(END)Wei wuxian is back but something is wrong

expolde

The shadows surged up like a tidal wave. Wei Wuxian barely had time to react before they hit, cold and suffocating, wrapping around her like chains.

Lan Wangji moved instantly—Bichen flashed, cutting through the darkness—but the shadows absorbed the strikes, twisting and reforming like living ink.

— Lan Zhan!

Wei Wuxian struggled, twisting against the restraints, but they pulled tighter. The red-eyed version of herself watched, unbothered, her expression almost amused.

— Why fight it? — she murmured, tilting her head. — You already belong to the darkness. You always have.

Wei Wuxian gritted her teeth.

— Oh, shut up.

She bit down the rising panic and forced herself to focus. This thing—whatever it was—was feeding on resentment. If she let herself be scared, if she let anger take hold, she’d be playing right into its hands.

She took a slow breath.

Then, ignoring the way the shadows coiled tighter around her limbs, she laughed.

The red-eyed Wei Wuxian blinked.

— What…?

Wei Wuxian smirked.

— You’re trying to trap me in resentment? Me? The Yiling Laozu? — She tilted her head mockingly. — Come on. Be a little more creative.

The figure’s expression darkened.

— You think this is a joke?

The shadows tightened—but this time, Wei Wuxian was ready.

With a flick of her wrist, she tore Chenqing free and played.

The first note shattered the silence. The second sent a ripple through the air.

The shadows screamed.

The red-eyed Wei Wuxian flinched.

And then—

A brilliant, golden light sliced through the darkness.

Lan Wangji.

His guqin roared to life, the strings vibrating with power. The sound was pure, cutting through the resentment like a blade. The shadows recoiled, twisting and writhing as the combined force of their music tore through the trap.

Wei Wuxian grinned.

— Tsk. Guess you underestimated me.

The red-eyed figure’s face twisted in fury.

— No.

She lunged.

But this time—

Wei Wuxian was faster.

She spun, dodging the attack, and slammed her foot into the ground. The air cracked with energy, sending a pulse of power outward.

The figure froze.

Wei Wuxian lifted Chenqing to her lips, meeting her doppelgänger’s furious, burning gaze.

— Your mistake? — she said, smiling.

The final note rang out.

— You forgot who I am.

The chamber exploded.