After the assault of fireflies, Shudu rubbed his temple, feeling an overwhelming pounding in his head. The sensation came in relentless waves, as though the remnants of their light had burned through his skull. He grimaced as he pushed himself upright, his movements sluggish, his eyes still groggy from the onslaught. But as the haze in his vision began to clear, a new dissonance emerged—his hands.
These were not his hands.
Soft, delicate, and pale, they bore no trace of the life Shudu knew. The nails were neatly trimmed, with a healthy pink sheen that spoke of meticulous care, worlds apart from his own long, claw-like fingers, perpetually stained with the purple hue of poison. His hands were weapons—scarred, calloused, and brutal from years of clawing and striking his enemies. He turned them over, flexing the fingers, marveling at how foreign they felt.
He shifted his gaze downward and took in the pristine disciple robes that adorned him. White and light blue fabric draped over his frame in flowing folds, cinched neatly at the waist by a qiankun pouch. The small pouch was empty, as a quick pat confirmed. His exploration grew bolder. He reached up and gently touched the face now under his control, his fingers brushing over soft, full lips. A smirk played on Shudu's face at the sensation, sensing whose body this belonged to.
His hands trailed upward to the neatly tied pink bow resting atop the man's head, a bow so pristine it could only belong to one person. Recognition struck him like a lightning bolt, and his smirk widened into something darker. Xue Tuzi. He was in possession of Xue Tuzi's body.
Curiosity, or perhaps something more primal, overcame him. Without hesitation, he began stripping away the robes, letting the garments pool at his feet. Naked now, he let his gaze rove over the body, his hands following suit, fingers skimming across smooth, unblemished skin. They danced down his chest, toying with the jewelry dangling from the man's nipples, a detail that made Shudu warm under his chest. He let his touch wander further, mapping every intimate crevice with a kind of clinical detachment, yet a growing dissatisfaction clawed at him.
"It just doesn't feel the same," he muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with resignation. His exploration stilled, and his sharp eyes darted around, sensing movement in the shadows. A ripple of unease twisted the air as the surroundings seemed to darken, the oppressive presence of lurking demons closing in.
"If you need something to play with," a deep, guttural voice broke through the silence, "I can give it to you."
From the shadows slithered a creature, its grotesque form illuminated by the faint glow of the fading fireflies. Its slug-like body glistened with a sickly sheen, its bulbous eyes hungrily fixed on Shudu—or rather, the beauty of the body he inhabited. Thick, dripping lips quivered as it salivated, inching closer, every movement slow and deliberate, its hunger obvious.
Shudu's smirk returned, a sinister edge to it now as he regarded the creature. Even in Xue Tuzi's soft, delicate form, he was not prey. He was still Shudu—a predator wearing borrowed flesh.
"Thanks, but no thanks. This body already belongs to someone." Shudu smirked, his voice dripping with mockery as he twirled the pink ribbon between his fingers. In one swift motion, he snapped it taut, the ribbon cracking like a whip through the air. The movement sent a ripple of energy coursing outward, illuminating the shadows and revealing more demons skulking in the periphery. Their grotesque forms recoiled for a brief moment before launching themselves at him in a frenzy, claws and fangs glinting with malevolent intent.
Shudu's grin widened, unbothered by the impending assault. With Xue Tuzi's body at his disposal, he was more than capable of fending them off. He leapt into the fray, the ribbon in his hand twisting and slashing with deadly precision, turning the elegant accessory into a weapon of destruction.
"Shizun…" Li Zhameng mumbled groggily, his voice weak as consciousness crept back to him. His head throbbed painfully, as he instinctively raised a hand to his temple, trying to steady himself. His eyes fluttered open, but as his vision cleared, confusion washed over him. The pristine white robes he wore glowed faintly under the dim filtered light, the fabric unfamiliar against his skin.
