The Serpent's Oath: The Betrayal of the Human-Headed Immortal

In the heart of the ancient mountains, where the whispers of the earth are as old as time itself, there lived an immortal known to all as the Human-Headed Immortal. His name was Jingyu, and he was a figure of both awe and mystery. Jingyu was a unique being, part man, part serpent, and bound by an ancient oath that he had sworn to protect the world from the encroaching darkness.

The tale of Jingyu's oath began in the time of the Great Ancestor, when the world was a tapestry of magic and wonder. The gods and immortals walked the earth, and the mountains and rivers were imbued with the essence of the divine. Jingyu had been granted the gift of immortality by the Dragon King himself, but with this gift came a solemn promise to defend the world from the forces that sought to undo it.

For centuries, Jingyu had been a guardian, his eyes ever watchful, his body a relentless sentinel against the encroaching shadow. But as the world changed, so did the threats it faced. The balance of power shifted, and the ancient oaths began to fray. Some immortals forgot their duties, and others sought to use their powers for their own gain, often at the expense of the world they were sworn to protect.

It was in the midst of this turmoil that Jingyu encountered a new threat—a serpent of great cunning and power, who bore a striking resemblance to him. This serpent, named Xian, had heard tales of Jingyu's oath and the power it held. Xian, seeing an opportunity to gain immortality and dominion over the world, made a fateful decision to betray Jingyu.

Xian approached Jingyu with a proposition: he would aid Jingyu in his quest to maintain balance, but in return, Jingyu must swear a new oath. This oath would bind Jingyu to Xian, and if Jingyu failed to uphold it, Xian would have the power to end his existence. Jingyu, knowing the gravity of his decision, hesitated. The ancient oath was sacred, but the world was in peril, and the promise of help from Xian seemed too good to pass up.

In a moment of weakness, Jingyu agreed. The oath was sworn, and Xian revealed his true intentions. He was a servant of the dark, and his goal was to bring about the end of the world so that darkness could reign supreme once more. With Jingyu's oath, Xian had the power to control the Human-Headed Immortal, to use his strength against the world he was meant to protect.

As the days passed, Jingyu struggled with his decision. He fought against the influence of Xian, but the serpent's power was insidious, and Jingyu's resolve waned. Xian, sensing his opportunity, began to manipulate the world around him, causing chaos and despair. The ancient oaths were ignored, and the world teetered on the brink of disaster.

In a final act of defiance, Jingyu sought out the Dragon King, the one who had granted him his immortality. The Dragon King, recognizing the betrayal, agreed to help Jingyu break the new oath. A great battle ensued, with Jingyu pitted against Xian and the forces of darkness. The ancient mountains trembled as the immortals clashed, and the fate of the world hung in the balance.

In the end, it was Jingyu's unwavering spirit and the power of the ancient oath that triumphed. The Dragon King's intervention allowed Jingyu to break the bond with Xian, and the serpent's influence was banished. The world was saved, but at a great cost. Jingyu's body, now weakened by the betrayal, began to wither away, and he knew that his time was coming to an end.

Before his final breath, Jingyu spoke the words of a new oath, one that would bind him to the earth and ensure that his spirit would never rest until the balance of the world was restored. He vowed to watch over the world from beyond the veil, to protect it from the darkness that would seek to return.

And so, the Human-Headed Immortal passed away, his legacy a testament to the power of oaths and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. The world, though saved, would always remember the Betrayal of the Human-Headed Immortal, and the lessons it taught about loyalty, courage, and the price of power.