Chapter 24: Stellar Stream.
Part 1
Li Wei pushed through the dense forest beyond the inner court, following Lin Xue, whose figure darted between trees. Morning mist clung to the ground, and the faint glow of spiritual energy from an old altar beckoned them forward. The Heavenly Shard under Li Wei's robe warmed, as if reacting to the altar's proximity, while the scrolls for Blade of Heavenly Flow, Vortex of Heavenly Light, and Stellar Wind Flow weighed down his belt. Chen Yu had stayed in the inner court to gather tournament rumors, but his absence made the forest's silence more oppressive. The System displayed: Energy: 20% after rest. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 3, 25%. Task "Secure your place in the sect": 70%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 0% progress.
Lin Xue stopped, pointing to a clearing where the altar stood—a cracked stone circle covered in moss and runes, resembling those Li Wei saw in the ruins. Its aura was faint but tangible, and Li Wei felt the Heavenly Shard tremble stronger. Lin Xue turned, her voice low: "This place is abandoned, but its energy aids cultivation. Don't linger—the shadows I mentioned appear at dusk. And, Li Wei," her eyes narrowed, "if your 'source' betrays you, I won't cover for you."
Li Wei nodded, feeling her suspicions grow heavier. The System highlighted: Chance of altar safety: 70%. Chance of Lin Xue's suspicions: 80%. Recommendation: Focus on "Blade of Heavenly Flow."
"I'll start," he said, sitting by the altar. "Keep watch. Signal if anyone approaches."
Lin Xue nodded, moving to the clearing's edge, her sword ready. Li Wei pulled out the Blade of Heavenly Flow scroll and began breathing, channeling the Heavenly Shard's energy into his hands. Streams, like flowing water, swirled, their glow reflecting off the altar's runes. The System updated: "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 15%. Energy: 18%.
Cultivation progressed faster than in the library—the altar's spiritual energy boosted his progress. Li Wei felt the technique meld with his movements, but Lin Xue's mention of shadows nagged at him. He recalled the ruins' mechanisms, wondering if this altar was tied to the Heavenly Shard. The System highlighted: Chance of altar-ruins connection: 50%. Recommendation: Study the runes after cultivation.
An hour later, Lin Xue whispered, "Li Wei, rustling. Someone's in the forest."
He froze, hiding the scroll and shard. The System highlighted: Chance of threat: 40%. Recommendation: Prepare for combat or hide. Li Wei stood, feeling the altar's aura quiver, as if reacting to the approach. Lin Xue pressed against a tree, her sword glinting, as a voice from the forest—familiar and venomous—rang out: "I knew I'd find you, Li Wei."
Wang Zi stepped into the clearing, his fists glowing with the golden light of Iron Fist. Behind him was Cao Feng, his Mortal Realm, Stage 6 aura adding pressure. Li Wei gripped the shard, realizing the altar, like the cave, had become a trap. The System blared: Chance of combat: 80%. Chance of survival: 30%. The tournament was distant, but the fight was here and now.
Part 2
Li Wei stood by the old altar, his hand clutching the Heavenly Shard under his robe, its faint energy coursing through him, preparing for battle. Wang Zi and Cao Feng entered the clearing, their auras—Mortal Realm, Stages 5 and 6—creating pressure that made the air tremble. Lin Xue, pressed against a tree, held her sword ready, her gaze darting between the enemies and Li Wei. The forest mist thickened, and the altar's runes faintly glowed, as if sensing the impending clash. The System showed: Energy: 18%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 3, 25%. "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 15%. Chance of survival: 30%.
Wang Zi smirked, his fists radiant with golden light. "Li Wei, thought you could hide here?" he said, his voice dripping with venom. "You won't survive the tournament. Hand over the artifact, and I might let you live."
Cao Feng, beside him, added, his tone mocking, "Newbie, you don't belong in the inner court. Run while you can."
