Lin Chen lowered his sword and charged.Yan Luo's flames roared behind him.Zhao Ming stood alone as the four attacks came at him from different directions.The first was Lin Chen's sword. Zhao Ming blocked it.The second was Hei Long's blue crescent.Zhao Ming twisted away,but the weapon cut through his robe.The third was Chen Yu's talisman formation.Golden light exploded against his chest.
ZhaoMing's body suddenly went still.The flames reflected in his eyes.YanLuo's expression changed. "Zhao Ming..."Zhao Ming looked down at the blade.Then he slowly looked toward Yan Luo.His lips curved upward."You finally..."He coughed, and blood spilled from his mouth."...stopped me."Yan Luo immediately pulled the sword back."Wait!"Zhao Ming staggered backward and his hand pressed against the wound,but the blood wouldn't stop.
Chen Yu rushed toward him."Let me see the wound!"Zhao Ming raised one hand."Stay back."Chen Yu stopped."You're dying." Zhao Ming gave a weak laugh."I know."His knees finally gave way.He caught himself against a broken stone pillar.The flames around Yan Luo's sword slowly faded."I didn't want..."Yan Luo whispered."I didn't want to kill you."Zhao Ming looked at him."I know."He slowly turned his head.
The Threads near the shrine had begun moving.They were no longer attacking anyone.They were gathering in a silent path toward him.Zhao Ming stared at them.His expression changed completely.All the anger,the pain,and the resistance in his face disappeared then he laughed. "Heh..." Chen Yu stared."What's funny?"Zhao Ming didn't answer.He looked at the Threads as though he could see someone standing beyond them.His eyes became wet."Brother..."
Chen Yu leaned closer. "Zhao Ming!" Zhao Ming slowly opened his eyes.His vision was already becoming blurred.He looked at Chen Yu for a moment before giving a weak smile."You..."He coughed softly."Still trying to save me?"Chen Yu clenched his teeth."Of course I am!" Yan Luo stepped closer,his face pale as he looked at the blood covering Zhao Ming's robes."We didn't want this." Zhao Ming turned his eyes toward him."I know."Yan Luo's grip tightened around his sword."Then why didn't you stop?"
Zhao Ming remained silent for several seconds."Because if I stopped..."His eyes slowly moved toward the ancient shrine."...I would have failed him again."Lin Chen looked toward the shrine,then back at Zhao Ming."Your brother?"Zhao Ming's lips curved into a faint smile."Yes."Xu Yang walked toward ZhaoMing slowly,his expression filled with confusion and something he couldn't name."You are not looking scared."
Zhao Ming looked at him."I am."Xu Yang frowned."But you're smiling while you are dieying." Zhao Ming's eyes softened. "Sometimes..." He took a weak breath. "...going home doesn't mean returning alive."Xu Yang's hands tightened into fists."Don't say that."Zhao Ming looked at him quietly."Why?"Xu Yang couldn't answer. For some reason,his chest hurt.The Heart Blossom on his wrist gave a faint pulse."I don't understand,"he whispered."Why does this hurt?"Zhao Ming stared at the glowing rose mark.His expression suddenly became complicated."Because..."He paused. "...some bonds don't disappear just because you betrayed them."
Xu Yang's eyes widened."What are you talking about?"Before Zhao Ming could answer,the black threads around the battlefield suddenly moved.Everyone immediately raised their weapons."They're moving!"Lin Chen shouted.Yan Luo stepped in front of Chen Yu."Everyone,be careful!" The Threads did not attack.Instead,they slowly gathered behind Zhao Ming.Chen Yu looked at them in confusion."What are they doing?"Hei Long's eyes narrowed."They're waiting."YanLuo glanced at him."For what?"
Hei Long looked toward Zhao Ming."For him."Zhao Ming slowly lifted his head.The Threads formed a dark path behind him, stretching toward the shrine.The sight made his eyes soften."You waited..."he whispered. His voice trembled slightly."Even after all this time..."Chen Yu stared at him. "Zhao Ming,what are you seeing?"Zhao Ming didn't answer.He looked beyond them,as though someone was standing among the Threads."Brother..."His voice was barely audible.Xu Yang stepped forward."Who are you talking to?"Zhao Ming's eyes slowly closed.A small smile appeared on his face."I'm coming home."
"Home..."Chen Yu's healing light suddenly flickered,and then faded completely from his fingertips."Zhao Ming?"His voice was barely a whisper.Zhao Ming's body became completely still.His hand slowly slipped from the wall and fell beside him with a soft sound.The faint smile remained on his face. Chen Yu stared at him for several seconds as if refusing to understand what he was seeing."No..."He quickly dropped beside him and pressed two fingers against Zhao Ming's neck."Come on..."His voice trembled."Come on,don't do this."Nothing. Chen Yu moved his hand to Zhao Ming's chest and poured another stream of spiritual energy into him."Wake up!"
Golden light spread beneath his palm,but there was no response."Zhao Ming!"Chen Yu's voice broke."You were just talking to us..."His hands began trembling."You can't just..."He swallowed hard."...you can't just disappear after that."The healing light slowly vanished again.Chen Yu lowered his head until his forehead almost touched Zhao Ming's shoulder."He's..."He closed his eyes tightly."He's gone."
YanLuo stood several steps away.His flame sword was still burning in his hand,but the flames had become weak and unsteady.He stared at Zhao Ming's body for a long moment before slowly lowering the sword. "He chose this fight!"Yan Luo said quietly,but there was no strength in his voice.Lin Chen's sword slipped slightly from his fingers."We were trying to stop him..."he whispered."We weren't trying to..."He looked at the blood covering the battlefield."But we still..."His voice disappeared.Hei Long lowered his head.Xu Yang remained standing several steps away,staring at Zhao Ming's peaceful face.His hands slowly tightened."We..."His voice trembled."We killed him."