The Wraithborn's attack was as silent as death itself. It moved like liquid darkness, tendrils of shadow lashing toward Xu Tian with inhuman speed. Instinct took over as his own shadows rose to meet the assault, colliding in midair with a force that sent ripples through the clearing.

  The impact threw Xu Tian backward, slamming him into a tree. Pain lanced through his body, but he forced himself to his feet, his eyes locked on the creature. Its form was hazy, like smoke given shape, but its glowing eyes burned with an eerie intelligence.

  Behind him, Yan Mei’s voice rang out. “What is that thing?!”

  Xu Tian didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. The mercenary’s dying words echoed in his mind.

  The Wraithborn.

  He had heard stories—whispers of cultivators who had strayed too far into forbidden paths, consumed by the very power they sought to control. They became hollow, monstrous, their humanity stripped away until only hunger and rage remained.

  And now one stood before him, a living nightmare.

  The Wraithborn lunged again, its movements unnaturally fast. Xu Tian barely had time to react as its claws raked across the air, trailing black, crackling energy. He dodged to the side, the shadows at his feet twisting to propel him out of range.

  With a sweep of his arm, he lashed out, sending a spear of darkness hurtling toward the creature. The Wraithborn dissolved into mist, reforming behind him in an instant. Xu Tian spun, his shadows forming a shield just in time to block its next strike.

  The impact jarred his entire body, and he gritted his teeth as he pushed back against the creature’s overwhelming force.

  “This isn’t going to end well,” he muttered under his breath.

  The star’s whispers surged in his mind. “You are holding back. Let us guide you.”

  “No,” Xu Tian growled, shoving the whispers away. “Not yet.”

  From the corner of his eye, Xu Tian saw Yan Mei raise her hands, a golden sigil forming in the air before her. The light expanded into a barrier, which shot forward and struck the Wraithborn, forcing it to stumble back.

  “Are you insane?!” Xu Tian snapped, his voice sharp.

  Yan Mei ignored him, her gaze fixed on the creature. “It’s not invincible. If we work together, we can drive it off!”

  Xu Tian wanted to argue—wanted to tell her to stay out of it—but the Wraithborn was already moving again. It surged toward Yan Mei, its claws slicing through the air like blades.

  Xu Tian reacted on instinct, his shadows lashing out to intercept the attack. The tendrils wrapped around the Wraithborn’s arm, pulling it off balance.

  “Now!” he shouted.

  Yan Mei’s companion leapt into action, his sword blazing with faint spiritual energy as he struck at the creature’s exposed flank. The blade connected, sending sparks flying, but the Wraithborn barely flinched.

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  The creature turned on him, its glowing eyes narrowing, and Xu Tian knew what was about to happen.

  “Get back!” he barked.

  The warning came too late. The Wraithborn lashed out, its claws raking across the young man’s chest. Blood sprayed across the clearing as he was thrown to the ground, his weapon clattering from his grasp.

  “No!” Yan Mei cried, running to her fallen companion.

  The Wraithborn turned its attention back to Xu Tian, its body radiating a cold, oppressive energy that seemed to sap the warmth from the air.

  “You are like us,” it said, its voice a hollow echo that reverberated through his mind. “Why do you resist?”

  Xu Tian’s jaw tightened. “I’m nothing like you.”

  The Wraithborn tilted its head, almost curiously. “Not yet.”

  The creature lunged again, faster than before. Xu Tian’s shadows rose to meet it, but the strain was beginning to take its toll. He could feel his strength waning, the connection to the star growing more tenuous with each passing moment.

  “You are weak,” the star hissed in his mind. “Let us show you true power.”

  Xu Tian’s breath came in ragged gasps as he dodged another strike. He could feel the Wraithborn’s energy pressing down on him, smothering him like a heavy shroud.

  “You want power?” Xu Tian muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “How about you help instead of whispering in my ear?”

  The star laughed, a cold, mocking sound. “All you have to do is let go. Give yourself to us, and no force in this world will stand against you.”

  Xu Tian hesitated, his shadows faltering for the briefest moment. The Wraithborn saw its opening and struck, its claws tearing through his defenses and slamming into his chest. He was thrown backward, skidding across the ground and coughing up blood.

  “Xu Tian!” Yan Mei shouted, her voice filled with panic.

  Xu Tian groaned, forcing himself to his feet. His vision swam, and the taste of iron filled his mouth. The star’s whispers were louder now, more insistent.

  “Decide, mortal. Resist, and you will die. Submit, and you will ascend.”

  The Wraithborn advanced, its movements slow and deliberate, as though savoring the moment. Xu Tian could feel its presence pressing down on him, a reflection of the path he had avoided for so long.

  His gaze flicked to Yan Mei, who was tending to her fallen companion, her golden light struggling to keep him alive. She looked up, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment, he saw something there—fear, hope, desperation.

  And then he made his decision.

  “Fine,” he growled, his voice laced with venom. “You want me to let go? Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  The star’s laughter filled his mind, cold and triumphant. “Wise choice.”

  The warmth in his chest exploded outward, flooding his body with energy. The shadows around him surged, growing darker and more intense, twisting into jagged, pulsing tendrils that writhed with a life of their own.

  The Wraithborn paused, its glowing eyes narrowing as it sensed the change.

  Xu Tian rose to his feet, his movements fluid and precise. The pain was gone, replaced by a cold, unyielding strength.

  “You want power?” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Let me show you what real power looks like.”

  The shadows erupted, slamming into the Wraithborn with devastating force. The creature howled, its form flickering as the tendrils tore into it, dragging it to the ground. Xu Tian advanced, his shadows coiling around him like a living storm.

  The star’s whispers urged him on, feeding his fury. “More. Take its strength. Consume it.”

  For a moment, he was tempted. The Wraithborn’s energy was fading fast, and he could feel it—raw, untapped power waiting to be claimed.

  But then he saw Yan Mei, her gaze fixed on him with a mixture of awe and fear.

  And he stopped.

  With a flick of his wrist, the shadows released the Wraithborn, letting its broken form collapse to the ground. The creature writhed for a moment before dissolving into mist, its glowing eyes fading into nothingness.

  The clearing fell silent.

  Xu Tian turned away, his shadows retreating as he walked back to the campfire. Yan Mei stared at him, her expression unreadable.

  “You didn’t take it,” she said quietly.

  “No,” Xu Tian replied, his voice tired. “Not this time.”

  Yan Mei hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you.”

  Xu Tian didn’t respond. He could still feel the star’s power coursing through him, a reminder of what he had unleashed—and what it had cost him.

  As the group prepared to leave, Xu Tian couldn’t shake the feeling that the Wraithborn’s words had been a warning.

  Not yet.

  It wasn’t just the Wraithborn he had to fear. It was himself.