Lin Xue stepped forward, her sword flashing, but Li Wei gestured to stop her. The System highlighted: Recommendation: Use the altar and combined techniques for maneuvering. Avoid prolonged combat. He knew Wang Zi and Cao Feng were stronger, and his energy was too low for a drawn-out fight. But the altar's spiritual energy could offer a chance.
"Wang Zi," Li Wei said, his voice cold, "your accusations are empty. If you want to fight, let's start. But Elder Liu will know who broke the rules."
Wang Zi laughed, his aura flaring. "Liu? It's just us here. Cao Feng, handle Lin Xue. Li Wei's mine."
Cao Feng charged at Lin Xue, his spear glowing with energy, while Wang Zi rushed Li Wei, his Iron Fist aiming for his chest. Li Wei activated Wind Step, dodging, and energy dropped to 16%. He unleashed Stellar Wind Flow, star-like threads lashing Wang Zi, but Wang Zi blocked with his fist, closing in.
Lin Xue met Cao Feng, her sword clashing with his spear, sparks flying into the mist. Li Wei, retreating to the altar, channeled the Heavenly Shard's energy into Blade of Heavenly Flow. Water-like streams swirled around his hands, and he struck, targeting Wang Zi's legs. The blow grazed him, leaving a scratch, but Wang Zi only roared, his fist cratering the ground where Li Wei had stood. Energy fell to 14%, and the System updated: "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 20%.
"You're faster," Wang Zi growled, "but it's not enough!"
Li Wei noticed the altar's runes glow brighter, reacting to his energy. Recalling the ruins' mechanisms, he took a risk. Channeling the shard's energy into the altar, he felt the ground tremble, and a wave of spiritual force surged, knocking Wang Zi back. Cao Feng stumbled, and Lin Xue seized the moment, wounding his shoulder. But Li Wei's energy dropped to 10%, and he realized the altar offered only a brief reprieve.
Wang Zi rose, his eyes blazing, and Cao Feng, despite his wound, attacked Lin Xue again. The System blared: Chance of survival: 25%. Recommendation: Lure enemies to the altar for another activation. Li Wei retreated to the altar's center, preparing another strike, but the forest shadows Lin Xue mentioned stirred, adding a new threat. The fight was spiraling into chaos, and Li Wei knew he had to outsmart his enemies or trust the altar—or it would end here.
Part 3
Li Wei retreated to the altar's center, his breathing ragged, the Heavenly Shard under his robe heating up, fueling his dwindling energy. Wang Zi, recovering from the altar's wave, advanced, his Iron Fist fists glowing gold, his eyes burning with hatred. Lin Xue fought Cao Feng at the clearing's edge, her sword flashing, but Cao Feng's shoulder wound didn't slow him—his spear countered with terrifying precision. The mist thickened, and the forest shadows Lin Xue mentioned moved, emitting a faint, sinister aura. The System showed: Energy: 10%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 3, 25%. "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 20%. Chance of survival: 25%.
Wang Zi charged, his fist aiming for Li Wei's head. Li Wei activated Wind Step, dodging, but energy dropped to 8%, and he stumbled over an altar rune. Wang Zi smirked, his Mortal Realm, Stage 5 aura surging like a storm. "It's over, Li Wei!" he roared. "Hand over the artifact, or I'll crush you!"
Li Wei, gasping, channeled the Heavenly Shard's energy into the altar, hoping for another wave. The runes flared, but their glow was weaker, and instead of a wave, thin vines erupted from the ground, entangling Wang Zi's legs. He howled, struggling, but the vines held firm. The System highlighted: Altar activated: Trap effect. Duration: 10 seconds.
Lin Xue, seizing the moment, parried Cao Feng's spear and struck his chest, forcing him back. She shouted, "Li Wei, hit Wang Zi! I've got this one!"
Li Wei, knowing time was short, summoned Blade of Heavenly Flow, combining it with Stellar Wind Flow. Star-like threads and water-like streams merged, creating a radiant vortex he aimed at Wang Zi. The strike lashed his chest, tearing his robe and drawing blood. Wang Zi collapsed, the vines loosening, but he still breathed, his eyes blazing. Li Wei's energy dropped to 5%, and the System updated: "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 25%.
