Halloween Birthday

Chapter 2

The following night,  Lan Zhan and Wei Ying arrive at the Burial Mound site. Both are quiet, each reliving memories of this place. The only sound that could be heard was the many spirits whispering in the wind.  

The only light visible was the moon, but even this was fleeting. It is hidden behind the thick, dark clouds, casting a heavy shadow everywhere. The air is stifling with resentment energy. The bone-chilling air surrounds them, making it hard to breathe. It is as if the graves and those in it are reaching out to them. Nothing but evil lives here now.

Lan Zhan looks over at Wei Ying. He has become the Yiling Patriarch. His eyes are ruby red and glowing. His skin has become pale and ghost-like. His jet-black hair is lifted off his shoulders by his dark energy swirling around his body like a cloak. In his hands is his spiritual dizi Chenqing.

This vision never fails to take Lan Zhan's breath away. The power radiating from him is untamed and dangerous. Wei Ying can hear Lan Zhan's erratic heart, and he chuckles.

"Ready to play my love?" 

Lan Zhan turns his smoky topaz eyes to Wei Ying. "Mn."

Before a single step is taken, an army of ghosts surrounds them. They are dreadful to look at. Pitch black holes where once were eyes. A large cavern where once was a mouth. Seeing through them, they see the ghouls fast approaching. The ghosts begin to encircle them while cackling in their glee. One brave ghost laughs. "So you are our master? I think not."

Wei Ying laughs back and looks at Lan Zhan. "Shall we, beloved?"

So together, like a well-trained symphony, Lan Zhan's gugin and Wei Ying's Chenqing destroy all the ghosts. Wei Ying's dark energy absorbs the resentment energy. His energy has become more assertive, darker, and more demanding. Unknown to him, Lan Zhan has also become more powerful and darker. The dark that lives within him has made sure to get its share. Lan Zhan can feel it, and he smiles internally.  

Wei Ying pouts, "Well, that was disappointing. I had hoped for a more challenging battle from them."

The ghouls have finally reached them. Their army was more extensive and more wicked-looking.  The ghouls have gray leather-liked skin—razor-sharp teeth with long fangs that serve to rip you apart. Their hands had claws that curved like talons. They had eyes that were dead pools of nothingness. The stench coming from them was horrendous. Rotting flesh, walking graveyards, leaving a trail of slime behind. It was enough to make you want to vomit.

Watching them, Wei Ying feels this is the challenge he has been searching for. Lan Zhan stands ready but understands that Wei Ying wants to fight alone. He will be prepared if needed.

Wei Ying raises Chenqing to his lips. Robes and hair are swirling around him. Blood-red smoke mixes with the black energy, making his powers stronger tenfold. This is his element, and he revels in it.  He turns to Lan Zhan and blows him a kiss, and smiles. He is so ready to play.

During the battle, a ghoul has managed to slice Wei Ying's cheek.  Lan Zhan was beyond livid. He sends a massive wave of spiritual energy, and before he knows it, he destroys half the ghoul hoard. The darkness within him laughs, and it is pleased.

Suddenly, clapping is heard in the background. "Well done, my future husband."

Wei Ying wraps his energy tightly around him and then sends it to where the voice is heard. Angered, he thinks, "Who dares lay claim to his husband?"

The voice continues to taunt Wei Ying. "Is that all you have? If so, you do not deserve the title of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, nor do you deserve to be by the great Hanguang-Jun side. I am here to destroy you and take my rightful place. You will become no more than a memory."