[Author: Read Chapter 0 to understand the story better.]
A Few Hours Ago...
Somewhere in the Ten Thousand Mountains, where monstrous beasts roamed freely, a small cave lay hidden among the towering trees.
Inside the cave, a beautiful young lady sat cross legged on a flat stone.
Her name was Scarlet Morvain.
She was the young miss of the prestigious Morvain Family.
She possessed breathtaking beauty. However, Despite her beauty she had been unable to cultivate properly.
At sixteen years old, she was still stuck at the First Stage of Qi Refining.
In a world where powerful women ruled through strength, Scarlet was considered the shame of the Morvain Family.
Her fiancé, on the other hand, was a cultivation genius. Before the age of twenty, he had already reached the Sixth Stage of Qi Refining and had been personally accepted as a personal disciple by an Inner Sect Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Because of the difference in their status, her fiancé broke off their engagement.
Not only did he humiliate Scarlet, but he also publicly disgraced the Morvain Family, turning them into the laughingstock of the Azure Maple City.
Unable to bear the humiliation, the Morvain Family Matriarch stripped Scarlet of her title as the young miss and expelled her from the family.
Scarlet did not object.
She knew her worth.
Silently enduring everything, she left the Morvain Family without looking back.
After leaving the family, she changed out of her luxurious robes and put on a rogue robe, making her look like nothing more than an ordinary rogue cultivator.
She then entered the Ten Thousand Mountains, found a secluded cave, and sat down cross-legged to cultivate.
The cave was silent. The only sound disturbing the stillness was the distant roar of spirit beasts.
Scarlet reached beneath her robe and gently pulled out a crimson pendant hanging around her neck.
She gazed at it quietly.
It was the only keepsake her late father had left behind.
She still remembered his final words.
"Scarlet, this pendant is our family’s greatest treasure. It contains the inheritance of our ancestor."
"Only one who is truly worthy can awaken it and inherit her legacy."
"Protect it with your life."
Since that day, Scarlet had never allowed the pendant to leave her side.
For years, she had continuously nourished it with her spiritual qi, hoping to awaken the inheritance hidden within.
Nothing had ever happened.
Until three years ago.
While meditating, Scarlet suddenly found herself standing within a sea of crimson flames.
There, a breathtakingly beautiful yet overwhelmingly majestic woman appeared before her.
The woman possessed long scarlet hair that flowed like flames, while a golden phoenix hovered behind her.
She introduced herself as the Phoenix Empress, the founder of Scarlet’s bloodline.
The Phoenix Empress told Scarlet that she possessed the qualifications to inherit her supreme sword art.
However, the inheritance had not yet fully awakened.
Scarlet had to continue nourishing the pendant with her spiritual qi until the seal was completely broken.
Only then would she inherit the legendary sword art of her ancestor.
Scarlet slowly closed her fingers around the crimson pendant.
A faint warmth flowed from it, as if it were responding to her touch.
She let out a quiet sigh.
"Just a little longer..."
Three years.
She had waited for three long years.
If the Phoenix Empress had spoken the truth, the seal would soon be completely broken.
Once that happened, she would finally gain the strength to change her fate.
No longer would she be ridiculed as a worthless cultivator.
No longer would she have to endure the scorn of others.
She closed her eyes and slowly circulated her spiritual qi.
Thin streams of qi flowed from her dantian into the pendant through her fingertips. The crimson gemstone greedily absorbed every strand of spiritual energy, its dim glow growing brighter with each passing moment.
The cave fell silent.
Minutes passed.
Scarlet remained completely focused, carefully controlling every thread of spiritual qi. Even the slightest mistake could interrupt the awakening she had waited years for.
Then...
Buzz!
The crimson pendant suddenly trembled.
Scarlet’s eyes snapped open.
A tiny crack appeared across the surface of the gemstone.
"It reacted..."
Excitement flickered across her usually calm face.
Another pulse rippled through the pendant.
Crack.
A second fracture slowly spread beside the first.
At the same time, the spiritual qi throughout the cave became restless.
Invisible currents of energy gathered from every direction, rushing toward the pendant as though drawn by an irresistible force.
The air grew heavy.
Scarlet immediately poured more spiritual qi into the pendant.
Drops of sweat formed on her forehead as more and more qi drained from her dantian.
"This is it..."
"I can feel the seal weakening."
Her heartbeat quickened.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the cave.
Scarlet’s expression changed.
Someone was approaching.
No...
Several people.
Their footsteps were light, steady, and perfectly synchronized, unlike those of ordinary cultivators.
Scarlet quickly hid the pendant beneath her robe and rose to her feet.
Her eyes fixed on the cave entrance.
A few moments later, several figures emerged from the shadows.
They were clad in black armor from head to toe, their faces hidden behind expressionless black masks.
Each carried a bloodstained sword at their waist.
The leader slowly drew her blade.
A sharp metallic cry echoed through the cave.
An overwhelming killing intent swept through the air, causing the temperature to plummet.
Scarlet narrowed her crimson eyes.
"The Dead Warrior..."
She immediately recognized the emblem engraved on their breastplates.
The Dead Warrior.
The Morvain Family’s secret execution force.
They existed solely to carry out assassinations and eliminate anyone who threatened the family’s interests.
Once they accepted a mission, they never returned without their target’s head.
The leader pointed her sword at Scarlet.
Her voice was cold and emotionless.
"Scarlet Morvain."
"By order of Elder Morvain, you are to be executed."
Scarlet’s heart sank.
"So..."
"They really intend to silence me."
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
She had expected the Morvain Family to abandon her.
She had never imagined they would send assassins to hunt her down.
The leader slowly raised her sword.
"Leave no trace."
At her command, the other Dead Warrior silently unsheathed their blades.
Without holding back, they released their spiritual qi.
Three were at the Fifth Stage of Qi Refining.
Two were at the Sixth Stage.
Their leader...
The Eighth Stage of Qi Refining.
The pressure of their combined auras filled the cave.
Scarlet tightened her grip on her sword.
She was only at the First Stage of Qi Refining.
The difference between them was overwhelming.
She knew she couldn’t win.
Even so, she slowly drew her sword.
The blade slid free with a clear metallic ring, reflecting the faint light entering the cave.
She took a deep breath and pointed it at the Dead Knights.
"If you want my life..."
Her crimson eyes never wavered.
"...come and take it."
***
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