Wuji: A Promise Kept

92

Hua Cheng, Xie Lian, Mei Nianqing, Jun Wu, Baoshan Sanren, Lan Wangji, and Wei Wuxian were all at the center of the Rift. Tan Lan was several hundred meters away from them. Tan Lan was a beast of a creature, almost like a giant troll, with devil horns and piercing red eyes. As he promised, he brought the three souls, Jiang Fengmian, Yu Ziyuan, and Jin Zixuan. Yanli was safe thanks to the Wen spirits who found her in time. Hua Cheng also made sure to have people guarding her and those important to Wuxian at all times.

"Well, Jun Wu is definitely worth these three souls, you kept to your word Master Hua," Tan Lan said.

"If I say I will do something, I will do it," Hua Cheng said, "now let the souls go."

"Very well," Tan Lan said.

The three souls drifted off and disappeared. It was as if it were an illusion. Wei Wuxian couldn't hold back a smile, "you never had them did you?" Wuxian pointed out, "it was all some ploy to lure us all here."

"Mostly Jun Wu, but I have to say, having your soul, Wei Wuxian, would be an honor too," Tan Lan said.

"Nonsense," Lan Wangji said, "you will not have him."

"Aww, and the mighty Hanguang Jun. Unfortunately your soul is too pure for me," Tan Lan said, "too pure of souls gives me gas."

Wuxian could not hold back a laugh at a time like this. Never in his life would he think to hear such a thing. He has always heard people wanting to even be in Wangji's presence, let alone see him. And here Tan Lan was saying such a person gives him gas.

"Why are you laughing?" Baoshan asked.

"Sorry, it's just the first time I heard someone say something that ridiculous but also something like that about Lan Zhan," Wuxian said.

Baoshan nodded, "I'm sure he will have words with you on this matter later."

Wuxian looked at Wangji and saw a knowing grin on the man's lips. Wuxian internally sighed as he knew that look anywhere. He was getting roughed up by Hanguang Jun once this was all over.

"Well, you will have a hard time getting me," Wuxian finally said to Tan Lan, as he didn't want to think about his future plans with Wangji right now.

"So I've heard," Tan Lan said. Tan Lan then made his first move. He created an illusion, making it seem as if the group was in a deep forest.

"Don't let this fool you," Jun Wu warned, "it's an illusion."

Wuxian and Wangji nodded to each other and summoned vine and vine together. Doing this they used those vines to pluck up the trees as if they were flowers and threw them aside to make a path. It was the fastest way through the illusion, just use an ability to get through it.

"Impressive," Tan Lan said, "such unique skills."

Soon creatures began to emerge. Different types of spirits and fierce creatures appeared, making their way towards the group. Hua Cheng sent out his trusty scimitar, E-Ming, and dozens of wraith butterflies. The butterflies helped take out the creatures and even helped Wuxian and Wangji continue to clear a path.

"This has gone on long enough," Jun Wu said. With such unbelievable prowess, he managed to break the illusion and the forest disappeared.

"Jun Wu still has fight in him, even when his followers have disappeared," Tan Lan said.

Xie Lian spoke up, "he and I may have had a rough past, but he still has one follower. I have learned even just one person is enough to give you incredible strength," he looked at Hua Cheng when he said the last bit of his sentence.