He brushed a hand over his head, freezing as his fingers tangled in short, shaggy locks of hair that barely reached his shoulders. His breathing quickened, panic setting in as the implications began to surface. Trembling, he crawled toward a nearby pond, its still surface reflecting the pale light of the fireflies. With shaking hands, he peered into the water.
The face staring back at him made his blood run cold.
"Shizun…" he whispered again, his voice trembling. It was unmistakable—he was looking at the face of his Shizun, Xue Laohu. He placed his hands on his face, the touch hesitant and reverent, as if afraid to disturb the fragile illusion. His lips quivered as his hands moved downward, brushing over the bare chest now exposed.
Xue Laohu had always been unbothered by modesty, his robes perpetually loose and revealing, the elegant curve of his collarbone and the broad expanse of his chest often on full display. Li Zhameng's cheeks flushed a deep red as the reality of the situation sank in. His heart pounded, erratic and wild, as he whispered to himself, "I'm… inside Shizun's body."
His hands, trembling with a mix of curiosity and shame, traveled downward, stopping at the belt. His breathing grew shallow, his nostrils flaring as his fingers fumbled to untie the knot. The fabric fell away, and his eyes widened as they settled on the sight before him—an undeniably large and glorious member.
A flood of emotions overwhelmed him—shock, exhilaration, and an overwhelming heat that sent blood rushing to his face. The heat was unbearable, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. He coughed violently, the taste of iron filling his mouth as a spurt of blood escaped his lips. Unable to handle the intensity of his own thoughts, Li Zhameng's vision blurred, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious, his face still flushed with crimson.
Xue Laohu groaned, his voice muffled by the dirt as he lay face-down on the ground. A dull ache throbbed in his head, and his muscles felt foreign and stiff. With a grunt, he pushed himself up, the grit of soil embedding itself beneath his nails. He froze, staring at the hand in front of him. It was muscular and bronze, veins trailing like rivers across the surface, and adorned with long, claw-like nails. The sight made his eyes widen in shock.
He blinked rapidly, willing the image to change, but when he raised his other hand for comparison, it was the same—large, strong, and undeniably inhuman. His gaze darted to the heavily tattooed arm, dark ink sprawling across sinewy muscle, and the realization hit him like a thunderclap. This was not his body.
How am I here? he thought, panic bubbling beneath the surface of his composure. And where is my body? His mind raced through the possibilities, each more absurd than the last, until a single horrifying conclusion settled in his thoughts: Could it be that Shudu and I have switched bodies?
He sat there for a moment, stunned, before shaking himself free from his stupor. He climbed to his feet, brushing dirt from his clothing—well, Shudu's clothing—and grimaced as his claws scraped against his skin. The long nails disgusted him, and he glared at them with a mix of revulsion and disbelief. "How can he do anything with these?" he muttered under his breath, frowning as he picked the dirt from beneath them. For a fleeting moment, he even considered chewing them off to give them a proper trim.
With a sigh, Xue Laohu straightened, his mind racing as he tried to adjust to his new reality. Shudu, being a demon, carried no weapons. The claws were his weapons. Xue Laohu shivered at the thought, his discomfort growing with each passing second. Instinctively, he reached for his fan, the familiar object he always carried to cool himself or strike with precision. His hand grasped at air, and the absence of it left him feeling unmoored.
"Of course," he muttered, his voice tinged with dry irritation. "I'm not myself. I'm him."
He crossed his muscular arms over his broad chest, the weight of Shudu's body an unfamiliar burden, and started walking. The forest around him was dense, the air thick with the scent of moss and damp earth. Shadows danced between the trees, and faint rustles hinted at unseen creatures moving in the underbrush.
Xue Tuzi lay sprawled across jagged rocks, the sharp edges digging into his back as he groaned in pain. His head throbbed, as he instinctively reached up to clutch it. That's when he noticed something unusual—his hair. It was bound in a high bun, neat and precise. Confused, he tugged at a few strands, watching them fall around his fingers. The inky black sheen was unmistakably not his.
