Inside the dimly lit secret chamber of the Dan Clan, silence hung in the air like a fragile thread. The soft glow of formation lines on the walls shimmered faintly, illuminating Lady Li's expression as she turned toward the Dan Mei soul hovering in front of her.
Her voice was sharp, laced with frustration and disbelief.
"Ancestor… why did you let him go? If you had just used your Soul Power on him, he would have fallen under your will. He could've become your puppet. The curse would be lifted. We've waited so long…"Lady Li said.
Dan Mei's ethereal form turned slightly, her eyes narrowing as they shimmered with ancient wisdom and sorrow.
"You would not understand, Dan Li. You didn't love your husband as deeply as I loved mine. You've never truly experienced what it's like to lose your heart… to feel it break in your soul and never heal. But that boy… Xiao Wei… when I mentioned marriage, when he recalled his past, I saw it in his eyes."Dan Mei soul said, her voice was calm, but there was a quiet ache in her tone, like a mother speaking to a child who could never know her pain.
Dan Mei soul paused, the floating strands of her soul dimming slightly as if remembering the pain etched into Xiao Wei's gaze.
"There was no joy, no warmth. Just anger, sorrow, and emptiness—like his heart had been hollowed out and left to rot. He wasn't resisting us because he was proud or selfish. He was resisting because he has nothing left to give."Dan Mei soul added.
Lady Li's lips parted, but she couldn't find any words to respond.
"If I forced him… yes, perhaps the curse would be lifted. But I would condemn one of my descendants to a loveless bond. A marriage born from control, not choice. That is not what I have endured a millions years for."Dan Mei continued, voice softer now.
"Let him leave, Dan Li. Whenever he chooses. Don't bind him. I won't trade one curse for another."Dan Mei soul said as she turned away slowly.
Lady Li lowered her gaze, a trace of guilt flickering across her face.
"…Where is Ling'er?"Dan Mei asked suddenly.
"She returned to her sect for further training. She'll likely be gone for several months."Lady Li replied quietly.
Dan Mei's soul nodded.
"Good. Perhaps fate still has plans we cannot yet see."Dan Mei soul said.
And with that, her glowing form flickered and dispersed into strands of light, fading slowly into the air. The room dimmed once more as Lady Li turned toward the exit, her expression unreadable.
She stepped out, letting the stone door rumble shut behind her, sealing the chamber with an intricate array formation that pulsed faintly before fading into invisibility.
---
Meanwhile, in the Dan Clan's guest quarters, Xiao Wei sat quietly on the edge of the bed, the emotions in his chest swirling like a storm.
He had returned to his room wordlessly, brushing off the curious glances of the guards and servants. The ornate furnishings, soft silks, and subtle incense couldn't soothe the weight pressing down on him.
Restless and confused, he sat down in a lotus position on the Cultivation mat and began channeling his breath, trying to guide the Spiritual Energy through his meridians.
But almost immediately, Shadow Ming voice echoed within his mind.
'Brat, stop. Your emotions are unstable.'
Xiao Wei's eyes snapped open.
'If you force yourself to Cultivate in this condition, your Spiritual Energy could backfire. Your meridians might rupture, or worse—you could become a cripple for life. I've seen it happen.'
Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
Xiao Wei gritted his teeth and exhaled, the surge of Spiritual Energy inside him dispersing as he let go of the flow.
The room fell silent again.
He slowly stood up and walked to the window. Drawing back the silk curtain, he sat down cross-legged beside it. The moonlight streamed over him, casting a silver glow across his figure as he stared at the stars, eyes unblinking.
Time passed. He didn't know how long he sat there.
But the silence in his soul was broken again by Shadow Ming's voice, quieter this time, almost thoughtful.
'Brat… I don't know what happened to you in the past. You don't talk about it, and I've never asked. But today… when that woman mentioned marriage… your entire aura changed. You weren't angry because of the request. You were angry because something inside you shattered long ago.'
Xiao Wei didn't answer.
