Spectral Love: Laughing Through Multiple Worlds

Xu Yunfei's life motto had always been simple: "Run fast, laugh loud, and look good doing it." It was a philosophy that had served him well, even as he stood on the roof of a crumbling temple, a massive, skeletal specter screeching furiously below him.

"You know," Yunfei said, balancing on one foot at the edge, "you'd be way less scary if you flossed once in a while."

The specter howled, swinging a clawed hand that barely missed Yunfei's face.

"Wow, testy!" Yunfei yelped, leaping off the roof and landing in a crouch. Dust billowed around him as he grinned up at the monster. "Fine, fine. No dental advice. Let's just get this over with."

The specter lunged again, and Yunfei raised his hand. A glowing sigil formed in the air, pulsing with a chaotic energy that didn't seem to follow any discernible pattern. As the sigil activated, the specter froze mid-attack, its form flickering.

"Ta-da!" Yunfei said, flourishing an imaginary cape. "And that, my dear undead friend, is what we call 'Yunfei's patented ghost trap.'"

The specter gave a final, pitiful wail before vanishing into a puff of ash. Yunfei brushed off his hands, straightened his hoodie, and turned to leave—only to stop dead in his tracks.

A man stood in the temple's shattered doorway, his dark eyes fixed on Yunfei with an intensity that could pierce steel.

Lan Zhihao.

At the time, Yunfei hadn't known who he was—just that the guy had a sword and an aura that screamed "dangerous." He leaned casually against the doorframe, the blade resting on his shoulder as if it weighed nothing.

"That was… sloppy," Zhihao said, his voice as cold as his stare.

"Sloppy?" Yunfei repeated, feigning offense. "I'll have you know that was art."

Zhihao didn't respond, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room. "You're reckless. That sigil you used—it could have backfired and destroyed half the temple."

"But it didn't," Yunfei pointed out, grinning. "See? I'm efficient and stylish."

"Idiotic is more accurate," Zhihao muttered, stepping closer. His tone was measured, but there was a hint of frustration beneath it. "Who sent you?"

Yunfei tilted his head. "Sent me? What, you think I'm part of some secret ghost-busting organization?"

"Aren't you?"

"Nope," Yunfei said cheerfully. "I'm just a guy with a knack for irritating the undead. And apparently you, too."

Zhihao's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply. Instead, he turned toward the altar at the center of the temple, his movements deliberate and precise. Yunfei watched him curiously, noting the way he seemed to carry himself with an air of quiet confidence.

"So," Yunfei said after a moment. "What's your deal? You here to slay ghosts, too, or are you just a fan of crumbling architecture?"

Zhihao ignored him, drawing his blade in one smooth motion. The steel glinted in the dim light as he swept it across the altar, dispelling a faint, lingering aura of malevolence.

"Wow," Yunfei said, clapping slowly. "You're like a one-man exorcism team. Do you do birthday parties?"

Zhihao turned to him, his expression unreadable. "You talk too much."

"And you don't talk enough," Yunfei shot back, unfazed. "We're a perfect match."

For a moment, Zhihao simply stared at him, as if trying to decide whether Yunfei was an idiot or a genius. Before he could come to a conclusion, the ground beneath them rumbled, and a low growl echoed through the temple.

Yunfei's grin widened. "Oh, good. Round two."

The growling grew louder, and the floor split open, revealing a writhing mass of shadowy tendrils. Yunfei stepped back, but Zhihao didn't flinch.

"Stay out of the way," Zhihao said, his tone clipped.

"Oh, don't mind me," Yunfei replied, leaning against a pillar. "I'll just watch you work. Show me what you've got, Ice King."

Zhihao didn't dignify the nickname with a response. Instead, he moved with deadly precision, his blade slicing through the tendrils with ease. Each strike was calculated, efficient, and almost elegant in its execution.

"Not bad," Yunfei called out, dodging a stray tendril that nearly impaled him. "But you could use a little flair. Maybe a backflip or two?"

Zhihao ignored him, his focus unwavering. Within moments, the tendrils dissolved, leaving only silence in their wake.

"Efficient," Yunfei said, clapping again. "Boring, but efficient."

Zhihao sheathed his blade, turning to Yunfei with a faint scowl. "Why are you still here?"

"Why are you still here?" Yunfei countered. "Let me guess—you're one of those brooding, lone-wolf types who thinks teamwork is for suckers?"

Zhihao didn't answer, but the flicker of annoyance in his eyes was answer enough.

"Thought so," Yunfei said, smirking. "Well, congratulations. You've officially met your exact opposite. I'm Xu Yunfei, by the way. Ghost-slaying extraordinaire, noodle connoisseur, and all-around delight."

Zhihao stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking. "Lan Zhihao."

"Nice to meet you, Zhihao," Yunfei said, his grin widening. "I think we're going to have a lot of fun together."

Zhihao's expression darkened, but before he could respond, a faint, echoing laugh filled the temple. Both men tensed, their gazes snapping toward the source of the sound.

"Well, well," a disembodied voice drawled. "A comedy duo, is it? How amusing."

A spectral figure materialized in the center of the room, its form shifting and unstable. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its laughter sent chills down Yunfei's spine—though he'd never admit it.

"Oh great," Yunfei said, rolling his eyes. "Another one. Don't you ghosts have hobbies?"

The specter laughed again, its form growing larger. "You two are… interesting. I think I'll keep an eye on you."

Before either of them could react, the specter vanished, leaving behind only a faint trace of its presence.

"Well," Yunfei said after a moment. "That's ominous."

Zhihao didn't respond, his expression unreadable. But as they left the temple together, Yunfei couldn't help but notice that Zhihao hadn't tried to kill him—or leave him behind.

"See?" Yunfei said, grinning. "I told you we'd make a great team."

Zhihao sighed, but there was a faint, almost imperceptible twitch at the corner of his mouth.