Curse of the Supreme Blood

The dark energy from Lu Heng's grasp surged into Li's body, wrenching something deep within him. Li gasped, his vision blurring as his strength drained away. His knees buckled, and the sword slipped from his grip, clattering to the ground. Lu Heng's laughter echoed, sharp and cruel, a chilling sound that seemed to reverberate in the very air.

"You see, Li," Lu Heng sneered, tightening his grip. "You were never meant to wield that power. It's wasted on someone like you. But don't worry—I'll make good use of it."

Li struggled, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He could feel it—the insidious pull of his essence, the raw power within him being siphoned away. But alongside the pain, something stirred—a presence buried deep within him, dormant yet alive, waiting for this moment.

"No..." Li whispered, his voice barely audible.

"What's that?" Lu Heng taunted, leaning closer. "Do you have some final words, boy?"

Li's head snapped up, and his eyes blazed crimson, brighter and fiercer than ever before. A surge of energy exploded outward, breaking Lu Heng's grip and forcing him to stumble back. The dark tendrils wrapped around Li evaporated in an instant, and he rose to his feet, his body trembling as the power within him fully awakened.

Lu Heng's smug expression faltered, replaced by a flicker of uncertainty. "Impossible..."

Li's voice echoed with a dual tone, his own layered with the deep resonance of the awakened power. "You wanted my power, Lu Heng? Come and take it—if you dare."

With a roar, Lu Heng conjured another orb of dark energy and hurled it at Li. This time, Li didn't dodge. He raised his hand, and the crimson energy radiating from him formed a shield, absorbing the impact and shattering the orb into harmless fragments.

"You've gotten stronger," Lu Heng admitted, his tone laced with both admiration and malice. "But raw power won't save you. Let's see how well you can fight!"

The air between them crackled with energy as they charged at each other. Li's sword, now glowing with crimson flames, met Lu Heng's shadow-forged blade in a clash that sent shockwaves rippling through the ravine. The sheer force of their strikes splintered the rocky ground beneath them.

"You call yourself powerful," Li said, his voice steady even as their weapons locked, "but all you've done is steal from others. That's not strength—it's cowardice."

Lu Heng grinned, his eyes glinting with malice. "And what would you know of strength, boy? You've been handed everything on a silver platter. I clawed my way to power. I took what I deserved!"

Their blades disengaged, and they circled each other, the tension thick in the air. Lu Heng struck first, weaving a spell that sent shadowy tendrils snaking toward Li. They writhed like living creatures, seeking to ensnare him.

Li slashed through the tendrils with his sword, each swing releasing arcs of crimson energy that disintegrated the dark constructs. But Lu Heng was relentless, his magic shifting and adapting with every attack. The tendrils multiplied, some transforming into shadowy beasts that lunged at Li with feral intensity.

Li leapt into the air, his movements swift and fluid. With a sweep of his hand, he unleashed a wave of crimson energy that incinerated the beasts. He landed gracefully,

Lu Heng snarled, his composure cracking. "Enough of your self-righteous drivel! Let me show you what true power looks like!" Lu Heng's shock quickly turned to fury. "You think you can stop me? You're nothing but a naive boy! I'll tear that power from you, no matter how much you try to resist!"

With a guttural roar, Lu Heng thrust his hands forward, unleashing tendrils of shadow that lashed out like whips. Li moved with newfound speed and precision, his blade slicing through the dark energy as if it were mere smoke. Each clash sent shockwaves rippling through the ravine, the force of their battle shaking the very ground.

Lu Heng darted to the side, his movements unnaturally fluid as he conjured a volley of shadowy projectiles. They streaked toward Li, crackling with dark energy. Li raised his sword, the crimson aura around him intensifying as he spun in a defensive arc, deflecting the projectiles with a series of sharp, precise strikes.

"You're stronger than I expected," Lu Heng admitted, his voice tinged with grudging respect. "But strength without control is a weakness. That power will consume you before long."

"Better to be consumed by it than let you use it to kill more sect members for your twisted ambitions," Li retorted. He lunged forward, his blade arcing toward Lu Heng's chest.

Lu Heng dodged the strike, countering with a burst of dark energy that erupted from his palm. The blast caught Li in the side, sending him skidding across the rocky terrain. He rolled to his feet, the crimson aura flickering but not fading.

