Azrael sat cross-legged in the center of Li Wei's modest room, shadows flickering around him as he delved deeper into meditation. The air hummed with residual energy from his earlier cultivation—a careful blend of his ancient necromantic arts and the sect's dark qi manipulation techniques. Power coursed through his veins, harmonizing as his focus deepened. He had spent weeks perfecting this symbiotic cultivation path, one that drew on both life and death.
Suddenly, a sharp knock pierced the stillness, interrupting the flow of energy. The sound reverberated through the sparse chamber, breaking the silence like a blade.
"Li Wei! Open this door at once!" came a stern voice, its authority unmistakable.
Azrael's eyes opened, their cold gleam betraying a flicker of irritation. With a slow, deliberate movement, he rose to his feet. As he approached the door, his thoughts rippled inward toward Li Wei's consciousness.
"Troublesome. Yet, thou must deal with the petty affairs of this sect. They seek to discipline thee, no doubt," Azrael mused, his voice calm and ancient.
"I know," Li Wei replied inwardly, his presence stirring within their shared mind. "But let me handle this one."
Azrael paused for a heartbeat, then allowed a wry chuckle. "Very well. Show thyself to them. But know that their disdain will persist, no matter thy words."
With that, Azrael receded into the depths of their soul, allowing Li Wei to take control.
Li Wei opened the door to find Deacon Zhang standing there, flanked by two outer sect disciples. The deacon's sharp eyes scanned Li Wei's face with barely concealed contempt. The disciples behind him wore smug expressions, their disdain evident.
"Deacon Zhang," Li Wei greeted, offering a respectful bow, though his voice held a quiet strength. "How may I assist you?"
Deacon Zhang didn't waste time with pleasantries. "You failed to deliver the Bone Mandrake, Li Wei. Not only did you neglect your duties, but you disappeared without reporting. What have you to say for yourself?"
The memory of the ambush flashed in Li Wei's mind—Chen Feng and his lackeys, stealing the Bone Mandrake with glee. It was a calculated humiliation. Li Wei clenched his jaw, but his outward calm remained intact. "I was attacked while returning," he answered evenly. "The mandrake was taken by force."
One of the disciples behind Deacon Zhang scoffed, his tone thick with sarcasm. "How convenient. Always a victim, aren't you, Li Wei?"
The other disciple chuckled, crossing his arms. "Maybe you lost it because you're just too weak to handle the mission. You always have excuses."
Li Wei could feel the disdain radiating from them. The animosity of the sect had followed him for as long as he could remember. It festered because of Chen Feng's influence, twisting the perception of others.
Azrael's voice stirred within him, colder than before. "They dare mock thee? Pathetic worms, undeserving of the breath they waste. Their small minds know only cruelty. Thy mercy toward them is misplaced."
Li Wei ignored the voice for now, keeping his gaze steady on Deacon Zhang. "I will recover the mandrake or take responsibility, but the loss wasn't by my hand."
Deacon Zhang's patience wore thin, his scowl deepening. "Excuses will not absolve you. As of now, you are stripped of your residence privileges. Gather your belongings and vacate immediately. You are reassigned to the outer perimeters."
Li Wei bowed his head, though inwardly he felt a surge of frustration. "Understood, Deacon Zhang."
"Furthermore," the deacon continued, his tone sharp, "you are assigned to night patrol duties. Perhaps a bit of darkness will teach you the value of diligence."
Li Wei nodded again, keeping his composure intact. "Yes, Deacon Zhang."
The deacon huffed, turning on his heel as the two disciples exchanged amused looks and followed him. As they departed, a murmur of voices reached Li Wei's ears from other disciples who had gathered to watch the spectacle.
"Finally getting what he deserves," one whispered.
"Maybe now he'll just leave the sect altogether," another added with a sneer.
Li Wei stood still for a moment, feeling their disdain like a suffocating weight. Inside, Azrael's voice curled through his mind like smoke. "Foolish children. They know not what they trifle with. Thy reputation is a tool they wield against thee, forged by that serpent Chen Feng."
Li Wei sighed inwardly. "Ever since I stood up to him, it's been like this. The more I try to avoid conflict, the more they push."
"Such is the nature of cowards," Azrael mused, his voice filled with ancient wisdom. "They strike at the vulnerable, believing they strengthen themselves by treading upon others."
Li Wei began to gather his belongings, which didn't take long. His life in the sect had been sparse, filled with struggle rather than comfort. As he picked up a small jade pendant, a memory surfaced—one of Mei Lin, a new disciple, wide-eyed and overwhelmed when she first arrived. Li Wei had offered her guidance, shared his knowledge. She had shown him a kindness that few others in the sect ever had.
Azrael's voice cut through the memory. "Ah, this girl holds meaning for thee. A flicker of light in the shadows of thy heart."
"Mei Lin... she's different from the others," Li Wei replied, his tone soft. "She doesn't look down on me. I don't want her involved in all of this."
Azrael's presence swirled thoughtfully. "Emotion is a double-edged sword. It may drive thee to greatness or plunge thee into ruin. Be mindful of such attachments."
