Chapter 12 – The Pendant of Unity
The quiet room was dimly lit, the scent of incense lingering faintly in the air. Liu Yue sat nervously on a cushion, her back straight, her breathing uneven.
Lin Xuan handed her a folded scroll and a shining half of a golden coin.
"This is the true Scriptures of Severed Unity. The coin… is the medium. Do not fight the pain. Let it mark you."
She held the coin in trembling fingers. "Why me?"
"Because you're strong," he replied simply.
With one last glance at him, Liu Yue closed her eyes and began the chant. The golden coin shimmered, vibrating with strange energy—and then, suddenly, it liquified, melting and rushing into her skin.
Her body trembled violently.
"Aaahh—!" she screamed as the heat lanced through her back, the mark burning into her skin like molten fire.
Lin Xuan immediately appeared behind her, steadying her. "Focus! Control your breath! Do not let the energy go wild."
The pain was unbearable, but she gritted her teeth, tears streaming from her eyes. "I—can't—"
"Yes, you can." His voice was cold but steady. "You're already doing it."
Moments passed like hours. And then, suddenly, a burst of qi erupted around her—Liu Yue's cultivation surged from the 1st to the 4th layer of Qi Condensing. Her breath slowed. The pain faded, replaced by exhaustion.
"I-I did it?" she asked in disbelief.
Lin Xuan nodded. "The mark accepted you."
But as she tried to move, a sharp pain returned in her back.
"I can apply more medicine," Lin Xuan offered, reaching for the ointment.
"No—!" she stammered, face flushing crimson. "It's… embarrassing…"
"I've already seen it."
Her resistance crumbled. She turned away, letting her robes fall slightly to reveal the fresh mark glowing on her skin.
As Lin Xuan applied the medicine with practiced calm, Liu Yue's face remained bright red, her heart pounding louder than any spiritual technique.
When it was done, she quickly pulled her robes back up, muttered a thank-you, and practically ran out of the room.
Lin Xuan stared after her for a moment… then looked at his own hand, faint traces of golden light still flickering around his fingers.
"The balance has begun," he murmured.
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