Chapter 18: The Echo of Power
The cold energy settled in Lin Xuan's palm like a shard of ice, sending chills racing up his arm. He clenched his fist, feeling the strange power pulse softly within him. The grove around him seemed quieter now, as though the world itself was holding its breath. The woman's final words echoed in his mind.
"Do not let ambition blind you… as it did me."
A mixture of determination and unease settled in his chest. He hadn't sought this power, but now that it was his, he couldn't let it go to waste. Whatever fate had planned for him, he would face it head-on.
He turned and made his way back through the grove, the shadows of the ancient oaks parting reluctantly. The cold energy in his palm faded slightly, but a faint, lingering pulse remained, like a whisper of potential waiting to be unlocked. The silver spindle on his wrist hummed in response, the threads of fate vibrating with new intensity.
When he stepped out of the grove, the evening sky had deepened into a rich indigo. Lanterns flickered to life along the pathways of the Azure Sky Sect, their warm glow a stark contrast to the chill that clung to him.
Yu Lan was waiting near his quarters, her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently. When she saw him emerge, relief flashed across her face. "Lin Xuan! Where have you been? I was about to go looking for you."
He hesitated for a moment. "I… found something. Or maybe it found me."
Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
He opened his hand slightly, revealing a faint glimmer of the cold energy lingering within. Her eyes widened as she took a step back, the glow reflecting in her gaze.
"What is that?" she whispered.
"A fragment of power," Lin Xuan said, his voice low. "A remnant of a disciple who was lost to time. She gave it to me… warned me not to let ambition blind me."
Yu Lan's expression tightened with worry. "That sounds ominous. Are you sure it's safe?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "But I can't afford to ignore it."
She studied his face for a long moment, then nodded. "Just be careful, Lin Xuan. Sometimes, power comes with a price."
"I know."
They fell into step together, the sound of their footsteps soft against the stone paths. The sect was settling in for the night, the hum of activity giving way to a quiet stillness. But within Lin Xuan, a storm brewed — a mixture of anticipation, fear, and the cold power that now resided in his veins.
When they reached his quarters, Yu Lan paused at the doorway. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's training with Senior Li Feng is going to be even tougher."
He nodded. "I will."
She gave him a small smile and turned away, disappearing into the shadows. Lin Xuan stepped inside his room and closed the door behind him. The familiar scent of wood and parchment greeted him, but the warmth he usually felt here seemed distant.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, the silver spindle glinting on his wrist. The cold energy pulsed faintly in his palm, and he focused on it, drawing his mind inward. His breathing slowed as he allowed the energy to spread, tendrils of icy power winding through his meridians.
A sharp, piercing cold filled his chest, and for a moment, panic flared. The energy felt foreign, a wild and untamed force. But he held steady, his will firm. He reached out with his mind, gently guiding the energy, blending it with his own qi.
The cold resisted, like a wild beast unwilling to be tamed.
I am not your enemy, Lin Xuan thought. We can be stronger together.
The resistance lessened, and the cold energy settled deeper, merging with his own. A shiver ran through him as the last of it fused into his meridians. He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold air.
When he opened his eyes, the room was the same, yet different. The edges of objects seemed sharper, the shadows deeper. His senses were heightened, every sound and movement magnified.
He clenched his fist, and a faint, icy glow flickered around his fingers.
This power… it's mine now.
A surge of confidence swelled within him. He didn't know the full extent of this new strength, but he would learn. He had to. The Sect Tournament was looming, and the path ahead was fraught with challenges. He would need every advantage he could get.
As he stood and stretched his sore muscles, a soft knock at the door startled him. He opened it to find Senior Li Feng standing there, his expression as stoic as ever.
"Senior Li Feng," Lin Xuan said, bowing.
Li Feng's eyes swept over him, pausing briefly on Lin Xuan's hand where the icy glow had flickered moments before. His gaze narrowed slightly. "You've changed."
Lin Xuan's heart skipped a beat. "I'm ready to train harder."
Li Feng nodded slowly. "Good. I was coming to tell you that tomorrow's training will be different. We'll be sparring against opponents who won't hold back. You need to experience real combat pressure if you're to survive the tournament."
"I understand."
Li Feng's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer. "Whatever power you're grasping at, make sure it doesn't consume you."
"I won't let it," Lin Xuan promised.
Li Feng turned away. "Dawn. Don't be late."
The door closed softly, and Lin Xuan took a deep breath. The threads of fate trembled at the edge of his awareness, new paths branching out before him — some filled with light, others with shadow. The power inside him was a cold ember waiting to burst into flame.
He would master it.
No matter what lay ahead, he would be ready.