Awakening of the Fire Wings
When Xiao stepped out of his room, he noticed an unusual calmness. The place was bustling with activity; everyone seemed busy with their classes or work. Confused, he muttered, "They just called me... but now, where is everyone?"
His stomach growled, pulling him toward the kitchen. "Where's the dining hall? I'm starving."
A woman nearby chuckled and said, "You're late, Mr. Xiao. It's already 8:00 AM, and breakfast is over. But don't worry, I saved some for you." She placed a plate of food in front of him.
Xiao quietly ate the bland meal without a word of complaint. Once done, he wandered around the compound. Children were practicing various skills—some wielding swords, others shooting at targets, and a few meditating.
He soon found Leeming practicing fencing. Intrigued, Xiao approached him. "Will you spar with me?" he asked confidently, drawing his beautifully crafted sword.
Without hesitation, the two began their duel. Leeming was a skilled swordsman, but Xiao's mastery was equally impressive. As their swords clashed, Leeming silently admired Xiao's technique but refused to show it. Instead, he pushed himself harder, perfecting his movements.
After their practice, Leeming headed to the library, with Xiao following behind. However, Xiao quickly grew bored. Libraries weren't his favorite place anymore. Leeming was engrossed in a book, and Xiao leaned over.
"How's the book?" Xiao asked.
"It's fascinating," Leeming replied, not looking up.
Xiao smirked. "I used to read a lot as a child. I memorized entire books because I was obsessed with cultivation and learning. Those were good times."
Leeming glanced at him, intrigued. "You remember everything? That's incredible."
Xiao laughed. "Not everything. But I know enough. These days, I prefer action over reading. Why don't you grab a cultivation book instead?"
Leeming's face turned red with anger. "This is a library! Show some respect!" He slammed the book shut and stormed out.
Just then, someone knocked on the library door. "There's news!" the person announced.
Xiao's heart sank as he listened. Jin Shin had been attacked. Without a second thought, he grabbed his sword and prepared to leave.
"You can't go alone," someone warned.
"Don't stop me!" Xiao snapped. "My family—my brothers and sisters—are in danger. I have to save them!"
As Xiao turned to leave, he noticed Leeming, armed and ready, standing beside him. Together, they raced toward the battlefield.
Meanwhile, chaos reigned at the Jin Clan. The Shiling Clan had launched a brutal attack. Madam Shin and the Clan Chief fought valiantly but were heavily injured. Hua Shin and Hao Shin, though wounded, continued to defend their family.
When Xiao arrived, his sharp, golden wings unfurled, glinting dangerously. His presence struck fear into the Shiling warriors. Many fled, but some remained, determined to fight.
"Hua!" Xiao shouted amid the chaos. "What's happening? Why are they attacking us?"
Hua pointed to a young woman cowering nearby. "She's Bao, Mao's cousin. We... eloped and got married. When the Shiling Clan found out, they came for revenge."
Xiao's eyes burned with anger. "You endangered our entire clan for a girl?!" Without waiting for a reply, he dove back into the fight.
Suddenly, Xiao felt a sharp pain as a sword slashed his back. Blood seeped through his clothes. Hua cried out and rushed to his brother's aid, but he too was attacked and stabbed from behind.
Seeing his brother fall, Xiao's fury ignited. His wings began to glow—half golden, half black. A fiery red flower-shaped mark emerged on his back, radiating heat and power. The air grew heavy with black smoke, and Xiao rose into the sky, his presence overwhelming.
The Shiling warriors, reliant on dark energy, found their powers fading. Xiao was absorbing their strength, leaving them weak and defenseless. Chao and Mao, realizing they were no match, called for a retreat.
The battle ended as the Shiling Clan fled. Xiao landed, his transformation slowly fading. But the damage was done—the battlefield was littered with the wounded, and the Jin Clan had suffered greatly.
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