Location: Qin Estate – Midnight Patrol Routes
The moon hung low, cloaking the Qin estate in pale silver. Most disciples slept, but Fenglan remained awake. Since rumors had begun to spread, the estate felt… different. Guards whispered among themselves. Servants avoided eye contact. Even some junior elders glanced at him with subtle fear.
Tonight, he moved silently through the deserted corridors, using Spiraling Rift Conduction to mask his presence.
> Someone is stirring the shadows from within.
Rumors don't spread this fast unless guided.
Suddenly, he stopped—hearing hushed voices behind the storage hall.
🌑 A Hidden Conversation
Two Qin disciples—Han Jie and Luo Min—stood whispering anxiously.
> "I heard the Pei family says the twins are cursed…"
"The Void-Link will destroy the clan—Elder Renshu believes it too."
"Should we even be guarding them? What if they bring calamity?"
Fenglan's fist clenched, but he didn't reveal himself. Their fear wasn't theirs alone—it had been planted.
He stepped away, heart heavy.
We are being isolated… piece by piece.
🌌 Yaling Tightens Her Net
Meanwhile, Meiyue walked along the moonlit bridge with Shaw Yaling. The young Shaw heiress carried herself with gentle elegance, her laughter soft and warm. Meiyue enjoyed her presence; someone close to her own age, a friend she never had.
> "Meiyue, have you noticed?" Yaling whispered conspiratorially.
"Noticed what?"
"The elders… the disciples… they look at you differently now."
The seed was planted.
Meiyue hesitated. "I… thought it was just cultivation pressure."
Yaling placed a comforting hand on her arm.
> "Sometimes the danger doesn't come from enemies…
but from those who claim to love us most."
Her words struck deeper than Meiyue understood.
Behind them, in the shadows, Fenglan watched. He had seen Yaling speaking softly to several guards earlier—laughing, joking, winning hearts.
His suspicion grew sharper.
🌠 The Confrontation
Later that night, Fenglan approached Meiyue in their courtyard.
> "Be careful with Yaling."
"Brother, she's kind."
"Too kind. Too perfect."
Meiyue frowned. "Are you jealous because I'm finally making a friend?"
Fenglan's eyes widened at the accusation.
> "Meiyue… it's not that. Something is wrong in the estate. Rumors are spreading. Trust must be earned, not assumed."
She turned away.
> "Not everyone has hidden motives, Fenglan."
He felt the bond pulse painfully—it reacted whenever their hearts drifted apart. The Void-Link trembled, sending a faint ache through both souls.
Meiyue clutched her chest.
> "Brother… the bond… it hurts."
He softened instantly, stepping close.
> "I'm not your enemy. I'm just trying to keep you safe."
But the doubt had already taken root.
🌑 Pei Spies Strike Again
Outside the walls, a hooded Pei agent etched new talismans into the earth.
> "Rumors were phase one. Distrust is phase two."
"Tomorrow, phase three begins—fear."
His talisman glowed, sending a ripple across the city.
A new rumor took shape:
"Qin elders plan to seal the twins… before the curse activates."
By dawn, it would spread like wildfire.