Chapter [B3] 47 — Lost Brother

Chapter [B3] 47 — Lost Brother

Yan Yun felt terror wash over her, as the skies turned dark. Shadowy figures moved around in droves, the terrible aura of death now spreading through the castle. Just how? How could demons be in the capital, in the emperors castle of all places? Just the Qi in the air alone would be damaging to them, burning away their bodies and weakening them.

And yet they were here, and Yan Yun felt like she was living through a nightmare. Panic spread among the people, further increased when barriers rose on both the inner sections and the jade court hall with the emperor, cutting them out from the rest of the castle.

Some cultivators rose in outrage, but most ran in panic, falling to demons as they gave chase them like a predator hunting prey. The people here had never seen a demon, never even encountered demonic beasts. To them, this was a thing of a world somewhere far away, and nothing they would ever have to worry about. A part of her looked down on them, but she knew that even those people did not deserve the fate of dying to demons.

A few rose against the rising waves of creatures, fighting back and helping to try and break the barriers. Most were regional lords, officials and their children who had remained outside the innermost banquet meant for the higher ranked people. That was part of the problem, everyone with the ability to fight back was currently inside the barrier, within which they could neither hear nor see anything.

Yan Yuns own Chi swirled around her as she fought against the demons. Her Chi was like poison to the creatures, and they really didnt like being hit by it. She didnt truly understand why but she made sure to make use of her abilities.

Lei was with her, his lightning crackling and swirling, as he fought the demons she missed. His cultivation may not be as strong anymore, but he could still help support her, and he had the necessary skills in combat. Most of all, unlike the other noble children, he hadnt run away screaming.

Walking closer to the inner entrance, Yan Yun put her hand on the barrier.

Lei, can you try to hold off the demons while I look at this barrier? Yan Yun asked, glancing at the boy.

He looked back at her hesitantly, before giving her a nod.

Closing her eyes, Yan Yun began to inspect the barrier, trying to find any weaknesses. She wasnt a formation master by any means but she had been taught the basics and could at least learn of some weaknesses to exploit.

Sounds of battle crackled in the background, lightning crackling as Lei fought off the demons. She knew she didnt have much time. She needed to be quick.

Her senses expanded, reaching into the ward, into the depths as more began to be revealed to her. Layers opened up, as she went deeper, trying to find its core. It needed to have one, all wards needed a core and if she could find this ones, she would know how to break it.

As she plunged her senses as far as she could, Yan Yun felt something shift. A lump of energy was gathered together in a clot, swirling with Gu and miasma as it coalesced together. She reached closer, feeling out the core. This was it. Yan Yun probed the core with her senses.

At her inspection, the core stirred. Darkness flowed out from within, the barrier shaking as a dark visage turned towards her and opened its single giant eye.

Yan Yun felt her soul seize. Five dark swirling spirit rings imposed untold authority onto her, crushing her spirit. She felt like she was drowning at the bottom of the sea, darkness slowly seeping into her as the miasma swirled all around. Even her heart remained still, no longer beating under the pressure of the aura reaching back towards her. The eye regarded her for a long moment and Yan Yun saw her death in its gaze.

She clutched her throat, her body burning as the miasma began to sink in. She felt it reach inside her, into her core, she watched, helpless to do anything.

His brother he was alive. He was here.

All thoughts vanished from Leis mind as he walked towards Li, feeling his chest turn heavy with a fury of emotions.

Lei, something is wrong, Yan Yun said, he almost wanted to snap at her. What could be wrong? His brother was here now. She had never cared for him, what would she know?

And yet he felt her emotions now, through the Chi she shared with him. He felt her concern, and her fear.

Lei stopped, his mind snapping out of its daze as he looked at his brother standing there. He wore different clothings, but why was he so silent? And why Why did he look like that at him?

Brother, you say, Li spoke, looking at him. Lei noticed the boys eyes were a much darker color now. Right. Brother. Thats right. Thats what we were.

What are you saying? Were still brothers, Lei spoke.

Are we? Are we truly? Because if we are brothers why are you with her, Li said, looking at Yan Yun as dark wisps swirled around him.

Because because I realized that we were wrong. We were wrong and arrogant. And Yan Yun has helped me, helped find myself. Especially after I lost you, Lei spoke.

No. No, those are lies. The truth is that you betrayed me. Betrayed me and threw me aside when you thought I wouldnt win any longer. Were not brothers, Li said, and the words plunged into Leis heart.

Lei, get back, I have a bad feeling, Yan Yun said.

Lei looked at his brother, feeling a foreboding sensation, he took a step back, trying to decide what to do, when Li vanished.

Lei! Yan Yun shouted, and Lei felt energy flood him, but his mind failed to react in time. Even as lightning swirled around his body and the thunder phoenix arts moved like muscle memory, flowing without any hindrances, he could not comprehend the event happening.

Lis hand plunged into Leis chest, miasma swirling around the body as his eyes turned dark, taking on a demonic appearance.

Still so weak. Despicable, Li spat, pulling his hand out, as Lei stumbled back, looking down at the hole in his chest.

Shock and horror filled his mind, all thoughts lost as he stumbled back. Brother he gasped, as the world began to darken in his vision.