Strange Paths to Immortality

The vortex's howl filled the chamber, flinging memory crystals like shrapnel. Chen Jiuzhang shielded Su Nian as a crystal labeled "Last Guardian" shattered against the wall, revealing a vision of a lone figure plunging into the darkness. "That's... me," he whispered, the key burning in his palm.

"Foolish child," Wu Laogou's voice rumbled, but his form was shifting—shadowy tendrils replaced his legs, and the staff in his hand morphed into a writhing serpent. "The Chen family pact wasn't to weaken the seal—it was to prepare a vessel. You were born to be the new prison for the primal darkness."

Luna aimed a starlight blast at Wu Laogou, but it passed through his shadow form. "You've been the Corrupter all along!"

"Not the Corrupter," the shadow - being laughed, "but its first disciple. For centuries I've waited for a Chen heir strong enough to hold the darkness. And now—" It lunged for Chen Jiuzhang, but Zhang Chengying tackled him out of the way.

"Jiuzhang, listen!" Zhang panted, blood trickling from his nose. "The vision—maybe becoming the vessel is the only way to maintain balance. But you have to do it on your terms, not his!"

The vortex began to collapse inward, sucking all light toward its center. Lyra frantically flipped through a floating memory scroll. "There's a ritual! If the vessel accepts both light and dark willingly, they can become a living seal—but it requires... complete mental submission."

Su Nian grabbed Chen Jiuzhang's arm. "No! We can find another way. We can—"

"There is no other way." Chen Jiuzhang looked at his friends, then at the key pulsating with balanced energy. "My ancestor made a mistake, but I can fix it. I choose to be the vessel."

As he stepped toward the vortex, Wu Laogou shrieked and shot a shadow tendril to bind him. But Su Nian's chains intercepted it, glowing white - hot from her resolve. "Go, Jiuzhang! We'll hold him off!"

Luna and Lyra joined hands, creating a barrier of light and magic. Zhang Chengying, still weak from the possession, used the last of his strength to activate the chamber's remaining runes. The entire room lit up like a star, forcing Wu Laogou back.

Chen Jiuzhang raised the crystal key above his head. "I, Chen Jiuzhang, accept the primal darkness into my soul," he shouted over the vortex's roar, "but I bind it with the light of my friends' faith!"

The key exploded in a burst of multicolored light. The primal darkness poured from the vortex, wrapping around him like a second skin. For a moment, his eyes glowed both white and black, but he held firm. The darkness recognized a willing host at last, and began to settle within him.

Wu Laogou howled in frustration as the vortex closed, sealing the remaining darkness inside Chen Jiuzhang. But as the chamber fell silent, a crack appeared in the newly formed living seal—just enough for a sliver of shadow to escape, slithering into the unconscious Wu Laogou's body.

The group gathered around Chen Jiuzhang, who now radiated a strange, balanced energy. "Is it over?" Su Nian asked, her voice trembling.

Chen Jiuzhang opened his eyes, a mix of light and shadow dancing in his irises. "The balance is maintained... for now. But I am the new seal. And as long as the primal darkness exists within me, the battle is never truly over."

As they began the long climb out of the chamber, none noticed the faint smile on Wu Laogou's face as he pretended to regain consciousness. The Gui Xu Secret Realm had a new guardian, but the shadow's plan had only shifted to a new phase.