Chapter 10: Unveiling the Shadows
Li Xue stirred from her slumber as the first rays of dawn filtered through the windows of her room. She blinked away the remnants of sleep, her body still sore from the journey. As she sat up in the plush bed offered to her by Elder Mu, her thoughts immediately turned to the mission ahead. The Celestial Blade Sect was shrouded in mystery, and the Arcane Blight had only deepened the uncertainty surrounding this ancient order. But Li Xue was determined—this was her chance to prove her worth to her father, to the Ironspire Sect, and, more importantly, to herself.
Li Xue stood, gazing into the polished mirror as she adjusted her robes. Her reflection stared back, a composed yet fierce martial artist, the youngest of her family. Seven siblings, and each of them had made a name for themselves, basking in the glory of their father's approval. But she... she was still chasing it, always in the shadows of her elder brothers and sisters. Today, though, she would take a step out of that shadow.
"I'll make you proud, Father," she whispered softly to herself, tightening the knot of her sash. "I'll be better than the rest. I'll uncover the secrets of the Arcane Blight and show you that I'm just as capable."
With a final glance at herself, she left the room, her footsteps quiet yet purposeful. The Celestial Blade Sect was vast, its architecture ancient and intricate. The air smelled faintly of incense, and disciples were already stirring about, tending to their duties. As Li Xue wandered through the serene courtyard, her sharp eyes scanned her surroundings, committing the sect's layout to memory. There was a certain calmness here, but it was the kind of calm that made her uneasy—like the stillness before a storm.
Her mind wandered to the meeting with the elders. She knew they were waiting to discuss the Arcane Blight and Wen's tragic fate. The thought of a sect disciple turning into a Malphyric left her feeling a strange sense of dread. This wasn't just a Celestial Blade Sect problem. If the Arcane Blight was truly spreading, it could affect the entire martial world, and possibly the ten great sects.
Li Xue came to a stop at the grand hall, where the meeting with the elders would take place. Two guards stood by the large doors, their eyes casting brief glances at her before stepping aside. Her stomach fluttered briefly—a mixture of nerves and anticipation—but she squared her shoulders and stepped inside.
The elders of the Celestial Blade Sect were seated in a semi-circle, their faces stern and unreadable. Elder Mu, seated at the center, gestured for her to come closer. She took her seat, and the tension in the room thickened.
"Lady Li Xue," Elder Mu began, his voice calm but laced with gravity. "We appreciate your presence here, as well as your sect's interest in this matter."
"I am honored to be here, Elder Mu," Li Xue replied respectfully. "My father sends his regards."
Elder Mu gave a curt nod, acknowledging the Ironspire Sect's leader. "Let us not delay further. You are here to learn about the recent events and the Arcane Blight. What you must know is that one of our own disciples, Wen, fell victim to this parasitic curse. It turned him into something beyond human, a Malphyric—a creature consumed by darkness and hatred. Two of our disciples, Jian and Liang, fought against him before Elder Mu was forced to intervene."
Li Xue's eyes flickered with interest. "Jian and Liang fought against him? I would like to speak with them personally."
"You will have your chance," Elder Mu assured her. "But understand that what you are dealing with is unlike any threat the sects have faced before. The Arcane Blight spreads through desire—particularly the desire for power. The more one seeks strength recklessly, the more they fall into its grasp. It is not something that can be cured or reversed once it has taken hold."
Li Xue absorbed this information, her heart racing slightly at the gravity of the situation. This was no ordinary mission—it was a crisis that could change the balance of the martial world. She kept her expression neutral, but internally, the pressure to succeed weighed on her more than ever.
"I will speak with Jian first," Li Xue decided. "I need to understand what transpired from someone who was there."
Elder Mu nodded, rising from his seat. "Very well. Jian is currently recovering, but I will have someone escort you to him. Be careful with your questions, Lady Li Xue. Jian has been through a great ordeal."
As Elder Mu gave the signal, one of the disciples stepped forward to escort her. Li Xue followed in silence, her mind racing with thoughts of what she might uncover. This was her moment—a chance to show her father that she could handle this delicate situation.
Jian stared out the window, his mind far from the peaceful scenery. His thoughts churned with memories of the battle, the horror of seeing Wen twisted into something unrecognizable. It was a reminder of how fragile the line between ambition and corruption was. He had resisted Wen's fate, but only barely. The temptation to seek more strength—to not be helpless again—gnawed at him, even now.
The door creaked open softly, and Jian turned to see Liu standing there. But instead of his usual excitement, Liu's expression was subdued, a rare moment of concern crossing his face.
"How are you holding up, Jian?" Liu asked quietly.
Jian shrugged, his voice lacking its usual fire. "I don't know. I can't stop thinking about Wen. About how close I came to... becoming him."
Liu stepped closer, his usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious. "You're not Wen, Jian. You didn't give in to that desire for power. You fought it."
"But what if I had?" Jian's voice was raw, his internal struggle laid bare. "Wen was one of us. If it could happen to him, what makes me any different?"
Liu frowned, searching for the right words. "You're different because you know where the line is. You don't want to cross it."
Jian let out a bitter laugh. "It's easy to say that now. But I felt it, Liu. That hunger. The desire to be stronger. What if next time, I can't hold it back?"
Liu fell silent, unable to offer any reassurances. The reality was, none of them were immune to the lure of power. But seeing his friend like this—so shaken, so vulnerable—made Liu realize just how deep the scars of the battle had run.
