The air was thick with tension as Lin Zhan faced Xian Long and his followers. The rogue cultivators were positioned around him like a trap, but Lin Zhan wasn’t afraid. His eyes, once full of uncertainty, now glowed with determination. He had trained tirelessly, and he would not allow anyone to dictate his fate.
Xian Long, a tall figure clad in black robes, stepped forward, his lips curling into a sneer. His eyes, dark and cold, locked onto Lin Zhan as if he were a piece of meat to be torn apart. "You have something I want, boy. The Golden Finger system is more than just a tool—it is the key to power beyond imagination. You cannot hope to control it. But I can. I will take it from you, whether you like it or not."
Lin Zhan’s fists clenched. The power of the Undead Monarch stirred within him, a cold, dark presence that whispered promises of strength and domination. For a moment, Lin Zhan felt the pull of it—the desire to unleash the full extent of that power. He could feel the sharp edge of that temptation, and it almost seemed to promise him an easy victory over Xian Long.
But Lin Zhan shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He couldn’t let the darkness consume him. Not now, not ever.
"You can’t take what doesn’t belong to you," Lin Zhan said, his voice steady and filled with resolve. "The Golden Finger system is mine to control. I won’t let anyone steal it from me."
Xian Long’s eyes flickered with amusement. "Very well. If you won’t give it to me, I’ll take it by force."
With a swift motion, Xian Long raised his hands, and dark energy began to swirl around him, crackling with malevolent force. The rogue cultivators behind him followed suit, summoning their own powers, each one casting an ominous aura. Lin Zhan could feel the air grow colder, the oppressive weight of their combined forces pressing down on him.
But Lin Zhan did not waver.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering himself, and reached deep within to the Qi that flowed through his body. He could feel it, pulsing within him, a warm and steady rhythm. Then, he allowed the Undead Monarch’s power to surface—just enough to enhance his strength and speed—but not to lose himself in its darkness.
The ground beneath Lin Zhan’s feet cracked as he shot forward, moving with a speed that seemed to defy the laws of nature. His fist collided with the air in front of him, sending a shockwave that sent Xian Long’s followers stumbling backward. Lin Zhan wasn’t just attacking; he was channeling his Qi with precision, focusing his power to enhance his physical strikes.
Xian Long smirked, summoning a shield of black energy in front of him. The shockwave from Lin Zhan’s strike hit it with full force but was absorbed into the shield without much resistance. Xian Long chuckled. "You’re strong, but not strong enough."
He raised a hand, and the ground trembled. From beneath the earth, skeletal hands began to rise, dragging the remains of long-dead warriors from their graves. The undead soldiers stood, their hollow eyes glowing with the same malevolent energy Xian Long controlled.
Lin Zhan’s heart beat faster. The power of the Undead Monarch surged inside him, the dark power whispering to him. He could feel it, that temptation to let go of his restraint and unleash the full force of the undead. It was a power unlike anything he had ever felt, raw and terrifying.
But Lin Zhan knew better. He would not be consumed by this darkness.
"Not today," Lin Zhan muttered to himself.
Drawing on his Qi, Lin Zhan focused on his palms, feeling the energy coalesce. He was calm now, steady, and the golden energy that had once been so foreign to him flowed effortlessly through his body. With a yell, he thrust both palms forward, releasing a concentrated burst of Qi that struck the undead soldiers with explosive force. The dark energy cracked and fizzled as the undead creatures collapsed to the ground, disintegrating into ash before they could even advance.
Xian Long’s eyes narrowed. "Impressive," he muttered. "But it won’t be enough."
He raised both hands, summoning a vortex of dark energy. The winds around them howled as the very air seemed to warp, bending to his will. The shadows thickened, and the temperature dropped as Xian Long prepared his next move.
Lin Zhan could feel the pull of the Undead Monarch’s power inside him, urging him to give in. The voice in his mind whispered once more: "Embrace your destiny. Let the dead rise to serve you. Your power is limitless."
Lin Zhan gritted his teeth. He wasn’t going to fall for it—not now, not ever. Instead, he focused his Qi, pushing out the dark thoughts that clouded his mind. With a sharp exhale, he pushed his energy outward, creating a protective barrier of golden light that stood firm against the growing darkness of Xian Long’s attack.
"You’ll have to do better than that," Lin Zhan called out, his voice steady and unwavering.
The two forces collided, the golden light clashing against the black vortex of energy. For a moment, it seemed as if neither side would give. But Lin Zhan pressed forward, his determination unwavering. He focused his mind, centering himself, and poured all his energy into his hands. The golden light intensified, cutting through the shadows like a blade.
With a final push, Lin Zhan’s energy broke through Xian Long’s vortex, sending a shockwave that knocked Xian Long back. The rogue cultivators staggered, some falling to the ground, unable to withstand the force of the attack. Xian Long, too, was thrown off balance, his shield crackling with instability.
"You are more powerful than I thought," Xian Long snarled, his eyes filled with hatred. "But it won’t be enough to stop me."
Before Lin Zhan could react, Xian Long surged forward, his hand glowing with dark energy. He aimed a direct attack at Lin Zhan’s chest, intending to strike with deadly force.
In that instant, Lin Zhan felt the darkness within him stir once more. The Undead Monarch’s power screamed for release, but Lin Zhan resisted. He couldn’t let this power control him—not now, not when he was so close to defeating Xian Long.
With a sudden burst of speed, Lin Zhan twisted his body, evading Xian Long’s attack. As he did, he gathered all of his Qi into his fists, focusing it into one powerful blow. He struck with precision, aiming directly at Xian Long’s chest.
The force of the blow sent Xian Long crashing to the ground, his dark energy flickering and dying. The rogue cultivators around him faltered, retreating in fear. Xian Long groaned in pain, his body unable to withstand Lin Zhan’s relentless power.
"You... you can’t defeat me..." Xian Long gasped, his voice full of disbelief.
Lin Zhan stood tall, his chest rising and falling with exertion. His eyes, though fierce, held no malice. "I’ve already defeated you," he said softly. "And I won’t let this power consume me."
Xian Long, broken and defeated, slowly began to retreat. "This isn’t over," he hissed. "You may have won today, but I’ll be back. And next time, you won’t be so lucky."
With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of dark energy that dissipated into the air.
Lin Zhan stood alone, breathing heavily. He had won. But he could feel the darkness still lingering within him, urging him to claim the power of the Undead Monarch. It was a temptation he could not ignore forever.
But for now, he had chosen the light. And that choice had made all the difference.
To be continued...
This chapter delves into Lin Zhan's struggle to control both the external threat of Xian Long and the internal darkness of the Undead Monarch’s power. The battle between light and dark intensifies, setting the stage for more challenges ahead. Let me know if you'd like to continue or adjust anything!
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