Chapter 35: Confrontation at Weapon Hall
The competition drew to a close, the echoes of the cheering crowd slowly fading as the participants began to disperse. Sanjeev, however, couldn't shake off the turmoil in his mind. His encounter with that girl... Milli. The memories that resurfaced were like a poisoned dagger twisting in his heart.
He saw her face, so innocent and beautiful in his past life, now twisted with cruelty and malice. He remembered their childhood, the laughter, the shared dreams, the innocent affection. And then, the betrayal. The sudden, brutal theft of his meridians, the agonizing pain, the chilling laughter that still haunted his nightmares.
The realization that Milli was here, in this sect, thriving under the patronage of Chief Elder Rui, fueled a burning rage within Sanjeev. He wanted to lash out, to take his revenge then and there. But he knew he couldn't. Not yet. The sect competition was still ongoing, and interfering would bring severe consequences. He had to be patient, to bide his time, and to plan his revenge carefully.
Milli, having won the final round, was basking in the glory of her victory. Chief Elder Rui, her face radiating pride, approached Milli and offered her a place as her personal disciple. Milli, without hesitation, accepted the offer, further solidifying her position and power within the sect.
Sanjeev watched the exchange with a clenched jaw, his fists trembling with suppressed fury. He wanted to scream, to challenge Milli, but he forced himself to remain calm. He had to think rationally.
Later that day, Sanjeev, Xiner, Aarav, and the other disciples who had passed the tests gathered at a designated altar. The atmosphere was thick with a mixture of excitement and anticipation, but Sanjeev's mood remained somber.
As the disciples mingled, Milli spotted Sanjeev in the crowd. A cruel smile twisted her lips as she approached him, her eyes glittering with mockery. "Well, well, well," she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "If it isn't the cripple. What are you doing here? Did you somehow manage to sneak past the first test?"
Her words were like salt on an open wound. Sanjeev's anger flared, but he managed to keep his voice level. "If I'm a cripple," he retorted, his voice dangerously low, "then you're lower than the dirt beneath my feet."
His unexpected retort silenced the crowd. The surrounding disciples gasped, their eyes widening in shock. Milli's face contorted with rage. She had not expected Sanjeev to dare speak to her in such a way.
"You dare—" she hissed, her hand flashing out in a palm strike aimed at Sanjeev's chest.
But Sanjeev was prepared. He had been honing his body refinement technique, strengthening his physical defenses. The palm strike connected, but it had no effect. Sanjeev didn't even flinch.
The crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs. They couldn't believe that Milli's attack had failed to leave a mark on Sanjeev. Milli herself was stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Sanjeev, her hand trembling slightly.
Sanjeev seized the opportunity. He retaliated with a swift counter-strike, his fist aimed at Milli's face. But before his fist could connect, an elder intervened, his figure appearing between them like a sudden gust of wind.
"Enough!" the elder boomed, his voice filled with authority. "You are forbidden from fighting in this sacred place. Any disputes must be settled through official channels."
The elder's intervention diffused the immediate tension, but the animosity between Sanjeev and Milli remained palpable. Xiner, who had witnessed the entire exchange, rushed to Sanjeev's side, her face filled with concern.
"Sanjeev, who is that girl?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Sanjeev took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He knew he couldn't keep his past a secret from Xiner any longer. He had to tell her the truth.
He recounted his tragic past, the story of his childhood friendship with Milli, her betrayal, and the theft of his meridians. He spared no detail, his voice filled with a mixture of pain and bitterness.
"Milli and I grew up together," Sanjeev began, his voice heavy with sorrow. "We were inseparable, the best of friends. We shared everything - our dreams, our secrets, our laughter. I trusted her completely."
His voice hardened as he continued. "But Milli harbored a dark secret. She was obsessed with power, with achieving immortality. One day, she discovered an ancient text that spoke of a way to extract the extraordinary meridians from another person's body, granting the extractor immense potential."
Sanjeev paused, his face contorted with pain as he recalled the horrific event. "She found out that I was born with these unique meridians, far superior to ordinary ones. They were the key to achieving great power and a long life. And that's when her true nature was revealed."
He continued, his voice trembling slightly. "One day, Milli lured me to a secluded place, a place far from any prying eyes. I was only ten years old, completely unsuspecting of her treachery. She told me she wanted to show me a secret, a special place she had discovered."
"When we were alone, she took out an artifact - a dark, pulsating device that glowed with an eerie light. Before I could react, she activated it. The artifact emitted a powerful energy that enveloped my body, and I felt an excruciating pain, as if my very essence was being torn apart."
Sanjeev's voice cracked as he described the agony. "It was the meridian extraction device. Milli used it to forcefully rip my extraordinary meridians from my body. I screamed in agony, but she just laughed, her face twisted with cruel delight. She reveled in my suffering, in my helplessness."
