Chapter 15: The Weight of Power
The air turned heavy. No one dared to speak.
Ashen stood in the middle of the recovery hall, his white aura still glowing faintly around him. His hand hung at his side, trembling slightly — not from fear, but from holding back.
The Sect Leader stepped forward, his eyes sharp. Behind him were several elders, including Elder Shen, Lian's master. The cloaked figure from before stood near the doorway, silent.
> "Enough."
The Sect Leader's voice was calm but filled with authority.
Ashen slowly looked toward him. The glow in his eyes dimmed, but his cold expression didn't change.
> "They poisoned my friend," Ashen said quietly. "And now they act like it's nothing."
Elder Shen stepped closer, his tone firm but not harsh.
> "Ashen, lower your Qi. You've made your point. I will look into this myself."
Ashen's fists clenched tighter.
> "If I didn't stop him, he'd still be laughing right now."
Raizen lay weak on the bed nearby. Lina held his hand tightly, her eyes red. Lian and Rika stood beside them, faces full of anger and worry.
The Sect Leader's gaze softened slightly.
> "Your anger is justified. But power without control can destroy even the right cause."
Ashen said nothing. Slowly, his white aura began to fade until the air felt still again.
The injured elder groaned, clutching his chest.
> "He… he attacked me! This boy must be punished!"
The Sect Leader turned toward him.
> "You brought this on yourself. We will discuss your behavior later. Leave."
Elder Feng glared at Ashen, helping the other elder stand. His face twisted with anger.
> "You'll regret this, boy."
They left, Ren Huo following silently, pale and shaking.
Once they were gone, Elder Shen exhaled.
> "Ashen, your actions today almost caused chaos. But… I saw what happened. I'll make sure Raizen's case is handled fairly."
Ashen's voice was low but steady.
> "Thank you, Elder. But if they try something again… I won't stop next time."
Elder Shen met his eyes before sighing.
> "Then pray they don't."
The Sect Leader nodded slightly.
> "Your friend will live, but the poison was strange. The healers are still working on it."
Ashen looked at Raizen one last time before leaving the tent.
---
Later that afternoon, after the tournament ended, the Azure Sky Sect gathered all participants of the younger division and the 13-and-above division in the grand hall. The elders and senior disciples stood at the front, ready to announce the results and welcome the new members.
Lina and Raizen were escorted in together. Lina's expression was cautious, glancing at Raizen's bandaged legs. He could no longer walk properly, his body weakened from the poisoning incident.
The Sect Leader stepped forward, his voice strong and clear.
> "Congratulations to all who made it into the Top 10. Your skill, perseverance, and spirit have earned you a place in the Azure Sky Sect. You are now officially welcomed as members."
Applause filled the hall, but the tone shifted when the Sect Leader looked at Raizen.
> "However…" he continued, his gaze firm, "due to the injury sustained during the tournament, some cannot continue. This includes Raizen."
A hush fell over the room. Raizen's shoulders slumped slightly, but Lina squeezed his hand, offering silent support.
> "Though he fought bravely," the Sect Leader said, "Raizen's condition prevents him from being accepted into the sect. We wish him recovery and hope that, in time, he may continue his cultivation outside our gates."
The elders stepped forward to formally congratulate the rest of the Top 10 participants. Lina was welcomed warmly, her place in the sect confirmed.
Outside the hall, the rumor of Raizen's injury began to circulate quickly. Whispers spread through the courtyard and into nearby villages: a Top 10 contender had been poisoned and would no longer join the sect. Some questioned the Azure Sky Sect's ability to protect its disciples; others speculated about the mysterious strength of the boy responsible.
Even among the other Top 10 participants, reactions varied. Some expressed sympathy for Raizen, while others quietly considered the change in competition. The tournament had ended, but the consequences of that afternoon were just beginning.
---
By nightfall, the rumor had already reached distant villages, rival sects, and traveling cultivators. The story was simple but damning: a Top 10 contender had been poisoned and could no longer join. Many questioned the Azure Sky Sect's ability to protect its disciples.
Inside the Azure Sky Sect, the Sect Leader called an emergency meeting in the main hall. Elders and senior disciples gathered quickly, waiting as he addressed them.
