Chapter 5: The Tomb Below and the Blood Above
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Qi Feng's day started with porridge, three death glares, and a summons from the Sect Leader.
"Finally," he muttered, popping a steamed bun into his mouth. "The old man's remembered he has a son."
Jin Xian was already waiting outside his quarters, arms folded.
"You're late."
"I was savoring my last moments of peace before your master throws me into a spirit-sealing cauldron," Qi Feng said, stretching.
"Qi Zheng isn't my master," Jin Xian replied flatly. "He's just a sect leader."
"Oh?" Qi Feng raised a brow. "So if I'm his son, does that make me your—"
"Don't."
"—Young Master?"
Jin Xian turned and walked off without answering. Qi Feng followed with a grin.
---
The Sect Leader's Hall was large, cold, and smelled like incense and judgment.
Qi Zheng sat on the main throne-like seat, his robes as pristine as his expression was unreadable. Long silver hair flowed down his shoulders, and his cold, hawk-like eyes bore into Qi Feng the moment he stepped in.
"Son," Qi Zheng said.
Qi Feng bowed slightly. "Sect Leader."
That earned him a flicker of something—perhaps irritation. Perhaps guilt. But Qi Zheng quickly masked it.
"Your performance in recent days has drawn attention," he said. "Your duel. The Pavilion incident. Even Elder Sun has filed multiple reports."
Qi Feng cocked his head. "I hope he used good parchment. I'm worth quality ink."
"You showed power beyond your realm," Qi Zheng said, ignoring the sarcasm. "That… flame. That creature in the Meditation Pavilion. Where did it come from?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Qi Feng said smoothly. "Must've been an illusion caused by poor ventilation."
Qi Zheng's eyes narrowed.
"You are no ordinary disciple."
"And you're no ordinary father," Qi Feng shot back. "Glad we're finally acknowledging things."
There was a long silence. Even Jin Xian, standing to the side, seemed frozen in place.
Finally, Qi Zheng said, "I won't press you further. Not now. But be warned: if your presence threatens the sect, even I won't protect you."
Qi Feng smiled faintly. "Wouldn't dream of it."
---
After the audience, Jin Xian didn't say a word.
He just walked beside Qi Feng like a silent shadow.
Finally, Qi Feng asked, "Is he always like that? Cold enough to freeze spirit beasts?"
"He's not heartless," Jin Xian replied. "He just… gave up on you long ago."
Qi Feng's grin faded a little. "Then I suppose I'll have to give him a reason to regret that."
---
Later that night, Qi Feng wandered the Sect grounds alone. His steps took him deeper and deeper into the forest behind the outer courtyard—into a place that felt… familiar.
A whisper in his soul called to him. A pulse beneath the earth. Something ancient.
He followed it.
There, hidden behind a waterfall and a curtain of moss, was a sealed stone door. Faint glyphs shimmered on its surface—old, forbidden symbols that no modern cultivator dared touch.
Except him.
He reached out.
The seal flared—then parted for him like mist.
The door creaked open.
Inside was a staircase spiraling downward into darkness.
Qi Feng didn't hesitate.
He descended.
---
The chamber beneath was vast and circular, filled with statues of warriors and monsters, all kneeling around a single raised platform. On it sat a sarcophagus made of black jade.
Qi Feng stepped closer.
The lid bore an inscription: "Here lies the Shadow of Stars, Devourer of Light."
He smiled faintly.
"I thought I buried you deeper."
He raised a hand—and the lid shifted.
Inside lay a humanoid figure, desiccated but still radiating dark energy. Clutched in its hands was a sword—long, black, and pulsing with ancient power.
Qi Feng reached in and grasped the hilt.
The moment he touched it, the chamber roared to life. Glyphs flared. Statues moved. Shadows danced along the walls like they were alive.
The voice came, low and echoing:
"WHO DARES—"
"Oh hush," Qi Feng muttered. "It's me. I'm back."
The energy calmed instantly.
Qi Feng drew the sword, holding it up. Black lightning crackled along the blade.
"Welcome home, old friend."
---
Outside, Jin Xian felt it.
A ripple through the ground.
A pressure—ancient and wrong.
He didn't hesitate.
He ran toward it.
---
Qi Feng was admiring the sword when Jin Xian burst through the door, sword drawn.
"Drop the blade!" he shouted.
"Can't," Qi Feng replied. "We go way back. You don't just abandon a murder sword like that."
"That energy—it's demonic."
"Correct."
"You're—"
"Yes, yes, powerful ancient being with a questionable moral compass. Let's move past the dramatic revelation, shall we?"
Jin Xian pointed his sword at Qi Feng. "Explain."
Qi Feng sighed. "Thousands of years ago, before this sect even existed, the world united to seal away a certain Demon God."
Jin Xian's grip tightened. "You're saying that Demon God was—"
"Yours truly," Qi Feng said, offering a cheeky bow.
Jin Xian's expression didn't change.
Qi Feng shrugged. "I'm not here to destroy the world. Not yet, anyway. I just want to live a peaceful life, maybe bully some arrogant disciples, make my deadbeat dad cry, and—"
"That thing is a soul blade," Jin Xian interrupted. "It devours the spirit of whoever it kills."
"Yes," Qi Feng said dreamily. "A true beauty."
"You're insane."
"Only in the mornings."
They stared at each other for a moment.
Then, slowly, Jin Xian lowered his sword.
"You've had multiple chances to kill me," he said. "Or destroy the sect."
"I have, haven't I?" Qi Feng said with mock surprise. "I must be going soft."
"Or," Jin Xian said carefully, "you're not the same creature you were before."
Qi Feng smirked. "Or I'm just biding my time."
Jin Xian turned. "I won't report this."
Qi Feng blinked. "No threats? No loyalty-oaths? Not even a dramatic 'If you betray us, I'll kill you myself'?"
"I think," Jin Xian said as he walked away, "you already know I would."
---
The next morning, Qi Feng was back to pretending he was a half-baked disciple who couldn't tell a Qi thread from a noodle.
At breakfast, he knocked over a tray.
"Sorry! I was just trying to pour tea, but my hand slipped. Curse this clumsy body!"
Jin Xian gave him a look.
Qi Feng winked.
Other disciples whispered behind their fans, but now the whispers were… confused.
"Isn't that the illegitimate son?"
"He beat Elder Sun's disciple in a duel!"
"I heard he destroyed the Meditation Pavilion!"
"Jin Xian is always near him now. Do you think, Qi Feng had been hiding his real skills to survive until he was old enough to protect himself?"
"With his recent skills and strength, do you think, Sect Leader would chose him as the heir?"
"I heard, yesterday Sect Leader invited Qi Feng to meet him. Do you think the next heir is going to change?"
"Then what about the legitimate heir, Young Master Qi Wei?"
Several questions floated in the air, few were subtle, few blatant.
Hearing their useless discussion, Qi Feng stifled a laugh.
He had chaos.
He had power.
And now… he had attention.
Life in the Mortal Realm was smoother than the Upper Realms.