Secrets, Sects, and the Invitation to Possibly Die
The silver token Yao Xinyi gave me pulsed faintly in my palm. Its surface was etched in a language that made my blood itch—ancient, old world Dragonborn script. Older than the clans. Older than the wars.
"Recognize it?" I asked.
Zhao Feng leaned in, squinting like it personally offended him. "Yep. Definitely sketchy."
"That's your expert opinion?"
"It's vibrating with ancient cult energy. Either that or it wants to propose to you."
---
Yao Xinyi, perched against a tree with her sword across her knees, finally spoke.
"It's from the Heaven's Maw Sect. Hidden. Neutral. Old enough to remember when dragons ruled this continent. They collect relics, bloodlines… secrets."
Lan Ruo frowned. "I thought they disbanded."
"They don't disband. They vanish. Then reappear when the world's about to burn again."
I sighed. "And let me guess—now they want to have tea with me."
"No," Yao said. "They want to test you."
I looked at the token again. It now glowed faintly red and warm—like it was reacting to my Qi.
"Or cook me."
---
Right then, a message hawk cut through the sky like a knife. It dove, flared its wings, and dropped a scroll wrapped in silver spirit-thread straight into my lap.
Because of course.
I unrolled it.
> To Li Xian of the Broken Flame Lineage
The Maw calls.
You are summoned for assessment.
Come alone.
Arrive within three days.
Or don't come at all.
— Grandmaster Veil
---
"Wow," Zhao Feng said, glancing over my shoulder. "That's subtle. Real warm and fuzzy energy."
Qing'er paced nearby, visibly tense. "You're not seriously considering going."
"I have to."
"Why? You don't even know these people."
"They know me. Or at least, the me I used to be. If anyone knows what happened during the purge, it's them."
Qing'er crossed her arms. "They said come alone. That's a trap."
Lan Ruo nodded. "And they know your identity. The moment you step into their territory, they'll either recruit you or dissect you."
"That's encouraging."
---
Yao Xinyi reached into her robes and handed me a tiny blue pill.
"This'll block your spiritual signature for an hour. Take it just before you enter their gates. They'll expect tricks, so don't be obvious."
I blinked. "You're helping me now?"
She stared at me, deadpan.
"You're part of the mess. If you die, we'll never get any answers. And I still owe you a proper duel."
That was her version of concern. I could live with that.
---
Later that night, under the shimmerleaf trees, the camp was quiet.
Zhao Feng joined me at the fire, stabbing dried meat with a twig.
"So," he said. "You going alone, or are we all crashing this death invitation?"
"They said I had to go alone."
He looked at me. "Right. But have you ever listened to instructions?"
"…No."
"Good. I'm coming."
"Don't you have something better to do?"
"Sure," he said. "But watching you walk into a secret cult's nest while they try to seduce, kill, or recruit you is better entertainment."
"Do you think everything's entertainment?"
"Yes. Especially your life."
---
Lan Ruo, sitting nearby, finally asked, "Do you really want to remember who you were?"
I didn't answer right away.
I looked up at the stars above—the same stars I used to dream under when I was a kid, before I died, before I woke up in this new world.
"Yeah," I said. "I think I need to. Because whatever's coming next… I need to know who I'm up against."
---
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
> Questline Activated: The Maw of Memory
Objective: Travel to Heaven's Maw Sect
Time Limit: 3 Days
Risk: High
Possible Rewards:
– Memory Fragment #3
– Forbidden Technique
– Relationship Development (???)
---
As I packed the token away, I glanced back at my group.
Qing'er sharpening her blade angrily.
Lan Ruo polishing her sword in silence.
Zhao Feng chewing like he had all the time in the world.
And Yao Xinyi, watching the flame, l
ost in something deeper.
---
"I'm going," I said finally. "And if it's a trap…"
Zhao Feng stood, stretching.
"…Then we burn the trap."
---