Xiao Zongzi skittered along the dense canopy, her eight spindly spider legs moving with a precision born of necessity. Jiao Jiao, the plump little Gu worm, clung to her back, securely cocooned in a shimmering casing of her silk. The threads, finer than gossamer yet stronger than steel, sparkled faintly in the fractured light that filtered through the thick trees.
They had been relentlessly hunted for hours. The falcons—majestic, fierce hunters—swooped from the heavens with lethal intent, their sharp cries splitting the air as their talons sliced through leaves and branches. Jiao Jiao's juicy, vulnerable body was an irresistible target, but his survival instincts and Xiao Zongzi's quick reflexes had thus far kept them one step ahead.
As she darted between branches, Xiao Zongzi's poison glands pulsed, releasing venom in precise spurts whenever a bird came too close. One falcon dove at lightning speed, its amber eyes locked on Jiao Jiao. With an acrobatic flip, Xiao Zongzi launched a spray of venom that struck the bird's wing, sending it tumbling to the forest floor. Yet, for every falcon she repelled, two more seemed to take its place.
"We must find Master," Xiao Zongzi hissed, her voice sharp with determination. Jiao Jiao bobbed his head in agreement, his tiny mandibles clicking nervously.
A sudden, powerful gust announced the arrival of the largest falcon yet—a massive creature with glossy black feathers that gleamed with an ominous sheen. Its wingspan cast a shadow over Xiao Zongzi as it plummeted toward her, talons outstretched.
Xiao Zongzi spun in mid-air, anchoring herself with a thread of silk as she dodged the falcon's initial strike. The bird pivoted with astounding speed, slicing through the air with a screech. Xiao Zongzi countered by weaving an intricate web, her legs moving in a blur. She darted from one branch to another, creating a labyrinth of sticky threads designed to trap her attacker.
The falcon wasn't easily deterred. It dove again, tearing through the webbing with its powerful beak. Xiao Zongzi hissed in frustration and retaliated by firing a concentrated stream of venom. The falcon twisted mid-flight, narrowly avoiding the poison, and lunged once more, its talons brushing dangerously close to Jiao Jiao's cocoon.
A deadly dance unfolded among the trees. The falcon's movements were sharp and precise, its screeches echoing like battle cries, while Xiao Zongzi's agility and strategy turned the forest into her battleground. She leapt from one thread to another, drawing the bird deeper into her web.
Finally, with a deft maneuver, Xiao Zongzi lured the falcon into a cluster of overlapping threads. The bird's wing snagged, then its claw, until it was hopelessly entangled. It thrashed and screeched, but every struggle only tightened the silken bonds.
Xiao Zongzi crawled closer, her venom-dripping fangs glinting in the dim light. "You've caused enough trouble," she hissed before delivering a venomous strike to the falcon's leg. The bird's movements slowed, its cries fading as it succumbed to her paralyzing toxin.
Jiao Jiao let out a small, relieved hum, his plump body quivering. "Safe for now," Xiao Zongzi murmured, resuming her journey through the trees. Her threads glistened behind her, despite the danger, she pressed forward.
Xue Laohu's gaze fell on Xue Tuzi's body, his brows furrowing as his eyes trailed over the strange scene before him. Xue Tuzi's hair was unbound, spilling loosely over his shoulders, and his robes hung haphazardly, the fabric slipping to reveal his bare chest. His belt was tied carelessly at his waist, and his pants and shoes were gone, leaving him barefoot on the cool ground.
"A-Tuzi, what happened?" Xue Laohu asked, his voice tinged with genuine concern as he took a step closer, momentarily forgetting that he was currently inhabiting Shudu's body. The worry in his tone was unmistakable, but the strangeness of the situation clouded his mind.
Meanwhile, Shudu—trapped in Xue Tuzi's body—instantly recognized the soul inhabiting his own form. It was none other than Grandmaster Xue. His sharp eyes narrowed as he scrambled to play the part. With a dramatic flourish, he snapped open Xue Tuzi's ribbon, the silk gleaming in the light.
"Insect!" he exclaimed, his voice taking on Xue Tuzi's characteristic edge. He struck the ground with the ribbon, sending a wave of force that left a small crater. "You dare address me by such a name?"
Xue Laohu blinked in surprise, stepping back instinctively. The venom in the words startled him, but even more so was the sight of Xue Tuzi's body glaring at him with an expression he could only describe as menace.
"Wait, let me explain—" Xue Laohu began, raising his hands in a gesture of peace.
