Chapter 3: Strength in Shadows
The moon bathed the ruins of Var'Zun in silver light, illuminating the once-broken fortress that now pulsed with a quiet power. Xel'Varyn stood at its highest tower, gazing upon the thriving camp below. Her people—no, her clan—were no longer scavengers. The Shadowveil banner fluttered in the wind, marking this place as theirs.
Her fingers curled slightly. She could feel the weight of her new title, the dark energy coiling beneath her skin.
---
[Title: The Soul Harvester]
"She does not simply kill. She takes. Every life stolen fuels her rise."
Effects:
10% chance for kills to restore Qi
Absorb the essence of a fallen enemy once per day to permanently strengthen cultivation
---
Her third arm twitched, spectral veins pulsing with the Qi of the bandit leader she had devoured the night before. Even now, she could feel fragments of his combat instincts weaving into her own.
She was evolving.
But power meant nothing without stability.
Her clan was still fragile. They needed resources. More fighters. More cultivation methods.
And, most importantly—they needed a foothold in the world beyond these ruins.
---
The Whispered Invitation
As if answering her thoughts, a soft flutter of wings broke the night's silence.
Veyne, her raven familiar, landed on her shoulder, his glowing blue eyes sharp with intelligence. In his beak, he carried a parchment, the wax seal still fresh.
Xel'Varyn plucked it free, unfolding the message.
To the Leader of the Shadowveil Clan,
"Your rise has not gone unnoticed. The hidden sects of Xel'Tharis whisper your name. Some see you as a threat. Others… as an opportunity. The Crimson Fang wishes to speak. Arrive at the Veil Market at sundown. Come alone, or not at all."
Her fingers tightened around the paper.
The Crimson Fang.
An underground guild that operated in the shadows of Xel'Tharis, dealing in contracts, mercenaries, and forbidden techniques. They were powerful, but not invincible. If they were reaching out, it meant they either wanted to recruit her—or eliminate her before she became a problem.
She wasn't foolish enough to walk into a trap blindly.
With a flick of her wrist, she activated her Clan System.
---
[Clan Management - Shadowveil]
Leader: Xel'Varyn
Members: 43 (Growing)
Influence: Local (Recognized by underworld factions)
Resources: Low (Basic food, salvaged weapons)
Alliances: None
Current Directives: Expansion, Recruitment, Strengthening Defenses
---
Her influence was spreading faster than expected.
Good.
But if she wanted to secure Shadowveil's future, she couldn't afford to ignore this invitation.
She turned, her golden eyes gleaming in the dark. "Edric."
A figure stepped forward from the shadows—a former thief who had pledged himself to her cause. His movements were silent, his dagger resting lightly at his hip.
"Matron?"
"Prepare the scouts. If anything goes wrong at the Veil Market, I want to know before the Crimson Fang even draws their blades."
He bowed. "As you command."
Xel'Varyn smiled. The game had begun.
And she was ready to play.
---
The Veil Market
At sundown, she entered the hidden underbelly of Xel'Tharis—a city within a city, where mercenaries, assassins, and rogue cultivators gathered to trade in forbidden arts.
Veil lanterns lined the alleyways, pulsing with eerie blue light. Vendors whispered of cursed artifacts and Qi-infused poisons, their hushed voices barely audible beneath the hum of shadowy deals being struck.
She felt the eyes on her before she even reached her destination.
They knew who she was.
They were watching. Judging. Calculating.
Perfect.
She reached a secluded chamber at the heart of the market—a dimly lit room with incense curling in the air. At its center sat a man draped in blood-red robes, a silver mask hiding his face.
Sorin Luthis.
Leader of the Crimson Fang.
"Xel'Varyn," he mused, his voice smooth as silk. "The woman who went from beggar to warlord in mere weeks."
She chuckled, stepping forward. "I prefer 'Matron of Shadows,' but call me what you like."
Sorin gestured to the seat across from him.
"You intrigue me. And I do not enjoy mysteries."
"Then let's make things simple." Xel'Varyn leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you and claim your resources for myself."
A pause.
Then—laughter. Low. Amused.
"You have teeth. Good." Sorin steepled his fingers. "But I believe we can benefit each other, Matron. The Crimson Fang has power, but lacks a stronghold. You have a stronghold, but lack resources. Shall we correct that imbalance?"
A partnership.
Tempting.
But Xel'Varyn wasn't a fool. She knew better than to trust a viper without defanging it first.
---
A Test of Strength
Sorin must have sensed her hesitation, because he chuckled.
"Very well. Let's play a game." He snapped his fingers.
The doors behind him opened, and a cage was wheeled forward.
Inside was a Qi Beast—a massive shadow-scaled hound with crimson eyes, its body surging with barely contained power.
"Kill it," Sorin said simply. "Do so without using your familiars, and I will agree to a trade deal. Fail… and I take your head as compensation for wasted time."
A test. A challenge.
Xel'Varyn grinned.
The cage burst open, and the beast lunged—a blur of teeth and darkness.
She moved faster.
Her third arm lashed out, catching the beast by the throat mid-air. It snarled, Qi flaring violently—but she held firm, slamming it into the ground with crushing force.
Cracks spread across the stone floor.
The beast yelped, struggling—but it was already over.
Her fingers curled, and shadowy tendrils erupted from her grip, sinking into its flesh.
She whispered. "Sleep."
Its struggling ceased.
A final System prompt appeared.
---
[Title Upgrade: The Soul Harvester → Reaper of Shadows]
"She does not simply steal souls. She commands them."
Effects:
Qi absorption is now 15% more effective
Once per day, she can bind a defeated foe's essence, turning it into a temporary phantom warrior
---
Sorin exhaled, impressed.
"Well then," he said, rising from his seat. "Shall we talk business?"
Xel'Varyn wiped the blood from her fingers, her grin widening.
Shadowveil was about to step into the big leagues.