Cao Feng, seeing Wang Zi fall, roared and charged Li Wei, his spear targeting his back. Lin Xue intercepted, but her strength waned, and she began to falter. Li Wei, swaying, turned to the altar, hoping for another effect, but the forest shadows suddenly moved. A figure—not human, but a ghostly shadow with an aura like a spiritual beast—burst from the mist. Its red eyes glowed, and it lunged at Cao Feng, forcing him to retreat in panic.
The System blared: Anomaly detected: Altar's spiritual shadow. Chance of threat: 60%. Recommendation: Use the shadow for distraction. Li Wei, gasping, shouted to Lin Xue, "Grab Wang Zi! Run while the shadow holds them!"
Lin Xue, pushing Cao Feng back, rushed to Wang Zi, grabbing his robe. Li Wei, summoning his last strength, bolted for the forest, helping Lin Xue drag Wang Zi. The shadow chased Cao Feng, its wail echoing in the mist. Li Wei knew the altar had saved them, but the shadows and their link to the Heavenly Shard raised new questions. They had to return to the sect and decide what to do with Wang Zi—turn him over to Liu or use him as leverage against the Jin Clan. But the shadow's red eyes lingered in his mind, and Li Wei felt the altar hid more than he was ready to uncover.
Part 4
Li Wei and Lin Xue pushed through the forest, dragging an unconscious Wang Zi, his robe torn, his chest bleeding from the Blade of Heavenly Flow strike. The mist thickened, muffling the spiritual shadow's wail as it pursued Cao Feng somewhere behind. The Heavenly Shard under Li Wei's robe pulsed, as if reacting to the altar's recent activation, but his energy was nearly spent. Lin Xue, breathing heavily, gripped her sword, her face pale from wounds and exhaustion. The System showed: Energy: 5%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 3, 27%. "Blade of Heavenly Flow" technique: 25%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 10% progress.
Lin Xue, glancing at the shadows in the mist, whispered, "Li Wei, that shadow… it's no beast. It's tied to the altar, and I'm sure, to your 'source.' If you don't tell me what it is, I can't keep covering for you."
Li Wei clenched his jaw, her words heavy as stone. The Heavenly Shard was his secret, but Lin Xue was too close to the truth, and her loyalty teetered. The System highlighted: Chance of Lin Xue's betrayal: 20%. Recommendation: Reveal partial truth to maintain the alliance.
"It's not just a source," he said, lowering his voice. "It's an artifact I found in the ruins. It boosts my cultivation, but I don't know everything about it. The altar seems linked to it, but I didn't seek it out. Help me, Lin Xue, and I'll share more when I know it."
Lin Xue studied him, her eyes narrowing, but she nodded. "Fine. But if this brings trouble to the sect, I won't stay silent. What about Wang Zi? Turn him over to Liu or use him?"
Li Wei glanced at Wang Zi, who stirred, his groans faint but growing. Turning him over to Elder Liu would prove the attack but could enrage the Jin Clan. Holding him as a hostage was risky but could offer leverage. The System highlighted: Chance of success with Liu: 60%. Chance of Jin Clan retaliation: 70%. Recommendation: Bind Wang Zi and interrogate.
"Bind him," Li Wei said. "We'll learn what the Jin Clan's planning. If he talks, we'll have an edge."
Lin Xue pulled a rope from her bag, swiftly tying Wang Zi's hands and feet as he muttered curses. Li Wei leaned against a tree, catching his breath. The shadow in the forest no longer wailed, but its presence lingered like a chill. He knew the altar and Heavenly Shard were tied to something greater than he could grasp, and it scared him more than Wang Zi.
They found a small clearing, hiding behind bushes. Li Wei splashed water from his flask on Wang Zi's face, rousing him. Wang Zi opened his eyes, his gaze hazy but hateful. "Li Wei…" he rasped. "You're a dead man. The Jin Clan will find you."