But Shudu wasn't having it. He snapped the ribbon with a sharp crack, letting it trail ominously in his hand as he adopted Xue Tuzi's signature haughty posture. Without giving Xue Laohu a chance to finish, Shudu lunged forward, attacking with precision and speed. The ribbon in his hand became a blur, slashing through the air in elegant arcs as if wielding it was second nature.
Xue Laohu was forced to defend himself, blocking blow after blow, though his strikes lacked their usual strength. "Please, let me explain—" he tried again, his voice tinged with desperation, but every attempt was met with another attack.
Shudu moved with controlled ferocity, his strikes calculated yet aggressive. He was fully committed to the charade, every action perfectly mimicking Xue Tuzi's demeanor. The forest echoed with the sounds of their scuffle—blades of wind slicing through the air and the crunch of their movements against the earth.
Finally, Shudu managed to pin Xue Laohu down, his ribbon pressed firmly against the other's throat. "Enough!" Xue Laohu exclaimed, though his voice was breathless from exertion.
But before he could say more, Shudu—still in Xue Tuzi's body—leaned down abruptly. With no warning, he pressed his lips, or rather, Xue Tuzi's lips, against Xue Laohu's.
Xue Laohu's body tensed in shock, his first instinct was to resist. He pushed the other man back, his mind reeling from the sudden turn of events. But then, something clicked.
Wait a minute, he thought, his wide eyes narrowing with sudden realization. If A-Tuzi is interested in Shudu, shouldn't I play along? This could help their romantic encounter flourish. Or… would it not count since I'm not really Shudu's soul?
Xue Laohu lay on the forest floor, deep in thought, Shudu, wearing Xue Tuzi's body, approached with deliberate, almost feline grace. His every step was slow, purposeful, and charged with an unspoken intensity. The soft rustle of his robes was the only sound in the still air. With a practiced motion, he untied the belt around his waist, letting the fabric fall open.
Xue Laohu's breath hitched as his gaze was drawn—against his will—to the sight before him. Xue Tuzi's body, now fully revealed, was a masterpiece of elegance and allure. Impeccably pale skin glowed faintly in the dim light, delicate and beautiful. The contours of his chest and the subtle curve of his waist were breathtaking, a blend of grace and softness that left him stunned. Dangling gems adorned his nipples, catching the light with a mesmerizing shimmer as he moved closer.
Xue Laohu's mouth went dry, his thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind. When did A-Tuzi ever…? His voice failed him, stuttering out incoherent syllables as he instinctively crawled backward, his hands scrabbling against the forest floor.
His mind raced, desperate for answers. Since when has Xue Tuzi liked Shudu? Wait… what if he's possessed? No, that can't be right. He attacked Shudu's body when I called him A-Tuzi. So, then why—
Before he could finish the thought, Shudu closed the distance. With Xue Tuzi's body looming over him, his lips curved into a small, knowing smile. Xue Laohu's heart hammered in his chest, his confusion mounting with each passing second.
And then, with no warning, Shudu—still in Xue Tuzi's form—plunged forward. His lips crashed onto Xue Laohu's —his own body, with a force that stole the air from his lungs. It was a kiss that left no room for protest or thought, a melding of desperation and intensity that left Xue Laohu reeling.
The kiss deepened, and for a brief, bewildering moment, Xue Laohu's mind went blank. All he could feel was the press of those soft, unfamiliar lips and the overwhelming scent of peach blossoms and silk.
The sharp crack of gunfire shattered the tension, interrupting the kiss and sending Shudu jerking back. His face twisted into a scowl as he turned to see the source. Across the clearing stood Li Zhameng's body, unmistakably inhabited by none other than Xue Tuzi.
"What do you think you're doing with my body?!" Xue Tuzi bellowed, his voice carrying both fury and disbelief as he raised his gun, firing another volley. Shudu ducked to avoid the shots, retreating quickly behind a tree.
"A-Tuzi?" Xue Laohu gasped, still unsteady as he tried to rise to his feet. His legs wobbled beneath him, but his voice held a note of recognition.
Xue Tuzi turned sharply, his gun now trained on Xue Laohu. His eyes burned with an intensity that felt alien on Li Zhameng's normally calm face. "Shizun?" he demanded, his voice still sharp, though his aim lowered slightly in hesitation.
"Yes, it's me," Xue Laohu exhaled, relief mingling with the confusion still clouding his mind. He raised his hands slowly, a gesture of surrender. "Somehow, I've ended up in Shudu's body. But it's me, A-Tuzi. You have to believe me."
