The silence of the chamber stretched, brittle as glass.Every breath Jiang Hao drew came with a stab of pain, Seal Two's backlash twisting his insides like molten iron. His sweat darkened his robes, dripping to the cracked stone floor in steady beats that mingled with the faint hum of the chained jade vessel.It pulsed again—thump, thump—a rhythm that matched his heartbeat, as though mocking the fragile balance inside him.Mei Ling clung to his sleeve, her voice trembling. "Senior Brother, you can't… you mustn't get close. The backlash already—if you push further, it could shatter your meridians completely."Lin Xueyao's eyes were sharp, her grip tight on her sword hilt. Her voice, however, was lower than usual, heavy with a weight even she rarely showed. "She's right. That thing is no ordinary treasure. It feels… wrong. It wants you, Jiang Hao. And anything that hungers for someone like you is more curse than blessing."Jiang Hao forced a chuckle, though his lips tasted of blood. "You make it sound like I'm some irresistible beauty. Should I be flattered or afraid?"Despite the humor, his vision blurred at the edges. Each pulse from the jade vessel made his heart throb with unnatural rhythm, threatening to drag him closer.The mysterious girl, standing at the pedestal's edge, tilted her head with eerie calm. Her long sleeves fluttered in the unseen wind radiating from the vessel, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "It's not you it wants. It's what sleeps inside you. That seal…" She traced her fingertip in the air, mimicking the glowing runes on the chains. "They're resonating. I can feel it."Her words sent a shiver through the group. Mei Ling tightened her grip, her qi surging in a desperate attempt to shield him. Lin Xueyao's eyes narrowed further, a subtle flicker of fear breaking her composed mask.The hum deepened, and the chains binding the jade vessel rattled like bones in the wind.A whisper curled through Jiang Hao's mind, soft as a lover's murmur yet heavy as thunder."Break the chains… set me free… power beyond heavens… beauty eternal…"He staggered, clutching his chest, breath coming ragged. The voice was sweet poison, each word a needle threading into the cracks of his willpower."Damn it," he muttered through gritted teeth, forcing a smirk despite his agony. "Even sealed ghosts are trying to rope me into unpaid overtime. Truly, this world has no mercy."Mei Ling almost sobbed at his flippancy. "This is no time for jokes!"But the mysterious girl laughed softly, a melodic sound that filled the tense chamber. "Perhaps that's why he hasn't fallen already. Humor dulls the blade of temptation." Her gaze locked on Jiang Hao, sharp yet intrigued. "But the question is… how long can even he resist?"The pedestal flared suddenly, beams of golden light striking outward, shaking the chamber. The floor cracked, dust falling like rain. The chained jade vessel strained against its bonds, chains glowing hotter, runes sparking under the pressure.Jiang Hao's knees nearly buckled. Seal Two roared inside him, demanding release, urging him to meet the vessel's call. His handsome features twisted in a rare grimace, and for the first time, even his smirk faltered."Stay back!" he barked, forcing his companions behind him with a wave of his trembling arm. "If this thing breaks free… it'll come for me first. And I can't let it touch any of you."The light intensified, the whispers growing louder, wrapping around his mind like silk threads pulling him closer to the abyss.And in that moment, Jiang Hao realized: this was no mere treasure. It was a test, one tied to his seals, his fate, and the hidden truths buried in his soul.The chamber trembled. The vessel screamed in silence. And Jiang Hao… stood on the edge of a choice that could change everything.The hum turned into a shriek.The golden chains binding the jade vessel snapped taut, their runes blazing so brightly the chamber seemed drenched in molten light. The air thickened, pressing down on everyone like an invisible mountain."Get back!" Jiang Hao shouted, his voice sharp despite the tremor running through his body.But it was too late. The vessel pulsed violently, and arcs of jagged energy lashed outward like the claws of a caged beast. One strike shattered a stone pillar; another ripped across the floor, carving a smoking trench between Mei Ling and Lin Xueyao.Mei Ling yelped, instinctively throwing up a barrier of green qi, but the backlash slammed her into the wall with enough force to knock the air from her lungs. "Ugh!""Ling'er!" Jiang Hao's chest tightened, fury flaring. His Seal stirred like a serpent in response.The mysterious girl remained where she stood, calm and detached, her robes fluttering as the storm of energy tore around her. Her eyes, however, were locked on Jiang Hao—not the vessel. As though she were watching to see what he would choose.The whispers grew louder, no longer sweet but commanding."Break the chains. Unleash me. Your pain will end. Your power will awaken. You were never meant to live small, Jiang Hao…"His knees buckled. Seal Two burned hotter, scorching through his meridians like wildfire. His vision pulsed with gold, sweat dripping from his chin, his every breath ragged."Damn…" He chuckled weakly, forcing his lips to curl upward even as blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. "I thought overtime was bad, but apparently my seals have an even worse boss."Lin Xueyao cut her palm with her sword, pressing blood against her blade as she infused it with killing intent. She stepped in front of Jiang Hao despite his order to stay back. "Enough hesitation. I'll sever the vessel's ties myself—"But before she could strike, the vessel roared.The chains snapped outward like serpents, whipping toward her and Mei Ling simultaneously.Jiang Hao's pupils contracted. "NO!"In that instant, he made his choice. He tore open Seal Two fully.The backlash was immediate and savage. Agony ripped through his body, white-hot, as though knives carved through every vein. His spine arched, his scream caught between pain and defiance. His hair, already loosened, flared like black silk in a storm; his eyes blazed with a golden light unnatural and fierce.The chamber trembled under the force of his unleashed aura. Handsome beyond mortal measure, immortal-like, Jiang Hao stood taller despite his pain, the very air bending to his presence.The chains met his palm as he thrust it forward, barehanded. The impact thundered, golden sparks scattering like fireflies. With a grunt, he forced the chains aside, shielding both Mei Ling and Lin Xueyao behind him.The cost was immediate. Blood spattered from his lips, painting the cracked floor crimson."Senior Brother!" Mei Ling's voice broke, tears streaking her face as she tried to reach him.But Jiang Hao only smirked, despite the agony lacing every fiber of his being. "Relax. You two already nag me like wives. If I let you die here, how would I ever get a moment's peace?"Lin Xueyao's blade trembled in her hand. She wanted to scold him, but her throat tightened, words refusing to come.The mysterious girl's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with dangerous delight. "There it is… the fire behind the mask. You truly are cursed and blessed in equal measure, Jiang Hao."The vessel shrieked again, its glow reaching a fever pitch.And Jiang Hao, with his seal burning him alive, knew this fight was only just beginning.
