Jiu Fan was violently thrown backward by a sudden, powerful kick. Dust exploded from the ground as his body crashed against the dirt, skidding for meters before coming to a stop. Gasping for breath, he looked up just in time to see the figure of Xiao Zhen—no, something inhabiting Xiao Zhen—grasping the glowing Star Brooch triumphantly.
"Who… who are you really?" Jiu Fan coughed, his voice hoarse, as he struggled to rise. "Are you truly Xiao Zhen? The friend I've always known?"
The creature possessing Xiao Zhen let out a low, mocking laugh. "Who I am is irrelevant. What matters is that I now have what I came for."
Jiu Fan's eyes widened with realization. "I knew it… You're not him. You're an alien… using Xiao Zhen's body just to take the Star Brooch from me!"
"Very perceptive." the alien said, grinning. "Now that I have what I need, I'll return his body and soul to your pathetic little world. My mission is complete. With this artifact, I will return to Planet Aetheries and become the strongest being in the universe."
The alien turned toward the hovering UFO behind the treeline, ready to make his departure. But before he could move another step, Jiu Fan, with a last surge of adrenaline, launched himself forward and delivered a vicious spinning kick. The alien was knocked away, slamming into a tree with a deafening crack. Something dark and ghostly wrenched itself free from Xiao Zhen's body as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The Star Brooch flew from the alien's hand. With a desperate lunge, Jiu Fan caught it midair. His chest heaved with exhaustion.
"You miserable brat!" the alien screamed, its true form now visible—skin like obsidian stone, eyes like burning coals. It dashed forward, hurling itself at Jiu Fan in rage.
Jiu Fan raised his arms just in time to block the blow. The impact sent shockwaves through the surrounding forest. The battle ascended skyward—clashing fists, bursts of energy, a duel that lit the sky above the city.
The fight drove them farther, to the cliffs beyond town. There, on the precipice, Jiu Fan began to falter. His breathing was ragged, his limbs trembling. His spirit was willing, but his body was failing. The alien took its chance and struck a punishing blow that sent Jiu Fan hurtling to the ground.
As he lay dazed, footsteps echoed in the distance. Someone was running toward him.
"Jiu Fan!"
It was Wu Lixue. Her eyes were wide with fear, her voice choked with worry. She dashed toward his fallen form, but the alien intercepted her. With a wave of his hand, a spherical barrier imprisoned her, lifting her into the air.
"No!" Jiu Fan cried.
Wu Lixue struggled, but the barrier dragged her toward the open hatch of the UFO. Jiu Fan's eyes glowed with fury. He pushed himself up with every ounce of remaining strength.
"You damn alien bastard!" he screamed. "Give Wu Lixue back to me!"
But the alien only smirked. Its fist, now crackling with black energy, smashed into Jiu Fan's chest and sent him crashing into the earth again.
"With your current power, you are no match for me," the alien said coldly. It raised its voice to the sky. "Alien legion… kill him."
From the clouds above, hundreds of alien soldiers descended—black armor glinting, weapons drawn.
Jiu Fan slowly stood, the Star Brooch clutched tightly in his palm. Blood ran down his face, but his gaze was sharp. His rage, his pain, his determination—ignited something deep within.
The Star Brooch began to glow red.
His eyes turned crimson.
"Shine…" he whispered. "Transform into a sword!"
The brooch flared, morphing into a blade wrapped in blood-red light. Deathly aura rippled around it. Jiu Fan raised the sword.
"All of you… must die!"
He launched himself at the approaching army. The sword howled through the air, cutting down the first wave of enemies with devastating precision. Blood splattered the skies. It rained down like a crimson storm.
Alien after alien fell before him. Jiu Fan fought like a man possessed, each strike fueled by raw emotion, every movement a testament to his love for Wu Lixue and the pain of his failure.
But high above, the alien king—the one who had possessed Xiao Zhen—was still retreating into the UFO, dragging Wu Lixue with him.
"You think you'll escape with her?" Jiu Fan roared, eyes blazing. "You came here alive—don't expect to leave the same way!"
He surged toward the UFO, cutting down the final soldiers in his path. Just as he neared the ship, the alien leapt from the hatch and landed before him.
"You're persistent." the alien hissed. "But you won't take her back."
He lashed out, kicking Jiu Fan midair. The blow sent Jiu Fan plummeting to the ground like a falling leaf.
"Don't worry." the alien mocked, looking down. "I'll take good care of this girl… unless you give me the brooch."
Jiu Fan, face bloodied, glared up.
"You have three days." the alien declared. "Hand over the Star Brooch… or she dies."
With that, he vanished into the ship. The hatch closed. The UFO ascended swiftly into the heavens, disappearing into the night.
Jiu Fan lay broken, alone beneath the stars. He reached one trembling hand toward the sky as his vision blurred.
"Wu Lixue…" he whispered. "I will save you… I swear…"
To be continued…