Xiner listened in horror, her face pale and tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't believe the cruelty that Sanjeev had endured.
Sanjeev continued, his voice filled with bitterness. "The pain was unbearable. It felt like my life force was being ripped away. When it was over, I was left with crippled meridians, no different from an ordinary person. My dreams of cultivation, of becoming a powerful warrior, were shattered."
But Milli's cruelty didn't end there. "As I lay there, weak and broken, Milli poisoned me," Sanjeev revealed, his voice filled with a cold fury. "She used a rare and insidious poison, one that specifically targeted the meridians. It wasn't a lethal poison, but it was far more insidious. It blocked the flow of spiritual energy in my meridians, preventing me from cultivating ever again. It was a slow, agonizing death for my potential."
"She wanted to make sure I could never rise again, never become a threat to her. She stole my future, my potential, my very destiny." Sanjeev's voice was filled with a pain that resonated deep within Xiner's heart.
Xiner was beyond words. She couldn't fathom the depths of Milli's depravity. To betray a friend, a child, in such a brutal and calculated manner... it was monstrous.
Sanjeev's voice softened slightly as he looked at Xiner, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and determination. "That's why I can never forgive her," he said. "She took everything from me. But I won't let her win. I will get my revenge. I will make her pay for what she did."
Xiner reached out and took Sanjeev's hand, her grip firm and reassuring. "Don't worry, Sanjeev," she said, her voice filled with determination. "We will get justice for you. We will make her pay for what she did."
Sanjeev squeezed her hand gratefully. He knew that with Xiner and his other friends by his side, he could face any challenge.
The elder who had stopped the fight cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the disciples. "Those of you who have been chosen by a master may now proceed to the inner sect," he announced. "Those who have not been chosen may select a peak according to your preferences."
Sanjeev, Xiner, and Aarav exchanged glances. Sanjeev had already been accepted by the Alchemist Peak Master, and Xiner had been chosen by the Beast Taming Elder. Aarav, too, would likely join the Alchemy Peak with Sanjeev.
As the disciples began to disperse, a sense of melancholy settled over the group. They realized that their paths were about to diverge. Xiner and Sanjeev would be going to different peaks, and even Aarav would be busy with his own training. They would no longer be able to spend as much time together as they used to.
Xiner's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I'm going to miss you, Sanjeev," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how I'm going to cope without seeing you every day."
Sanjeev felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He would miss Xiner terribly. Her presence had been a constant source of comfort and support.
He reached out and gently cupped her face in his hands. "I'll miss you too, Xiner," he said, his voice filled with tenderness. "But we have to be strong. We have to focus on our training and become stronger. Only then can we protect ourselves and the people we care about."
He leaned in and kissed her, his lips lingering on hers for a moment. It was a tender, passionate kiss, a promise of enduring love and unwavering commitment.
Aarav, watching the scene with a bittersweet smile, turned to Xuner. He had developed a fondness for the stoic weapon refiner, and he hoped that their separation wouldn't be permanent.
He stepped closer to her, his heart pounding in his chest. "Xuner," he began, his voice slightly hesitant, "I... I'm going to miss you too. Will we... will we see each other again?"
Xuner, who had been trying to maintain her composure, blushed slightly at Aarav's words. She had grown to appreciate his cheerful nature and his unwavering support.
"Of course, we will," she replied, her voice soft. "We are all part of the Lotus Blade Sect. We will find ways to meet."
Aarav's face lit up with relief. He wanted to kiss her, to express his feelings in a more tangible way, but Xuner suddenly turned away, a hint of shyness in her eyes.
"I... I have to go now," she said quickly. "I need to go to Weapon Refinement Peak."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Aarav standing there, a mixture of disappointment and longing in his heart.
Sanjeev and Aarav then made their way to Alchemy Peak. As they arrived, they were greeted by Elder Ye Tan, who had gathered the new disciples who had chosen to join his peak.
Elder Ye Tan, his face beaming with pride, introduced Sanjeev and Aarav to the other disciples, highlighting their exceptional talent in alchemy. The other disciples looked at Sanjeev and Aarav with a mixture of awe and respect.
"Welcome to Alchemy Peak," Elder Ye Tan announced, his voice filled with warmth. "Here, you will hone your skills, deepen your understanding of the Dao, and strive to reach the pinnacle of alchemy. As new disciples, you will each be given a token that will allow you to select a weapon from the Weapon Hall. This is a tradition for all new inner sect disciples."
Sanjeev and Aarav thanked Elder Ye Tan and then headed towards the Weapon Hall. As they approached the hall, they could feel the powerful energies radiating from within. The Weapon Hall was not just a storage place for weapons; it was a place imbued with the essence of countless battles and the craftsmanship of generations of weapon smiths.
The hall itself was an imposing structure, built from a dark, metallic ore that seemed to absorb and amplify the ambient energy. Intricate carvings adorned its walls, depicting scenes of legendary warriors wielding their weapons in epic battles. The entrance was guarded by two massive statues of ancient weapon masters, their eyes glowing with an eerie light.
