Location: Qin Estate, Midnight
The full moon cast silver patterns across the polished tiles of the central courtyard. All was silent. Too silent.
Qin Huaian, sensing a disturbance, stepped out from his meditation chamber, dressed in a black robe embroidered with crimson cloud patterns.
From the shadows, a figure moved.
> "You don't belong here."
Huaian's voice was calm, but his fingers were poised near his waist, where his spiritual blade, "Crimson Thunder," rested.
Shou stepped forward.
> "You were supposed to sleep. Your presence complicates my mission."
The two locked eyes. And then, Shou moved.
His attack was silent but deadly—slashes of corrupted void energy lashed at Huaian. In response, Huaian unsheathed his sword, its arc cracking the air like lightning.
> ⚔️ "Crimson Thunder Style: Second Form — Flash Bloom!"
A spiral of scarlet energy burst from the blade, forcing Shou to leap back. His disguise slipped—his right eye turned into a glimmering void and a tendril of shadow pulsed from his wrist.
---
👁️ Meiyue's Awakening
From her room, Meiyue awoke with a scream. The connection between her and the void had flared—she saw Shou's thoughts for a brief second.
> "He... he's not here to kill. He's here to prepare us... for something worse."
She ran to the courtyard, eyes glowing faint violet.
Shou froze. The girl wasn't ready. Not yet.
> "You've seen too much," he whispered and turned to flee.
But Meiyue reached out.
> "Tell me what's coming. Please."
Shou paused, then uttered a single name.
> "The Mirror Saint has begun to move."
Then he vanished into the void.