Several days had passed since the great battle of Youzhou, yet the bloodstains on the field had not fully faded. The newly repaired stones on the city walls still held residual warmth, and the air carried a burnt, metallic tang — as if reminding all that death had danced freely here not long ago.At the foot of the Great Wall, military camps stretched in perfect lines, banners fluttering in the wind. Yet, instead of triumph, a heavy and indescribable gloom hung over the encampment.
Li Tianyuan stood outside the command tent, gazing at the grayish horizon, his heart weighed down.Though the Youzhou battle had forced back the demon army of the Yan King, the cost had been dire — more than half of the three thousand armored soldiers had perished.Even more troubling, signs of the Inverse Spirit Sect's schemes were surfacing everywhere. The enemy had not retreated; their shadows still slithered unseen within the ranks.
Turning, Li Tianyuan stepped into the command tent.The flickering candlelight revealed Sifu Yuan and Mu Changfeng standing in silence, while Mu Xueyin pored over stacks of military documents.The three looked up at once, as though waiting for Li Tianyuan to speak.
"There's unrest in the army," Li Tianyuan said gravely.
Sifu Yuan's eyes flickered; he gave a slow nod. "I've noticed as well. These past few nights, soldiers have been waking in terror—some babbling nonsense, others claiming to hear whispers from the dead. Rumors are spreading that the spirits of the fallen seek vengeance."
Mu Changfeng scoffed. "Nonsense. Death is part of war—ghosts or no ghosts, that's just the talk of cowards trying to stir trouble."
Mu Xueyin set aside her scroll, her brows drawn tight. "It's not simple gossip. The ones spreading it might not be ordinary spies."She looked at Li Tianyuan. "Do you remember the clue we found during the Rite of Blood's Disturbance? The Inverse Spirit Sect has a branch called the Shadow Division—experts in infiltration and deception. I fear they've already slipped among our ranks."
A chilling silence filled the tent.Wind hissed through the canvas, bringing with it the cold of night.
Li Tianyuan frowned deeply before replying, "If the Inverse Spirit Sect truly works behind the scenes, silencing rumors won't be enough. We must find them—root and stem. Once morale collapses, even the strongest wall will fall."
The next morning, Li Tianyuan personally inspected the camp.Along the way, he saw soldiers training, but their eyes were clouded with weariness and doubt. Some whispered nervously; others tucked protective charms beneath their armor. A few even buried the weapons of fallen comrades, muttering prayers under their breath.
As he passed the Seventh Battalion, a heated argument erupted.
"Don't you dare slander our brothers! They died with honor—they wouldn't return as vengeful ghosts!""But someone saw shadows last night, drifting through the tents! They heard crying—how do you explain that?"
The quarrel grew fierce. Fear flickered in every eye around them.
"Enough!" Li Tianyuan's voice cracked like thunder.
The soldiers froze, dropping to their knees. His gaze swept across them like a blade."Those who die in battle return to the Nine Springs with honor—that is the fate of warriors! Anyone who spreads lies and chaos shall be executed on the spot!"
Terrified, the men shouted their obedience, but Li Tianyuan's heart sank further. These rumors were no accident. Someone was spreading them deliberately—and widely.
That night, Li Tianyuan gathered his trusted companions and ordered a secret investigation.Sifu Yuan took a small team to scour the camp in disguise; Mu Changfeng oversaw supplies and logistics to prevent sabotage; Mu Xueyin tended the wounded, watching for signs of strange behavior.
Days later, their findings converged.
"Someone's distributing these." Sifu Yuan laid several crimson talismans on the table, his expression grim. "They're called Inverse Spirit Charms. Supposedly, they protect from death—but they reek of blood magic."
Li Tianyuan's finger brushed one, and his heart tightened. "It's their work. The Inverse Spirit Sect again."
Mu Xueyin added softly, "Some wounded soldiers died murmuring forbidden incantations. I believe someone fed them these curses while they were unconscious."
Mu Changfeng slammed his fist on the table. "Those vermin dare practice sorcery in our army? If we don't root them out, the troops will collapse!"
Li Tianyuan nodded decisively. "Pass my order. Tonight, we hold a Rite of Purity. I'll lead it myself. Any soldier plagued by fear or doubt will attend — and we will cleanse this evil once and for all."
That night, the Rite of Purity altar was erected at the camp's center.Hundreds of eternal lamps burned bright, their flames piercing the darkness. The entire army gathered, faces lit by firelight—some fearful, others devout.
Li Tianyuan stood before them in full armor, his sword gleaming beneath the flames, his silhouette unwavering.
"Men of Da Yan!" his voice rang clear across the night, echoing like a war drum."At Youzhou, you fought and bled, and though we lost many, we held the line! Without your courage, the capital would already have fallen! You are the backbone of this nation—how can you let yourselves be swayed by ghost stories?"
He drove his sword into the earth. His eyes blazed."I swear—if vengeful spirits truly linger, let them come for me alone! But mark my words—these whispers of death are lies! The Inverse Spirit Sect spreads fear to break our unity. Are you men of Da Yan, or trembling children afraid of shadows?"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The tension began to ease; backs straightened, hands tightened on spears.
Sifu Yuan lit the incense of clarity; Mu Xueyin plucked her zither, each note calming restless hearts; Mu Changfeng recited the army's oaths aloud.Gradually, the chaos stilled. A fragile peace fell over the camp.
Then—A scream tore through the night.
A soldier collapsed near the altar, clutching his chest as blood poured from his mouth. His skin writhed, dark veins spreading like serpents beneath it.
"The Mark of the Inverse Spirit!" Mu Xueyin cried.
Li Tianyuan's eyes flashed coldly. He swung his sword in a brilliant arc, slicing through the dark aura—but it was too late. The man's body went still.Moments later, several nearby soldiers doubled over, vomiting blood, their faces deathly pale.
An icy wind swept across the camp. The air itself seemed to freeze, thick with the stench of the grave.
"The Inverse Spirit Sect…" Li Tianyuan roared, sword raised high. "They're among us!"
His voice shook the night sky, echoing through the ranks—and in that moment, the fragile balance of the army shattered once more.