Chapter 17: Wang Zi's Trap.
Part 1
Li Wei and Master Huang returned to the sect, their footsteps echoing on the path leading to the herb gardens. The purple Lunar Nectar flowers, tucked in Huang's pouch, were a first step toward earning Elder Liu's trust, but Li Wei knew they weren't enough. The Heavenly Shard under his robe grew warm, as if reminding him of his secret, while the Vortex of Heavenly Light and Stellar Wind Flow scrolls weighed down his belt. The System displayed: Energy: 8%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 2, 18%. Task "Prove your worth to the sect within three days": 70% progress. One day remained until the deadline, and Wang Zi and his inner disciple ally were closer than ever.
Huang was silent, but his gaze flicked to Li Wei, as if expecting him to slip. At the gardens, he stopped, pointing to the alchemy shop. "Go," Huang said. "Prepare for tomorrow. I'll report the flowers to Liu, but if you don't bring more, your words will mean nothing. And keep your eyes open—Wang Zi isn't one to forgive."
Li Wei nodded, feeling Huang's pressure tighten his chest. He turned toward the forge, where Lin Xue was set to meet him that evening with information on Wang Zi's plans. The System highlighted: Chance of meeting Lin Xue: 80%. Chance of ambush: 30%. He knew every step now was a dance on a blade's edge.
The sect's courtyard buzzed: disciples prepared for evening training, and patrols doubled their vigilance. Li Wei spotted Chen Yu near the barracks, munching on another fruit. Seeing him, Chen Yu hurried over, glancing around. "Brother!" he whispered. "You're alive, and with Huang? Seriously? What happened in the forest?"
"The flowers worked," Li Wei replied, lowering his voice. "But Wang Zi sent Wei Long, an inner disciple. They know I was in the ruins. Lin Xue should have details on what they're planning. Heard anything?"
Chen Yu frowned, tugging at his robe. "Rumors are flying," he said. "Wang Zi was in the library, digging through old scrolls about the ruins. They say he found a map or something. And…" He hesitated, "Wei Long's not just his friend. He's from the Jin Clan, inner court. If they're teamed up, it's not just Wang Zi you need to fear."
Li Wei felt a chill. The Jin Clan? That meant resources, connections, and power he couldn't match. The System highlighted: Chance of Jin Clan interference: 35%. Recommendation: Find an ally or information on the ruins. He looked at Chen Yu. "Check the library," he said. "Find out what Wang Zi uncovered. I'll meet Lin Xue at the forge. If you learn anything, find me there."
Chen Yu nodded, his eyes full of worry. "Brother, this isn't a game anymore. If Wang Zi's with the clan, they'll crush you."
"Then I have to be faster," Li Wei snapped. He headed for the forge, feeling Wang Zi's shadow loom over him. Lin Xue was his last hope for information, but her curiosity about the shard and ruins could become a new threat. One day, one night—and Li Wei had to outpace everyone.
Part 2
Li Wei slipped toward the forge, sticking to the shadows of the barracks to avoid patrols. The sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sect's courtyard in crimson hues, and the clang of hammers from the forge drowned out his steps. The Heavenly Shard warmed his skin under his robe, and the Vortex of Heavenly Light and Stellar Wind Flow scrolls reminded him of the need to cultivate. The System showed: Energy: 10% after rest. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 2, 20%. Task "Prove your worth to the sect within three days": 70% progress. The meeting with Lin Xue was his chance to learn Wang Zi's plans, but Li Wei felt each step drew him closer to a trap.
At the forge, he spotted Lin Xue standing in the shadow of an old shed. Her jade pendant glinted faintly in the twilight, her face tense. She beckoned him, glancing around. "You're late," she whispered, her voice cold but laced with worry. "Wang Zi's not sitting idle. I found out what he's planning, but you won't like it."
Li Wei leaned against the shed's wall, his heart quickening. The System highlighted: Chance of useful information from Lin Xue: 85%. Chance of her suspecting the artifact: 70%.
"Speak," he said, striving for calm. "What's he up to?"
Lin Xue crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. "Wang Zi found an old map of the ruins in the library. It points to a hidden entrance to a temple, rumored to hold a spiritual stone. He's heading there tonight with Wei Long and Huang Jia. But that's not all." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "He knows you were in the ruins and thinks you have an artifact. Wei Long, from the Jin Clan, backs him because he wants that artifact for his clan."
Li Wei gritted his teeth, feeling the Heavenly Shard heat up. Wang Zi was closer to the truth than he'd feared, and the Jin Clan made his enemy even deadlier. He recalled the altar in the ruins and its glow—if a spiritual stone was there, it could convince Elder Liu and Huang. But going to the ruins at the same time as Wang Zi meant a fight he wasn't ready for.