"You can't win this," Lu Heng taunted, his voice laced with malice. "I've mastered the darkness. I've absorbed several people's lives to intensify my power than you can ever comprehend. Stronger opponents than you. You're just a child, playing with forces you don't understand. Powers you can never control."

Li's grip on his sword tightened. "Maybe I don't understand it. But I'll fight with everything I have. You won't hurt anyone else."

The two clashed again, their movements a blur as sword met shadow in a storm of energy. Lu Heng's attacks grew more aggressive, his frustration evident as he failed to land a decisive blow. Li, meanwhile, fought with a newfound clarity, his movements guided by instinct and the surging power within him. His sword fiery red and burning like a rod on fire. Each time Li's sword touched Lu Heng's body, the writhing tattoos in his arm would retreat as if in flight, and Lu Heng grimace in pain.

As their battle raged, the ritual site around them began to react to their clashing energies. The crimson runes on the walls pulsed erratically, their light growing brighter and more chaotic. The ground trembled, cracks forming in the rocky terrain as waves of power radiated outward.

Lu Heng snarled, his patience wearing thin. "Enough of this!" He raised both hands, summoning a massive orb of dark energy that crackled with malevolence. The orb hovered above him, growing larger with each passing second.

Li stared at the ominous sphere, his expression grim but determined. He could feel the immense power radiating from it, a force that could obliterate everything in its path. But he also felt the power within himself, a wellspring of energy that seemed limitless.

"Let's see if your power can withstand this!" Lu Heng bellowed, hurling the orb toward Li with a furious cry.

Li planted his feet firmly, his sword raised high as the crimson aura around him surged. The orb hurtled toward him, its descent accompanied by a deafening roar. At the last moment, Li swung his blade with all his might, unleashing a wave of crimson energy that collided with the dark orb.

The resulting explosion was blinding, a violent eruption of light and shadow that sent shockwaves tearing through the ravine. Li and Lu Heng were both thrown back by the force, their forms silhouetted against the chaos.

As the dust settled, Li rose to his feet, his breathing laboured but his resolve unshaken. Across the ravine, Lu Heng staggered, his robes tattered and his expression a mix of rage and disbelief.

"How are you still standing?" Lu Heng demanded, his voice hoarse.

Li didn't answer. He stepped forward, his sword glowing brighter with each step. The crimson light seemed to take on a life of its own, swirling around him like a protective shroud.

"This is the power of someone who fights to protect," Li said, his voice steady. "You'll never understand it."

Lu Heng growled, summoning his remaining strength. He charged at Li, his form blurring as he unleashed a flurry of strikes infused with dark energy. Li met each attack head-on, their clash creating sparks of light and shadow that illuminated the ravine.

Lu Heng's attacks were relentless, fuelled by desperation and fury. How could a boy of eight stand against him so fiercely in a magic fight!. Getting Li's power was proving more difficult than he had envisaged. Li's movements, though less refined, were driven by an unyielding determination and a will he didn't know he possessed.

As their fight continued, Li felt the power within him surge to its peak, pushing to take total control of him. The crimson glow enveloped him entirely, his form radiating a blinding light that seemed to push back the darkness that was trying to devour the all the light from the surroundings.

"This is for everyone you've hurt," Li said, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to echo through the ravine. He raised his sword high, the crimson energy gathering at its tip. "And this is where it ends!"

With a final, decisive strike, Li brought his sword down, unleashing a wave of energy that tore through the air and struck Lu Heng with unrelenting force. The impact shattered the dark energy surrounding him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Lu Heng's form flickered, the shadows that had once surrounded him dissipating like smoke. He lay motionless, his body battered and his power drained. The ritual site's runes dimmed, their light fading into darkness.

Li stood over the fallen body of Lu Heng, his chest heaving as the crimson glow around him began to wane. The power within him, having accomplished its purpose, receded, leaving him feeling hollow and exhausted. His sword, once ablaze with energy, now felt heavy in his hand.

"It's over," Li murmured, his vision swimming as the adrenaline left his body. He staggered, his strength failing him. The last thing he saw before collapsing was the faint light of the stars peeking through the canopy above.

As Li slumped to the ground, unconscious, the forest fell silent once more. The oppressive darkness that had plagued them lifted, replaced by an eerie stillness. Something moved behind his closed eyelids.