Chapter 12: The Alliance of Shadows

The dim torchlight flickered against the ancient stone walls of the Sealed Archives. The heavy scent of old parchment and dust filled the air.

Xiao Lan held the forbidden scroll tightly in his grip, his sharp gaze fixed on Xiao Qing.

Her silver eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, unreadable.

They were alone.

But for how long?

Xiao Qing took a step forward, her expression calm but curious.

"You're not supposed to be here," she repeated, her voice smooth, controlled.

Xiao Lan smirked. "Neither are you, apparently."

She tilted her head, studying him.

Then, to his surprise, she chuckled softly.

"True."

Xiao Lan raised an eyebrow.

This wasn't the reaction he expected.

No shouting. No threats. No immediate attack.

Xiao Qing's reputation within the Xiao Clan was well-known—a genius of the younger generation, a prodigy that even Xiao Bai was wary of. She had reached Gold Rank at just sixteen years old, making her one of the most dangerous individuals in their age group.

Yet here she was, smiling at him.

What's her game?

He remained cautious. "So, what now?"

Xiao Qing glanced at the forbidden scroll in his hand.

"That depends," she said. "What are you looking for in the Sealed Archives?"

Xiao Lan debated for a moment. Should he tell her the truth?

No.

Not yet.

He shrugged. "Knowledge."

Xiao Qing raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous knowledge?"

"All knowledge is dangerous," Xiao Lan replied smoothly.

Xiao Qing chuckled again. "Smart answer."

She turned away slightly, glancing at the surrounding shelves. "I come here often, you know."

Xiao Lan's eyes narrowed.

That was unexpected.

"You sneak in here regularly?"

She smirked. "Why do you think the seals are so weak?"

Realization hit Xiao Lan like a bolt of lightning.

It wasn't that the Sealed Archives were poorly guarded.

It was that someone had already broken in multiple times, weakening the protections.

And that someone…

Was Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing faced him fully now, arms crossed.

"Let's make a deal."

Xiao Lan leaned slightly against a nearby shelf, feigning nonchalance. "What kind of deal?"

"You need knowledge," she said simply. "I can help you find what you're looking for."

Xiao Lan frowned. "And what do you get in return?"

Xiao Qing's silver eyes gleamed.

"An ally."

Silence stretched between them.

Xiao Lan narrowed his eyes.

"Why me?"

Xiao Qing smirked. "Because you're interesting."

"...That's it?"

She chuckled. "Not entirely. You've been causing quite a stir in the clan lately. Beating Xiao Bai, surviving assassination attempts, sneaking into forbidden places… Most people would be dead by now."

Xiao Lan's smirk deepened. "I'm not most people."

"Exactly."

Xiao Qing took a step closer, lowering her voice slightly. "I don't trust the Xiao Clan. I don't trust the elders. And I certainly don't trust Xiao Ming's plans."

Xiao Lan's eyes flickered with interest.

Xiao Ming, his father, the head of the clan.

"What do you know?" he asked.

Xiao Qing shook her head. "Not much yet. But I intend to find out."

She extended a hand.

"We can help each other. You want power? I want freedom. Together, we can achieve both."

Xiao Lan hesitated.

This was dangerous.

But then again…

Everything was dangerous in this world.

And having an ally like Xiao Qing might just give him an edge.

Finally, he reached forward and clasped her hand.

"Deal."

With their alliance sealed, Xiao Qing led him deeper into the Sealed Archives.

"Come," she said. "I know where the truly dangerous scrolls are kept."

They weaved through the ancient bookshelves, moving past shelves filled with records of old clan wars, cultivation techniques, and genealogical records.

Finally, they reached a hidden section, sealed behind an iron gate.

Xiao Qing pressed her palm against a nearby rune.

A soft glow flickered.

Then—

Click.

The gate unlocked.

Xiao Lan followed her inside.

The room beyond was small, filled with only a handful of scrolls—but each one radiated power.

Xiao Qing reached for a black scroll with golden inscriptions.

"The Lost Paths of the Forbidden Dao," she murmured.

Xiao Lan's heart pounded.

This was the scroll he had seen earlier.

He took it, unfurling the ancient parchment.

The words within…

Were shocking.

The scroll spoke of something beyond Dao cultivation.

A power that had been erased from history, forbidden by the great sects and empires.

A path that defied the heavens themselves.

"The True Dao does not belong to mortals alone."

"There are other paths—paths that defy fate itself."

"And those who walk these paths… shall be hunted."

Xiao Lan's hands tightened around the parchment.

He knew it.

There was something different about him—something beyond normal Dao cultivation.

And this scroll might be the first clue to unlocking it.

But before he could read further—

Boom!

The doors to the Sealed Archives exploded open.

A powerful voice thundered through the chamber.

"WHO DARES TRESPASS INTO THE FORBIDDEN ARCHIVES?!"

Xiao Lan and Xiao Qing spun around.

Standing in the entrance was an elder of the clan—his face twisted in fury.

Behind him?

A group of guards armed with weapons, ready to attack.

Xiao Qing cursed under her breath. "We need to move. Now!"

Xiao Lan smirked. "Took the words right out of my mouth."

Then, with a flash of movement, the two of them vanished into the shadows.

The chase had begun.