"In the vast chessboard of fate, not every piece is chosen by choice—some are forged through it. As Shaurya rise in glory—another soul is ready to walk with him. Before Her destiny bring her to Sanatan Flame Sect and to Shaurya. This is her story."
"Some are born to bloom under sunlight, others are forced to bloom in darkness—like her, Lin Shu."
The story began not with blood or war, but with laughter—innocent and pure. A five-year-old Lin Shu ran through the vibrant Lin family estate, her soft laughter echoing in the garden as her mother chased her playfully. Her father, Lin Ru, watched them from a distance, his smile warm and his eyes filled with pride.
"Shu'er, come here! Look what father brought you," he called, revealing a delicate jade hairpin.
Little Lin Shu ran up to him and embraced him. "Father, you're the best!"
Her mother, gentle and elegant, kissed her forehead. "You're our pride, sweetheart."
That memory—perfect, glowing—was the last time Lin Shu remembered what true happiness felt like.
---
When Lin Shu turned six, her mother fell gravely ill. Whispers said it was sudden… unnatural. A few months later, her mother passed away. Lin Shu was too young to understand the shadows behind the tears.
At the funeral, Lin Ru didn't shed a single tear. Just two weeks later, he brought another woman into the house—his new wife, Lin Ja, sister of the Gu Family Patriarch.
From that moment on, the sunshine disappeared from Lin Shu's life.
The mansion that once held warmth now whispered cruelty. The servants who used to adore her now sneered behind her back. Lin Ja's glare followed her every move. The maids pinched, cursed, and starved her, and no one cared.
"Why didn't you die with your mother?" her stepmother spat one day, flinging hot tea in her face.
Lin Ru didn't stop it. He never did.
---
By age 12, Lin Shu learned the truth. Her real mother hadn't died of illness—she had been murdered.
By her own father.
When she confronted him, shaking with tears and rage, Lin Ru only laughed. "You inherited your mother's foolishness."
She tried to stab him with a sharp dagger that night.
She failed.
And that failure cost her everything.
---
Lin Ja: "This Dead Girl. Dared to rebeal we should have kill her.
Lin Ja wanted her dead.
But Lin Ru... he had a different idea.
"Don't kill her," he said with a wicked smile. "We'll make her useful. A puppet with blood ties makes the best shield."
And so began her nightmare.
A demonic curse called the Soul Puppet Seal was branded into her spirit. If she disobeyed, agony surged through every nerve like fire licking her bones. If she tried to speak out or even die, the curse would bring her back to suffer more.
Her only purpose? To act as the Lin Family's scapegoat, a decoy heiress to attract assassins away from their real daughter, Lin Ba.
Ten times she was attacked.
Four times she nearly died.
Yet they celebrated her survival not with joy, but indifference. Her training, her pain, her scars—were tools for others.
But inside the lifeless doll, a fire still flickered, the fire of revenge never died.
---
Present Day — Lin Family Manor, Central City
In the inner court, a jade scroll shattered in Lin Ru's hand. His expression twisted with shock and rage. A messenger ran in, bowing.
"My lord, urgent news… Gu Tang, the ancestor of the Gu Family… has been killed."
"What?!"
Even Lin Ja's face paled. "Impossible! Who would dare?!"
A family elder spoke, "According to reports, he was killed by a sect master … of a sect no one has ever heard of before. It's getting popular from that 50 Disciples Compitition."
Lin Ru clenched his fists. "How can that be? Which sect dares provoke the Gu Family?"
"The sect calls itself… Sanatan Flame Sect, from Bluestone City. It is the one who won this year compitition."
The room fell silent.
---
A Few Hours Later — Gu Family Manor
The majestic Gu Manor was darker than usual. Dozens of elders and core members sat in silence. The atmosphere was filled with fury.
"Lin Ru!" boomed Gu Yang, the Gu Family patriarch. "That sect… Sanatan Flame Sect… not only dared challenge us, they killed Gu Tang! Our ancestor!"
Lin Ru bowed low. "Unforgivable! I am honored you called me, Brother-in-Law. We must crush them!"
