Chapter 20 – Shadows Within
The sun had barely risen over the sect when Kai convened with his women in a secluded garden behind the training halls. The courtyard was quiet, the scent of jasmine faint in the air.
Kai's expression was serious, his gaze sweeping over Mei Lin, Lian Hua, Princess Yue, and Su Xinyi.
"The Blight is here," he said bluntly. "I can feel it in the energy of the sect, and during the tribunal, the formation we used was slightly corrupted. Someone within the sect is already influenced."
Lian Hua leaned casually against a tree, twirling a dagger in her hand. "So, we play hide-and-seek with evil cultivators. Sounds fun. What's the plan, genius?"
Kai frowned. "This isn't a game. The infiltrator could be anywhere. In the training halls, in the kitchens, even in the council. And they may already be planting seeds to corrupt others."
Mei Lin's voice was sharp. "Then we must act quickly. But careful. If we move openly, the infiltrator will know we suspect them."
Princess Yue stepped closer. "We should start by narrowing down who has been acting strangely in recent days. Observing their qi signatures may help."
Su Xinyi's gaze drifted to the flowers swaying in the morning breeze. "I can sense faint disturbances among the younger disciples, but it's weak. The corruption must be subtle… like a shadow within light."
Kai nodded. "Good. We'll split into teams and observe discreetly. But no one acts alone. Lian Hua, you and I will check the training grounds and archives. Mei Lin, Yue, and Xinyi, check the inner halls and kitchens. Report anything unusual."
Lian Hua grinned. "Finally, a mission worthy of my talents."
Mei Lin's eyes were icy. "Don't underestimate this, Lian Hua. If we fail, the consequences won't be small."
Kai's lips curved into a faint smile. "I know. That's why I'm counting on all of you."
Investigating the Training Grounds
Kai and Lian Hua moved through the early-morning mist, their steps silent as shadows. The training grounds were empty, except for a few disciples sparring under the watchful eyes of junior instructors.
Kai closed his eyes and focused, allowing the System to scan the qi around him.
[System Alert: Corruption Detection Mode Activated.]
[Area Scan: Training Grounds – Slight Disturbance Detected.]
He opened his eyes, spotting a young disciple adjusting his sword. The boy's qi flickered, but Kai's enhanced senses picked up faint traces of black energy—the Blight's signature.
Lian Hua noticed him staring. "Who is it?"
Kai whispered, pointing subtly. "That one. Watch closely."
The boy swung his sword carelessly, and Kai noticed the flicker again. The corruption wasn't overt—yet. But it was enough for the System to mark him.
[System Prompt: Corruption Suspected – Monitor Further.]
Lian Hua smirked. "So he's our little shadow. What's the plan? Jump out and chop him up?"
Kai shook his head. "No. That would alert others. We need evidence and patience."
They observed silently, noting every movement, every small quiver of the disciple's qi.
Meanwhile, the Inner Halls
Mei Lin, Princess Yue, and Su Xinyi moved through the inner halls with equal caution. They passed the kitchens, libraries, and meditation chambers. Su Xinyi's eyes scanned the air, sensing faint disturbances.
"There," she whispered, pointing toward the library.
A scholar bent over ancient scrolls. His qi was subtle, unassuming—but Su Xinyi felt the pull of black energy weaving around him.
Mei Lin's eyes narrowed. "He's hiding something. Approach cautiously."
Princess Yue stepped forward, her voice firm. "Excuse me, scholar. May we see the scrolls you were studying?"
The scholar looked up, startled. "Yes… of course. I—"
Before he could finish, a shadow passed through the hall. The lights flickered, and a faint chill ran down their spines.
"Something's not right," Mei Lin muttered.
Su Xinyi clenched her fists. "It's the Blight. It's stronger than we thought."
A Suspicious Encounter
Meanwhile, Kai and Lian Hua had continued monitoring the young disciple. Finally, the boy paused, crouching near a hidden passage. Black qi seeped from his fingertips as he whispered incomprehensible words.
Kai tensed. "That's our culprit."
Lian Hua's grin returned, sharper than ever. "Then let's see how he reacts to a little surprise."
Kai nodded, and they approached silently. As they got closer, the boy sensed them and spun around, his eyes glowing faintly with corrupted energy.
"You… you shouldn't be here!" he shouted, the black energy flaring.
Kai drew Moonshadow. "Step away. You're endangering the sect."
The boy laughed, dark and hollow. "The sect? Ha! It will all belong to the Blight soon. You cannot stop it!"
Lian Hua twirled her daggers with deadly precision. "Try me."
First Battle with the Infiltrator
The boy lunged, the black qi forming jagged claws in the air. Kai moved faster than the eye could see, Moonshadow slicing through the corrupt energy. The clash of forces sent sparks flying.
[System Alert: Combat Mode Activated – Emotional Support Bonus Detected.]
[Mei Lin, Lian Hua, Yue, Su Xinyi – Standing Nearby. Bond Resonance +15% Power Boost.]
Kai could feel their presence strengthening him. His qi flowed seamlessly with theirs, giving him precision, speed, and power beyond his normal limits.
The boy's attacks were relentless, each strike infused with the Blight's corruption. Yet Kai's sword moved like flowing water, intercepting and dispersing the energy.
Lian Hua darted in from the side, her daggers cutting through tendrils of black qi, forcing the boy back.
"Your Blight isn't welcome here!" she shouted, slashing again.
The boy's grin twisted. "You cannot stop the inevitable! The Cosmic Blight will rise!"
Kai's eyes narrowed. I won't let that happen—not while they're at my side.
With a surge of Shared Qi Flow, Kai extended his energy outward. Light mingled with shadow, forming a barrier that contained the boy's corruption.
[System Update: Bond Resonance Level 2 – Shared Qi Flow Enhanced. New Skill: Purifying Strike.]
Kai gritted his teeth, channeling the system's power into his sword. "This ends now!"
He thrust Moonshadow forward. The blade cut through the black energy, striking the boy squarely in the chest.
The boy screamed as the corruption dissipated, leaving him weakened and trembling. Kai's sword hovered just above him.
"Yield," Kai said calmly. "Your master won't save you. You've been caught."
The boy sank to his knees, fear overtaking his arrogance. "I… I… belong to something greater…"
Kai shook his head. "Not while I'm here."
Reunited and Stronger
Moments later, Mei Lin, Princess Yue, and Su Xinyi arrived. They assessed the boy's condition.
Mei Lin's voice was cold. "He's contaminated, but alive. We can cleanse him, but we must act quickly."
Princess Yue nodded. "Leave him to me. The purification can begin at dawn."
Su Xinyi looked at Kai. "Your strength… it has grown even more since last night."
Kai smiled faintly. "It's all thanks to you. Your presence, your trust—it gives me the power to fight."
Lian Hua leaned casually against a wall. "And don't forget me. I'm not just here for decoration."
Kai laughed softly. "Never."
The tension in the garden eased, but a shadow lingered. The boy had been only a pawn. The Cosmic Blight's presence within the sect remained a threat.
Kai's thoughts hardened. If the Blight has sent one, it has sent more. I must find them before it's too late.
[System Update: Quest Progress – Shadows in the Sect: 15% Complete.]
[Reward Pending: 10,000 Desire Points, +1 Cultivation Rank, Advanced Bond Skills.]
The women gathered close around him, their bonds strengthened not just by shared battles, but by trust, care, and growing intimacy.
Kai's chest swelled with determination. "We've only just begun. But together… no shadow can defeat us."
In the distance, a faint black ripple shimmered in the air. The Blight was watching. And the game had only begun.