(Xia's new outfit-clouds instead instead of flowers and her hair is braided into two long pigtails that reach her shoulder blades)
(OMG DID YOU GUYS SEE THE TRAILER FOR THE NEXT SEASON!? I'm so anxious to get this book done and get on to book 2 (which will follow the new season!) Sorry for such a long wait! College is back in session for me so I can't write back to back 🥺Thankyou for all the reads and votes! Your kind words and feedback are what make me so happy to continue writing! ❤️❤️Please stay safe!)
⚠️Angsty Chapter Ahead !!⚠️
As they ran towards the growling noises, Wei Wuxian and Lan Xhan couldn't help but side glance at Xia.
One of the female disciples had brought her a clean outfit to replace the purple one she wore when she had arrived. Now she is all white hanfu with blue clouds that adorned the collar and belt, and white shoes to match. Not only did she look like a Lan disciple (minus the headband), she seemed to have a look of determination that made her look mature and beautiful.
Her look of determination, however, did not match her inner thoughts of possibly being eaten by a corpse.
'I'm not ready to die! I'm not ready to die! Who knew an ordinary highschool student that spent most of her time reading manhwas and eating steamed buns would be transported to a BL and become a cultivator! This is definitely something I will tell my grandkids if I survive!'
Suddenly, the sound of growling made the three teens turn around to see corpses running towards them.
Xia felt her stomach churn.
"Holy crap! There's so many!! I'm going to personally beat up the disciples who let them out!"
Wangji turned to the two with a calm face.
"We need to split up. Wei Wuxian and Xia, go left."
Xia looked at Lan Zhan worriedly. Sure he was an amazing fighter,but she still couldn't help but worry about his safety.
"Be careful, Wangji."
Lan Zhan looked at her briefly before nodding.
"You both as well," he says softly before running the opposite way.
🌸🌸🌸
Wei Wuxian and Xia are busy fighting the corpses that had followed behind them. Xia grabbed a branch and swung it hard enough to make them stumble back while Wei Wuxian did more hand to hand attacks.
Nothing they did seemed to stop the corpses so they found themselves out of breath and surrounded.
Suddenly,the corpses began to run at Wei Wuxian and Xia, who were too exhausted to dodge the attacks and received painful scratches.
Before a corpse could bite her arm, Wei Wuxian grabs Xia so they could run away.
Xia looks back with fear as the corpses gain on them. Wei Wuxian picks her up swiftly and proceeds to jump up onto a tree branch.
Wei Wuxian looks down at Xia.
"Are you hurt?" He says breathlessly, making Xia shake her head, even though her arms were sore and she was ready to collapse.
"N-no way, I'm feeling better than ever," she says just as out of breath but in a joking tone that makes Wei Wuxian smile slightly.
Suddenly, they could feel the tree begin to shake, and looking down they could see multiple corpses trying to get up to them and making the tree lean.
Wei Wuxian quickly grabs Xias waist protectively before jumping down to the ground, and the same moment when the tree falls their way, making them gasp and fall from the force.
Fortunately, some of the roots still being intact prevented the tree from crushing their bodies.
They look up to see ,through the dust from dirt flying, 3 shadows of corpses closing in on them.
Wei Wuxian helps pull Xia from under the tree. Exhaustion written over their faces as they hear a rustling sound nearby. They look down to see a small rabbit hopping around innocently.
Xia couldn't help but pout exhaustively.
'Oh to be an innocent rabbit right now.'
The sounds of corpses makes the two whip their heads around. Wei Wuxian swiftly scoops up the rabbit as they make a run for it once again, dodging the corpses that try to claw at them.
Xia suddenly gets the feeling of deja vu,only it's not from anything she's done ,but what she's watched.
Her eyes widen and she suddenly feels sick.
'No ,no ,wait! This is when-"
A grunt from Wei Wuxian makes her eyes turn his way before she lets out a gasp.
The corpse that had scratched his arm was going in for another attack when suddenly, a black aura began to spew out of Wei Wuxians palm. The aura seemed to stop the corpses from attacking but the energy was making Wei Wuxians body react painfully.
"Resentment?"
He suddenly clenches chest and lets out a painful noise,before dropping to the ground.
Panicked,Xia immediately goes to his side and grabs his shoulders.
