Chapter 4: Forging the Shadow Pact

The scent of blood and incense still lingered in the chamber as Xel'Varyn leaned back into her seat, the husk of the Qi Beast still smoldering at her feet. Her third arm flexed, the energy of her latest kill thrumming through her body.

Across from her, Sorin Luthis smiled behind his silver mask. He was no fool—he had witnessed firsthand what she was capable of.

She had proven herself.

"Shall we talk business?" he repeated, his voice smooth but edged with something new. Respect.

Xel'Varyn tapped her fingers against the wooden table, her golden eyes gleaming with calculation.

"Let's start with terms."

Sorin tilted his head, gesturing for a scribe to approach. A thin man dressed in shadowed robes stepped forward, an inked contract floating in the air beside him, inscribed with flowing golden script.

---

[Contract: Shadow Pact]

The Crimson Fang will supply the Shadowveil Clan with weapons, intelligence, and rare cultivation resources.

In exchange, the Shadowveil Clan will grant the Crimson Fang safe passage through their territory and exclusive rights to trade within their borders.

Failure to uphold the agreement will result in a blood contract, binding the guilty party's soul for judgment.

---

Xel'Varyn skimmed the details. It was fair—but fairness meant nothing in the world of cultivation.

She tapped the parchment, letting her Qi seep into it, testing for hidden clauses.

There. A faint rune, buried beneath the script—a binding spell that would allow Sorin to siphon off a portion of her clan's Qi reserves if she defaulted on the deal.

Clever.

But not clever enough.

Xel'Varyn smiled, letting her System Interface flicker into view.

---

[Skill Activated: Sovereign's Gaze]

"A ruler does not simply read contracts. They rewrite them."

Allows detection and negation of hidden clauses in agreements.

---

The rune vanished, consumed by her will.

She turned the contract back to Sorin. "Rewrite it. No siphoning clause. I don't give power away for free."

Sorin chuckled. "I had to try." He snapped his fingers, and the scribe adjusted the contract.

She placed her hand over the parchment. Dark Qi surged, sealing the pact.

A surge of notifications flooded her vision.

---

[New Title: Broker of Shadows]

"She does not just fight. She negotiates, manipulates, and binds the underworld to her will."

Effects:

Deals with underworld factions yield +10% increased benefits

Reputation among mercenaries and assassins increases significantly

Unlocks Shadow Influence System

---

A new system.

Her smile widened. This was bigger than just one trade deal. This was the beginning of Shadowveil's reach spreading beyond its borders.

Sorin leaned forward, voice quiet but firm. "You're playing a dangerous game, Matron."

Xel'Varyn met his gaze, the ruthless glint in her eyes briefly breaking through her cheerful facade. "I don't play. I conquer."

Sorin exhaled, then laughed. A real laugh, rich with amusement. "Very well, Matron. Let's see how far you take this."

---

Returning to Shadowveil

By the time she stepped out of the Veil Market, the air buzzed with whispers. The underworld had already caught wind of her deal. Some watched her with curiosity. Others, with fear.

Good. Let them talk. Let them wonder.

As she reached the outskirts, Veyne, her raven familiar, fluttered down to perch on her shoulder. His beady eyes gleamed with knowing.

"The scouts report movement in the eastern ruins, Matron."

She exhaled slowly. Another problem.

Her enemies weren't just watching. They were making their move.

Without a word, she summoned her Clan System Interface once more.

---

[Clan Management - Shadowveil]

Leader: Xel'Varyn

Members: 43 → 50 (New recruits pending)

Influence: Expanding (Recognized by multiple factions)

Resources: Moderate (New trade deal secured)

Threats: Unknown forces encroaching on eastern ruins

---

Her fingers clenched. She had little time to celebrate.

But that was fine. This was just the beginning.

She turned, heading toward the fortress, her third arm twitching with anticipation.

"Edric, gather the scouts. If someone thinks they can challenge Shadowveil, they're about to learn the cost of their mistake."

The night stretched ahead of her.

And in the darkness, Xel'Varyn prepared to carve her legend into the world.