Chapter 25 – The Ruins of Dawnspire
The wind carried the scent of thawing snow and wildflowers as Kai and his companions left the Frozen Valley behind.
The land was changing — as though Saintess Ruyin's release had rippled through the world itself. Frost melted into running rivers, and birds once thought extinct now filled the skies.
But amidst the renewal, the System's voice spoke with quiet urgency.
[New Quest Activated: Path to the Blight Lord – Stage 1.]
[Objective: Retrieve the "Divine Catalyst" hidden in the Ruins of Dawnspire.]
[Warning: Hostile energy detected ahead.]
Kai looked toward the horizon. A faint golden beam rose from the distant mountains, piercing the clouds. It pulsed rhythmically — like the beating of a heart.
"That's our next destination," he said softly.
Lian Hua adjusted her dual blades. "A divine catalyst sounds useful. Maybe it'll make you slightly less likely to die."
Mei Lin smirked. "Maybe it'll make you less reckless."
Princess Yue spread the map across a rock. "Dawnspire was once the capital of an ancient sect that worshipped celestial dragons. They disappeared thousands of years ago."
Su Xinyi leaned closer. "So it's probably full of traps and spirits."
Kai smiled faintly. "Then it's perfect for us."
Journey to the Dawnspire Mountains
The group traveled for two days through thick forests and broken ruins. Strange creatures lurked in the shadows — remnants of the Blight's corruption.
At one point, a corrupted spirit beast — a massive frost wolf — ambushed them. Its fur was black as ink, and its eyes burned red.
Kai drew Moonshadow in one swift motion. "Together!"
Mei Lin leapt forward, her hands igniting in golden flame. "Blazing Lotus!"
The explosion seared through the forest, momentarily blinding the wolf. Lian Hua dashed up its back, her blades flashing. "Piercing Crescent!"
The beast roared, throwing her off balance. Kai intercepted, slashing through its neck with a single strike. The wolf disintegrated into shadow.
Su Xinyi let out a shaky breath. "That thing was powerful. If that was just a corrupted beast…"
Princess Yue's expression hardened. "Then the Blight's reach is spreading faster than we thought."
Kai sheathed his sword. "Then we move faster too."
Arrival at the Ruins
By sunset of the third day, they reached the Ruins of Dawnspire.
The mountain was massive, its peak covered in mist. But at its base lay the ruins — enormous stone halls carved with dragon motifs, pillars half-buried in moss, and cracked statues of long-forgotten gods.
Yet, even in ruin, there was beauty. The faint glow of ancient qi flowed through the air, like remnants of divine power refusing to fade.
[System Notice: Divine Residue Detected – High Energy Concentration Ahead.]
Kai felt it too — a pulse that resonated deep within his core.
Lian Hua exhaled. "Feels like walking through a god's tomb."
Princess Yue ran her hand along a carved wall. "These markings speak of a weapon — the Divine Catalyst — said to awaken heaven's will itself."
Su Xinyi blinked. "A weapon that can awaken heaven's will? Isn't that too much power for anyone?"
Mei Lin's tone softened. "Maybe that's why it was sealed away."
Kai looked up toward the main temple entrance. Its doors were intact — two enormous slabs of dragon-carved stone. He stepped forward.
"The only way to know is to open it."
The Sealed Temple
As soon as Kai placed his palm on the door, the carvings began to glow. Runes spread across the stone, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
[Energy Resonance Detected.]
[Identity Confirmed: Reincarnated of Desire – Access Granted.]
The temple doors groaned open, revealing a vast chamber filled with light.
Inside, the floor was inscribed with intricate circles — an ancient formation of power. At the center floated a crystal spear, suspended in golden light. The weapon radiated an aura of both holiness and danger.
But before Kai could step forward, a sudden voice echoed from the shadows.
"Stop right there."
The Rival Appears
A woman stepped out from behind one of the broken pillars.
She was tall, her posture confident, her long crimson hair flowing behind her. Her eyes were sharp, burning with intensity. She wore a black-and-gold cultivator's robe with the sigil of the Scarlet Phoenix Sect.
Her presence was commanding — and dangerous.
Kai instinctively raised his guard. "Who are you?"
The woman's lips curved in a faint smile. "You can call me Ling Xi. I'm here for the same thing you are — the Divine Catalyst."
Lian Hua frowned. "Scarlet Phoenix Sect? You people are known for burning entire villages in your 'training exercises.'"
Ling Xi's smirk didn't fade. "And you're known for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
Kai stepped between them. "Let's skip the insults. You want the weapon — why?"
Ling Xi tilted her head. "Because my sect believes the Blight can't be stopped — only replaced. The Divine Catalyst can reshape the world's energy flow. With it, we can erase the Blight by erasing the world's qi and starting anew."
Mei Lin's expression darkened. "You'd destroy everything to start over?"
"Destruction brings purity," Ling Xi said calmly. "That's the path my master believes in. And I obey."
Kai met her gaze steadily. "Then I can't let you have it."
The Duel of Flames and Shadows
The temperature in the room dropped instantly as both unleashed their auras.
Ling Xi's qi blazed crimson, twisting around her like fire given form. Kai's energy flared gold and silver, radiating calm intensity.
[System Alert: Combat Initiated – High Threat Detected.]
