Chapter 17 – The Dark Catalyst
The forest outside the ruins was calm, but the air around Leon Jian thrummed with tension. The black orb pulsed faintly in his hands, veins of crimson energy winding across its surface. The Celestial Jade reacted instantly, golden light flaring in warning.
"This isn't just an artifact," Leon murmured, feeling the strange energy tug at his mind. "It's… alive. Dangerous, but alive."
Mei Lin stepped forward, her sword lowered but ready. "We need to understand it before we use it. One wrong move, and it could overwhelm us—or worse."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "I've seen sect artifacts before. They amplify power, but they corrupt the user if not handled carefully. You need to focus, Leon. Control is everything."
Leon took a deep breath, letting the jade's warmth flow through him, guiding him. Slowly, he began to synchronize his energy with the orb, feeling the pulses of dark power respond to his golden light. It was like walking a razor's edge—one misstep, and the orb could consume him.
At first, small sparks of crimson and gold danced along his arms, intertwining without breaking apart. His heartbeat synced with the rhythms of the orb, the Celestial Jade counterbalancing the dark currents.
"Good… good," Leon whispered to himself, eyes glowing faintly. "Control… merge… not dominate."
But the orb resisted. Tendrils of dark energy lashed at his mind, whispering temptations: strength beyond imagination, vengeance beyond restraint, power that could destroy anyone who opposed him. Leon's teeth gritted. "I… will not let it control me!"
The Celestial Jade flared, golden light surging through his body and repelling the seductive pull. The orb shuddered, its crimson veins pulsating violently, but Leon held his ground.
Mei Lin placed a hand on his shoulder. "Focus, Leon. Let the jade guide, let your mind guide—don't let the darkness tempt you."
Kael kept watch, arrows ready, scanning the forest for threats. "We hold him steady. You've got this."
After tense moments, the orb finally stabilized, floating slightly above Leon's palm, now pulsating in harmony with the jade. A faint hum filled the clearing—an unstable but powerful resonance. Leon felt the rush of power, far greater than anything he had experienced before, but controlled, like riding a wild storm rather than being swept away by it.
"I can feel it," Leon said, awe mixed with determination. "I can control it… at least for now. With the jade, I can harness it without losing myself."
Mei Lin nodded, her expression serious. "Then we use it wisely. This changes everything—Eldric won't see us coming if we master this properly."
Kael exhaled slowly, tension leaving his shoulders. "We need to train with it—test it, learn its limits. One miscalculation, and it could consume even Leon's strength."
Leon lifted his gaze to the horizon, golden light mixing with faint crimson pulses. "Then we train. We prepare. Eldric, the sect, and anyone who stands in my way… they will regret underestimating me."
The forest around them seemed to respond, shadows retreating slightly in the presence of Leon's glowing aura. The reborn cultivator had taken another crucial step, embracing power that was as dangerous as it was necessary.
The path ahead had grown darker, yet more promising. With the Celestial Jade and the dark orb now in harmony, Leon Jian was no longer merely a survivor—he was a force to be reckoned with.