Wen Wuxing stood at the edge of the open tomb, his eyes lingering on the Whispering Relic resting in his palm. The ancient stone pulsed faintly, as though aware that it had finally been found after centuries of silence. Even now, its presence was unnerving—a piece of history erased, now demanding to be known.
Yet, despite the weight of its existence, Wuxing felt no urgency.
He exhaled softly and tucked the relic into his robes. Some truths were not meant to be chased, only revealed when the time was right.
"The shadows move, but they cannot hide forever," he murmured, more to himself than to Wen Qian. "All things will eventually come to light."
Wen Qian, standing a step behind him, studied his expression. "Then for now, we let the darkness be?"
"For now," Wuxing confirmed. "We have another battlefield to prepare for. The Imperial Tournament will be the first stage of the Wen Clan's return."
As if on cue, a System notification appeared.
Ding!
Quest Updated: The Emperor's Stage
Imperial Tournament Begins in 7 Days.
Objective: Establish dominance, forge alliances, and eliminate hidden threats.
Reward: ???
He turned toward the stone passage leading back to the surface. Whatever lay in the past would eventually come for him. But for now, his focus was on the future.
It was time to turn his attention to the Imperial Tournament.
The Wen Clan's training grounds roared with the sounds of sparring disciples, the clashing of weapons, and the surging of qi techniques. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the vast arena as over a hundred disciples engaged in rigorous training.
At the center of the training field, Wen Ren, one of the rising stars among the younger disciples, faced off against an elder instructor. His sword flickered like lightning, his footwork precise, his strikes carrying the weight of refined Wen Clan sword techniques.
The elder parried twice before stepping back, his stance shifting. "Again."
Without hesitation, Wen Ren struck, his blade weaving in a pattern so complex that the air itself hummed in resonance. The Wen Clan's Requiem Sword Style, a technique that had once been feared across the empire, was being revived before their eyes.
From the pavilion above, Wuxing observed the battle, his arms crossed. "They have progressed faster than expected."
"Indeed," Wen Zhi, a senior elder, agreed. His tone was firm but measured. "But is it enough?" His gaze was sharp. "We will not be facing mere sects. The Imperial Tournament is a battlefield where geniuses clash. The Four Great Clans, the Royal Academy, and even hidden factions will be watching."
Wuxing's gaze did not waver. "Then let them watch."
Wen Zhi hesitated for a moment before sighing. "You should know, Patriarch. The Zhao Clan has already begun making their moves. Their heir, Zhao Xu, has been selected as one of their lead competitors. He is said to have inherited an ancient bloodline technique—one that makes him impervious to qi-based attacks."
Wuxing's expression remained unreadable. "That is only a problem for those who rely on brute force alone."
Ding!
Sub-Quest Triggered: The First Challenge
Objective: Identify and counter the hidden schemes targeting the Wen Clan before the tournament begins.
Reward: ???
At that moment, a figure rushed into the training grounds. A shadow guard from the Veil of Shadows Pavilion, his breathing hurried.
"Patriarch!" The man knelt before Wuxing, voice urgent. "A message has arrived from the Imperial City."
Wuxing took the sealed scroll from the man's hands and broke the royal wax seal with a flick of his fingers. The parchment was fine, the ink freshly dried. As his eyes swept over the words, a knowing smirk formed on his lips.
"The Imperial Court has officially acknowledged the Wen Clan's participation in the tournament," he announced. "And they have also requested… a private meeting with me before the event begins."
Wen Zhi's brow furrowed. "A trap?"
"Not quite." Wuxing folded the scroll carefully, his mind already calculating the motives behind the sudden request. "The Crown Prince moves cautiously. He does not yet know whether to consider us an asset or a threat."
"And what of the Emperor?" Wen Qian asked quietly.
Wuxing's gaze darkened slightly. "The Emperor is watching. That much is certain."
Two Nights Later – The Imperial City
The Imperial City of Longhe was a fortress of towering walls, grand palaces built upon the sweat of generations, and an unstoppable tide of power struggles hidden beneath layers of formality. The city never slept, and tonight was no different.
In a private courtyard within the Zhao Clan's main estate, a meeting was taking place under the cover of darkness. A masked figure, draped in ink-black robes, knelt before a tall man seated at a jade-carved table.
"Report," the seated man ordered, his voice deep and authoritative. His face was illuminated by the flickering candlelight—Zhao Jing, the current Patriarch of the Zhao Clan.
The masked figure bowed lower. "The Wen Clan has accepted the Imperial summons. Wen Wuxing will be present at the gathering of clan leaders before the tournament."
Zhao Jing tapped his fingers against the table, deep in thought. "And the Crown Prince?"
"He remains neutral. But his interest in Wen Wuxing is undeniable."
Zhao Jing's lips curled into a smirk. "Then we must ensure that the Crown Prince does not see him as an ally… but as a threat. It is time we remind the empire why the Wen Clan was once feared."
The masked figure hesitated. "Shall we move against him directly?"
Zhao Jing chuckled, his gaze filled with cold amusement. "No. That would be too crude. A direct assassination attempt would only bring more eyes upon him." He leaned forward, voice dropping.
"But if an unfortunate accident were to occur during the tournament…"
The masked figure bowed. "It shall be done."
Ding!
Hidden Threat Detected: The Zhao Clan's Gambit
Objective: Survive the Zhao Clan's planned attempt to eliminate Wen Clan competitors.
Reward: ???
Back at the Wen Clan's Territory
Wuxing stood by his window, gazing at the distant horizon where the Imperial City loomed beneath the night sky. The pieces were moving swiftly. The game had begun long before the tournament itself.
Enemies maneuvered in the shadows. The Court played its own silent game. Even the Phantom Hand watched from the abyss.
He exhaled softly. Good. Let them play.
The Wen Clan had been passive for too long. It was time to remind the world why their name had once shaken the empire.
He turned away, his robes billowing behind him.
In five days, the Imperial Tournament would begin.
And when it did—the entire empire would bear witness to the Wen Clan's return.