"A'Xian!"
The resentment energy within his body makes veins appear in his face that twists with pain. He tries to fight the feeling but it only seems to grow stronger.
Xia looks at him worriedly and remains kneeled beside him with her arms wrapped around his form.
"Hang in there A'Xjan. J-jiang Cheng is coming!"
A corpse close by trudges past them,Xia knowing well that it's because of the resentment energy.
"Wei Wuxian! A'Xia! Your Swords!"
As Wei Wuxians Suibian and Xia's Yuéliáng impale the ground, Xia and Wei Wuxian's eyes widen as they look up to see Jiang Cheng flying down on his sword. He takes down two corpses before looking towards Wei Wuxian who remains kneeling with Xia at his side.
"What? Are you too scared to hold your sword?"
Xia deadpans. As much as she liked him ,it was now one of those moments where she wanted to punch his face.
"N-nonsense."
Wei Wuxians hoarse voice makes Xias eyes move back to him as he goes to reach for his sword, even though his face showed his pain. She gently takes his hand, preventing him from trying to grab the sword.
When he hands it to his,he feels his body relax a bit . The aura begins to lessen, but the corpse rouses again. Jiang Cheng notices the change.
"You-"
Just as it goes to attack Jiang Cheng a bright blue light shoots down and stops the corpse. Xia looks up to see Lan Wangji staring down at them with his guqin in hand.
A wave of relief washes over her and her body relaxes a bit, though her hands remain around Wei Wuxian protectively.
🌸🌸🌸
A Lan disciple walks up to Lan Zhan .
"Master Wangji, the remaining zombies are all here."
"Take them back to the meditation hall. Don't make any mistakes," Lan Zhan replies firmly before turning to see Xia helping Wei Wuxian to his feet.
A feeling of guilt washed over him as he could tell with one look that they both had a hard time fighting the corpses.
Lan Zhans eyes narrow as they wander down to Wei Wuxian's hand that grips Suibian. His whole arm shook as if he was fighting to control himself and the veins were still visible. He can see the worriedness in Xia's eyes as she gazes at Wei Wuxian.
He can sense it. Something definitely wasn't right.
As if sensing his suspicious stare, Jiang Cheng moves in front of Wei Wuxian, blocking him from Lan Zhans eyes.
"Thankyou for your help. It's gotten quite late so I'll thank you properly another time."
Lan Zhan remains silent, fully aware of Jiang Cheng's attempt at trying to dodge any questions he may have.
He turns away and says "No need," before walking away.
Jiang Cheng lets out a breath of relief then turns to grab Wei Wuxian by the front of his clothes before pushing him up against a tree.
Xia tries to grab his arm.
"Jiang Cheng! Stop it now!"
He ignores her ,pushing her away, his eyes remain on Wei Wuxian.
"Wei Wuxian, what the hell was that!? Are you really.." he looks down at Wei Wuxians shaking arm which makes him even angrier.
He shakes him angrily and pushes him repeatedly against the tree.
"Are you out of your mind !? It's dark arts!Once other people find out ,you'll be expelled by all clans! Wei Wuxian?! Can you hear me!?"
Xia growls and yanks Jiang Cheng back by his clothes.
"Enough,Jiang Cheng!"
He turns around to yell at her,but is met with a hard slap to the face.
His eyes widened as he touched his cheek looking down at a shaking Xia.
Her bright green eyes seemed to glow as she glared up at him.
"What the hell is wrong with you!? Why are you treating him like a villain all of a sudden!?" she spat, making him glare down at her.
"Obviously you don't understand! Resentment energy is evil and anyone who uses it is an enemy to all! He can ruin everything for the Jiang clan if anyone finds out."
"I know."
Xia and Jiang Cheng look towards Wei Wuxian, who's head remains down in shame.
"How dare I use such awful dark arts?"
His body seemed to relax more and the veins on his hand disappeared. He looks up at them both, his tired eyes full of sadness.
"I-It won't happen again, I promise."
Xia slowly walks up to him, looking with teary eyes. She could see he was genuinely ashamed of what he had done and just wanted everything to go back to normal.
That's what hurt her the most.
She knows that the resentment energy would only grow after future events and he would become just what Jiang Cheng feared he would.