A sudden chill of realization washed over him. His hands shot to his chest, seeking the familiar weight of the jeweled adornments that usually dangled from his nipples. They were gone. Panic surged as he fumbled lower, his fingers brushing against the sash at his waist. His heart sank further when he felt a heavy object at his hip. Pulling it free, he examined it in the faint light—a loaded gun, cold and unfamiliar in his hands.
"This body…" he muttered, his voice hollow, "isn't mine." His mind churned as the pieces clicked into place. This body belonged to none other than Li Zhameng.
A long sigh escaped his lips as he raked a hand through his borrowed hair, his frustration evident. "We must have fallen into a magical array and somehow switched bodies," he murmured to himself, trying to make sense of the situation.
He took a moment to scan his surroundings. The forest felt eerie, its silence oppressive save for the distant sound of children's laughter echoing faintly through the trees. The sound was light and melodic, but there was something unsettling about it. His brows furrowed as his mind raced.
"Elves…" Xue Tuzi muttered under his breath. Their mischief was well-known, and if anyone could create an array powerful enough to swap bodies, it would be them. "I need to find my body. Fast."
He clenched his hands into fists, the unfamiliar strength of Li Zhameng's form making the gesture feel unnatural. His sharp eyes darted around the dark forest, searching for any clue or trail, but the landscape offered no answers. The laughter grew louder, carried on the wind like a haunting melody. It was his only lead.
With a determined breath, Xue Tuzi turned in the direction of the sound. The forest seemed to thicken around him as he moved, the shadows deepening with every step. His borrowed body felt heavier, more muscular than his own lithe frame, but he adjusted quickly, his movements deliberate and cautious.
"Ugh!" Shudu bellowed, his voice echoing through the dense forest as he snapped the ribbon in his hand, the sharp crack cutting through the air. Another wave of demons lunged at him, their grotesque forms writhing with hunger and desperation. With a flick of his wrist, the ribbon lashed out, sending them scattering in a chaotic heap across the ground. Their twisted bodies lay motionless, a grotesque reminder of their relentless pursuit.
"Relentless little bastards," he muttered, his breath ragged as he surveyed the carnage. The ribbon in his hand was frayed at the edges, but it had proven a surprisingly effective weapon. Another cluster of demons charged, their eyes glowing with unholy fervor. Shudu gritted his teeth, swinging the ribbon with precision, sending them flying one after another.
"I guess I can see why he hates them so much," Shudu said, his tone laced with irritation. He paused, glancing down at the borrowed body he was inhabiting. Something about it felt off—something primal. He leaned in, sniffing his bare shoulder, the faint yet intoxicating aroma curling into his senses. His eyes darkened.
"It's this scent," he murmured, his voice a low growl. "This scent is driving them insane." He exhaled sharply, his composure faltering. "It's driving me insane. I can barely resist…" His nails dug into his palm as he fought the urge clawing at the edges of his control.
The demons surged again, and Shudu snapped the ribbon with renewed force, lashing them into submission. Their shrieks echoed as they were flung back into the shadows, but Shudu knew they would return. He was running out of time.
Snatching up the discarded robes, he hastily pulled them over his body, the fabric clinging to his damp skin. The motion was rushed, his hands fumbling as his mind raced. "I've got to find my body," he muttered, his voice heavy with urgency. "I won't last much longer like this."
His breaths came in shallow bursts as he took off deeper into the forest, the trees looming around him like silent sentinels. The air grew thicker, the scent still lingered, an unrelenting reminder of the foreign body he inhabited. He pressed on, his eyes scanning the shadowy terrain for any sign of his original form.
As he raced through the dense forest, his sharp senses caught sight of a figure sprawled beside a shimmering pond. He slowed, his keen eyes narrowing as he approached. The closer he got, the more details came into focus: the figure was unmistakably Xue Laohu's body, though its current state was… questionable. His pants were pulled down, leaving his legs and a more embarrassingly area exposed to the open air.
