Lu Heng left the dark cavern after cultivating the essence of the guardian of the forbidden scroll's essence fully. He had spent about two weeks in the cavern. His absence was not felt or seen as strange as sect disciples were known to spend weeks or sometimes even months cultivating in seclusion. It was even expected as it would enable them grow their cultivation without interruption. This was also the case whenever a disciple had problem breaking through from one level or realm to the other. Elders have even been known to spend years in secluded cultivation, in fact, the higher one's cultivation realm, they longer they spent in seclusion.
Am unmistakable glow could be seen if one takes a closer look at Lu Cheng's eyes. This is especially evident to those with higher cultivation than him. He needed to mask the aura of dark magic radiating all over him, so he only went to his quarters when he was sure that there was no one around. He didn't want core disciples like Zhang Wei encountering him and asking him questions about the glow in his eyes. He knew he could take on the core disciple with his enhance demonic power, but that wasn't his goal just yet. So, he decided to lay low and not arouse suspicion.
Lu Cheng then used another dark acupuncture technique to suppress the dark aura of the beast essence that he absorbed. Ever since he discovered the first forbidden technique during a sect mission a year ago, he had sought out rouge cultivators and bought other forbidden scrolls from them. The scroll he just used was unearthed by him in the library using another forbidden technique to break the seal binding it.
After performing the acupuncture, Lu Cheng became like his old self again. Appearing to be at the fifth level of Qi control. It would take someone as powerful as the sect master to see through him to true power.
The moon hung low in the inky sky, casting pale silver beams over the secluded grove behind the Xiang Sect's outer training grounds. A cool breeze rustled the leaves, masking the quiet, sinister presence lurking in the shadows—Lu Heng.
His dark eyes gleamed with predatory anticipation as he waited in the eerie stillness. The forbidden runes etched into his skin pulsed faintly with crimson energy, a constant reminder of the beast's essence now fused within him, although it would take more than just ordinary eyes to see through to the runes.
Footsteps crunched softly on the dirt path. Lu Heng's lips curled into a sly smirk as Lin Fei, a young and ambitious outer sect disciple, who was said to be quite talented among the outer sect disciples emerged from the shadows. Lin Fei's eager expression reflected a mixture of curiosity and greed. He had been promised a deal too tempting to resist—spirit stones and a chance to learn secret techniques. He was number eight in the leader board of outer sect disciples and felt that with possession of more spirit stones and secret cultivation techniques, he could quickly raise and be the best. Thereby solidifying his chances of becoming an inner sect disciple.
"Senior Brother Lu Heng!" Lin Fei greeted with a respectful bow. "Thank you for considering me."
Lu Heng nodded coolly, gesturing toward the heart of the grove. "Follow me. I have heard a lot of good things about you, that's why I considered you. This opportunity is for the strong and the determined… someone like you."
Lin Fei followed eagerly, glowing with the praise from Lu Cheng, a powerful inner sect disciple, unaware of the dark fate awaiting him. They stopped at a small clearing bathed in dim moonlight. The air seemed unnaturally still as if the wind was holding its breath. Lu Cheng turned to Lin Fei and asked;
"Are you ready to grow stronger?" Lu Heng asked smoothly, his tone dripping with false encouragement.
"Yes, Senior Brother!" Lin Fei straightened his eyes gleaming with anticipation and ambition.
Lu Heng's smirk deepened. "Good. Show me your strongest technique. I need to see if you're truly worthy and capable of using the technique I'm about to impact unto you."
Without hesitation, Lin Fei summoned his spirit energy, launching a fiery blast toward a nearby boulder. It shattered into fragments, leaving a charred mark behind.
"Impressive," Lu Heng said coldly. "But strength alone isn't enough."
Before Lin Fei could react, bloodlike chains of dark energy shot from Lu Heng's outstretched hand, coiling around Lin Fei's limbs. The younger disciple struggled, eyes wide with terror.
