Chapter 37: The Crimson Reckoning
The Misty Forest stretched across Dawnriver's rugged outskirts, its ancient trees cloaked in a dense, swirling mist that hung heavy with the earthy scent of moss and the faint, metallic tang of qi lingering from past skirmishes. The morning light filtered weakly through the canopy, casting a ghostly glow across the forest floor where Lin Xuan moved with cautious intent, his crimson eyes sharp and focused, reflecting the steady strength of his 5th Layer Qi Transformation. The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed with a quiet rhythm, a subtle anchor as he tracked a Bloodshade-Hei patrol—three cultivators radiating 6th Layer Qi Transformation auras, their crimson and black robes blending seamlessly with the fog, their qi blades humming with the dark energy of curse-infused steel. Their presence was a challenge, a spark of curiosity about his blood arts that Lin Xuan intended to snuff out with precision.
He struck first, his Crimson Lance Burst unleashing a volley of crystallized blood spikes that tore through the mist, piercing the lead cultivator's shoulder with a wet thud, a spray of blood staining the air. The patrol responded with a ferocious qi storm, its force splintering nearby branches with a sharp crack, but Lin Xuan countered with Internal Fracture Wave, the shockwave from his crystal veins rippling outward, repelling the assault and cracking the earth beneath his feet. Liu Yue emerged from the shadows, her raven hair swaying gently in the breeze, her Icy Skin chilling the air as icy spikes shot forth, embedding in a second cultivator's leg with a crystalline flash, her snowflake mark glowing softly on her palm. Liu Yang followed, his blood-forged sword arcing through the mist, its crimson edge slashing the third cultivator's arm, a spray of blood joining the chaos, his 7th Layer Body Refining qi pulsing in sync with their teamwork—a fluid dance of ice and blood.
The patrol fought back with desperate ferocity, their qi blades clashing against Lin Xuan's defenses, the impacts reverberating through his Vein Fortress Body, his blood armor glowing a deep red as it absorbed the blows. He pressed forward, Starlit Void Fist landing a solid strike on the lead cultivator's chest, the celestial energy shattering his guard, followed by another Crimson Lance Burst that drove spikes into his thigh. The patrol's resolve broke, their wounded forms retreating into the mist, their curses fading into the distance as their dark qi dissipated. Lin Xuan seized the moment, planting forged trade notes linking Bloodshade to Ironfang into their robes, the evidence a calculated move to escalate Royal Court scrutiny, the kingdom's attention shifting toward the abyss.
Back at the inn, the wooden room offered a haven of calm, its walls adorned with faded tapestries that whispered of history, the air carrying a gentle herbal scent from Lin Xuan's recent work. He sat cross-legged, the quiet focus of refining a pill drawing his attention, the Celestial Unity Crest guiding the evolution of his Blood Crystal Core as his qi edged closer to the 6th Layer. The process was taxing, his blood resonating with a faint red glow beneath his skin, a testament to the strain and progress. Liu Yue and Liu Yang joined him, her moonlight eyes shining with quiet pride, his blood sword now sharper, their synergy a silent strength that filled the space.
The day stretched on with Lin Xuan plotting to expose the Wudu Clan's role, his network expanding through the hum of spiritual echo stones. "Junior Sister, the reckoning nears," he said, his voice low and edged with a taunt for those who would dare challenge them. The inn's stillness wrapped around them, a sanctuary holding the promise of battles yet to unfold, the crimson flame of their resolve burning steadily.