Night sank heavily over Jinghua.The bustling glow of the city dimmed one lamp at a time, until only the sound of distant rain lingered. When silence finally took the streets, darkness began to breathe again in its hidden corners.
Deep in the southern quarter of the city stood an abandoned prince's mansion, long forgotten by the world. Beneath its cracked courtyards and crumbling eaves, a massive stone gate slowly groaned open. A faint, ghostly firelight spilled across the floor—revealing figures waiting within.
This was one of the Niling Sect's secret strongholds.
Behind the gate stretched a cavernous chamber of cold blue stone. Copper sconces lined the walls, their flames flickering like dying souls. At the center stood a great round table, carved from a single block of blackwood, covered in strange runes that seemed to devour sound itself.
Around it sat more than a dozen figures.Some were masked, others hooded. Every breath carried a killing chill.
At the head of the table sat a man cloaked in shadow, his face hidden behind a demonic mask. Only his eyes—sharp and venomous as a serpent's—caught the light.He was Ming Xuānzi, the current leader of the Niling Sect.
Raising a gloved hand, his voice sliced through the silence like steel."Brothers and sisters of the Sect. Our roots in Jinghua have taken hold. The court is split by factional strife, the army trembles, and the empire itself wavers. The Great Qian Dynasty stands upon the edge of the storm."
His tone was soft, but the weight of his words pressed upon every heart like iron.
A woman's low laugh broke the stillness. It was languid, almost playful—yet colder than the grave."You make it sound so simple, Ming Xuānzi. But since our defeat at Mount Zijin, our reputation among the martial world lies in ruin. If we cannot strike back soon, even beggars will mock the Niling name."
The speaker was Youlan, one of the Sect's Four Guardians.A veil half-hid her face, but the shape of her eyes—seductive and cruel—shone through the silk.
Ming Xuānzi's laugh was low and sharp."Defeat? A single lost piece in a greater game. Jinghua is the board, and whoever controls this city controls the empire itself."He leaned forward, voice dropping into a hiss."Our seeds are already planted—in the court and in the army."
A ripple of unease moved through the chamber.
An old man, his face dry as parchment, rasped, "Then what of that woman—Bai Luo? You've said nothing of her. Was her meeting with Li Tianyuan mere coincidence… or your design?"
The room froze. The name alone was taboo.
Youlan's smile curved like a knife."Bai Luo. The pretty girl who follows Li Tianyuan like a shadow. Word is her origin isn't so simple. Some say she's a fallen disciple of the Tianji Pavilion. Others whisper she carries the bloodline of the old Crown Prince's clan."Her voice dropped, dripping with venom."Ming Xuānzi, did you send her to him? To use her… or to destroy her?"
For a long moment, the only sound was the hiss of the candles.Finally, Ming Xuānzi spoke, his gaze fixed on the dancing flame."Bai Luo's role is mine to command. She is both pawn… and key."
"Key?" The word echoed around the table.
From his sleeve, Ming Xuānzi drew forth a talisman—an ancient jade seal of tarnished bronze, etched with runes that shimmered faintly in the dark.
"Inside her," he said, eyes glinting with hunger, "lies a dormant bloodline. Power she herself does not yet know. When that blood awakens, it will tear open the heavens of Great Qian itself."
A collective gasp filled the chamber.Bloodline power—if true, such a weapon could reshape kingdoms.
Youlan's laugh returned, mocking."Yet she clings to Li Tianyuan. If her heart strays, that weapon may turn against us."
Ming Xuānzi's reply was colder than frost."Then we make sure her heart turns away. We plant a rift so deep it will never heal."
His voice lingered in the dark like a curse.
That same night, far across the city…
In a lonely inn at Jinghua's western outskirts, Bai Luo sat alone by the window. Moonlight traced her pale face as she stared into the rain beyond the glass.Her hand pressed to her chest. Beneath her skin, something pulsed—wild, alien, alive.
She had dreamed again last night—of oceans of blood and voices screaming her name. In the distance, a pair of cold eyes had looked down upon her as if watching a puppet dance.
A shiver ran through her.Who am I… really?
Since meeting Li Tianyuan, her memories had grown fragmented, pieces missing like torn pages. Some felt borrowed, others entirely false. Someone—or something—was manipulating her.
A soft laugh drifted through the window."Miss Bai… thinking of Li Tianyuan, are we?"
Bai Luo froze, turning toward the sound.From the darkness stepped a tall figure draped in black silk—Youlan.
Her gaze was sharp, her smile faint. "You shouldn't be here. The Niling Sect is your true home."
Bai Luo's face went pale."I have nothing to do with your Sect!"
Youlan moved closer, fingertips brushing the wooden table."Nothing? Your bloodline, your destiny—those were bound to us long before you drew breath."
"Lies," Bai Luo hissed, trembling.
Youlan's smile vanished. "Don't believe me?"She lifted her hand. In her palm appeared a bronze talisman—identical to Ming Xuānzi's. The runes pulsed with light, and a deep hum filled the air.
Bai Luo's body convulsed. Heat surged through her chest; her blood burned like fire. Power clawed its way up from within, wild and uncontrollable.
Youlan watched, satisfied."See? You cannot deny it. This is who you are. The blade of the Niling Sect."
Bai Luo fell to her knees, shaking violently."No… I won't be your weapon! I am myself!"
Youlan turned away, her voice a whisper that seemed to echo from everywhere."You can't run from fate, Bai Luo."
The night swallowed her.
Inside the empty inn, Bai Luo clutched her chest, tears falling silently."If one day… I truly become what they say—Li Tianyuan, will you still recognize me?"
Outside, the wind howled.And somewhere far above, unseen shadows spread their wings over Jinghua.