Later that day, within the Chaos Sect, Chen Li entered the Patriarch’s Hall clad in ceremonial robes.
"Father," she said, bowing deeply. "I’ve returned."
At the center of the vast hall, the Patriarch sat calmly at a low table. Across from him, one of Chenli’s younger half-brothers reclined on a jade cushion, a tea cup resting beside him as the two played a game of chess.
To Chenli’s eyes, it appeared no different from an ordinary match. Yet her instincts screamed otherwise.
Each time a piece was placed on the board, invisible waves of prehension rippled outward—concepts so profound they brushed the edge of her perception before vanishing. Strategy layered atop destiny, calculation woven into causality itself. It was a depth she could feel... yet not grasp.
If it were anyone else, she would have bristled at the sensation of inferiority.
But this was her half-brother, Mo Tianluo.
Among all of the Patriarch’s children—legitimate and illegitimate alike—he was the undisputed greatest prodigy. The one even the elders whispered about.
Chen Li remained bowed, hands cupped respectfully, waiting to be acknowledged. Yet despite herself, her gaze kept drifting back to the board, stubbornly trying to unravel the intent behind their moves.
"Well," Tianluo finally said without lifting his eyes, placing another piece down, "if it isn’t Mo Chenli." He smiled faintly after saying her surname with a hint of ridicule. "Father, it seems even your illegitimate children are growing bolder these days."
The Chaos Sect Patriarch had many sons and daughters, most born outside formal unions. Such children were marked by distinct robes and denied the family name—until their strength earned them recognition, allowing them to don the Mo family robes and formally bear the Mo family name
Today, for the first time in her life, Mo Chenli wore the robes of legitimacy.
Mo Tianluo turned to face her. As he did, faint veins surfaced around his eyes and across his face, like cracks in glass beneath calm water.
"And it seems you’ve made progress with your cultivation," he said coolly. "Not bad."
Then his attention returned to the board.
Moments later, his expression shifted. The faint smile vanished as he stared at his father’s latest move, his mind sinking into deep contemplation.
Only then did the Patriarch speak.
"e."
The single word carried weight—absolute and unquestionable.
Mo Chenli stepped forward until she stood within arm’s reach.
"Father," she said steadily, "I broke through to the Divine Realm using the Chaos Method."
He didn’t react.
"Your mother has already informed me," the Patriarch replied.
Within the Chaos Sect, it was mon knowledge: once the Death Seal was invoked, survival was only possible through a breakthrough via the Chaos Method.
The Patriarch gently took Chenli’s arm, examining it. Despite her hardened body, it felt fragile in his grasp—like a twig held by a storm.
"Your meridians are strong," he said at first. "You’ve trained well."
Then his tone cooled.
"But to invoke the Death Seal against someone in a place like that..." He released her arm gently. "...your future potential may suffer."
The Patriarch had always known Chen Li was a prodigy—but talent alone wasn’t enough. One also needed luck, and at this moment, fate did not seem to be on her side.
"Father," Chenli replied calmly, "the girl I fought was strong. Her stubbornness knows no bounds. With the right pressure, she will grow."
"A little pressure?" the Patriarch asked. "What do you intend to do?"
"I want to eradicate her family," Chenli said plainly. "If I do, she will be forced to grow."
The Chaos Method was powerful—but cruel. Once the Death Seal was invoked and survived, one’s future potential became dependent on the strength of the person they used their death seal against. For that reason, they would often refer to them as their daoist panions.
Although killing them would also improve their cultivation and potential, it wasn’t beneficial to them in the long run.
"Hate is a powerful catalyst," the Patriarch conceded. "But to annihilate her family at her age may be excessive. You risk breaking her."
"Her family caused me the most trouble during my time in the Black Paradise Sect," Chenli replied. "This is as much for me as it is for her."
Her brother shook his head disappointedly. To get bullied by people in a small sect like that...
Even the Patriarch sighed before asking, "What’s her name?"
"Li Lian," Chenli answered. "She belongs to the Li Family Clan of the QiGon Province."
The Patriarch and Tianluo exchanged a glance.
"Li Family Clan..." the Patriarch murmured. "It seems fortune favors you."
"Father—no," Tianluo interjected sharply.
"Take her with you," the Patriarch said. "She may learn something."
Tianluo opened his mouth to protest, but the Patriarch raised a hand.
"It is decided."
Tianluo turned to Chenli, his gaze cold.
"Just don’t get in my way."
Chenli nodded then turned away.
Though Tianluo remained in the Profound Realm, Chenli felt a familiar chill. His potential was terrifying. Once he found someone capable of drawing out his Death Seal, his true potential would skyrocket beyond reason.
Such a person would be exceedingly rare.
And yet—
A name surfaced in her mind.
Before Li Lian, there had been another person she had her eyes on, and he was someone the Chaos Sect had also been observing for years.
Everyone—including Chenli herself—had dismissed him as worthless in the past. But not her father. Now, having met him, she finally understood why.
Mo Chenli turned back.
"As thanks for allowing me to join your expedition," she said, "I’ll offer you some valuable information in return."
Tianluo ignored her.
"I’ve already met the man worthy of drawing out your Death Seal," she continued.
The Patriarch reacted instantly.
Tianluo scoffed. "My equal doesn’t exist. But go on—who impressed you enough to earn that claim?"
"You know him... his name is..."
Time slowed in Tianluo’s mind as he went over everyone he had ever encountered, but no one he’s ever met ever gave him the impression that they could be his equal. So he thought,
’Could it be someone I’ve only heard of but never met?’
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Chenli’s voice cut through the silence with a name that stilled the air.
"Xiao F—"
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