Curse of the Supreme Blood

Li hesitated, his mind racing as he stared at the Sect Master.

"Do you have anything to tell me?" the Sect Master repeated, his piercing gaze making Li's small frame feel even smaller.

Li's heart thudded. Should he reveal the deeper red dots he'd seen within his Qi streams? Or the dream he had earlier? No, he decided. Something told him that this secret was not meant to be shared yet—not even with the Sect Master.

"Uh… no, Master," Li replied, bowing his head to avoid the elder's scrutinizing eyes. "I don't think I have anything to share."

The Sect Master raised an eyebrow but said nothing for a moment. His silence was more unnerving than words.

"Very well, Li," he finally said, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "You may leave. Remember what I have taught you and cultivate diligently."

Li bowed deeply, murmuring his thanks before hastily retreating. As he walked down the corridor away from the Sect Master's quarters, he released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

By the time Li reached the cafeteria, the scent of steamed rice, spiced meats, and savory broths filled the air. His stomach growled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since the day before.

The cafeteria bustled with activity. Outer disciples in their blue robes clustered in groups, laughing and talking while eating their meals. The sheer noise and energy of the place were overwhelming for someone like Li, who wasn't used to crowds.

He joined the line, clutching his meal token tightly in his hand. The disciples ahead of him moved briskly, trading their tokens for plates piled high with food. When it was finally his turn, the cafeteria worker, a burly man with a gruff expression, handed Li a modest portion of rice and vegetables.

"Next!" the man barked.

Li stepped aside, clutching his tray and scanning the room for an empty table. His eyes landed on a quiet corner, but just as he started walking toward it, a tall, broad-shouldered disciple stepped into his path.

"Well, well, look who it is," the disciple sneered. It was Bai Chen, a second-year outer disciple notorious for his bullying. His two lackeys stood behind him, grinning like jackals.

"I've never seen you here before, runt. New recruit?" Bai Chen asked, looking Li up and down with disdain.

Li swallowed nervously but nodded. "Yes, senior brother."

Bai Chen smirked, clearly enjoying the show of deference. "That's a nice tray of food you've got there," he said, leaning in so close that Li could smell the garlic on his breath. "Hand it over."

Li's grip on the tray tightened instinctively. "But… this is my lunch," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Bai Chen's smirk vanished, replaced by a scowl. "Did you just talk back to me, junior brother? Do you know who I am?"

The cafeteria grew quieter as disciples began to notice the commotion. Whispers rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to intervene.

Li's hands trembled, but he took a deep breath, summoning the courage that had carried him through so many hardships before. "I know you are a sect senior, senior brother," he said, his voice firmer now. "But I'm not giving you my lunch. If you're still hungry, you can go back in line and get your own."

Gasps echoed through the cafeteria. No one ever stood up to Bai Chen.

Bai Chen's face turned an angry shade of red. "You little—"

He reached for Li's tray, but Li sidestepped him with surprising agility. The movement caught Bai Chen off guard, and he stumbled forward, nearly losing his balance.

"Oops," Li said, the faintest hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

Bai Chen's lackeys stepped forward, cracking their knuckles threateningly. "You'll pay for that," one of them growled.

But before they could act, a calm yet commanding voice cut through the tension.

"That's enough."

Everyone turned to see Senior Brother Han, a third-year disciple known for his fair but strict bearing, approaching. His presence alone was enough to make the crowd part.

"What's going on here?" Han demanded, his sharp gaze shifting between Bai Chen and Li.

"This runt was being disrespectful," Bai Chen said, quickly trying to regain his composure. "I was teaching him a lesson."

"Is that true?" Han asked, looking at Li.

Li straightened his back and met Han's gaze. "Senior brother, I was just trying to eat my lunch. Senior brother demanded my food, and I refused."

Han nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. Then he turned back to Bai Chen. "You've been warned about bullying your juniors before. Do I need to remind you of the sect's rules?"

Bai Chen opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. He clenched his fists and stormed off, his lackeys trailing behind him like disgruntled shadows.

As the tension in the cafeteria dissipated, Han placed a reassuring hand on Li's shoulder. "You did well to stand up for yourself," he said. "But be careful. Bai Chen doesn't take kindly to being humiliated."

Li nodded, his chest swelling with a mixture of relief and pride. "Thank you, senior brother."

Han smiled faintly before walking away, leaving Li to finally enjoy his meal in peace.

Later, as Li returned to his quarters, the events of the day replayed in his mind. For the first time since joining the sect, he felt a spark of confidence. He had faced adversity and stood his ground—not just against Bai Chen but against the doubts and fears that had plagued him since the day he came into the sect.

Still, he couldn't shake the lingering unease from the Sect Master's earlier question. What would happen if anyone found out about the deeper red dots he had seen? What did they mean?

As he sat cross-legged on his bed, preparing to cultivate, Li made a silent vow to uncover the truth about his unique bloodline. Whatever secrets it held, he would face them head-on—just as he had faced Bai Chen in the cafeteria.

The thought brought a small smile to his lips as he closed his eyes and began to meditate. The streams of red light welcomed him back, flowing more vividly than ever before. Somewhere deep within him, a fire was beginning to awaken.