Enemies

The air around the Celestial Falls grew heavy, thick with an ominous energy. Li Wei's heartbeat quickened as he locked eyes with the leader of the dark-robed figures. There was something unnatural about him—his presence alone made the surrounding Qi tremble.

Jinhai shifted his stance slightly, his usual smugness replaced with cold calculation. "Well, this just got interesting."

The leader took a slow step forward. His robe, embroidered with serpentine runes, fluttered despite the absence of wind. "The Celestial Seal has reawakened… and it has chosen you?" His voice carried a hint of amusement, yet his gaze burned with intent.

Li Wei clenched his fists. "Who are you?"

The leader's lips curled into a slight smile. "Names mean little. But since you'll be dying soon… you may call me Elder Mo Shan."

Li Wei's Qi flared instinctively, the Celestial Seal within him reacting to Mo Shan's presence. Something inside him screamed danger.

Jinhai sighed dramatically. "Tsk. An Elder of the Shadowed Abyss Sect? You guys sure move fast."

Mo Shan's eyes flickered toward Jinhai. "And you… I expected to see the Drunken Blade lingering in the boy's shadow."

Li Wei shot Jinhai a questioning glance. "Drunken Blade?"

Jinhai smirked. "Ignore him. Titles are just fancy words." His hand moved subtly to the hilt of his blade. "What matters is that these guys aren't here for a chat."

Mo Shan raised a hand, and two figures stepped forward. Their Qi pulsed, revealing martial cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Li Wei inhaled sharply. He had only just reached Qi Refinement Realm, Third Stage—could he handle this?

Jinhai muttered under his breath. "Looks like they want to test you first." He patted Li Wei's shoulder. "Try not to die, kid."

BOOM!

The first attacker lunged forward, his palm surging with dark Qi, aiming straight for Li Wei's chest.

Li Wei reacted purely on instinct.

He sidestepped, barely dodging the strike, but the force of the attack sent shockwaves through the ground.

The second opponent moved in immediately, his sword slicing through the air, leaving a trail of blackened energy.

Li Wei gritted his teeth—he couldn't dodge this one.

Instead, he raised his arm, channeling his Qi.

CLANG!

The blade clashed against his forearm, but instead of cutting through, a golden glow erupted from his skin.

The Celestial Seal's power… it was protecting him.

His opponent's eyes widened. "Impossible!"

Li Wei didn't hesitate. He countered.

His palm shot forward, infused with Celestial Qi—

"Celestial Palm Strike!"

BOOM!

The attacker was sent flying, crashing into a nearby rock.

The other enemy hesitated for a split second.

Li Wei exhaled, his confidence rising. He could do this.

But then—

A shadow flickered.

Before he could react, Mo Shan appeared right in front of him.

His hand pressed against Li Wei's chest.

A chilling voice whispered, "Kneel."

A crushing force exploded outward.

Li Wei's vision blurred as he felt his body being forced down—

His knees buckled.

His Qi screamed in protest, but Mo Shan's overwhelming presence was suffocating.

Jinhai moved instantly, his blade flashing—

But Mo Shan simply raised a finger.

A wave of dark energy surged out, sending Jinhai flying backward.

Li Wei's body trembled. He was completely outmatched.

Mo Shan leaned closer. "You are unworthy of the Celestial Seal." His fingers tightened, energy surging. "Give it to me."

Li Wei gritted his teeth, his mind racing.

Was this the end?

No.

he refused to submit.

The Celestial Seal flared violently, as if responding to his defiance.

Mo Shan's expression changed slightly. "Oh?"

Golden flames erupted from Li Wei's body.

His aura exploded outward, shattering the force holding him down.

Mo Shan took a step back.

Li Wei's voice echoed, deep and filled with an ancient power.

"I will never kneel."

A shockwave of golden energy erupted from Li Wei, forcing Mo Shan back. The entire Celestial Falls trembled, and the sky above seemed to darken for a moment, as if the heavens themselves were reacting to the surge of power.

Jinhai, who had been flung aside, grinned. "Heh… Looks like the kid isn't so helpless after all."

Mo Shan narrowed his eyes. His robes fluttered as he steadied himself, his Qi surging like a storm. "This power… It shouldn't exist in the hands of a mere boy."

Li Wei felt something stir deep within him—a presence, an echo of something far older than himself. His golden aura flared even brighter, and for a fleeting moment, symbols resembling celestial runes flickered across his skin.

Mo Shan stepped forward, his killing intent intensifying. "It seems I'll have to take it by force."

With a flick of his wrist, dark Qi erupted from his palm, twisting into the form of a black serpent that lunged toward Li Wei.

But this time, Li Wei didn't flinch.

He moved with instinctual precision, raising his hand and summoning a barrier of golden light.

BOOM!

The serpent clashed against the barrier, screeching as the golden energy began to purge its form. Within moments, it disintegrated into nothingness.

Mo Shan's expression darkened. "You're adapting too quickly…"

Li Wei himself was shocked. He had barely tapped into this power, yet it felt natural—as if the Celestial Seal was guiding him.

Jinhai smiled, dusting himself off. "Alright, kid. You've had your fun. Time for round two."

He vanished from his spot—

—and reappeared behind Mo Shan, blade in hand.

Mo Shan barely had time to react before Jinhai's sword slashed through the air, leaving a trail of crimson energy.

CLANG!

Mo Shan twisted just in time, blocking with his forearm, but the impact sent him skidding backward. His sleeve tore, revealing a strange black mark etched onto his skin—a forbidden curse.

Jinhai clicked his tongue. "Tch. So, you're using that kind of power, huh?"

Mo Shan ignored him, his focus back on Li Wei. "Your existence… is a mistake."

His dark Qi surged, condensing into a forbidden technique. The ground beneath him cracked as black flames coiled around his form.

Jinhai cursed. "That's bad."