Shudu halted, a sly grin creeping across his lips. "My, Grandmaster Xue has some serious hidden arsenal," he remarked, his tone dripping with amusement. His fingers twitched at his sides, almost involuntarily, the temptation to step closer tugging at him.
Before he could indulge in further mischief, Xue Laohu's body jerked awake with a startled yelp. "Ah! A-Tuzi!" the voice—unmistakably Li Zhameng's—cried out in panic. Flushing deeply, Li Zhameng scrambled to his feet, fumbling as he hastily pulled up the wayward pants. His clumsy movements only added to the chaos, and he shot Shudu a mortified glare.
"You—you won't believe me, but—" Li Zhameng stammered, but before he could finish, an ominous growl echoed through the clearing.
Shudu's sharp gaze darted to the treeline, where a pack of demons emerged, their grotesque forms slinking forward with predatory intent. The creatures' glowing eyes were fixed on Xue Tuzi's body, their hunger obvious in the air.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Shudu snapped the ribbon in his hand. It lashed through the air like lightning, striking the first demon with effortless precision. The creature crumpled, but the others surged forward. Shudu met their assault head-on, his movements fluid and precise as he whipped them back one after another, the ribbon a deadly extension of his will.
Amidst the chaos, his gaze drifted to Xue Laohu's body. Li Zhameng, still adjusting to his borrowed form, fumbled and stumbled as he unsheathed the sword at his hip. The blade trembled in his grip as he swung wildly, missing every target. One demon lunged, and the force of the impact sent the sword flying from his hands.
The creature bore down on him, jaws snapping, but before it could strike, Shudu's ribbon snapped around its ankle. With a powerful swing, Shudu hurled the demon against a nearby tree, its body hitting the trunk with a sickening crunch.
Shudu's lips quirked into a knowing smirk. No doubt about it. That's Meng Meng in Grandmaster Xue's body, he thought. Grandmaster Xue, while rarely relying on his sword, was a masterful swordsman. Li Zhameng, on the other hand, was clumsy at best and downright inept at worst. The truth was clear: somehow, they had all been caught in a magical array and switched bodies.
Satisfied with his deduction—and thoroughly uninterested in babysitting Li Zhameng—Shudu turned on his heel and took off deeper into the forest.
"A-Tuzi, wait! Wait for me!" Li Zhameng shouted, his voice shrill and desperate as he stumbled after him. But Shudu didn't so much as glance back, his focus fixed entirely on finding his own body.
No demon dared to approach the body of Shudu. The sheer weight of his presence was enough to send shivers down their spines, their snarls and growls subdued by the oppressive aura that radiated from him. Even the boldest among them remained rooted to their spots, their instincts screaming at them to avoid provoking the demon lord's wrath.
Xue Laohu strolled leisurely through the forest, his hands clasped behind his back, his gait steady and unhurried. The shadows of twisted trees stretched long in the dim light, the air thick with an uneasy quiet. He could feel the eyes of the lurking demons watching his every move, their guttural growls and low hisses following him like a sinister chorus. Yet, none dared to step into his path.
He sighed to himself, the corners of his lips twitching into a wry smile. It's nice to be in the possession of an all-menacing demon lord, he mused. The power that coursed through Shudu's body was intoxicating, an unyielding force that made the forest bend to his will. But the novelty of it was wearing thin. He felt out of place, trapped in a form that wasn't his own.
As he walked, the soft crunch of leaves underfoot was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps. His ears twitched, and his body tensed instinctively. The sound grew louder, the pace frantic, and Xue Laohu's instincts kicked in. Without hesitation, he swung his hands forward, claws extended, his movements quick and precise as he lunged toward the approaching figure.
He stopped mere inches from the man's face, his claws poised to strike but frozen mid-air. His sharp eyes took in the familiar features—the flushed face, the wide, startled eyes, and the unmistakable panicked expression.
"A-Tuzi?" he murmured, his voice laced with a mix of surprise and disbelief. The tension in his body eased, as he straightened, lowering his hands but keeping his gaze fixed on the man before him.