Xue Tuzi's gaze flickered uncertainly, his fierce expression softening for a moment before he turned his attention to his own body. The sight made his jaw tighten.
Shudu, still lounging in Xue Tuzi's stolen form, stood shamelessly with his robe completely undone, the pale skin of his body exposed. He smirked, one hand trailing lazily across his chest in an overtly seductive manner, his fingers grazing the gems that adorned his nipples. He moaned loudly bitting down on his lips.
That was the last straw. Xue Tuzi's eyes darkened as he switched to nonlethal rubber rounds, snapping them into place with a practiced motion. He fired three quick shots with precision, each one hitting its mark—arm, shoulder, chest.
Shudu hissed in pain, clutching the growing welts on his borrowed body. "You're so cruel," he muttered, his voice laced with both irritation and amusement. "Even to your own body." He winced, rubbing his wounds tenderly, but the mocking smile never left his lips.
Before Shudu could continue his teasing, Xue Tuzi stormed forward, grabbing a fistful of his own hair and yanking it back with brutal force. The cold muzzle of the gun pressed against Shudu's neck, the weight of his fury obvious. "What do you think you're doing in my body?" Xue Tuzi snarled, his voice low and menacing.
Shudu's lips stretched into a wide grin, baring his teeth in defiance. The delicate mole near the corner of his lips, a detail Xue Tuzi had always hated being noticed, only added to the insolence in his expression. "Isn't it obvious?" Shudu drawled. "I'm just being your usual whore self."
The crack of the slap was deafening. Xue Tuzi's hand connected with his own face with enough force to leave a vivid red imprint. He didn't hold back, not even on his own flesh.
Xue Laohu, watching the exchange from the sidelines, was taken aback by the raw ferocity radiating from Xue Tuzi's borrowed form. Seeing that level of unrestrained discipline from Li Zhameng's body was unsettling. "Shudu? Is that… is that you?" Xue Laohu ventured, his voice uncertain.
Shudu, still rubbing his swollen cheek, turned to him with a sly smile. His eyes glinted with mischief as he stepped closer to Xue Laohu. "How does this venerable one's body feel to Grandmaster Xue?" he purred, his voice like silk sliding over a blade. "Is it to your liking?"
"Eh… it's a bit too bulky for my taste. And these nails—why don't you trim them?" Xue Laohu commented, frowning as he examined his current form. While Shudu's body was undeniably well-built with lean, defined muscles, the long, sharp claws at the end of his fingers were hard to overlook. He flexed them, the razor-like edges glinting faintly in the light.
"Tch." Shudu, still wearing Xue Tuzi's form, rolled his eyes with an air of exasperation. "Surely Grandmaster Xue jests. Those claws are not some mere decoration—they are weapons." He crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed by the critique.
Shudu glanced around, his expression turning curious. "By the way, where's Xiao Zongzi?"
At the mention of her name, Xue Tuzi's face shifted into alarm. His borrowed eyes darted around the clearing, scanning every corner. "Xiao Jiao?" he called frantically, his voice rising in pitch.
Shudu's face darkened slightly. He adjusted his loose robes with a practiced motion before shaking his head. "He wasn't in the pouch when I woke up. He must've slipped away."
Xue Tuzi's panic only grew at this revelation, but their exchange was abruptly cut off by a rising sound of unearthly wails. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the air grew thick with a suffocating presence as a horde of demons emerged from the shadows.
Above the chaos, a piercing cry echoed. Xue Laohu's head snapped upward, his sharp eyes locking onto the source. A massive demonic ogre loomed over the group, its grotesque figure towering like a small tree. Its single bloodshot eye gleamed with malice, and in one monstrous hand, it held Xue Laohu's body who was inhabited by Li Zhameng aloft. The ogre's thick fingers wrapped around Li Zhameng's torso, squeezing mercilessly as the captive let out a pained scream.
"Ah!" Xue Laohu's cry was a mix of fury and panic. "My body!" Without hesitation, he sprang into action, the urgency of the moment overriding his usual composure.
The ogre snarled as Xue Laohu leapt forward, moving with a speed and precision that only Shudu's lithe body could provide. The long claws he had once mocked became his weapon of choice as he slashed at the ogre's arm. The claws tore through its thick hide with surprising ease, leaving deep gashes that oozed dark, steaming blood.
