Chapter 15: Seeds of Shadows

The flight back to the Azure Sky Sect was marked by an unnatural silence. Even Ren Kai, usually incapable of keeping quiet for more than a moment, seemed subdued. His brows furrowed as he stared at the forest blurring below them.

Ling Hao remained focused, standing firm on his flying sword as it sliced through the twilight sky. His thoughts, however, lingered on the Wang Family Mansion. The demon's final words hung heavy in his mind—a taunt wrapped in a promise of darker things to come.

"Something's eating at you," Ren Kai said abruptly, his voice cutting through the stillness.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this," Ling Hao replied, his tone clipped. He didn't turn to look at his companion.

"What do you mean?"

"This demon wasn't normal," Ling Hao said. "It set traps, used strategy. Demons aren't capable of this—they act on hunger and instinct. This one had... purpose."

Ren Kai's face hardened, his easygoing grin wiped away. "You're saying something's controlling them?"

Ling Hao didn't answer directly. "It's possible."

That single phrase carried a weight neither of them was prepared to lift.

---

Rumors Upon Return

By the time they landed at the sect, evening had swallowed the last light of day. Shadows lengthened across the courtyards, where disciples clustered in murmuring groups.

"You hear about Ling Hao? He finished a demon-slaying mission—and he hasn't even reached Foundation Establishment."

"Peach Blossom Peak... I thought Yue Ling was done taking disciples. Maybe she got lucky this time."

"Or desperate. It's probably just sect politics."

Ren Kai chuckled as the whispers followed them. "You've got fans—and critics—now, Peach Blossom."

Ling Hao didn't reply, his attention still caught by the memory of the fragmented symbols scrawled at the mansion. The runes weren't ordinary marks; they were ancient, tied to a forgotten dialect of demonic cultivation.

He could show them to Yue Ling. She might understand, or even have answers, but the thought soured in his stomach. He'd rather wrestle with the mystery himself than risk her seeing even a sliver of doubt in him.

---

The Sect Leader's Summons

As they passed the disciple quarters, a young servant rushed toward them, panting and flushed. "Senior Brother Ling Hao, Senior Brother Ren Kai—Sect Leader Wei Jing has requested your presence immediately."

Ren Kai whistled, his grin returning in full force. "Straight to the big boss, huh? Ling Hao, I'd stick close. Your meteoric rise might scare me off."

Ling Hao didn't bother acknowledging the joke, already turning to follow the servant.

Inside the grand hall, Sect Leader Wei Jing stood at the center, framed by towering pillars and the flickering light of a brazier. The air seemed heavier here, the Sect Leader's presence radiating calm authority.

"You've returned," Wei Jing said without preamble, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. "Report."

Ling Hao recounted the mission with precise detail, describing the demon's unusual behavior and the runes left in its lair. He recited the demon's parting words, though his even tone hid the unease they stirred within him.

When he finished, Wei Jing's sharp gaze didn't waver, but he exchanged a silent look with Elder Zhao, who stood nearby.

"Troubling," Elder Zhao muttered, stroking his beard. "Fragments of demonic cultivation remain, scattered across the land. Occasionally they resurface. But to organize an attack..."

"That wasn't instinct," Ling Hao interrupted quietly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried enough weight to make Elder Zhao pause. "This demon wasn't acting alone."

Wei Jing's expression darkened, though his tone remained steady. "Your observation is noted. This matter will be investigated. For now, focus on your cultivation. You've done well."

Ling Hao bowed deeply. As he turned to leave, he caught something in Wei Jing's eyes—a flicker of uncertainty, a shadow the Sect Leader's usually unshakeable demeanor couldn't quite suppress.

---

Unexpected Allies

The courtyard was quiet under the soft glow of the moonlight as Ling Hao walked back to his quarters. Ren Kai had excused himself, muttering about food and sleep, but Ling Hao felt no such fatigue. His thoughts whirred, pieces of the night forming a puzzle he couldn't solve.

"Ling Hao."

The voice was sharp, cutting clean through the stillness. He turned to see Han Mei standing near the library pavilion, her expression as severe as ever.

"Han Mei," he greeted, inclining his head slightly.

"You've stirred up quite the storm," she said, crossing her arms. The Crimson Lotus Peak prodigy was as composed as always, her words precise and deliberate.

"The sect will calm down eventually," Ling Hao replied.

"I'm not talking about gossip." She stepped closer, her eyes fixed on him. "Demons don't just appear. You think I haven't noticed the increase in missions? Something bigger is at play."

Ling Hao studied her, recognizing the same restlessness in her that churned within him. "What are you saying?"

"That we can't wait for the elders to bicker over this," she said firmly. "If demonic cultivation is resurfacing, it threatens all of us. I want to know what's going on—and you're the one with the clues."

"You're offering help?"

"I'm not doing this for you," Han Mei snapped. "If the sect is in danger, I'm not about to stand around."

After a moment's silence, Ling Hao nodded. "Fine. But this stays between us. If we uncover anything, we report it when we're sure."

"Agreed." She turned and started walking away, pausing briefly to add, "Tomorrow, after sparring. Don't be late."

---

A Quiet Resolve

Back in his quarters, Ling Hao sat cross-legged in the pale light of the moon. His sword rested across his lap, its cold surface glinting faintly.

He let his mind settle, forcing the storm of thoughts to still. Yet unease still lingered—the runes, the demon's words, the sect's fragile balance.

This is only the beginning, he thought, tightening his grip on his sword.

Yue Ling's shadow loomed over him, a constant reminder of her faith in his potential. He would not fail her—or himself.

Whatever darkness lay ahead, Ling Hao vowed, he would carve through it with the sharp edge of his resolve.