Li Wei paused, the weight of Azrael's words lingering. Then, with his meager belongings in hand, he left his room behind and walked through the sect's corridors. The once-grand inner sanctums gave way to the outer edges of the sect, where the air grew heavier and the surroundings more neglected.
Eventually, Li Wei reached the dilapidated courtyard assigned to him. Overgrown vines clung to the crumbling walls, and the gate creaked faintly in the wind. The courtyard was large but desolate, with broken stones and patches of wild grass poking through the dirt.
"It's far from the inner sect," Li Wei remarked inwardly.
Azrael's voice replied with calm calculation. "Indeed. Yet, this seclusion shall serve our needs well. Here, the eyes of the sect do not pry, and we may pursue our goals in peace."
Li Wei set his belongings down in the small dwelling, noting the empty shelves and bare stone floor. The place was cold and forgotten, but it had potential. Azrael had seen to that.
Nightfall soon descended, and Azrael took command once more, preparing to channel the energies of both life and death. In the center of the courtyard, Azrael began inscribing intricate symbols on the ground, weaving a complex array that merged Li Wei's cultivation methods with his own necromantic arts.
Li Wei's voice echoed within their shared mind. "These energies… they feel overwhelming. Are we sure this path is right?"
Azrael's voice answered with quiet certainty. "The Shadow Moon Sect revels in the darkness, as do I. Thy strength lies in the shadows as well. To overcome those who have wronged thee, we must embrace these deeper powers."
"I understand the need for strength," Li Wei conceded, his tone thoughtful. "But we must be careful. We're treading dangerous ground."
Azrael offered a rare tone of agreement. "Thy caution is noted. Precision shall guide us."
The ritual began in earnest. Azrael summoned qi through the array, shadows deepening around him as a chill settled over the courtyard. Whispered incantations flowed from his lips, a mix of dark invocations and shadow manipulation. The symbols on the ground pulsed softly, their faint glow casting flickering light over the courtyard.
Hours passed, and as Azrael cultivated, their power grew. His dantian expanded, the flow of qi quickening as the fusion of necromantic arts and shadow techniques accelerated. He was pushing Li Wei closer to the higher stages of Qi Refinement—closer to the strength they both craved.
Suddenly, a soft knock at the gate broke the stillness.
"Li Wei? Are you there?" a familiar voice called, gentle but filled with concern.
Azrael paused, his presence retreating just enough to let Li Wei take control once again. Rising, Li Wei moved to the gate and opened it, revealing Mei Lin standing there with a small bundle in her hands.
"Mei Lin," Li Wei greeted, his voice warmer than before.
Her expression softened with relief as she smiled. "I heard about your reassignment… I wanted to see if you were okay."
Azrael's presence remained silent but watchful as Li Wei allowed himself a small smile. "I'm managing. It's not the most welcoming place, but I'll adjust."
Mei Lin glanced around the courtyard, her brows furrowing at the sight of its neglected state. "This is no place for someone like you. You deserve better."
Her words stirred something in Li Wei, though he kept his composure. "Not everyone sees things the way you do."
She bit her lip before extending the bundle toward him. "I brought you some herbs and scrolls. They might help with your cultivation."
Li Wei accepted the bundle, their fingers brushing briefly. A warmth spread through him, and he felt Azrael's curiosity stir in the depths of their shared soul.
"Kindness in a place like this is rare," Azrael noted inwardly. "The girl is either naive or… exceptionally brave."
"Thank you," Li Wei said softly. "You've always been kind. It means a lot to me."
Mei Lin's eyes met his, her sincerity evident. "You helped me when I needed it, Li Wei. I won't forget that. I just don't want to see you treated so unfairly."
Li Wei nodded, gratitude filling his chest. "I'll be careful. Your support makes a difference."
After a moment of silence, she stepped back. "I should go before someone notices I'm here. But if you need anything, let me know."
"I will," Li Wei promised.
As Mei Lin disappeared into the shadows of the night, Azrael's voice returned, laced with faint approval. "She cares for thee deeply."
Li Wei's thoughts were conflicted. "She's one of the few people who still sees me as a person. But I don't want her to get caught up in my troubles."
Azrael's presence hummed with thought. "Her assistance may prove invaluable. But thou art wise to shield her from what lies ahead."
"Agreed," Li Wei replied firmly.
Over the next several nights, Azrael continued his rituals, incorporating the new materials into his practices. His progress accelerated noticeably, each session pushing him closer to the higher echelons of Qi Refinement. The fusion of his necromantic arts with the sect's shadow techniques created a unique cultivation path, one that amplified his abilities beyond typical limitations.
One evening, as he ventured deeper into the forest bordering the sect, he discovered a secluded clearing bathed in moonlight. The atmosphere was charged, the veil between realms unusually thin. Ancient trees encircled the area, their branches forming a natural canopy that filtered the silver light.
"This place holds significant energy," Azrael noted.
"An ideal location for deeper cultivation," Li Wei agreed.
Setting up a more elaborate array on the forest floor, Azrael began a complex ritual designed to harness the ambient energies. The air shimmered, and ethereal forms flickered at the edge of perception—remnants of spirits tied to the land.
"These forces are potent," Li Wei observed. "We must exercise control."
"Precision is key," Azrael affirmed. "We will channel them to enhance our cultivation without overstepping."