Chapter 45: The Betrayer's Flame
The Xun Clan Pagoda loomed like a silent monolith against the velvet night sky, its stone spires piercing the darkness, the air thick with the musky scent of incense and the subtle, electric hum of qi traps woven into its ancient walls. Lin Xuan and Liu Yang, his 8th Layer Body Refining qi a steady presence, slipped inside with practiced stealth, their footsteps muffled on the cold, polished stone floor, the tension between them a palpable thread. The dim light cast long shadows, revealing Ironfang runes etched into the walls, their dark energy pulsing with a menacing rhythm that made Lin Xuan's skin prickle with unease. "These runes… they're alive with something sinister," he whispered, his crimson eyes narrowing as he traced a finger along one, its faint glow responding to his touch like a predator stirring. Liu Yang gripped his blood-forged glaive tighter, his voice a hushed growl. "This place gives me chills, Senior Brother—let's make it quick."
Back at the inn, Liu Yue, now at the 2nd Layer Qi Transformation, leaned against the wooden counter, her moonlight eyes clouded with worry as she relayed troubling news. "The Prime Minister's been sniffing around—asking questions about the Xun Clan. He's suspicious, and that's bad news for us," she said, her snowflake mark pulsing faintly, a subtle echo of her unease. Her raven hair swayed as she turned to stoke the fire, the crackle of logs a stark contrast to the tension in her voice. Lin Xuan's mind raced with the implications, but his focus remained on the Pagoda, where the air grew heavier with each step.
Inside, the duo navigated a labyrinth of corridors, the runes growing denser, their energy tugging at Lin Xuan's Crimson Blood Crystallization Art with an unsettling familiarity. He paused at a hidden chamber, its door creaking open to reveal a cache of documents and a strange, rune-etched staff—evidence of Ironfang's influence. "This confirms it—they're deeper in than we thought," he muttered, his voice low as he pocketed a scroll, the parchment crackling under his fingers. Liu Yang stood watch, his young face set with determination, his glaive ready. "If they catch us, we're done," he said, his tone edged with nerves, the weight of their mission pressing down.
As they prepared to leave, Lin Xuan activated Crimson Vein Suppression, a subtle weave of qi that disrupted the staff's energy matrix. The backlash was immediate—a sharp explosion rocked the chamber, shards of wood and metal flying as the staff's power unraveled, the sound echoing through the Pagoda like a thunderclap. "What the—?" Liu Yang ducked, his voice rising in alarm, while Lin Xuan steadied himself, his crimson eyes glinting with satisfaction. "That'll throw a wrench in their plans," he said, brushing dust from his robes, the air thick with the scent of singed wood.
In the Ji Clan palace, Ji Yunjing, now at the early 3rd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm, convened with his advisors, the marble halls gleaming under torchlight, the air heavy with the scent of incense. He slammed a fist on the table, his silk robes rustling with the motion. "An audit—now. I won't let this corruption fester under my watch," he declared, his voice carrying a newfound authority, though a flicker of doubt shadowed his eyes. Elder Gao Feng nodded, his 3rd Layer Qi Transformation aura a steady presence. "A wise move, Your Highness. We'll uncover the truth," he said, his tone reassuring, though his gaze lingered on Ji Yunjing with concern.
In the Bai Clan halls, Bai Ningxue worked with her Veilmoon Sect allies, her 5th Layer Qi Transformation aura a gentle glow as she forged sealing arrays, her Thousand Lotus Seal Art shimmering with delicate precision. "These should lock down any lingering traces," she said, wiping sweat from her brow, her spirited laugh breaking the tension as she glanced at Lin Xuan. "You've stirred up a hornet's nest again, haven't you?" she teased, her bright eyes meeting his. Lin Xuan chuckled softly, settling into a corner to refine a pill, the herbal scent filling the air as his hands moved with practiced care. "Just keeping things interesting," he replied, his voice warm but focused, the process a quiet solace amidst the storm. "This'll bolster our strength—clear the mind, steady the body."
The Pagoda's ruins smoldered in the distance, the night air thick with the aftermath, Liu Yang wiping sweat from his brow as he muttered, "That was too close for comfort." Lin Xuan nodded, his thoughts turning to the broader threat. "Xun's not working alone—we need to dig deeper, find who's pulling the strings." The Bai Clan halls offered a brief respite, the clink of vials and the soft hum of qi a backdrop to their growing resolve, the betrayer's flame a flickering warning of the battles yet to come.