Chapter 26: The Alliance’s First Struggle and a Residual Shadow
A month after Lord Xiao’s defeat, the Azure Cloud Sect’s main hall buzzed with tension. Representatives from the Clear Water, Golden Mountain, and Iron Palm Sects sat around a long wooden table, their expressions sharp, their voices rising as they argued. Lin Yue stood at the head of the table, his hands clasped behind his back, his dragon qi still faint but steady—enough to keep his posture firm, but not enough to command the room with presence alone.
“The Shadow Sect’s remaining strongholds are in the Eastern Wastes,” Elder Mu said, slamming a map onto the table. “We need to send a joint force to clear them out. But we need to agree on who leads the attack.”
The Golden Mountain Sect’s representative—Elder Jin, a burly man with a beard streaked with gray—slammed his fist on the table. “Our sect has the most spirit stones, the most weapons. We should lead!”
The Clear Water Sect’s representative—Elder Shui, a slender woman with silver hair—snorted. “Your sect ran from the Shadow Sect when they threatened your mines. You’re not fit to lead. Clear Water has the best healers, the best scouts. We should take charge.”
Lin Yue’s jaw tightened. The alliance, meant to unite the sects, was already fracturing. He glanced at his father, who sat beside him, his eyes calm, his hand resting on Lin Yue’s arm— a silent reminder to stay patient.
“The Azure Cloud Sect should lead,” his father said, his voice quiet but firm. “We were the first to stand against the Shadow Sect. We have the codex, the pendant—we know Lord Xiao’s tactics best.”
Elder Jin laughed. “A boy and a disgraced elder? You expect us to follow you?”
Before Lin Yue could speak, the hall’s doors slammed open. A scout stumbled in, his uniform torn, his face pale with fear. “Elders! Disciples! The Eastern Wastes—they’re not just strongholds. They’re prisons. The Shadow Sect’s 残余 (remnants) are holding villagers hostage. And they have… they have dark qi beasts. Hundreds of them.”
The hall fell silent. Elder Shui’s expression softened, her anger fading. “Hostages? We can’t let them suffer.”
Elder Jin’s jaw tightened. “Fine. Let the Azure Cloud Sect lead. But if this goes wrong—if our disciples die—we’re pulling out of the alliance.”
Lin Yue nodded, relief washing over him. “Thank you. We’ll leave at dawn. Elder Mu, you’ll lead the Azure Cloud disciples. Elder Shui, your healers will stay at the rear, tending to the wounded. Elder Jin, your warriors will form the front line—protect the scouts as they free the hostages.”
The representatives nodded, their tension easing into resolve. As they filed out of the hall, Lin Yue’s father squeezed his arm. “You handled that well. Patience, not power, won them over.”
Lin Yue smiled, his shoulders relaxing. “I learned from you. And from Long Xuan.”
Long Xuan’s voice echoed in his mind, warm with approval. “Your dragon qi is growing—slowly, but with purpose. That’s more important than raw power. Now rest. Tomorrow’s fight will need all your focus.”
That night, Lin Yue sat at the Spirit Spring, his legs crossed, his eyes closed. He’d been coming here every evening, letting the spring’s pure qi seep into his dantian. Tonight, he felt it—a faint shift. The tiny spark of dragon qi in his core expanded, just a little, wrapping around the spring’s qi like a vine. It wasn’t a leap, but it was progress—enough to make his chest feel lighter, his mind clearer.
“Good,” Long Xuan said. “Tomorrow, you won’t need to fight. But you’ll need to guide the alliance. Your dragon qi will help you sense the dark qi beasts—trust it.”
Lin Yue nodded, opening his eyes. The moon hung low over the spring, its light reflecting on the water. He thought of the villagers in the Eastern Wastes, trapped by the Shadow Sect’s remnants. He thought of the alliance, fragile but united. And he knew—tomorrow would be a test. Not just of strength, but of trust.