The Awakening of the Forsaken Heiress

The oppressive silence in the Ling Clan's Judgment Hall was shattered by the trembling voice of Xueya as she whispered a single word— "Father."

The moment the word left her lips, the pendant she clutched in her hands flared with a blinding golden light, illuminating the dark chamber like the sun breaking through eternal night. The hall trembled violently, and the very air grew heavy with a presence so ancient and supreme that the elders struggled to breathe.

Ling Haoran's hand, poised mid-air to deliver the final strike, froze. His pupils shrank, and a deep, unfamiliar dread crawled up his spine.

Then— BOOM!

A golden sigil erupted from Xueya's chest, spiraling into the sky, piercing through the ceiling of the hall as if proclaiming her existence to the heavens themselves. Crackling arcs of black and gold lightning intertwined around her, divine and demonic forces merging in a chaotic yet harmonious storm.

Her chains shattered into dust.

The elders staggered backward.

"W-What is this power?" One elder gasped, gripping his chest as his heart pounded in terror.

"She—she was supposed to be a cripple!" Another elder stammered, eyes wide with disbelief.

Xueya's body trembled as the overwhelming power surged through her veins. It burned—like molten lava flooding her bloodstream, yet at the same time, it felt right, as though this was a part of her all along, simply waiting to be freed.

Ling Haoran's face twisted with fury as he forced himself to speak. "You—what have you done?!"

Xueya slowly lifted her gaze, her violet-gold eyes glowing with an eerie radiance. A chilling smile played on her lips.

"Done?" Her voice was calm, yet it carried an undertone of mockery. "I did nothing. You, however—have made a grave mistake."

Ling Haoran gritted his teeth. "You are a disgrace to the Ling Clan! That power does not belong to you! Give it up willingly, and I might let you live!"

Xueya let out a soft chuckle, tilting her head slightly. "You still think you have the right to command me?" She clenched her fist, and the very space around her rippled with power. "Let me show you just how wrong you are."

She raised her hand and unleashed a pulse of energy.

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted from her palm, sending Ling Haoran flying backward, slamming into the stone throne behind him with a sickening crack. Elders who had once watched her suffer with sneers on their faces now looked at her with sheer terror.

Xueya exhaled slowly, lowering her hand. The power felt unstable, but she had no time to dwell on it.

She turned her gaze toward the gathering of clan members who had mocked her, ridiculed her, tried to break her spirit.

They were afraid now.

And that feeling? It was exhilarating.

With one step forward, she declared, "For years, you treated me like an insect. You humiliated me, cursed my existence. But look at you now—shaking in fear."

An elder tried to regain his composure. "You—you dare threaten the Ling Clan? Even if you have power now, you are just one girl! The clan will hunt you down—"

Xueya's gaze turned frigid. "Hunt me?" She took another step forward, and the elder staggered back. "The next time we meet, it won't be me who's running. It will be you."

Ling Haoran coughed violently, struggling to his feet, his fury barely contained. "You are no longer a member of the Ling Clan! If you leave now, you will forever be an enemy to this house!"

Xueya smirked. "I was never truly part of this family to begin with."

At that moment, the pendant around her neck shattered—and a golden portal tore open behind her.

Ling Haoran's eyes widened in realization. "Stop her!" he roared.

Several elders rushed forward, but before they could reach her, Xueya turned, her violet-gold eyes locking onto Ling Haoran.

"I will return."

Her voice carried a promise, a vow soaked in the weight of divine retribution.

"And when I do, I won't just take revenge—I will destroy everything you hold dear."

With those final words, she stepped into the portal.

The last thing the Ling Clan saw was her vanishing into the golden light, leaving behind only the echoes of her declaration.

And then—

She was gone.

Outside the Ling Clan's Territory

The world blurred around her as she fell through the golden rift, her body feeling weightless yet heavy all at once.

Then—

THUD.

She collapsed onto the cold, damp ground of an unfamiliar forest, her body convulsing as the aftershocks of her awakening wracked her frame.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, and sweat drenched her clothes. The power within her felt like a storm, raging and uncontrolled.

Her vision swam, the exhaustion of her sudden bloodline activation catching up to her.

Just as darkness began to cloud her consciousness, she caught a glimpse of something—or someone—moving in the shadows.

A figure, tall and shrouded in black, silver eyes gleaming like twin moons against the night.

Then—

Everything faded to black.