Ascendancy of the Jade Clan

The Sanctum's chamber was alive with the hum of qi, the air thick with energy that seemed to pulse in time with Li Chen's heartbeat. He sat cross-legged before the ancient carvings, his dark skin glistening with sweat under the pendant's faint glow. His black hair clung to his forehead, his amber eyes closed as he focused on his breathing. The qi within him stirred, a steady current that flowed through his veins, purer and more potent than ever before.

Elder Ming hovered beside him, his translucent form flickering like a dying flame. "You're close," he said, his voice tinged with a rare note of encouragement. "I can feel it. The barrier to mid Qi Awakening is within your grasp. Break through it, and you'll be one step closer to standing against the Golden Cloud Sect."

Li Chen's brow furrowed, his concentration unwavering. "It's like trying to hold water in my hands," he muttered, his voice strained. "Every time I think I've got it, it slips away."

Ming's lips twitched, a hint of amusement in his starlit eyes. "Qi is not something you can grasp, boy. It's something you become. Stop trying to control it and let it flow through you. You're not a dam—you're a river."

Li Chen exhaled slowly, letting Ming's words sink in. He relaxed his grip on his qi, allowing it to flow freely. The energy surged within him, filling his core until it felt like it might burst. And then, with a sudden, almost imperceptible shift, something clicked.

The qi within him stabilized, its chaotic energy settling into a steady, controlled stream. Li Chen's eyes snapped open, his amber gaze blazing with newfound power. He felt stronger, faster, more attuned to the world around him. The carvings on the walls seemed to glow brighter, their secrets more accessible than ever.

"I did it," he said, his voice filled with quiet awe. "Mid Qi Awakening."

Ming's form flickered, a smirk playing on his translucent lips. "Took you long enough. I was beginning to think I'd have to haunt you for another century before you figured it out."

Li Chen shot him a glare, though there was no real heat behind it. "Your encouragement is truly inspiring, Elder Ming."

"I'm a spirit, not a nursemaid," Ming retorted, his tone dry. "Now, let's see what you can do with that newfound power. The Golden Cloud Sect's hunters won't wait for you to finish your tea."

As if on cue, a faint rumble echoed through the Sanctum, the sound of footsteps and voices filtering down from above. Li Chen's expression hardened, his jaw tightening. "They're here."

Ming's form flickered, his starlit eyes narrowing. "Then it's time to put your training to the test. Remember, boy, strength alone won't save you. Use your wits, or you'll end up like your ancestors—etched into these walls as a cautionary tale."

Li Chen nodded, his resolve hardening. He rose to his feet, his movements fluid and confident. The pendant around his neck pulsed softly, its light guiding him as he made his way to the Sanctum's entrance. The stone door groaned as it opened, revealing the ruins of the ancestral hall above.

In the Ruins...

Captain Zhang stood amidst the shattered remains of the Jade Flame Clan's ancestral hall, his golden robes gleaming faintly in the moonlight. His hunters moved through the ruins, their movements precise and deliberate. The air was thick with tension, the faint hum of qi making the hairs on the back of Zhang's neck stand on end.

"Spread out," Zhang ordered, his voice sharp. "The boy is here. I can feel it."

The hunters obeyed, fanning out into the shadows. Zhang remained where he was, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His dark eyes scanned the ruins, his gaze lingering on the shattered altar. The cracks in the stone seemed to pulse faintly as if breathing.

"You cannot hide forever, boy," Zhang murmured, his voice low and dangerous. "When we find you, you'll wish you had died with your clan."

The Confrontation...

Li Chen emerged from the Sanctum, his amber eyes scanning the ruins. He spotted the hunters immediately, their golden robes standing out against the moonlit rubble. There were six of them, each armed and radiating the sharp, controlled qi of mid to late Qi Awakening cultivators.

"Well, well," one of the hunters sneered, spotting Li Chen. "The rat finally comes out of his hole."

Li Chen said nothing, his expression calm but his body tense. He could feel the qi within him, steady and controlled, ready to be unleashed.

"Take him alive," Zhang ordered, his voice cold. "The patriarch wants his head delivered personally."

The hunters moved as one, their qi flaring as they lunged at Li Chen. He reacted instantly, his movements fluid and precise. The first hunter swung a blade of condensed qi, but Li Chen sidestepped, his own qi surging as he countered with a palm strike. The hunter crumpled, his qi dissipating as he fell.

"Not bad," Ming's voice echoed in Li Chen's mind. "But don't get cocky. There are five more."

Li Chen didn't respond, his focus entirely on the battle. The next hunter came at him with a flurry of qi-infused strikes, but Li Chen dodged and weaved, his movements almost dance-like. He countered with a kick, his qi-enhanced strength sending the hunter flying into a pile of rubble.

The remaining hunters hesitated, their confidence wavering. Li Chen took advantage of their uncertainty, his qi flaring as he unleashed a wave of energy that sent them stumbling back.

"Now," Ming said, his voice urgent. "The altar. Use it."

Li Chen's eyes flicked to the shattered altar, its cracks glowing faintly. He sprinted toward it, his qi surging as he slammed his palm against the stone. The ruins trembled, already filled with qi they began to overload, the ground shook, and the pillars that held everything up began to crumble.

"What's he doing?" one of the hunters shouted, his voice panicked.

"Stop him!" Zhang roared, but it was too late.

The ceiling above the hunters collapsed, massive chunks of stone crashing down as the ruins gave way. The hunters screamed, their voices cut off as they were buried beneath the rubble.

Li Chen stood amidst the dust and debris, his chest heaving, his amber eyes blazing with determination. He had done it. He had survived.

With the hunters defeated Li Chen turned his gaze to the horizon. The nearest city, Xiling, lay to the east, its lights faintly visible in the distance. He took a deep breath, his resolve hardening.

"You've taken your first step," Ming said, his voice softer now. "But the road ahead is long. The Golden Cloud Sect will not rest, and neither can you."

Li Chen nodded, his expression grim. "I know. But I won't rest either till they're gone and my clan has returned."