The Call for Allies
The cold wind of the mountain whipped through the cavern's mouth as Lin Xuan stood at its edge, his gaze fixed on the horizon. His mind churned with the weight of their predicament. The seal was fragile, its ancient glyphs barely holding back the malevolent force on the other side. Zhan Xian's ominous promise lingered in his ears like an echo, a dark warning that time was running out.
Behind him, the group was silent, each member lost in their own thoughts. The weight of the last battle and the looming threat bore heavily on them all. Li Fengxian was still seated on the ground, her hands trembling as she poured what little energy she had left into stabilizing the seal. Wei Qing leaned against the wall, his twin sabers sheathed, but his sharp eyes betrayed his restless nature.
"This isn't just about us anymore," Lin Xuan said finally, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a fire in his eyes. "If we don't act now, this thing will break free, and it won't stop with this region. It will consume everything."
---
Wei Qing sighed, his usual humor absent. "So what's the play, Xuan? We can't just run to the sects waving flags and shouting for help. They'll think we're mad—or worse, trying to manipulate them."
Lin Xuan turned, his expression resolute. "We'll give them proof. Li Fengxian, Yu Mei, and I will head to the Sun Sect. They're closest and have the resources we need to decipher these glyphs. Wei Qing, I need you and Yan Zhi to stay here and protect the seal."
Yu Mei, who had been unusually quiet, stepped forward. "The Sun Sect will listen if we present a strong enough case. But what about Zhan Xian? He won't stop at just weakening the seal. He's playing a larger game."
Lin Xuan nodded. "That's why we have to move quickly. We can't afford to wait for him to make the next move."
---
Li Fengxian wiped the sweat from her brow, her voice strained but determined. "The Sun Sect's archives may have the answers we need, but we'll also need the support of the Moon Sect. Their expertise in ancient seals could be crucial."
Wei Qing smirked, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Ah, the Moon Sect. They're not exactly the most cooperative bunch. Convincing them will be… interesting."
Lin Xuan's gaze hardened. "We'll deal with them when the time comes. Right now, our priority is stabilizing the seal and gathering allies."
---
As the group prepared to split, Yan Zhi stepped forward, her usually gentle demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic intensity. "Lin Xuan, promise me you'll come back in one piece. We can't afford to lose you—not now."
Lin Xuan met her gaze, his expression softening slightly. "I will. And you make sure this seal holds until we return."
Yan Zhi nodded, her grip tightening on her staff. "You can count on me."
---
The journey to the Sun Sect was grueling. The mountainous terrain was treacherous, and the chilling wind seemed to cut through their clothes like knives. Lin Xuan led the way, his senses sharp, always alert for signs of danger.
Yu Mei walked beside him, her fiery aura a subtle warmth against the cold. "Do you think they'll believe us?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the wind.
Lin Xuan didn't hesitate. "They'll have to. Once they see the state of the seal, they'll understand the gravity of the situation."
Li Fengxian, walking slightly behind, added, "The Sun Sect values knowledge and reason. If we present our case clearly, they'll listen."
---
The Sun Sect's grand gates loomed ahead, their golden surface shimmering faintly in the sunlight. Guards clad in bright orange robes stood at attention, their sharp eyes scanning the newcomers.
"Halt!" one of them barked, his spear lowering slightly. "State your business."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his posture calm but authoritative. "We need to speak with Elder Zhou immediately. It concerns a threat to the entire region."
The guard's eyes narrowed, skepticism clear in his expression. "Elder Zhou doesn't meet with just anyone. You'll need more than vague threats to gain an audience."
Yu Mei stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "Do you really want to be the one who delayed us when the region falls into chaos? Because that's exactly what will happen if you don't let us through."
The guard faltered, clearly caught off guard by her intensity. After a moment, he motioned for another guard to take his place. "Fine. But if you're lying, you'll answer for it."
---
The group was led through the Sun Sect's sprawling halls, the golden light reflecting off the polished stone walls. The air was warm, filled with the faint scent of incense and the hum of distant chanting.
Elder Zhou was waiting for them in a grand chamber, his long silver beard flowing over his ornate robes. His piercing eyes studied them as they entered, his expression unreadable.
"You come here unannounced and demand an audience," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "Explain yourselves."
Lin Xuan stepped forward, his gaze steady. "Elder Zhou, we've come across a seal deep in the mountain range. It's ancient, powerful, and failing. If it breaks, the entity it contains will wreak havoc on everything."
Elder Zhou's eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to believe this on your word alone?"
Li Fengxian produced a scroll, unrolling it to reveal a detailed sketch of the seal and its glyphs. "This is what we found. The glyphs are deteriorating, and the cracks are spreading. We've already faced an attack from someone trying to break it completely."
The elder studied the scroll, his expression growing more serious. After a moment, he looked up. "This… is troubling. These glyphs are indeed ancient, predating even our sect's founding. If what you say is true, this could be a threat unlike any we've faced before."
---
Lin Xuan nodded. "We need your help, Elder Zhou. Your knowledge, your resources, anything you can provide. This isn't just our fight—it's everyone's."
The elder was silent for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well. I will assemble the council. But be warned: not everyone will be so easily convinced. You'll need to present your case carefully."
Lin Xuan met his gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "We'll do whatever it takes."