The ogre roared in pain, its grip faltering. With a final, enraged swipe, Xue Laohu struck again, forcing the demon to release its hold. Li Zhameng's body fell, but Xue Laohu was there to catch him, his movements quick and steady.
"Hey, you okay?" Xue Laohu asked, his voice laced with concern as he cradled the smaller figure in his arms. His red eye scanned Li Zhameng's face, searching for signs of injury.
Li Zhameng tilted his head, his expression dazed but slowly sharpening into recognition. "Shudu Gongzi?" he murmured, his voice weak and confused.
"It's me, your Shizun. I'm just temporarily trapped in Shudu's body," Xue Laohu explained, his voice calm despite the absurdity of the situation.
Before he could say more, Li Zhameng threw his arms around him without hesitation, clutching him tightly and burying his face against his chest as if seeking comfort. "Shizun~" he murmured softly, his voice muffled but filled with unmistakable affection.
Xue Laohu froze for a moment, startled by the sudden embrace, but instinctively raised a hand to pat Li Zhameng's head. The gesture was awkward, but the warmth of familiarity lingered.
From nearby, Xue Tuzi's face darkened. His fists clenched, and his brows furrowed in anger. "Meng Meng," he snapped, his tone sharp with frustration, "stop disgracing Shizun's body by embracing that—vermin." His glare at Shudu's stolen form was as fiery as his words.
Li Zhameng lifted his head slightly, his expression sheepish as realization struck him. He had momentarily forgotten that the person he was embracing wasn't his Shizun in body, but rather Shudu. Still, Shizun's soul was unmistakably there. He could feel its familiar warmth, and that comfort outweighed any lingering awkwardness. So, he tightened his hold instead of pulling away.
"Meng Meng!" Xue Tuzi growled again, his tone rising in frustration.
This time, Li Zhameng reluctantly released his grip, stepping back with an apologetic look. "A-Tuzi," he began thoughtfully, his mind working through the bizarre situation. "If you are in my body, and I am in Shizun's body, and Shizun is in Shudu Gongzi's body… does that mean Shudu Gongzi is in your body?"
Xue Tuzi placed his hands on his hips, his expression dripping with exasperation. "How perceptive of you," he replied dryly, rolling his eyes dramatically.
But the sharp edge in his tone softened as he paused, placing a hand over his chest. His gaze shifted downward, clouded with worry. "Still… I'm worried about Xiao Jiao," he admitted, his voice quieter.
"Is he not with you?" Li Zhameng asked, his voice tinged with worry as he glanced at Xue Tuzi.
Xue Tuzi shook his head, his frown deepening as a shadow of sadness crossed his face. "No… he's not. I thought he might have been hiding nearby, but…" His voice trailed off, and the weight of uncertainty hung in the air.
Shudu, always quick to act, straightened his posture and whipped the ribbon in his hand with precision, the silk slicing through the air. A pack of demons screeched as they were flung back, some tumbling into the dirt while others evaporated into dark smoke. "We should hurry," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Without missing a beat, Xue Tuzi pulled out the gun from Li Zhameng's body. He took aim with sharp precision, firing several rounds into the advancing horde, each shot finding its mark. Meanwhile, Xue Laohu carried Li Zhameng securely in his arms, sprinting ahead to create distance from the relentless pursuit.
The demons, however, were fixated on Shudu, or more accurately, Xue Tuzi's body. Their savage cries echoed in the forest as they surged forward, claws outstretched and glowing eyes locked on him. Shudu spun, wielding the silk whip with deadly grace, the ribbon cracking like thunder as it lashed demon after demon, sending them sprawling.
"Shudu Gongzi, you're pretty skilled with that whip," Li Zhameng said, his voice a mix of admiration and curiosity as he glanced over to him.
Shudu smirked, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Heh, when you've been whipped by this thing on the daily, you kinda get the hang of it." His tone was nonchalant, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his smirk as he lashed the whip again, driving it into a particularly large demon that lunged too close.
Xue Tuzi, running beside them, let out a disdainful "Hmph." He turned his face away in disgust, though his sharp aim didn't falter. The bullets from Li Zhameng's gun punctured through the demonic horde with ruthless efficiency, each shot clean and precise.
As the forest seemed to thin and the cries of the demons began to fade behind them, Shudu lashed the whip one last time, clearing their path forward. "That should keep them off us for a while," he said, exhaling but still alert.
Xue Tuzi lowered the gun, his eyes darting back to where the last of the demons had vanished. "We can't waste any more time," he said curtly. "We still have to find Xiao Jiao."