Li Wei leaned closer, his voice cold: "Tell me what the Jin Clan seeks in the ruins. Or I'll leave you here, and the shadows will finish what I started."
Wang Zi spat blood, his smirk sinister. "You don't know what you're playing with, Li Wei. The artifact's a key to the temple. If the Jin Clan gets it, you and your sect are dust."
The System highlighted: Chance of gaining information: 50%. Recommendation: Apply pressure but avoid killing. Li Wei exchanged a glance with Lin Xue, realizing Wang Zi's words were only part of the truth. But the forest shadows stirred again, and Li Wei knew time was running out. They had to either extract more from Wang Zi or flee to the sect before the shadows or Jin Clan caught them.
Part 5
Li Wei stared into Wang Zi's eyes, his smirk, despite blood and bound hands, brimming with confidence. The forest mist thickened, cloaking the clearing where they hid, and the shadows moving between trees drew closer, their red eyes flashing in the dark. Lin Xue stood guard, her sword trembling, her gaze darting between Wang Zi and the forest. The Heavenly Shard under Li Wei's robe warmed, as if sensing danger, but his energy was at its limit. The System showed: Energy: 5%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 3, 27%. Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 15%. Chance of survival: 20%.
"Talk, Wang Zi," Li Wei said, his voice cold but laced with tension. "What's this temple? Why does the Jin Clan want the artifact so badly?"
Wang Zi laughed hoarsely, coughing blood. "You think I'll spill?" he rasped. "The Jin Clan knows more than your pathetic sect. The temple's a key to power you can't even dream of. Your artifact's just a piece. They'll come for you soon, Li Wei."
Lin Xue stepped closer, her sword grazing Wang Zi's neck. "Enough games," she snapped. "Name names. Who's in the Jin Clan? What's their plan?"
Wang Zi grimaced, but his gaze wavered as a shadow in the forest let out a low wail. The System highlighted: Chance of gaining information: 60%. Recommendation: Intensify pressure, use shadows as a threat. Li Wei leaned toward Wang Zi, his voice harder: "See those shadows? They're not mine. But if I leave, you're staying with them. Talk, or I'll test how long you last."
Wang Zi clenched his teeth, but fear in his eyes betrayed a crack. "Wei Long… he's the lead," he forced out. "The Jin Clan found records about the temple. They think your artifact unlocks the Temple's Heart. That's all I know. Kill me, and the Jin Clan will crush you all."
Li Wei exchanged a glance with Lin Xue. The Temple's Heart sounded like what he'd seen in the ruins, where the Heavenly Shard activated the altar. Lin Xue frowned, her voice low: "Li Wei, we can't keep him here. The shadows are closing in. Turn him over to Liu or leave him?"
The System highlighted: Chance of shadow attack: 70%. Recommendation: Retreat to the sect, use Wang Zi as bait if needed. Li Wei realized the shadows weren't mere beasts but something tied to the altar and, possibly, his shard. He stood, helping Lin Xue lift Wang Zi. "We head to the sect," he said. "Turn him over to Liu. It'll prove the attack and buy us time."
They moved through the forest, dragging Wang Zi, whose groans faded. The shadows trailed them, their red eyes flickering in the mist, but didn't attack, as if waiting. Li Wei felt the Heavenly Shard tremble, wondering if it was drawing the shadows. Lin Xue, noticing his tension, whispered, "Your artifact… it's tied to this, isn't it? If we escape, you tell me everything."
Li Wei nodded, but his thoughts swirled. Wang Zi had given a sliver of truth, but the Temple's Heart and the Jin Clan were a puzzle he had to solve. The System updated: Task "Prepare for the inner court tournament": 20% progress. They reached the sect's edge, where patrol lanterns lit their path. Wang Zi was their ticket to Liu's trust, but the forest shadows and the Heavenly Shard's mystery promised new trials. Li Wei knew the tournament was his goal, but the path to it was growing ever more perilous.