> "It has been less than a day, and the rumor about last night has already spread across villages and clans," the Sect Leader said. "Our reputation is at risk."
An elder spoke carefully.
> "Sect Leader, we are still investigating, but the culprit has not yet been identified. The incident occurred during the recovery period last night, but details are unclear."
The Sect Leader's expression hardened.
> "Unclear is not enough. If we do not find the responsible party, our sect will be seen as weak. Recruitment will suffer, alliances will falter, and we will be mocked for decades."
Another elder added, cautious but firm:
> "Even rumors can damage our standing. We must act quickly before it escalates."
> "Exactly," the Sect Leader said sharply. "I want the person responsible found immediately. Whoever did this — whether out of jealousy, ambition, or malice — will face the full consequences. We cannot allow this to continue."
The room fell silent. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation: the Azure Sky Sect's reputation and authority were on the line, and the Sect Leader would not tolerate failure.
---
Outside, the moonlight shone over the sect grounds. The air was cool, and the nearby river glowed faintly in the distance.
Ashen stood quietly, watching the ripples in the water. His reflection stared back—calm, but heavy with something dark.
He thought about Raizen's pain, Lina's tears, and the elders he had defeated.
> "I lost control again," he muttered.
Footsteps approached. It was Lian. He stood beside Ashen, not saying anything at first. The sound of the river filled the silence.
> "You did what you thought was right," Lian said finally. "No one can blame you for that."
Ashen smirked faintly.
> "They can, and they will."
> "Maybe," Lian said, "but you're not alone. Next time, let me help."
Ashen shook his head.
> "You'd just get caught in my mess."
> "Too late for that," Lian said with a half-smile. "We're already in this together."
Ashen turned to look at the sect buildings glowing in the night.
> "Tomorrow, Raizen will have to go back to the village. Because he can no longer walk, this will affect his motivation, and he may lose himself completely. He always wanted to be strong enough to protect others and himself, and now that seems impossible."
Lian nodded.
> "Yeah, I know Ashen."
Inside the inn, Lina sat beside Raizen's bed. His breathing had steadied, but his legs still wouldn't move.
> "You'll be fine," she said softly. "You have to be. If you are not accepted in the sect, then I will not join."
Lian just got back in the inn and heard her.
> "Lina, you cannot just leave the sect. You already got accepted."
Lina shook her head.
> "No, I don't want to… because we trained together. We were supposed to enter together. I don't want to— I don't want to."
Lian's face was a bit sad, but he understood. Rika then spoke.
> "I think it is a good idea. Ren Huo would harass you in the sect; he could do something even worse. Lian, I think it's a good idea."
Lian nodded.
> "Fine. Rika and I will inform the sect that you will no longer join."
Lina then asked:
> "Where is brother Ashen?"
> "He said he had something to do," Lian replied.
> "What's the thing he wants to do at this hour?" Lina asked.
> "I don't know. Ashen's… there's something happened to him. But one thing I know: he's going to be fine. I can't believe Ashen's strength. When he held Elder Feng in his hand, I could feel sadness and anger at the same time."
> "That's my teacher. I'm not worried. He's not reckless; he knows what he's doing," Lina said.
Ashen went back to the place where he had met the wandering master. Sure enough, he met him again.
> "What brings you here, young friend?" the wandering master asked.
Ashen replied coldly:
> "I was right, you are still here. You already know why I'm here."
The master smiled.
> "Perhaps you missed me."
Ashen's expression showed surprise, but he hid it.
> "No… You're weird, old man. I'm here because I want to know if there is a cure for the poison."
The master smiled.
> "Oh, you know who is the right person to ask that question. But sadly, only the divine doctor can heal it, and the divine doctor went missing. I'm also looking for clues on where he went."
Ashen's expression filled with guilt. He had no other choice.
> "I heard there is a beast core. The more powerful the monster, the stronger its Qi core. I can cure anything, as long as I have them. Help me obtain a powerful beast core, and I will help you with your problem."
The wandering master didn't take it seriously at first, but seeing Ashen's determined eyes, he didn't question it. He took a gamble.
> "Sure… but I think you still have something you must do first, right?"
Ashen's eyes burned with rage.
> "Yes, of course."