Secrets Beneath the Surface
The morning sun was a welcome sight as Lan Yi and Ruo Chen exited the Black Rock Caverns. The fight had drained them, but there was no time to rest. Xiao Rui, still pale but slightly recovered, rushed to meet them.
Xiao Rui
What happened? Did you stop the ritual?
( he asked, his voice shaky.)
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi nodded, tossing a smirk over his shoulder.)
Of course we did. Two mighty cultivators like us? That fragment didn’t stand a chance.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen shot him a sidelong glance.)
It wasn’t as simple as he makes it sound. The fragment was a sliver of the Black Phoenix’s spirit, but the summoning was incomplete. They’ll try again.
Xiao Rui
(Xiao Rui’s face fell.)
Then we have to warn the sects. If they succeed…
Ruo Chen (ML)
They won’t.
(Ruo Chen interrupted, his voice steady.)
We’ll stop them before it comes to that.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi raised an eyebrow.)
And how do you propose we do that, Ice Prince? We don’t even know who’s behind this mess.
Ruo Chen (ML)
Not yet.
( Ruo Chen admitted.)
But the sigils on the summoner’s body weren’t random. They were ancient symbols tied to the Phoenix Clan’s forbidden texts.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi’s smirk disappeared, replaced by a wary expression.)
Forbidden texts? What are you implying?
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen’s gaze was cold.)
Your clan has secrets, Lan Yi. Secrets that might be the key to understanding what’s happening.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi’s jaw tightened, his usual humor absent.)
Watch it, Frosty. Accusing my clan of anything without proof is a dangerous game.
Xiao Rui
(Before Ruo Chen could respond, Xiao Rui stepped between them, his hands raised.)
Stop! We don’t have time for this. If there’s even a chance the Phoenix Sect’s archives hold answers, we should go there.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi hesitated, then sighed.)
Fine. But if anyone accuses my clan without evidence, they’ll answer to me.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen inclined his head.)
Fair enough. Let’s move.
The journey to the Phoenix Sect’s stronghold was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Ruo Chen maintained his calm exterior, while Lan Yi alternated between silence and sharp quips. Xiao Rui, caught between the two, focused on keeping pace.
By the time they reached the grand gates of the Phoenix Sect, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the towering red and gold structures. The sect’s disciples moved with purpose, their crimson robes fluttering like flames.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi led the way, his demeanor shifting from casual to commanding.)
I’ll take you to the archives. But don’t touch anything without permission.
Ruo Chen (ML)
Wouldn’t dream of it.
( Ruo Chen replied, his tone neutral.)
The archives were a sprawling labyrinth of scrolls and tomes, their shelves stretching toward the ceiling. Elder Qiu was already there, his sharp eyes narrowing as Lan Yi entered with the others.
Elder Qiu
Lan Yi.
( the elder said, his tone clipped.)
What is the meaning of this? And who are these outsiders?
Lan Yi (MC)
They’re not outsiders.
( Lan Yi replied, his voice firm.)
This is Ruo Chen of the Moonlit Pavilion Sect and Xiao Rui, his disciple. We’re investigating something big, Elder.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen stepped forward, bowing respectfully.)
Elder Qiu, we believe the Black Phoenix cult is attempting to revive their leader. The sigils they used point to ancient knowledge that may be housed here.
Elder Qiu
(Elder Qiu’s expression darkened.)
The Black Phoenix… I thought we’d seen the last of them centuries ago. If what you say is true, this is grave news indeed.
Elder Qiu
(He gestured for them to follow.)
Come. There is a section of the archives that has remained sealed for generations. If the answers you seek exist, they’ll be there.
The sealed section of the archives was hidden behind an imposing stone door, etched with fiery runes. Elder Qiu placed his hand on the door, murmuring an incantation. The runes glowed briefly before the door creaked open, revealing rows of ancient scrolls.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi hesitated at the threshold, a sense of unease washing over him.)
Why do I feel like this is a bad idea?
Elder Qiu
Because it is.
( Elder Qiu admitted.)
But we have no choice.
Ruo Chen began scanning the scrolls, his sharp eyes searching for anything that matched the sigils they’d seen. Lan Yi joined him reluctantly, his fingers brushing over the worn parchment.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(After what felt like hours, Ruo Chen froze, holding up a scroll.)
Here. These sigils match the ones we saw on the summoner.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi leaned in, frowning.)
This scroll talks about a ritual to bind the Black Phoenix’s spirit to a host. But it doesn’t make sense. The Phoenix Sect never practiced demonic cultivation.
Elder Qiu
That’s not entirely true.
( Elder Qiu said quietly.)
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi turned to him, shocked.)
What are you talking about?
Elder Qiu
(Elder Qiu’s expression was pained.)
Centuries ago, a rogue faction within our sect sought to harness the power of the Black Phoenix, believing it could make us unstoppable. They were banished, and their experiments were destroyed—or so we thought.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi’s fists clenched.)
Why wasn’t I told about this?
Elder Qiu
Because it was deemed too dangerous.
( Elder Qiu said.)
Only the elders knew, and we swore to take the secret to our graves.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen’s voice cut through the tension.)
If this faction survived in some form, they may be the ones orchestrating the cult’s revival. And if they have access to this knowledge, we’re running out of time.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi’s eyes burned with anger. )
Then we stop them. Whoever they are, whatever they’re planning—they won’t succeed.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen nodded, his icy demeanor giving way to determination.)
Agreed. But we need more information. These rituals aren’t just about power—they require a specific host.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi frowned.)
A host? Why?
Ruo Chen (ML)
Because the Black Phoenix’s spirit is unstable.
( Ruo Chen explained.)
It can’t exist without a vessel strong enough to contain it. And if the host isn’t willing…
Lan Yi (MC)
It’ll tear them apart.
( Lan Yi finished, his expression grim.)
Elder Qiu
(Elder Qiu placed a hand on Lan Yi’s shoulder.)
Be careful, Lan Yi. The road ahead is dangerous, and the enemies you face may be closer than you think.
Lan Yi (MC)
(Lan Yi nodded, his resolve hardening.)
Let them come. I’m ready.
Ruo Chen (ML)
(Ruo Chen watched him, a flicker of something unreadable in his icy blue eyes.)
We’ll see.
As the group exited the archives, a shadowy figure watched from the rafters, their presence cloaked in darkness. A faint, mocking smile curled their lips.
Unknown
The Phoenix burns brighter than expected.
( they murmured.)
This will be interesting.😏
Your Author
let's meet in next chapter
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2024-11-25
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