Without a word, Ling Xi attacked. Her blade, Crimson Vow, sliced through the air, leaving trails of phoenix fire.
Kai blocked with Moonshadow, sparks flying as steel met steel.
"Fast," she said, smiling. "You're not bad."
"You'll find I'm full of surprises."
He countered with a spinning slash. Ling Xi parried effortlessly, her movements graceful but fierce. Each strike released waves of fire that cracked the floor beneath them.
Lian Hua tried to step forward, but Kai raised a hand. "Stay back. This is between us."
Ling Xi's eyes flashed. "You think you can win alone?"
Kai smiled. "No. But I can try."
The Turning Point
The duel raged across the temple. Flames and golden light clashed, filling the air with shockwaves.
But as they fought, something strange happened — their qi began to resonate.
[Energy Compatibility: 78%. Potential Dual Channel Detected.]
Kai froze for a moment. Dual channel? With her?
Ling Xi's expression faltered slightly too. "What… what is this?"
Their swords locked. For a brief second, both felt each other's energy pulsing through the connection — wild, burning, but also harmonizing.
Then they jumped apart, breathing heavily.
Kai stared at her. "Your qi… it's similar to mine."
Ling Xi looked down at her blade, confusion flashing in her eyes. "No one's qi has ever synchronized with mine before."
The System hummed quietly.
[Potential Bond Candidate Detected: Ling Xi – Affinity Type: Phoenix Flame.]
Kai's expression tightened. "So that's how it is."
But before he could say more, the temple itself began to shake. The Divine Catalyst pulsed violently, reacting to their combined energies.
[Warning: Artifact Overload Detected.]
The crystal spear exploded into light.
The Awakening of the Divine Catalyst
A massive surge of qi burst outward, throwing everyone off balance. The temple walls cracked, ancient runes flaring to life.
From within the light, a voice spoke — deep and ancient.
"Children of desire and fire… your wills are bound by fate."
Kai gritted his teeth, shielding his eyes. "What is this?"
"The Catalyst… it's sentient," Princess Yue whispered.
The voice continued. "To wield me, two souls must unite — balance and flame, light and chaos. One alone will be consumed."
Ling Xi's eyes widened. "It's… a dual relic. It requires two wielders."
Kai looked at her. "You and me."
She hesitated. "If we do this, our qi will intertwine permanently. Are you ready to share your soul with your enemy?"
Kai smirked faintly. "You're not my enemy. You're just someone I need to understand."
Without waiting for an answer, he stepped forward and grasped the Catalyst. Ling Xi did the same.
The world exploded in light.
The Catalyst Bond
Images flashed through Kai's mind — memories that weren't his. Flames, destruction, a young Ling Xi kneeling before a dying master.
"Power is purity, child," the master's voice echoed. "Never let emotion cloud your purpose."
Then another voice — Kai's own, from his past life. "Emotion is what makes us human."
The two voices merged.
Their qi intertwined, forming a brilliant vortex of gold and crimson.
[Dual Resonance Detected: Kai + Ling Xi.]
[Divine Catalyst Bond – Initiated.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Phoenix Harmony Strike.]
The explosion of light faded. The Catalyst hovered between them, now a single spear of glowing energy — half red, half gold.
Ling Xi stepped back, breathing hard. "We're… linked now. Our qi channels are connected."
Kai nodded. "Then we make use of it. Together."
The Blight's Ambush
But peace didn't last. The ground split open, and black mist poured from below.
Dozens of corrupted spirits emerged, their bodies twisted and grotesque. At their center stood a cloaked figure — a Blight Warden, one of the Blight Lord's lieutenants.
"So," it hissed. "The Reincarnated and the Phoenix child. How perfect."
Kai raised the Catalyst, now glowing fiercely. "Looks like we get to test this new bond."
Ling Xi smirked. "Try to keep up."
They charged together — flame and light weaving in unison. The spear pulsed as they struck in harmony, unleashing a devastating beam that vaporized half the spirits instantly.
[Skill Activated: Phoenix Harmony Strike.]
The Warden screamed, retreating into the shadows. "You may have power, mortal — but the Blight grows with every breath you take!"
It vanished, leaving behind a dark sigil burned into the floor.
Kai looked at the mark, frowning. "They're watching us."
Ling Xi lowered her weapon. "Then let them watch. They'll see what happens when fire and light stand together."
Tension and Trust
When the battle ended, the temple was quiet again. The Catalyst floated gently, now bound to Kai and Ling Xi both.
Lian Hua crossed her arms. "So… she's joining us now?"
Ling Xi smirked. "Don't sound so excited."
Mei Lin sighed softly. "We'll need all the strength we can get. Even if it comes from rivals."
Princess Yue looked thoughtful. "The System's prophecy said Kai's power grows through connection. Maybe Ling Xi is meant to be part of that destiny."
Kai met Ling Xi's eyes. For the first time, her gaze wasn't hostile — only curious.
"I don't trust easily," she said.
"Neither do I," he replied. "But maybe trust can start somewhere."
For a long moment, they stood in silence — the faint glow of the Catalyst flickering between them like a heartbeat shared by two souls.
Far Away – The Blight Lord Watches
In his dark throne room, the Blight Lord watched through a pool of black liquid.
"So… the boy has found his opposite. Desire and flame united."
He smiled thinly. "Perfect. The brighter the fire, the darker the shadow that consumes it."