The dim light of the Sect's great hall flickered as the sect elders gathered around the circular stone table. The air was thick with an unsettling tension, the kind that only the gravest matters could invoke. A low murmur rippled through the room as the elders seated themselves, casting wary glances at one another. The Sect Master, looking as youthful as ever but with an undeniable veneer of wisdom, stood at the head of the table, his eyes focused on the lone elder who had brought the disturbing news.
The elder in question, Elder Yin, was known for his mastery of both martial arts and spiritual insight. His long white beard and deep-set eyes gave him the appearance of a man who had seen more than most would dare to. But today, his usual calm look was nowhere to be found. He appeared visibly shaken, his hands trembling as he gripped the edge of the table.
"I've seen it," Elder Yin's voice was grave, drawing the attention of every elder in the room. "A vision... a vision of our destruction."
A collective gasp echoed through the hall. The Sect Master's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. Elder Yin's visions were not to be taken lightly. He had foreseen many things over the years—some trivial, others dire—and all of them had always come to pass.
"The entire sect," Elder Yin continued, his voice shaking. "Annihilated. Wiped out, not by a single enemy, but by something far more terrifying—something we cannot yet understand."
The murmurs grew louder, and several elders exchanged worried looks. The Sect Master, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on Elder Yin. The air around them seemed to grow heavier with each passing second.
"Tell us everything," the Sect Master commanded, his tone calm but firm.
Elder Yin nodded, closing his eyes for a moment as if to gather his thoughts. "I saw a great fire, a scorching heat that consumed everything in its path. The Sect was burning, the walls crumbling, and the disciples… they were being torn apart by invisible forces, forces I could not identify. Then, I saw a figure, standing amidst the destruction. A man… no, a boy. His eyes glowed with a red hue, like embers of a dying fire. He was surrounded by a powerful aura, but there was something off about him. I could feel the pain, the rage, radiating from him."
"A boy," Elder Tai, another elder, interrupted. His voice was sharp, his brow furrowed. "Could it be someone in the sect, a disciple?"
Elder Yin's eyes snapped open, locking onto Elder Tai. "I do not know," he said quietly. "But the boy in the vision was... unlike any I have ever seen. He radiated power beyond comprehension. There was a red hue of blood surrounding him, like a shroud. Like a curse."
The room fell silent. The word "curse" hung in the air like an ominous spectacle. For years, the Sect had been shrouded in mystery of various kinds regarding strange bloodlines, strange talents and dangerous energies. Some carried unimaginable potential and while others spoke of unspeakable danger. But none had ever spoken of a curse quite like this.
The Sect Master, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. His voice was low, but each word carried weight.
"A cursed bloodline," he mused. "What could it be? I've only read fragments of a unique bloodline. No one seems to know anything about this and no information about it"
The mention of a cursed bloodline sent a ripple of unease through the room. The elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Bloodlines are usually legendary, granting the possessor unimaginable power and potential for cultivation and growth. Owners of unique bloodlines were always geniuses. But a cursed bloodline was not desirable by anyone as it came with danger for the possessor and those around him.
The fragment of information about a cursed bloodline only hinted of an ancient cultivator who had reached the pinnacle of power before being consumed by the envy of his peers, leading to his uncontrollable rage destroying everything in his path and attaching a curse to the possessor of his bloodline.
"Do you think Li could be the one?" Elder Xiu, a younger but sharp-minded elder, asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "We've seen his potential. His progress is remarkable, but the boy is still young—barely a few months into his cultivation journey. How could he possibly be connected to something so... destructive?"
"We must be cautious," Elder Yin interjected, his eyes clouded with fear. "I've felt the pull of his bloodline. It is growing stronger with each passing day. The aura I saw in my vision—it was unmistakable. The Supreme Bloodline is awakening, and with it, the curse."
"But how do we prevent it?" Elder Tai asked urgently. "If what you saw is true, then the Sect is in great danger. A single misstep could lead to our downfall."
The Sect Master stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We need to find out more about this bloodline and even the boy. If he is truly the bearer of the Supreme Bloodline, we must determine whether he is the catalyst for this destruction, or whether he can control the power within him. A pity he doesn't seem to remember anything before his arrival here."
Elder Yin shuddered. "I fear it may already be too late for that. The bloodline is unstable, and it calls to him, drawing him closer to the darkness that was unleashed by the ancient cultivator. We may not be able to contain it."
Elder Xiu leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Then we have no choice but to act quickly. We must either sever the bloodline or eliminate the boy before it's too late."
A heavy silence filled the room as the words hung in the air, each elder contemplating the gravity of the situation. The Sect Master's gaze swept over the gathered elders, his expression unreadable.
"We will not act in haste," he said finally. "Li must be allowed to continue his cultivation. But we will watch him closely. We must understand the full extent of his power before making any decisions. For now, we will assign someone to observe him. Elder Han, your disciple, Zhang Wei, is to keep a close eye on him. He should report any unusual behavior or signs of the bloodline's influence to you and you to me."
Elder Han, who had been quietly listening, nodded solemnly. "Understood, Sect Master. I will ensure the boy's actions are carefully monitored."
The Sect Master's gaze softened as he turned to Elder Yin. "We will also need your insight. Your visions have served us well in the past. If you see anything further, you must report it immediately. We cannot afford to be caught off guard."
Elder Yin bowed his head. "Of course, Sect Master. I will do my best."
The Sect Master rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting. "For now, let us continue our work. Elder Hao, please check the sect library and beyond for any information on the bloodline or Li's origin. I will also consult with other sect leaders. But know this—our Sect's future may very well lie in the hands of a boy who has yet to fully understand the power he possesses. We must tread carefully."
As the elders began to disperse, the weight of the conversation lingered in the air. The prophecy of annihilation was no longer just a distant possibility—it was a looming threat that could destroy everything they had known for thousands of years.
Meanwhile, in the Sect's training yard, Li was unaware of the storm brewing within the Sect's inner circle. He was deep in his training, his mind focused on nothing but the sword in his hand. His movements were sharp, his strikes precise as he drilled tirelessly under the watchful eye of Jiang Ming.
"You've been at this for hours," Jiang Ming called out, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Take a break, will you? You're not going to defeat Bai Chen if you're half-dead from exhaustion.
Li didn't respond at first, his focus unwavering as he performed another series of strikes. But eventually, he slowed, lowering his sword and taking a step back. His breathing was heavy, but his body was still energized. The presence of his friends, the friendship they had built, gave him a sense of normalcy despite the growing chaos within him.
"I can't stop," Li muttered under his breath. "Not until I'm strong enough to face him… to face what's inside of me."
'What was that? Jiang Ming asked
'Nothing, Just thinking out loud' Li replied
Jiang Ming gave him a sympathetic look but said nothing. He had learned not to push Li too hard. The boy had his demons, and Jiang Ming knew better than to force him to talk about them.
"Alright," Jiang Ming said after a moment. "But don't push yourself too much. We've got a long way to go. Besides, I'm sure we'll get our chance to show off our skills soon enough."
Li nodded absently, his mind once again drifting to the visions that had plagued him—visions of the red dragon, of fire and destruction. What was happening to him? What was the true nature of the bloodline that flowed through his veins?