The Celestial Dawn Sect's newfound Heaven-Rank status came with a deluge of paperwork, a mountain of jade scrolls, and a single perk: a fancy plaque that read *"Congratulations! Try Not to Die!"* in gilded calligraphy. Ling Ling nailed it to the leaning front gate, which immediately creaked in protest.
"This is the worst reward ever," Little Fang said, dodging a falling plank.
"The *real* reward is the enemies we made along the way," Mei quipped, sketching explosive runes on the new "Welcome to Your Doom" sign.
Zhang Wei wasn't laughing. The Starfall Sword's whispers had become a constant itch in his skull. *"You could crush them all,"* it cooed as he reviewed recruitment applications. *"Why play nice?"*
The phoenix, now the size of a small dog, perched on his desk and incinerated a scroll titled *"Tax Codes for Divine Entities."*
"Thanks," Zhang Wei said. "I hate taxes."
The system chimed. **[Corruption Level: 35% – Recommend: Do Not Make Eye Contact With Sharp Objects.]**
---
**The Golden Dragon's Gambit**
Grandmaster Xue's revenge arrived in a velvet-lined box. Inside was a severed fox tail and a note: *"The Shadowtail Clan remembers your… *heroism*. They'd love to meet you."*
"Fox people?" Little Fang poked the tail. "Are they fluffy? Hostile? Fluffy *and* hostile?"
"Yes," Ling Ling said, reading the dossier Mei "borrowed" from a Golden Dragon courier. "The Shadowtails specialize in poison and grudges. They're also *allies* with the Golden Dragon now. Because life's unfair."
The system pinged. **[Emergency Quest: Survive the Shadowtail Clan's Hospitality.]**
**Objective:** Attend their "peace summit." Don't get assassinated.
**Bonus:** *Steal their antidote recipe. (For science!)*
Zhang Wei glanced at the Starfall Sword, now leaning in the corner like a moody teenager. "Weapons?"
"Allowed," Mei said. "But they'll search us for talismans."
Xiao Mao's raccoon chittered, stuffing Mini Explosive Acorns into its cheeks.
"Perfect," Zhang Wei said. "Distraction team: ready."
---
**The Poison Feast**
The Shadowtail Clan's hall was a den of silken cushions and suspiciously smiling fox-eared assassins. Grandmaster Xue sat at the head table, sipping wine that probably killed people just by looking at it.
"Welcome," purred Clan Leader Yuelin, her nine tails flicking. "We've prepared a *special* meal."
Course one: soup that smelled like roses and regret. The phoenix dipped its beak, then spat fire into the bowl, vaporizing it.
"Rude," Yuelin said, her smile sharpening.
"Allergies," Zhang Wei replied.
Course two: grilled fish with glowing scales. Little Fang "accidentally" knocked his plate into Elder Zhu's lap, which melted his belt.
By dessert, the Shadowtails were twitching with barely contained rage. Grandmaster Xue stood. "Let's discuss your surrender."
Zhang Wei's sword hummed. *"Let me handle this."*
"No." He stood, shadowed veins pulsing. "Let's discuss *your* surrender."
The raccoon chose that moment to detonate its acorns.
---
**Chaos, As Usual**
The hall erupted in smoke and fox yelps. Mei tackled a Shadowtail guard, stealing her antidote pouch. Ling Ling dueled Elder Zhu with a butter knife. Little Fang hid under the table, lobbing hiccup pills.
Zhang Wei faced Grandmaster Xue, the Starfall Sword's corruption seeping into his voice. "You're tedious."
She lunged, her qi blade clashing against his. "You're *infected*."
The phoenix swooped, engulfing her in flames—but not before she slashed Zhang Wei's chest, leaving a welt of darkness.
"Retreat!" Yuelin howled, her tails singed.
The Celestial Dawn crew fled, clutching the antidote recipe and a stolen fox tail for "emotional support."
---
**The Corruption Grows**
Back at the sect, Mei brewed the antidote while Zhang Wei's shadow veins spread to his collarbone. The sword's voice was a growl now. *"You need me. Admit it."*
The phoenix glared at the blade, then pecked Zhang Wei's hand until he dropped it.
"You're right," he muttered. "No more sword."
He locked it in the Celestial Dawn Core's chamber, but the damage was done.
**[Corruption Level: 50% – Warning: Impulse to Monologue Increasing.]**
---
**A New Recruit (Or Problem)**
The next morning, a girl with silver hair and fox ears stood at their gates. "I'm Lian. The Shadowtails exiled me. Teach me to… *not* be evil."
"Why?" Ling Ling asked.
"Your raccoon stole my favorite dagger. I respect that."
Mei grinned. "We'll start with Explosives 101."
**[Disciple Recruited: Lian – Talent: *Passive-Aggressive Poisoncraft*]**
---
**The Storm Approaches**
That night, the system blared. **[Final Warning: Corruption at 60%.]*
Zhang Wei dreamt of the Starfall Sword's past—a warrior consumed by shadows, the phoenix abandoning him, a kingdom reduced to ash. He woke to the phoenix screeching, its talons gripping his wrist. Outside, thunder rolled.
Grandmaster Xue's voice boomed across the mountains. **"Celestial Dawn Sect! Your end has come!"**
The Golden Dragon Sect hovered on sky galleons, cannons crackling with qi. The Shadowtail Clan slithered in the shadows below.
Zhang Wei grabbed a ordinary sword, his veins black as ink. "Ready?"
The disciples nodded, the phoenix blazed, and the raccoon munched an acorn.
Somewhere, the Starfall Sword laughed.