As Sanjeev and Aarav stepped inside, they were greeted by a breathtaking sight. The hall was vast, stretching as far as the eye could see, and filled with an incredible array of weapons. Swords of all shapes and sizes lined the walls, their blades gleaming with sharpness. Spears stood in neat rows, their tips radiating auras of piercing power. Axes, hammers, and other heavy weapons were displayed on pedestals, their sheer size and weight testament to their destructive potential.
The weapons were not merely mundane objects; they were artifacts imbued with spiritual energy, each possessing unique properties and powers. Some hummed with latent magic, others pulsed with raw physical strength, and still others resonated with the wills of their former wielders.
Sanjeev felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation. He knew that choosing the right weapon was crucial. It had to be a weapon that resonated with his own energy, a weapon that would complement his fighting style and enhance his abilities.
As they walked deeper into the hall, they saw Milli standing in a corner, surrounded by a group of her sycophants. She was examining a particularly ornate sword, her eyes gleaming with avarice.
Milli spotted Sanjeev and Aarav and immediately approached them, a malicious grin spreading across her face. "Look who's here," she sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "The cripple and his little friend. What are you doing here? Looking for a weapon to compensate for your lack of talent?"
Her words, as always, were designed to provoke. Milli took pleasure in belittling Sanjeev, in reminding him of his past weakness. She wanted to assert her dominance, to prove that she was superior to him in every way.
Sanjeev's anger, which had been simmering beneath the surface, finally erupted. He had endured enough of Milli's taunts and insults. He was tired of being treated like a weakling. He was no longer the helpless child she had once known. He had grown stronger, both physically and mentally, and he was not afraid to stand up to her.
"I've had enough of your venom, Milli," he said, his voice dangerously low, each word laced with suppressed fury. "I challenge you to a duel."
The words hung in the air, thick with tension. The surrounding disciples stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at Sanjeev and Milli, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. No one had ever dared to challenge Milli so openly before.
Milli blinked, taken aback by Sanjeev's sudden outburst. She had expected him to cower before her, not to challenge her. She had underestimated his resolve.
"A duel?" she scoffed, her initial surprise quickly replaced by her usual arrogance. "You? Don't be ridiculous. You're not even on my level. You're too weak to even scratch me."
She gestured dismissively at Sanjeev, her eyes filled with disdain. She saw him as a pathetic figure, a shadow of his former self. She couldn't comprehend that he would dare to challenge her, a rising star in the Lotus Blade Sect.
"Then let's make it interesting," Sanjeev countered, his eyes blazing with determination. He was not going to back down. He was going to make Milli pay for her past crimes. "If your precious junior loses, you will kneel before me and beg for my forgiveness. If I lose, I will do the same to you."
His words sent a shockwave through the hall. The stakes were incredibly high. To kneel and beg for forgiveness was the ultimate humiliation, a complete and utter defeat.
Milli hesitated for a moment, her confidence wavering slightly. She was confident in her junior's abilities. He was a skilled fighter, and she doubted that Sanjeev, with his "crippled" meridians, could defeat him. But there was a nagging doubt in the back of her mind. She had seen Sanjeev's resilience, his determination. She had felt the raw power emanating from him during their brief confrontation earlier.
A cruel smile twisted her lips. The thrill of the challenge, the opportunity to crush Sanjeev completely, was too tempting to resist. "Very well," she said, her voice dripping with malicious glee. "I accept your challenge. But this match will be held three months from now. That will give you enough time to train... though I doubt it will make any difference."
She wanted to drag out his suffering, to make him endure the agony of anticipation. She wanted to crush his hopes and dreams, to prove once and for all that he was nothing but a weakling.
Sanjeev nodded, his expression grim. Three months was a long time, but he would use every second of it to prepare. He would train harder than ever before, pushing his body and his mind to their limits. He would master new techniques, refine his skills, and seek out any advantage he could find.
"Three months," he said, his voice firm and unwavering. "I will be ready."
Milli turned and walked away, her entourage trailing behind her like obedient lapdogs. She glanced back at Sanjeev, her eyes filled with a mixture of contempt and amusement. She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he realized the futility of his efforts.
Sanjeev watched her go, his heart filled with a mixture of anger and determination. He knew that he had just made a dangerous enemy, but he was prepared to face her. He would use the next three months to train harder than ever before, to hone his skills, and to prepare for the upcoming duel. He would prove to Milli, and to everyone else, that he was not a cripple. He was a force to be reckoned with.
Sanjeev and Aarav then turned their attention to the task at hand: selecting their weapons. The Weapon Hall was filled with an array of weapons, each radiating a unique aura of power. Sanjeev knew that he had to choose wisely. His life, and the lives of his loved ones, might depend on it.