Shadow Ming voice echoed once again in his mind.
'I don't need your story. But let me tell you this. As long as you keep living in that memory… keep gripping that pain like a blade… you'll never break through to Martial Saint Realm. No matter how many pills you refine or how many enemies you defeat.'
Xiao Wei remained silent.
Shadow Ming voice continued.
'A Cultivator walks a path of growth, not stagnation. Your soul is strong—stronger than anything I've seen in my lifetime. But a soul burdened with hatred and sorrow cannot ascend. It's like trying to fly with broken wings.'
The stars shimmered above, indifferent to the turmoil in the heart below.
'You don't need to marry that girl. But you need to let go of what's chaining your soul.'
Shadow Ming voice added before it becomes silent.
Xiao Wei closed his eyes, the image of Mira stabbing him flashing once again in his mind. Her cold gaze. The disbelief in his chest. The warmth of her hands before it all turned into blood and silence.
The night wind blew through the window, stirring Xiao Wei's hair.
He didn't move.
Next day, early morning, Xiao Wei silently stepped out of his guest room within the Dan Clan estate. The courtyard was still cloaked in morning mist, and only a few servants were stirring, their footsteps muffled on the stone paths.
Xiao Wei walked toward the central training hall of the Dan Clan.
Inside the hall, Old Ti, was surrounded by dozens of younger clan members. He was demonstrating a Martial Technique, his aged hands moving with the fluid grace of a veteran Cultivator. His voice echoed powerfully across the hall as he instructed.
"Your footing must be firm. Even if your opponent is stronger, if your stance doesn't break, your will won't either."Old Ti instructed.
The clan juniors followed diligently, though many cast curious glances at the young man who now entered.
Xiao Wei stepped into the hall, his plain robe fluttering gently as he walked straight toward the center where Old Ti stood.
"Old Ti, would you fight me—without holding back?"Xiao Wei asked, his voice steady.
The room fell silent. The clan members paused mid-motion, eyes widening in disbelief. Challenge Old Ti? That was madness. Even without using his full strength, Old Ti had once crushed a Martial Grandmaster with a single strike.
Old Ti furrowed his brow, studying the boy who stood before him. He saw no arrogance in Xiao Wei's eyes—only pain and resolve.
Before he could answer, a faint buzz echoed in his mind. It was a voice transmission from Lady Li.
"Accept the challenge, but hold back your killing intent. He's not doing this out of pride."
Old Ti exhaled slowly.
"Very well"Old Ti said.
The clan members quickly cleared the space around them. Excitement buzzed in the air, but an undercurrent of tension remained. No one understood what Xiao Wei was thinking.
Without waiting, Xiao Wei lunged forward.
His footwork was quick, his fists laced with Spiritual Energy, but Old Ti was faster—effortlessly dodging every strike. Xiao Wei's blows sliced through the air, narrowly missing their mark each time. He pivoted, adjusted, and struck again, but Old Ti weaved around his attacks like a ghost.
Then, in a flash, Old Ti stepped to the side and drove his fist into Xiao Wei's abdomen.
Bang!
The impact sent Xiao Wei flying backward. He slammed against the training hall wall, the stone cracking from the force. He coughed violently, blood spraying from his lips.
Despite the pain, he looked up, breathing hard. And then, he bowed slightly.
"…Thank you"Xiao Wei said hoarsely, before turning and staggering away from the hall.
Old Ti didn't stop him. He watched silently, brows slightly furrowed.
Back in the guest room, Xiao Wei returned without speaking a word. He limped to the window and sat down, resting his back against the wooden frame. The morning light now bathed the room, yet his gaze was drawn to the pale sky above.
He stared without blinking.
Suddenly Shadow Ming voice echoed in his mind.
'Brat, are you trying to kill yourself? What the hell are you doing, challenging someone like him and getting yourself pummeled? This is not Cultivation—it's self-harm!'
But Xiao Wei didn't answer. He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again to look at the drifting clouds.
The silence that followed said more than words ever could.