"You should talk to her," Liu finally said, breaking the silence.
Jian glanced at him, confused. "Who?"
"Li Xue," Liu clarified. "She's not here just to gather information. Maybe talking to her will help you sort things out."
Jian considered it for a moment, then sighed. "Maybe."
Meanwhile, Li Xue was led to a room where the elders had said she would meet Jian. As she waited, her thoughts kept circling back to her family. She was the youngest, always trying to outshine her elder siblings, always seeking her father's approval. But this—uncovering the secrets of the Arcane Blight—this was her chance to prove she was more than just the youngest daughter. She was capable, and she would succeed.
"I'll make you proud, Father," she murmured again under her breath. "I'll be better than the rest."
Meanwhile, Liu was still talking to jian about talking to li xue..
Jian didn't respond, his mind elsewhere. The events surrounding Wen's infection and the battle kept playing in his head, a constant source of unease.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Liu stopped pacing and looked over. "Who could that be?"
The door creaked open, revealing Elder Mu, his presence commanding immediate attention. Jian and Liu straightened up.
"Jian," Elder Mu began, his voice calm but carrying an edge of urgency. "Lady Li Xue has requested to speak with you. She wishes to hear about the battle with Wen from your perspective. Go to the chamber where she's waiting and share what you know."
Jian hesitated for a moment. He had just finished recounting the details to Liu, but to discuss it with Li Xue—a figure of such importance—felt more daunting. Still, he couldn't refuse Elder Mu's order. He nodded, standing up.
"I understand, Elder Mu. I'll go now."
Liu gave Jian a supportive nod before Elder Mu led him out of the room. As they walked through the sect halls, Jian felt a tension in his chest. Talking about Wen's fate with someone like Li Xue—someone whose stature and influence carried weight—was going to be difficult.
When they reached the door to the chamber, Elder Mu gestured for Jian to enter. "She's waiting for you. Speak with respect and clarity."
With that, Elder Mu turned and left, leaving Jian standing alone before the door. Taking a deep breath, Jian pushed it open.
Li Xue was seated near a low table, her posture elegant and poised. The evening light bathed her in a soft glow, highlighting the quiet strength in her gaze. She turned as Jian entered, her expression calm, yet her eyes sharp with purpose.
"Jian," she greeted him, her voice smooth but formal. "Please, sit."
Jian sat across from her, feeling her eyes on him. He could sense that she wasn't here for pleasantries—she was here for information.
"I've heard much about you," Li Xue began, her tone measured. "The elders have spoken highly of your role in the battle with Wen. But I want to hear from you directly. What happened that day? How did it come to this?"
Jian shifted uncomfortably but began speaking, his words steady. "It started when Wen... changed. He wasn't the same person anymore. The Arcane Blight had taken over him, and he became something monstrous. He was stronger than before, faster, and completely unhinged. Liang and I had to fight with everything we had just to keep up."
Li Xue's expression remained neutral, though her eyes flickered with a hint of understanding. "And the Blight? You believe it was the sole cause of his transformation?"
Jian nodded. "Yes. Wen's desire to get stronger led him down a dangerous path, and the Blight fed on that. It took over his body and mind. By the time we faced him, there was nothing left of the person we once knew. Only the monster remained."
Li Xue paused, absorbing his words. "It's troubling... how easily the Blight can corrupt those with strong desires. It preys on ambition, doesn't it?"
Jian frowned, his voice quieter. "It does. And it's terrifying. Watching Wen lose himself to it—it made me realize that there's a line we must not cross, no matter how much we seek power."
For a brief moment, Li Xue's composed facade cracked, a glimmer of something personal flashing in her eyes. She looked away for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts.
"I... understand that feeling," she murmured. "In my family, there are many expectations placed on me as the youngest. Seven siblings, all striving for greatness, all seeking to make our father proud. But I know that power... power gained at any cost isn't the answer. My brothers and sisters might seek it that way, but I refuse to follow."
Jian blinked, surprised at her openness. He could sense the weight of her words, the pressure she carried as the daughter of the Ironspire Sect's leader. She, too, was walking a fine line between ambition and danger.
"I've come to the Celestial Blade Sect not just to investigate," Li Xue continued, her voice firm, "but to prove myself. I want to be the one to uncover the secrets of the Arcane Blight, to stop its spread. If I can do that... then perhaps my father will finally see me as his equal, as someone who can lead."
There was a long pause between them, the weight of both their experiences hanging in the air. Jian finally spoke, his voice softer.
"You're right. Seeking strength the way Wen did—it's not the path. But there's still a way to stop the Blight, to fight it. And if anyone can do it, maybe it's you."
Li Xue glanced at him, her expression unreadable for a moment, then she nodded slightly. "Perhaps. But we'll see."
Before their conversation could continue further, a sharp knock came at the door. A disciple rushed in, his face pale with panic.
"Jian! Lady Li Xue! Elder Mu—there's an emergency!"
Both Jian and Li Xue immediately stood up, alert.
"What is it?" Jian asked, his voice tense.
"A villager has arrived at the gates," the disciple panted, "saying that a person in the nearby city has been infected with the Arcane Blight! They're causing chaos, attacking anyone in sight!"
Li Xue's face hardened, her calm demeanor quickly replaced with sharp focus. "We need to move, now."
Jian nodded, his fists clenched as the weight of the situation sunk in. There was no time to lose. Together, they rushed out of the chamber, ready to face the new threat that awaited them beyond the gates.