A Love Written In The Stars

Mei's Pov

Pain tore through my body, sharper than any blade. It wasn't the kind of pain that could be endured, it was the kind that swallowed you whole, leaving no room for thought, no chance to breathe. My veins burned as if molten fire coursed through them, each pulse dragging me deeper into agony and I felt my chest tightened like iron bands wrapped around my ribs, crushing me from the inside out.

I couldn't move. The energy I was trying to control burst wildly, slamming against my core like a beast in a cage. My mind screamed at me to stop, but there was no way out.

I wanted to stop, to break free from the force binding me to this torment, but it was like being trapped in a storm with no shelter. My limbs wouldn't obey, my breath came in shallow gasps. The walls of my consciousness trembled, on the verge of collapsing under the pressure.

Death felt close-closer than ever before. It loomed over me, cold and unfeeling, and I wondered if this was how it would end.

I clenched my teeth, desperate to endure, even as my soul felt like it was tearing apart. I didn't know if I could survive this, but I knew I had no choice.

———Earlier

The cold seeped through the thin fabric of my robes as I sat perched on the stone floor, the Scroll of Eternal Flame (永恒之火卷轴) spread open before me.

The faint characters appeared in the soft light of the early evening, their meaning hard to understand. My fingers moved over the rough ink on the fragile parchment as I tried to make sense of the truths hidden within.

Hours slipped by without me noticing, the silence broken only by the sound of my movements and the faint drip of water in the distance. I leaned in, squinting my eyes at the next line. It stood out—clear and bold.

"The Rite of Crimson Veins: To awaken the latent power of your ancestors, draw forth the Qi of your lineage. Beware—this power is both a blessing and a burden. Only the worthy may endure."

This wasn't just any technique. I knew that because the scroll described it as a forbidden art, capable of unleashing immense power by awakening the ancestral Qi within one's bloodline.

I couldn't help but question why my father had always kept our ancestral powers shrouded in silence, never once speaking of them or revealing the secrets within these scrolls.

I kept reading and saw warnings of danger and irreversible consequences that were alongside the instructions. A part of me was tempted by the promise of power and the chance to uncover the truth about my strange past.

I read the instructions again to make sure I understood everything.

I needed to gather Qi from my dantian, let it flow through my body, and direct it into my blood. The process involved specific gestures to control the flow and a chant to awaken my connection to my ancestors.

I found myself at a crossroads: should I dare to awaken what had been buried for generations, risking the unknown in the hope of uncovering secrets and answers? Or should I choose the path of normalcy, resigning myself to the darkness my father had seemingly intended for me—just as he had for my siblings?

My eyes read the warnings one last time. "To those who dare pursue the path of Blood cultivation, heed these words: This art draws from the very essence of your lifeblood, binding you to forces beyond mortal comprehension. Once awakened, your fate will no longer be your own, and the balance of your soul will teeter on the edge of ruin. Many who tread this path are consumed, their minds lost to madness, their bodies ravaged by the very power they sought to wield."

The risk was undeniable, but so was the reward. To reach the heights I aspired to, some choices had to be made, no matter the cost. Besides, I had never been one to shy away from danger.

With my decision firmly made, I settled into a meditative position, preparing to begin, then placed the scroll down. I picked up the knife nearby and made a small cut on my finger, letting my blood drip onto the scroll. Closing my eyes, I focused on my breathing—slow, deep breaths—releasing my doubts with each exhale.

I visualized my dantian, the core of my energy, as a glowing orb of golden light. I imagined the light expanding, seeping into my veins, carrying the essence of my Qi into my blood. Slowly, I raised my hands, palms facing upward with my fingers relaxed.

Then, i moved my palms closer, without touching, A soft glow appeared between them, growing brighter until it became a radiant sphere of light. It felt like the very air obeyed my command, drawn into the brilliance I had created.

As i began to chant, the air felt charged, growing thicker with a powerful force. My voice carried an unearthly tone that weren't meant for mortal ears.

"From the blood of those before me, I summon the strength within."

The words felt alive, weaving through the air like threads of unseen energy.

"Through the veins of my ancestors, let the Qi awaken."

I could feel the currents around, drawn by the force of my lineage.

"By the chains of fate, I claim my lineage!"

The air itself trembled, responding to my command.

"Rise, and let my power be unbound!"

The final words burst out with such power that it made my skin tingle. For a moment, everything felt calm, peaceful, until a strange heat began spreading through my body, my veins burning with energy. The light in my mind's eye grew brighter, changing from golden to violet, as the chant transformed my Qi.

Pain tore through my body, sharper than any blade. It wasn't the kind of pain that could be endured, it was the kind that swallowed you whole, leaving no room for thought, no chance to breathe. My veins burned as if molten fire coursed through them, each pulse dragging me deeper into agony and I felt my chest tightened like iron bands wrapped around my ribs, crushing me from the inside out.

I couldn't move. The energy I was trying to control burst wildly, slamming against my core like a beast in a cage. My mind screamed at me to stop, but there was no way out.

I wanted to stop, to break free from the force binding me to this torment, but it was like being trapped in a storm with no shelter. My limbs wouldn't obey, my breath came in shallow gasps. The walls of my consciousness trembled, on the verge of collapsing under the pressure.

Suddenly, my mind swamped with visions. There was an old man standing in a whirlwind of energy, his hands moving opposite to mine. Glowing symbols appeared beneath his feet, and his deep voice chanted words of power, "By the will of the heavens, I bind thee. By the weight of eternity, I command thee." The vision felt so real, as if I was sitting right there with him, the echo of his chant ringing in my ears.

I lost focus, and the orb inside me wavered. Immediately, the energy spun out of control, slipping from my grip. A sharp burst shot out from my dantian, flooding through my body like a raging current.

Death felt close-closer than ever before. It loomed over me, cold and unfeeling, and I wondered if this was how it would end.

I clenched my teeth, desperate to endure, even as my soul felt like it was tearing apart. I didn't know if I could survive this, but I knew I had no choice.

A burst of crimson energy exploded from deep inside me, surging through my body and spreading into the air around me.

The room shook wildly. A powerful shockwave spread out, and my hands shook as I struggled to regain control, but the energy was too strong. Pain shot through me, forcing my body to arch.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

The energy spiraled around me, growing brighter and louder until it burst into a blinding flash of light. The sound of the release reverberated through the chamber, making the entire room tremble.

The pain was so intense that my vision faded, and my body gave out.