Gu Yang growled, "Their sect is hidden under a formation so strong even our best spies failed. It seems… this sect isn't ordinary. They wiped out the Crimson Beast Sect, too. Their leader defeated Wie Lu in his demonic form. Save everyone become hero. He is no weakling."
Lin Shu narrowed his eyes and whispered to herself. "So… a new powerhouse is rising."
"I don't care," Gu Yang snarled. "If he is powerful or not, I want revenge he not only killed our ancestor but disrespect my beloved daughter. I want him dead but how?"
Lin Ja interjected, "We need someone inside. If spies can't get in, we'll use pawns."
Lin Ru's eyes lit up. "Exactly my thought."
Gu Yang tilted his head. "You mean our people in there sect?"
"Yes correct". Lin Ru Nodded
"Then. I got the news that they are recruiting memebers fkr thier sect. Gu Yang With thoughtfull expression. " They are recruiting here in captial city.Disciples and elder the minimum age for disciple is 22 and from 23 who will pass the elder test they wil become elder.
Lin Ru With confusion."Elders from age 23 and only disciples under 22 is that guy is a fool."
"Probably. But we have to think something". Gu Yang said.
Lin Ru with a Devilish smirk." Our problem got solved before started. We will send some members as disciples and Someone as elder."
"The point of Disciples is ok. But where we will get elder. Do you have someone in your mind?" Gu Yang asked with confusion.
"Yes. My… eldest daughter."Lin Ru turned. "Lin Shu."
From the corner of the room, Lin Shu, dressed like a servant, stepped forward in silence.
"A perfect spy," Lin Ru continued. "She will pose as a new elder. If she enters their sect, she can collect information, spread chaos, even eliminate disciples quietly."
Lin Shu's eyes widened slightly. Not from fear—but realization.
"They're using me again," she thought bitterly. "This time, as a weapon."
Lin Ja stepped in, "What if she escapes?"
Lin Ru smiled cruelly. "She can't."
He summoned a cursed crystal, surrounded by bones and black chains. As he whispered a command, Lin Shu collapsed, pain wracking her body. The curse ignited in her soul like fire.
"Do you understand?" he roared.
"I… I do…" she gasped, barely able to breathe.
"Good. Complete your mission—or suffer beyond death."
Gu Yang Bows and thanked Lin Ru.
"You are flattering me brother in law after all we are family." Lin Ru also bowed.
Lin Shu in pain."Fa...Family do you even understand what family means."She thinks this in heart with pain.
---
Later that night, Lin Shu stood silently under the moonlight, watching stars flicker above the estate walls.
For the first time in years, she made a wish.
"If gods truly exist… please… give me a way out. Someone… anyone… save me."
She was not crying but from seeing in her Eyes, anyone can clearly say that she had go through with too much pain.
---
Meanwhile — Central City
Shaurya sneezed as he strolled down a busy street, black sunglasses glowing in the sun.
"Haan? Is someone thinking about me?" He grinned. "Why I am feeling something is going to happen...Narayan Narayan…"
---
Lin Family Hall — The Final Orders
Lin Shu kneeled before Lin Ru one final time.
"You will go to Sanatan Flame Sect's recruitment tomorrow. No matter what you do, Become their elder. Send us information. Weaken them. Divide them. And when the time comes…"
Lin Ru's eyes gleamed. "We will strike with Gu Yang—and destroy them."
"Yes, father," Lin Shu replied, hollow and obedient. But in her heart, she whispered:
"If I don't find a cure to this curse… or someone who can free me… this darkness will be my grave."
---
End Scene
As dawn broke, Lin Shu stepped onto the path toward Sanatan Flame Sect's recruitment venue. Her eyes were empty but her heart beat with one last ember of hope.
At the same time, another figure moved through the streets of Central City. A tall, handsome man with sharp features, blue hair, and golden eyes. He looked toward the recruitment ceremony with intent.
Two souls. Two destinies. Both heading toward one place.
---
In the center of the capital, at the recruitment grounds of the Sanatan Flame Sect, Shaurya leaned forward in his chair.
With a smirk, he whispered,
"Let the ceremony begin."
---
To be continued...