"W-what is this? Senior brother Lu!" he gasped, thrashing uselessly.
Lu Heng's voice turned icy. "Sorry but your power… is now mine."
With a sharp twist of his wrist, the dark chains constricted. Bright red rivulets of light pulsed from Lin Fei's body, flowing into Lu Heng's palms like a river of life essence. The younger disciple's cries faded into choking gasps as his life essence drained away, leaving him pale and lifeless.
Lu Heng exhaled sharply, feeling the intoxicating rush of new power surging through his veins as it increased rapidly. His forbidden runes glowed brighter, feeding on the stolen life force.
As Lin Fei's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, Lu Heng surveyed his surroundings with satisfaction as he poured a dark substance on the lifeless body. Vapour erupted from the body as it dissolved into nothingness leaving behind a puddle of dark liquid that rapidly seeped into the ground and vanished without a trace.
Lu Chen surveyed his surrounding before leaving the place. Power was the only law in the cultivation world—and he would claim it by any means necessary.
In the following days, Lu Heng walked the sect grounds with renewed confidence, his aura subtly more imposing. His mind spun with plans—every scheme crafted to undermine Li and weaken his standing within the sect.
He started small by manipulating out sect disciples into tampering with Li's training schedules, misdirecting messages meant for Li, and spreading whispered rumours about Li's abilities being "overrated." He even paid a few outer disciples in secret to provoke Li into fights, hoping to see the so-called "core disciple" lose face.
But every plan ended in failure. One because Li was often immune to any provocation and more often in the most infuriating way possible, all thanks to Zhang Wei, the unannounced guardian of Li.
One afternoon, Lu Heng spotted an opportunity. Li was meditating alone by the Spirit Lake, his eyes closed in serene concentration. A group of paid troublemakers from the outer sect approached, ready to stir up conflict.
Just as the first disciple stepped forward, Zhang Wei appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his sharp gaze locking onto them.
"You lot seem awfully lost," Zhang Wei said smoothly, resting his hand on his hips in a belligerent motion. His casual stance radiated dangerous authority.
'Senior brother Zhang Wei' the leader stammered as he stared fearfully at the renowned core disciple that every outer disciple wanted to be like. Nobody wants to get in senior brother Zhang Wei's bad books. He looked behind him at the others and saw that non was ready to come closer to him.
The troublemakers exchanged nervous glances, muttering weak excuses before scurrying away. Zhang Wei watched them thoughtfully and then looked further down to a figure standing quite a distance away. He could clearly make out the figure of Lu Cheng.
'Lu Heng seems to be hanging around Li a lot these days without directly approaching. And each time he does, trouble approaches Li. Could Lu Heng be formatting trouble for little Li? Zhang Wei mused as he watched the figure skulk away.
From a distance, Lu Heng watched with clenched fists. Zhang Wei's timing was too perfect, too precise. Anytime any of his schemes is about to yield fruits, Zhang Wei would appear. It was as if he were always one step ahead.
Lu Heng's frustration boiled beneath his composed facade. He couldn't confront Li directly—not yet. The sect's rules were strict, and the punishment for harming a core disciple would be severe.
But patience was a virtue Lu Heng had mastered. He had been harbouring thoughts of revenge against Li since Li's second day in the sect, which is almost a year now. Waiting a little more would not do any harm. His time would come—he would ensure it.
'And when that time comes, I will crush Li mercilessly' he vowed
Under the cover of darkness that night, he retreated to the forbidden cavern, surrounded by ancient, unreadable glyphs. This has become his usual haunt. The spirit of the cavern seems to always call out to him, to destroy, to maim, to kill. The dark energy pulsed as it flowed in his veins. He could still feel the beast's energy thrumming within him, urging him toward greater heights.
Kneeling before the dark altar, he clenched his fists until his nails dug into his palms. "Li… your fate is sealed."
The air thickened with dark energy, resonating with his simmering hatred. His path was set. No one—not even Zhang Wei—would stop him from rising to the top.