THE SHADOW DRAGON'S SUSPICIONS
The Moiying Valley, also known as the shadow trace, is one of the most powerful nations among the six nations. They wielded the shadow weaves, and there were some of them whose cultivation was rooted in fire. Some of them had survived the 'nine hills den' and so could wield the dark energy too.
For years, the golden rain hadn't fallen, but they still had a mysterious way of keeping their plants and offspring flourishing and not dying.
The Moiying Valley was divided into clans and estates. Each successful warrior had his own unique estate where he lived and controlled.
The Azure Stream estate was less a building and more a fortress carved into the side of a dormant volcano. Here, the air crackled with a dry heat and the scent of sulfur and fire-infused Qi. Long Yue, the sole owner of the estate who was widely known as the "Shadow Dragon," sat cross-legged on the black obsidian meditation platform in his private courtyard.
Unlike the delicate elegance of the Qingyun Sect - a place of white jade and flowing water that Long Yue found unbearably soft to him, they were like fairies. The only thing that differentiated it from the fairy land was their warriors.
His own home was built for strength and resilience. Every stone reflected the philosophy of his person: survival above all else, using power in its rawest form. He had rebuilt Azure stream when he inherited it after rising to become the strongest warrior in the Valley.
Long Yue was currently immersed in his inner cultivation, guiding the intense fire-Qi through his meridians. He was the undisputed champion of the Moiying Valley, a position he earned through brutal, unforgiving tournaments within his own nation. He was powerful, focused, and ambitious. His goal was singular: to win the Golden Rain at the upcoming Six Nations Tournament.
He had left Qingyun Sect immediately after observing the qualifiers, eager to finalize his preparations. The performance of the other nations was his main concern, yet his mind kept wandering back to one specific anomaly.
The Prince's energy signature.
He was surprised that the Prince lost. He had fought the Prince in the last tournament and knew that defeating him was not a piece of cake.
"Master" His animal companion called.
"Blaze (Huo)" Long Yue called.
He bowed.
"What were you able to find about him?"
"Nothing much. The Crown Prince lives in a magically sealed chamber."
"It is okay. Princess Li Hua summoned me earlier. Find out where her uncle is. We need to be careful."
"Okay." He said. He changed into a Falcon and flew away.
Long Yue's animal companion was a fire Falcon. Nobody else knew about it except him and his elderly housekeeper, Granny Xun.
He returned to his meditation.
Long Yue was a master of stealth and strategy, his energy-concealing arts second to none. He had watched the arena action from behind a veil of invisibility, confident nobody had sensed his presence. He didn't care about the Qingyun Prince's political troubles or the resulting chaos of his humiliating loss. But what he did care about was the signature he'd observed.
That burst of dark, corrupted Qi was highly irregular within the pure Qingyun Sect. It felt ancient, dark, and utterly forbidden. He frowned, breaking meditation. It was his own nation's Mo Teng Curse. But what was it doing there? And who might have sent it there. Who was the person affiliated with the Qingyun Sect from Moiying?
He sighed. It was a Qingyun matter and should even be to his own advantage. Now that the Crown Prince has been kicked off the battlefield, victory would be sure for him. He would bring back the golden rain on the Moiying Valley's filthy land.
The land had been corrupted by the upper ups. The chiefs used different diabolical means to keep the land blooming.
Long Yue was not like the rest of his clan elders, who often dabbled in truly nefarious methods for power. He played by a brutal but honest code. The use of a slow poison was a cowardly act. If the Prince was infected, it meant someone within the capital was using Valley techniques against a rival nation—a dangerous provocation that could lead to war, something even the Shadow Dragon wished to avoid before the tournament.
He dismissed the matter as not his concern, resolving to focus solely on his power and the coming battles. He had a reputation to maintain and a nation's honour to restore. He had to honour the nation. He scoffed. He had to honour the nation of the person who had saved his life.
"Master." Blaze called.
"What did you find?" He asked without looking up.
"He is in the Emperor's chambers. I don't think that he knows of the Princess's summon."
"Are you sure of that?" he asked.
"Yes. I am very sure of it."
Granny Xun appeared almost immediately. "My lord, your breakfast is ready. You need to see Princess Li Hua after this."
"He has not forgotten." Blaze replied.
"Little Huo Huo, I was not asking you. Learn how to control your tiny mouth when elders are talking. Now fly away." She shot the Falcon a look of contempt, and he looked at her with the same look.
They stood glaring daggers at each other. They did not like each other, and every time they saw each other, it was always a duel that occurred.
They turned, and they couldn't find the shadow dragon again. He had left them while they were preparing to fight. They both shot each other another disgusting look before disappearing.
….
Long Yue stood dressing up to meet Princess Li Hua. She is the daughter of the Emperor and also the reason why he is fighting for this shitty nation.
She had saved his life, and in exchange, he must serve her nation.
"Everything is ready for the movement Master." Blaze announced.
"Okay." he said and turned to him.
"I will go alone, make sure that everything here is in good hands and good condition too." he ordered. "and that includes Granny Xun. Don't fight her."
Blaze nodded reluctantly.
"And also, do one more thing for me." he turned back to him.
"Find Mei Lin for me. Get her location and whatever she is up to right now. It has been too long."