"Why are you telling me this?" he asked, meeting Lin Xue's eyes. "You're risking a lot by helping me. What do you want in return?"
Lin Xue smiled, but it was cold. "I want to know what you found in the ruins. Don't lie, Li Wei. I've seen you hiding something under your robe. If it's an artifact, I won't stay quiet while you play your games."
The System highlighted: Chance of betrayal by Lin Xue: 15%. Recommendation: Reveal partial truth to maintain the alliance. Li Wei decided to tread the line. "I found a source of energy," he said, lowering his voice. "It helped me break through. But I didn't take anything that belongs to the sect. If Wang Zi reaches the ruins first, he'll use the stone against me. Help me beat him there, and I'll share what I find."
Lin Xue studied him for long seconds, then nodded. "Fine. But I'm coming with you. And if you deceive me, I'll hand you to Wang Zi myself."
Li Wei exhaled, knowing he had no choice. The night in the ruins would be his last chance to prove his worth to the sect—or lose everything. He knew Wang Zi and Wei Long wouldn't stop, and Lin Xue was now too close to his secret.
Part 3
Li Wei and Lin Xue stood in the shed's shadow by the forge, their voices drowned by the hammers' clanging. The twilight sky darkened, and the sect's courtyard quieted, but the tension between them grew. The Heavenly Shard under Li Wei's robe pulsed, as if sensing the perilous night ahead. The System showed: Energy: 10%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 2, 20%. Task "Prove your worth to the sect within three days": 75% progress. Wang Zi and Wei Long were preparing for the ruins, and Li Wei knew beating them there was his only shot.
Lin Xue crossed her arms, her gaze firm. "If we're going to the ruins, we need to prepare," she said. "There are beasts, traps, and now Wang Zi with Wei Long. Do you have a plan, or are you just banking on luck?"
Li Wei clenched his jaw, her words hitting his weak spots. He had no solid plan, but he recalled the altar and its mechanisms. If Wang Zi's map pointed to a hidden entrance, Li Wei could use his knowledge of the ruins to reach the spiritual stone first. The System highlighted: Chance of success in the ruins: 45%. Recommendation: Restore energy before the trip.
"I have a plan," he replied, striving for confidence. "I know how the altar works. If we reach it first, I can activate the mechanism. But I need at least an hour to restore energy. Is there a place to cultivate?"
Lin Xue thought, her fingers tapping her sword's hilt. "The small training hall is empty now," she said. "But patrols might show up. If you want to risk it, I'll keep watch. But know this, Li Wei—I'm not fighting for you if Wang Zi finds us."
"Fair enough," Li Wei nodded. He understood her help was a deal, not friendship. They moved to the hall, avoiding lit paths to dodge patrols. Night fell over the sect, and stars began to twinkle, reminding Li Wei of the Heavenly Shard's glow.
The hall was dark, with only faint moonlight filtering through the windows. Lin Xue took position by the door, and Li Wei sat on the floor, pulling out the Vortex of Heavenly Light scroll and the shard. He began breathing, channeling the artifact's warmth into the vortex. Energy slowly rose: Energy: 15%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 50%. He felt the attack grow stronger, but the Stage 2 barrier was still far off.
Half an hour later, Lin Xue whispered, "Li Wei, light. Someone's coming to the hall."
He opened his eyes, hiding the shard. The System highlighted: Chance of detection: 40%. Recommendation: Prepare for escape. Through the window, he saw a figure with a lantern—Huang Jia, Wang Zi's spy. Li Wei clenched his fists. If Huang Jia reported their presence, Wang Zi could set an ambush now. He looked at Lin Xue. "Can you distract him?" he whispered. "I need a bit more time."
Lin Xue frowned but nodded. "Hurry. If this is a trap, I'm not bailing you out."
She slipped out, and Li Wei returned to cultivation, knowing every second counted. The night in the ruins was near, and he had to be ready—or Wang Zi would crush him for good.
Part 4
Li Wei focused on his breathing, channeling the Heavenly Shard's warmth into the Vortex of Heavenly Light's vortex. The small training hall was cloaked in silence, broken only by the creak of floorboards in the wind. His energy slowly recovered: Energy: 18%. Cultivation progress: Mortal Realm, Stage 2, 22%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 55%. The scroll before him trembled with faint spiritual energy, but each breath brought him closer to readiness for the ruins. Yet the shadow of Huang Jia, spotted by Lin Xue, reminded him that Wang Zi wasn't idle.
Outside, Lin Xue's voice rang out, cold and commanding: "Huang Jia, what are you doing here? Night patrols aren't your job."
Li Wei tensed, listening. Huang Jia replied, his tone irritated: "Lin Xue, stay out of it. Wang Zi ordered me to check the hall. Li Wei's around here, and I'll find him."
