Chapter 20: The Hei Clan's Ambush
The courtyard glowed under a silver moon, its serene beauty shattered by the sudden intrusion of dark figures, their curse-infused qi a suffocating shroud that darkened the night. The air grew heavy, the scent of damp earth mingling with the acrid tang of their sinister power, a stark contrast to the gentle rustle of leaves that had moments ago filled the space. Lin Xuan and Liu Yue stood back-to-back, the cold stone floor grounding them as the Celestial Unity Crests pulsed on their bodies—his on his back, hers on her golden coin—binding them in a silent vow of resilience. Lin Xuan's crimson eyes burned with defiance, his 9th Layer Qi Gathering aura steady despite the odds, while Liu Yue's raven hair cascaded like a midnight veil, her moonlight eyes wide with determination, her hands clutching her qi blade.
The intruders were led by Hei Shan, a wiry man with a 4th Layer Qi Transformation aura, his black robes adorned with silver claw motifs, his face scarred from years of battle. Sent by Hei Long, the Hei Clan's formidable elder, Hei Shan had been tasked with seizing the Scriptures of Severed Unity, his cold gaze fixed on Lin Xuan. Flanking him were three Hei Clan disciples—each at the 6th Layer Qi Gathering—their dark qi swirling like a storm, their hands crackling with curse-infused energy. "Hand over the Scriptures, or this courtyard becomes your grave," Hei Shan growled, his voice a venomous rasp that echoed off the stone walls, his qi-infused spear poised to strike.
Lin Xuan's heart raced, the disparity in power weighing on him, but his mind sharpened. At the 9th Layer, he couldn't match Hei Shan's transformation strength head-on, yet the Human Emperor's Records offered a path. "Junior Sister, prepare yourself," he whispered, his voice steady. "I'll weaken them with a formation." Liu Yue nodded, her moonlight eyes reflecting trust, and stepped back as Lin Xuan began to weave. Drawing on the Records' ancient knowledge, he traced a Five Elements Suppression Array in the air with his fingers, qi lines glowing faintly—earth to anchor, water to disrupt, fire to burn, metal to cut, and wood to entangle. The formation spread across the courtyard, a translucent grid that pulsed with silver-blue energy, its edges shimmering as it activated. The disciples faltered, their movements slowing as the array sapped their qi, their curses weakening under its pressure.
Hei Shan snarled, thrusting his spear, a dark qi wave tearing toward Lin Xuan. Abyssal Lotus Step, his body gliding with mixed martial arts footwork, dodging the strike as the ground splintered, shards flying. The formation dimmed Hei Shan's aura, dropping his effective power closer to the 2nd Layer, giving Lin Xuan a slim edge. A disciple lunged, his qi blade slashing, but Liu Yue's shield rose, a golden barrier absorbing the impact with a soft hum, her Crest pulsing brighter. Her qi blade retaliated, a silver arc that wounded the disciple's arm, drawing a cry.
Lin Xuan pressed the advantage. Starlit Void Fist, the punch igniting with celestial power blended with mixed martial arts force, striking the wounded disciple's chest. The impact was a thunderous crack, ribs breaking as the man collapsed, gasping. Another disciple charged, his qi blast a swirling vortex, and Lin Xuan twisted with Celestial Glide, the blast grazing his side, a sharp sting flaring. Tooth Dagger flashed, a precise cut across the disciple's thigh, and Energy Devour siphoned his qi, the cool rush steadying Lin Xuan. The third disciple unleashed a curse-infused wave, but the formation disrupted it, the energy dissipating harmlessly.
Hei Shan roared, his spear dancing with renewed fury, a qi storm aimed at Lin Xuan. The formation weakened the attack, and Lin Xuan met it with Celestial Wrath Elbow, blended with Muay Boran power, the strike landing on Hei Shan's shoulder with a dull thud. The elder grunted, blood welling, but retaliated with a qi-enhanced thrust. Lin Xuan ducked, the spear missing by inches, and used Abyssal Lotus Step to circle behind, Starlit Void Fist striking Hei Shan's back. The punch's celestial force cracked vertebrae, and Energy Devour drained the elder's qi, the formation amplifying the effect. Hei Shan staggered, his spear clattering to the ground, and Lin Xuan finished with a Void Pulse Kick, the Kyokushin-powered strike snapping the elder's knee, sending him down.
The remaining disciples fled, their dark qi dissipating into the night, though Bloodshade Abyss Sect scouts lingered in the shadows, their presence a silent threat. Liu Yue rushed to Lin Xuan, her raven hair brushing his arm as she checked his wounds, her moonlight eyes wide with relief. "Senior Brother, you did it!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with awe. Mei Ling appeared, her 7th Layer Qi Transformation aura a calming presence, her qi blade sheathed. "Well fought," she said, nodding. "Hei Long won't take this lightly."
That night, the courtyard was a quiet refuge, the silver-blue flame casting warm shadows as Lin Xuan refined the Spirit Essence Crystal. The Celestial Unity Crest guided his hands, the crystal's energy pushing him toward Qi Transformation, a cool rush that steadied his nerves. He practiced Starlit Void Fist, the punch cutting the air with a whistle, each strike a testament to his growth. Liu Yue sat nearby, her moonlight eyes filled with trust. "Senior Brother, we'll face them together," she said, her voice a quiet strength. The ache in his chest deepened, but he nodded. "Together, Junior Sister," he echoed, his resolve unyielding as the night stretched on, the promise of future battles looming.