The black claw of energy slowly dissolved, leaving only silence in the infirmary.
Dust settled. The lantern flames flickered weakly against the oppressive stillness.
Zhao Feng stumbled backward until his back hit the wall. His sword arm trembled, and for the first time in his life, fear tainted his arrogance.
"You… you're no cripple…" His voice cracked, eyes wide. "That power… that isn't human cultivation!"
Li Xian, still seated on the bloodstained bed, tilted his head and smiled. The faint crimson glow in his pupils had not yet faded.
"Correct," he said softly, his voice tinged with something dark, dangerous. "I'm no longer bound by your rules… or your heaven."
The system purred in his mind, satisfied:
> [Demonic Bloodline – Stage One Unsealed.]
[Benefits: Temporary qi restoration, intimidation aura, increased target susceptibility.]
[Drawback: Heaven's suppression intensifies. Lifespan reduced to 5 days.]
Five days now, huh? Li Xian thought grimly. Better move faster.
Zhao Feng's fear quickly curdled into rage. He pointed his blade again, though his hands shook. "Demonic cultivation is forbidden! You… you'll be executed! The elders will never allow—"
His words were cut short by the sudden thunder of footsteps outside.
The infirmary doors burst open, and two sect elders strode in, their auras heavy as mountains. Behind them trailed anxious disciples, whispering frantically.
"What happened here?!" one elder demanded, eyes sweeping over the shattered floor, the scorched walls, the lingering trace of demonic qi. His gaze landed on Li Xian, whose shirt was torn, chest heaving, bloodied but unbroken.
Li Xian raised his head slowly, letting just enough of that crimson gleam linger in his eyes to make their hearts waver.
"Nothing," he said with a crooked smile. "Just a cripple defending himself from Zhao Feng's temper."
"You liar!" Zhao Feng spat, pointing at him. "He used demonic arts! Elders, I saw it with my own eyes—"
"Enough." The second elder's tone was ice. He glanced at Su Yao, who stood stiffly to the side, her veil fluttering from the aftermath. "Saintess, you were here. Speak."
The entire room turned toward her.
Su Yao's jade-like fingers curled at her sleeve. For a long, heavy moment, she said nothing. Her eyes flickered to Li Xian, whose lips curved in a daring smile, as if whispering silently: Choose carefully.
Finally, her voice emerged, calm and even.
"…Li Xian defended himself. Zhao Feng attacked recklessly. That is all I saw."
Zhao Feng's face drained of color. "Y-Yao, you—!"
But the elders silenced him with a glare. "Enough. This will be reported to the Sect Master. Until then, Li Xian will remain confined here under guard."
They turned, sweeping out with authority, dragging Zhao Feng with them as he screamed curses. The disciples followed, murmuring, until only two figures remained in the room.
Li Xian. And Su Yao.
The silence stretched.
Her eyes, usually colder than snow, now shimmered with something unsettled. She stepped closer, her voice low, sharp, but trembling ever so slightly.
"You… what did you do just now? That power…"
Li Xian smirked, leaning back against the bedpost despite his wounds. "Are you afraid, Saintess?"
Her brows knitted. "Afraid? No. Cautious."
The system whispered:
> [Target Su Yao: Emotional conflict intensifies.]
[Affection +15%. Hidden emotion: Fascination.]
Li Xian's grin widened.
"Then keep watching," he murmured. "You'll find that the man you once threw away… is no longer someone you can ignore."
Her lips parted, just slightly, before pressing tight again.
"You're walking a path that will destroy you," she said, her voice softer now, almost warning. "Demonic cultivation, defying heaven itself—you'll bring ruin not only to yourself but to anyone near you."
Li Xian tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "And yet… you stayed to warn me."
She stiffened, caught off guard.
He leaned forward, ignoring the pain lancing through his chest, until he was close enough that she could feel the heat of his breath. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Tell me, Su Yao… is that the saintess speaking?" His gaze locked with hers, sharp, unyielding. "Or the woman who once promised to spend her life with me?"
Her breath hitched.
For the first time, she faltered—her jade-like eyes wavering, lips trembling as if words had formed but refused to leave her tongue.
The system chimed in his ear:
> [Affection +20%. Critical hesitation detected.]
[Host may initiate Seduction Gambit.]
Li Xian's heart pounded. He could almost feel the invisible strings tugging her closer, the cold mask she wore cracking piece by piece.
But before he could push further—
A bell tolled again outside.
The sound of heaven.
The system screamed:
> [Warning: Heavenly Suppression Intensifies!]
[Host's lifespan reduced to 4 days.]
Dark clouds churned above the sect, thunder rumbling. Even through the infirmary walls, the oppressive weight pressed down on them both.
Su Yao's eyes widened, her voice trembling for the first time.
"The Heavens… are watching you."
Li Xian smiled faintly, crimson light flickering in his pupils.
"Then let them watch."
The thunder roared louder, as though in response.