Morning light spilled through the window.
The air felt heavy, almost sacred.
Daoist Huang stood by the table,
holding an ancient, weathered book in both hands.
His face was serious.
"Lin Han,"
he said slowly,
"There's something you need to know."
I looked up.
Hope and fear both in my eyes.
"What is it?"
"The Soul Exchange technique can bring her back."
His gaze was deep. Heavy.
"But the price…"
"is not something most people can bear."
He paused.
Then said quietly:
"You must give up your human form."
"You will become a fox."
My head went blank.
A fox.
Not a human.
No normal life.
No place in this world.
No longer able to stand beside her
as I am now.
"Are you sure you want this?" he asked again.
"This is not just a change of appearance."
"You will lose your rights as a human…
your identity…
your entire world."
I lowered my head.
Clenched my fists.
Then looked at him.
"As long as she lives,"
"I don't care what I become."
He froze for a moment.
Something flickered in his eyes.
"…So your bond really is this deep,"
he murmured.
"Perhaps…
not all demons are evil."
"Maybe…"
"it's me who never tried to understand them."
He shook his head slightly.
Turned back to the ancient text.
And began preparing the ritual.
Night fell.
Moonlight poured across the courtyard.
Daoist Huang arranged talismans along the ground,
placing herbs and incense into a complex formation.
Then he lit the thick candles.
Their flames burning steady.
"This is your last chance,"
he said without looking at me.
"Once the ritual begins,
there's no turning back."
"Are you ready?"
"Yes."
I answered immediately.
Without hesitation.
He exhaled.
Then closed his eyes.
And began chanting.
As his voice rose and fell,
the talismans started glowing.
A deep, quiet blue.
The air trembled.
Like something unseen
had just awakened.
"Bring her here,"
he said.
I carefully carried Ah Li's body into the center of the formation.
Knelt down beside her.
And held her paw.
Her warmth was faint.
But still there.
"Listen carefully,"
Daoist Huang warned.
"What happens next
depends entirely on your will."
"If your heart wavers even for a moment…"
"The ritual will fail."
"And both of you
may die."
"I understand."
I closed my eyes.
Took a slow breath.
Forced myself to calm down.
His chanting grew faster.
Stronger.
The dust in the courtyard
began to swirl.
His whisk flew through the air,
cutting invisible patterns.
Then—
A blinding golden light
erupted from the formation.
Flooded the entire courtyard.
My body was swallowed by it.
A force gripped me.
Tore into my soul.
Pain exploded.
Not in my flesh.
But inside.
Like my very existence
was being pulled apart.
My teeth clenched.
Cold sweat rolled down my forehead.
"Hold on!"
Daoist Huang's voice cut through the storm.
"Don't give up!"
The light grew stronger.
The world faded.
And my consciousness
began to sink.