Yu Sui shoved the door open and rushed out. Across the way, the opposing room's door had blown apart from the collision of two currents of air. Countless grotesque black shadows were reflected on the walls and floor, densely surrounding everyone inside.
Mei Chengyu and Wan Qi had already risen and ignited their Body Protection Qi. They looked toward Wei Ren, who stood inside the room with his hands forming seals, drenched in sweat.
The grotesque, seemingly spike-covered shadows blanketed the silhouettes of everyone inside. Even Yu Sui's shadow, cast on the floor as she emerged, was seized by a spiked, serpentine shadow.
Dense snake-shaped curse marks spread across Wei Ren's face. His expression was grave as he fixed his eyes on Ji Meng, who lay on the floor.
At that moment, only Wei Ren and Ji Meng's shadows in the room remained uncovered by the Charm Serpent.
"Wei Ren?" Wan Qi called out in confusion.
"Get out of the way! Don't let the Charm Serpent eat your shadow!" Wei Ren barked.
Wan Qi looked down. A spiked snake shadow, fast as lightning, was already lunging at him. Mei Chengyu reacted quickly and yanked him back, just as the shadows of the tables and chairs merged with the Charm Serpent in an instant, growing larger before snapping at the two of them.
Blue lightning flickered around Mei Chengyu. Several blue death talismans appeared in front of him and Wan Qi, blocking the Charm Serpent's advance.
"Can't you control the Charm Serpent?" Wan Qi cried. "Has it turned on you?"
Wei Ren stood rooted to the spot, all his strength locked in a struggle against the Charm Serpent. The color drained from his face within moments. Pale as a sheet, he said, "What do you think I'm trying to do? If