Strange Paths to Immortality

The memory crystals spun faster, their projected images blurring into a chaotic storm of light and shadow. Chen Jiuzhang's key emitted a warning pulse as he noticed Zhang Chengying edging toward the chamber's central vortex. "Chengzhang, stay back!" he shouted, but his friend only turned with a strange smile.

"Don't you see, Jiuzhang?" Zhang Chengying's voice echoed with a dual tone. "Your ancestors knew the truth—balance is a prison. The primal darkness should be free!" As he spoke, a tendril of shadow snaked from his wrist to touch a crystal labeled "Chen Family Pact".

The chamber erupted in red light as the crystal revealed a horrific truth: Chen Jiuzhang's great - grandfather had made a deal with the primal darkness, promising to weaken the seal in exchange for power. "No..." Chen Jiuzhang staggered back, the key nearly slipping from his grasp. "That can't be true."

"All families have secrets," a gravelly voice croaked. Wu Laogou, who had been unconscious since the portal battle, sat up with glowing yellow eyes. "Your ancestor's pact is why the Corrupter targeted you. The key was meant to be a seal... but also a key to unlock the darkness."

Su Nian stepped between Chen Jiuzhang and Zhang Chengying, chains ready. "So what do we do now? Fight our own friend?"

Before anyone could answer, the chamber's floor split open, revealing a pit of swirling light and dark energy. "The final trial," Lyra translated from the shifting runes. "We must each hold a crystal above the vortex to maintain the seal. But if one fails, the balance collapses."

Luna lifted a crystal labeled "Light" with trembling hands. "I'll go first." As she hovered the crystal over the vortex, a beam of pure light shot up, but a shadowy hand emerged from Zhang Chengying's sleeve to tug at her elbow.

"Stop!" Chen Jiuzhang threw himself between them, the key's energy repelling the shadow hand. "Chengzhang, fight it! That's not you!"

Zhang Chengying's eyes flickered between black and normal. "I... can't..." he gasped, clutching his head. The shadow fragment was forcing him to reach for a "Darkness" crystal.

Just then, Wu Laogou slammed his staff on the ground, summoning a ring of blue fire around Zhang Chengying. "The pact can be broken! Jiuzhang, use the key to overwrite the ancient magic—but you must accept both light and dark within yourself."

Chen Jiuzhang looked at the key, then at his struggling friend. The crystals around them were shattering from the strain. He took a deep breath, channeling both the key's light and the shadow energy he'd absorbed during the Corrupter battle. "I accept the balance," he declared, pressing the key to Zhang Chengying's forehead.

A blinding flash of purple light erupted. When it cleared, Zhang Chengying was on his knees, gasping for air. The shadow fragment lay defeated at his feet, but the central vortex was now roaring like a tornado.

"The seal is failing!" Lyra shouted. "We need a new vessel for the primal darkness—now!"

As the group raced to find a solution, none noticed that Wu Laogou's yellow eyes had returned to normal... but a faint shadow lingered in the corner of his smile. The Gui Xu Secret Realm's ultimate secret was about to be revealed, but at what cost?