The System highlighted: Chance of detection: 50%. Recommendation: Finish cultivation or prepare to flee. Li Wei gritted his teeth, knowing Lin Xue couldn't hold Huang Jia long. He sped up his breathing, risking vortex instability to gain more energy. The System updated: Energy: 20%. "Vortex of Heavenly Light" technique: 60%.
Lin Xue kept arguing, her voice growing louder, as if deliberately stalling. But then Li Wei heard footsteps—heavy, confident, unlike Huang Jia's. The System blared: Anomaly detected: Wang Zi's aura. Chance of combat: 70%. The hall's door crashed open, and Wang Zi stepped in, his eyes glinting as they found Li Wei. Behind him stood Huang Jia, grinning like a hyena.
"Li Wei," Wang Zi growled, his fists glowing with the golden light of Iron Fist. "Thought you could hide? Hand over the artifact, or I'll smear you across the walls."
Lin Xue rushed in, her sword ready, but she froze, assessing the situation. Li Wei stood, hiding the shard and scroll under his robe. His energy was too low for a full fight, but Vortex of Heavenly Light could offer a chance. The System highlighted: Chance of survival: 25%. Recommendation: Use Lin Xue for distraction.
"Wang Zi," Li Wei said, buying time, "you're breaking sect rules. Elder Liu will know you attacked without proof."
Wang Zi laughed, his aura surging like a storm. "Proof? Your lies don't matter. Lin Xue, step aside, or you'll regret it."
Lin Xue gripped her sword, her gaze darting to Li Wei, demanding a decision. Li Wei clutched the shard, channeling its power into the vortex. He nodded to Lin Xue, whispering, "Distract him. Give me a second."
She lunged, her sword flashing toward Wang Zi's shoulder. He dodged, but it gave Li Wei a moment. He unleashed Vortex of Heavenly Light, a swirling wave lashing the hall, knocking Huang Jia into the wall. Wang Zi turned, his fist flying at Li Wei, who barely dodged with Wind Step. Energy dropped to 15%, and Li Wei realized this was a fight he couldn't win without a miracle.
Part 5
Li Wei leapt back from Wang Zi's strike, feeling the floor shudder under the force of Iron Fist. The golden glow of Wang Zi's fist left a dent in the small training hall's wall, and his Mortal Realm, Stage 5 aura filled the room, pressing down on Li Wei. Lin Xue attacked from the side, her sword slicing the air, but Wang Zi swatted it away like an annoying fly. Huang Jia, thrown by Vortex of Heavenly Light, staggered up, coughing, his club glowing with energy. The System screamed: Energy: 12%. Chance of survival: 20%. Task "Prove your worth to the sect within three days": 80% progress.
Li Wei gripped the Heavenly Shard, its warmth the only thing staving off despair. Lin Xue shouted, dodging Wang Zi's counterattack, "Li Wei, run! I can't hold him long!"
But Li Wei knew running wouldn't save him—Wang Zi wouldn't stop until he had the shard. He recalled the ruins and their mechanisms. If he could lure Wang Zi there, the altar or traps might give him an edge. The System highlighted: Recommendation: Use "Vortex of Heavenly Light" for distraction and flee to the ruins.
"Lin Xue, keep him busy!" Li Wei shouted, channeling his remaining energy into a new vortex. He unleashed a wave, amplified by the shard, forcing Wang Zi to step back. Huang Jia lunged at Li Wei, but Lin Xue intercepted, her sword drawing a bloody line across his arm. Li Wei's energy plummeted to 8%, but he dashed to the window, smashing through the wooden grate.
"You're not escaping!" Wang Zi roared, charging after him. His fist grazed Li Wei's back as he leapt outside, landing in the grass. Lin Xue shouted something, but Li Wei was already sprinting toward the forest, where the ruins awaited like a final hope. The System updated: Chance of escape: 50%.
Night cloaked the courtyard, and stars lit the path to the ruins. Li Wei heard Wang Zi's footsteps behind him—faster, his aura rising like a storm. Li Wei clutched the shard, knowing the ruins were both a chance and a trap. If Wang Zi and Wei Long were already there, he faced a fight he wasn't ready for. But retreat was no longer an option.
He burst into the forest, branches whipping his face, the ruins looming ahead—moss-covered columns and the altar where he'd found the shard. The System highlighted: Chance of activating the altar: 40%. Recommendation: Use the shard for amplification. Li Wei raced to the altar, hoping his energy and knowledge of the mechanism would give him an edge. But Wang Zi's voice rang out, cold and triumphant: "It's over, Li Wei. The artifact is mine."
Li Wei turned, seeing Wang Zi emerge from the shadows, followed by Wei Long, whose Spiritual Realm aura made the air tremble. Lin Xue, it seemed, had stayed behind, and Li Wei realized he now faced two alone. The final day before Elder Liu's deadline had begun, and the ruins were his last battlefield.