Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Shadows of the Pavilion
The ruins lay in eerie silence, the scent of blood still fresh in the cold night air. Chan Li stood amidst the wreckage, his golden eyes gleaming with intrigue. The Black Lotus Pavilion had just declared war, but the true enemy remained hidden behind the veil of darkness.
Yan Ling tightened his grip on his weapon, his jaw clenched. "Sect Master, if these assassins were just the beginning, then we need to prepare for something much worse."
Chan Li smiled, his fan snapping open with a crisp sound. "Precisely. Which is why we must act first. If the Black Lotus Pavilion wants to play games, let's flip the board over."
A City in Peril
Just as they were about to leave the ruins, a messenger disciple from the sect arrived, panting and covered in sweat.
"Sect Master! Urgent news!" The disciple bowed deeply, his voice trembling. "The city of White Orchid has been attacked! Black-cloaked figures are massacring civilians, and the city lord has requested immediate assistance!"
Chan Li's amusement faded, replaced by a glacial sharpness.
"The Black Lotus Pavilion dares to attack openly?" He turned to his disciples. "We move. Now."
Within moments, the Heavenly Mystical Sect mobilized. Dozens of disciples soared through the night sky, their speed unnatural as they followed their master towards White Orchid City.
Battle in the Streets. By the time they arrived, the city was in chaos. Buildings burned, corpses littered the streets, and Black Lotus assassins moved like wraiths, cutting down anyone who resisted.
A group of city guards formed a desperate last stand near the central plaza, their formation barely holding against the relentless assault.
Chan Li's gaze swept the battlefield, taking in the scene.
He snapped his fingers. "Yan Ling, take the left flank. Liu Feng, cover the civilians. The rest of you crush them."
With a roar, the disciples surged forward. The battle had begun.
Heavenly Might vs. Assassins
Yan Ling moved like a black storm, his demonic cultivation surging. He grinned as he tore through a group of assassins, his Shadow Palm technique sending them crashing into burning buildings.
Liu Feng, the sect's formation expert, raised a hand, golden runes glowing beneath his feet. "Heaven's Barrier Array!"
A translucent barrier expanded, shielding the civilians as assassins' blades bounced off uselessly.
Meanwhile, Chan Li moved through the battlefield like a ghost.
An assassin lunged at him from the shadows.
Without looking, Chan Li flicked his fan a gust of wind sharper than steel severed the assassin's head from his shoulders.
Another tried to strike from above.
Chan Li stepped aside, letting the assassin plunge past him before tapping his forehead lightly.
The assassin's body convulsed, his soul crushed by an invisible force. He hit the ground lifeless.
The disciples fought valiantly, cutting down the assassins one by one.
The Mastermind Appears
Just as victory seemed within reach, a chilling laughter echoed through the night.
A figure draped in black robes stepped forward, his face obscured by a mask marked with a lotus sigil.
"So, the legendary Heavenly Mystical Sect finally arrives." His voice was smooth, yet dripping with malice. "Chan Li, I've heard much about you. Let's see if you're truly as invincible as they claim."
With a flick of his wrist, the masked man unleashed a tidal wave of black Qi, consuming the battlefield in darkness.
Chan Li's eyes narrowed. A true challenge had finally arrived.