Chapter 22 : Jiang yue

The air shimmered with lingering traces of celestial energy as Ruoyan stepped beyond the protective wards of the sect, her heart heavy with the weight of responsibility. Though the battle within the sect grounds had ended, the true war loomed ahead. The Star Lord's revelations had shattered her illusions of control, and now, with the Abyssal Lords making their first calculated moves, she had no choice but to step forward.

As she traveled through the ancient forest bordering the sect's domain, the moon bathed the landscape in a silver glow. Her mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead, of the battles yet to come, and of the truth she still sought. Yet, something about the night felt… different. The wind carried a whisper, the kind that sent a shiver down her spine.

Then, she sensed it—a presence lurking in the darkness, watching her. She stilled, hand hovering over the hilt of her sword. "Who's there?"

A low chuckle echoed from the trees, rich and teasing. "Impressive. Few can sense me, let alone call me out."

From the shadows emerged a man clad in dark robes embroidered with faint golden patterns. His features were sharp yet refined, his eyes a captivating mix of silver and deep blue, like the endless night sky. A smirk played on his lips as he stepped closer, his presence both alluring and dangerous.

"You must be Ruoyan," he said, his voice smooth like silk. "The girl who has every sect and noble family in an uproar."

Ruoyan narrowed her eyes, her instincts sharpening. "And you are?"

The man bowed slightly, his smirk never fading. "Jiang Yue. You may not have heard of me, but I assure you, our paths were destined to cross."

She studied him carefully. His aura was strong, yet unfamiliar. Not entirely abyssal, but not purely celestial either. A rogue element. A wild card. "Why are you following me?"

Jiang Yue tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Let's just say I have an interest in how this game unfolds. The Abyssal Lords have made their first move. The sects are tangled in their own webs of deceit. And you, dear Ruoyan, are at the center of it all. Doesn't that intrigue you?"

She scoffed, keeping her guard up. "I don't have time for games. If you're here to challenge me, make your move."

His smirk widened as he took another step forward. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. Not yet, anyway. You intrigue me, and I find myself wanting to see just how far you'll go."

Ruoyan's pulse quickened, though she kept her face composed. There was something about Jiang Yue that unsettled her. He was unreadable, dangerous—but undeniably captivating.

Before she could respond, a pulse of dark energy rippled through the air. Her senses sharpened, and she spun to face the direction of the disturbance. Jiang Yue, too, turned his gaze toward the ominous aura creeping through the trees.

"It seems our little chat is over," he mused. "Shall we see what fate has in store for us?"

Ruoyan didn't hesitate. She leaped forward, drawing her sword, her flames igniting as she prepared to face whatever new threat awaited. Jiang Yue followed with effortless grace, his movements swift and precise.

They arrived at a clearing where a group of masked figures surrounded a lone man clad in the robes of a celestial cultivator. He was gravely injured, his breathing ragged as he tried to fend off his attackers.

Ruoyan's eyes flashed with fury. Without hesitation, she unleashed a wave of fire, forcing the masked figures to retreat momentarily. Jiang Yue stood beside her, watching with an intrigued expression but making no immediate move to interfere.

"Identify yourself!" Ruoyan demanded, her voice carrying authority.

One of the masked figures let out a sinister laugh. "She's here… The one they warned us about."

Ruoyan's grip tightened on her sword. "Who sent you? The Abyssal Lords?"

The figure didn't answer, instead lunging forward with a blade coated in dark energy. Ruoyan met the strike head-on, her fire clashing with the abyssal force. Jiang Yue finally decided to act, moving with such speed that he blurred before her eyes. Within seconds, two of the masked figures were down, his dagger dripping with their dark essence.

The remaining enemies hesitated, reassessing the fight. "Fall back," one of them growled, disappearing into the shadows. The others followed, vanishing as swiftly as they had come.

Ruoyan knelt beside the injured cultivator, placing a hand over his wound. "Hold on. I'll heal you."

He coughed weakly, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank… you… They came out of nowhere. Said they were hunting celestial-born cultivators. I tried to fight, but… their power…"

Jiang Yue knelt on the other side, observing the man with a thoughtful expression. "Interesting. It seems the Abyssal Lords are no longer content with lurking in the shadows. They're actively eliminating threats."

Ruoyan's heart clenched. If this was true, then no sect was safe. The war had already begun.

After stabilizing the man's condition, Ruoyan turned to Jiang Yue. "You knew about this, didn't you?"

He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I suspected."

She exhaled sharply. "And what exactly do you gain from helping me?"

Jiang Yue smiled, but this time it lacked his usual mischief. "Perhaps I just want to see if you can truly change fate. Perhaps I simply enjoy the company of someone who doesn't bore me. Or perhaps… I have my own reasons."

Ruoyan didn't trust him, but she couldn't deny that he had saved her tonight. And she also couldn't ignore the way her heart skipped a beat when he looked at her like that.

"I'll be watching, Ruoyan," he said, stepping back into the shadows. "Let's see where destiny takes us."

She watched him disappear into the night, uncertainty lingering in her mind. Jiang Yue was an enigma, one she wasn't sure she could afford to unravel. But for now, she had bigger battles to fight. The Abyssal Lords had made their move, and she would not let them win.

As she turned back toward the sect, her resolve hardened. The final battle was approaching, and she would stand at the forefront, no matter the cost.