Harmony of Celestial Hearts: A Li Wei Tale

25

After few days over what happen, amidst the serene halls of the Azure Sect, Li Wei consciousness gradually emerged from the depths of darkness, like a weary traveler awakening from a long and arduous journey. His eyelids fluttered open, greeted by the familiar sight of his shifu, master Yunlong, who stood vigilantly by his side. Weakly, Li Wei called out to him, his voice barely a whisper amidst the quiet room.

Master Yunlong relief was palpable as he approached Li Wei bedside. "You're awake, my disciple." he said, his voice tinged with disbelief and gratitude.

Li Wei brows furrowed in confusion as he tried to piece together the fragments of his memory. The last thing he remembered was the fierce battle with the master of the Shadow Serpent Sect, and then... darkness. "What happened?" he inquired, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Master Yunlong settled himself beside Li Wei, preparing to recount the events that had transpired during his unconsciousness.

"You defeated him, but the cost of it.." As he spoke, Li Wei gaze shifted around the room, searching for a familiar figure. But she was nowhere to be seen.

Anxiety gnawed at Li Wei heart as he turned to master Yunlong once more, his voice trembling with apprehension. "Where is Xiao Shang?"

There was a moment of hesitation before master Liu Jian, the head of the Azure Sect, entered the room, his expression a mix of relief and solemnity. His eyes met Li Wei, and he silently acknowledged the unspoken question that hung in the air.

"Li Wei," he began, his voice filled with warmth. "you had us all worried. It's good to see you awake."

Li Wei turned to master Liu Jian, his eyes pleading for answers. "Master Liu Jian.." he began, his voice trembling with emotion, "where is Xiao Shang? Is she safe?"

Master Liu Jian exchanged a somber glance with master Yunlong before speaking softly, "Come with me, Li Wei. I'll show you where she is."

With a sense of foreboding settling over him, Li Wei followed Master Liu Jian and Yunlong out of the room. Every step felt heavy with dread as they made their way through the quiet corridors of the Azure sect.

They stopped in front of a door, and master Liu Jian gestured for Li Wei to enter. "Xiao Shang is in here." he said gently. "Prepare yourself, Li Wei."

With trembling hands, Li Wei pushed open the door and entered the room. His heart shattered at the sight before him a woman lay on the bed, her hair as white as snow, her face pale and lifeless.

"No..." Li Wei whispered, his voice choked with disbelief. "This can't be Xiao Shang..."

Tears streamed down Li Wei cheeks as he sank to his knees beside the bed, his hand reaching out to touch Xiao Shang cold hand.

Master Liu Jian placed a comforting hand on Li Wei shoulder. "I'm sorry, Li Wei.." he said softly. "Xiao Shang sacrificed everything to save you."

Li Wei heart shattered at master Liu Jian words. "What do you mean?" he demanded, his voice trembling with grief.

Master Liu Jian sighed heavily before explaining, "Xiao Shang used her special power that only special Azure sect desciple can mastered it and she combine it with her spiritual power to mend your shattered soul. But the cost was great. She gave up almost all of her spiritual energy to save you, leaving her own life hanging by a thread."

Li Wei heart clenched with an overwhelming sense of guilt, his thoughts consumed by regret for the pain he had unwittingly caused.

"I never meant for this to happen." he whispered, his voice choked with tears.
Li Wei world crumbled around him as he realized the depth of Xiao Shang sacrifice.

"No...Xiao Shang, why?" he cried, his voice echoing with anguish.

Master Liu Jian expression softened with understanding as he listened to Li Wei anguished words.

"There is no blame to be placed, Li Wei." he reassured him, his voice steady and unwavering. "Xiao Shang made her choice out of love, out of a desire to see you live."

Master Yunlong closed his eyes in pain, his heart breaking for his disciple suffering. "Her love for you knows no bounds, Li Wei." he whispered. "She would do anything to ensure your safety."

As Li Wei tears fell freely onto Xiao Shang still form, he choked back sobs of anguish.

"Why are you so stupid, Xiao Shang?" he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "You risked everything for me..."

With a heavy heart, Li Wei embraced Xiao Shang tightly, as if trying to infuse her with his own strength. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling the familiar scent that filled him with both comfort and despair.

Turning to his shifu, Li Wei eyes were red and swollen from crying. "Shifu, please." he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "You have the power to save her, don't you? After all you are a fully immortal.."

Master Yunlong placed a comforting hand on Li Wei shoulder, his expression filled with sorrow.

"Li Wei, even I cannot change Xiao Shang condition." he said gently. "Her sacrifice was great, and the toll it took on her cannot be undone."

Master Liu Jian stepped forward, his gaze filled with empathy. "Let us leave Xiao Shang fate in the hands of the heavens." he said softly. "If she survives, she may remain in this state indefinitely. But we must hope for a miracle."

Li Wei heart felt heavy with despair as he looked down at Xiao Shang, her face serene in sleep. He gently brushed her white hair away from her face, his touch tender and full of longing.

"Please, Xiao Shang.." he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Come back to me."

Li Wei cries of despair echoed through the halls of the Azure sect, a haunting lament for the love he had lost. In that moment, his world narrowed to the woman lying before him, her sacrifice a testament to the power of love in the face of darkness.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape, Li Wei sat in silent contemplation, his thoughts are all about Xiao Shang. Lost in his own despair, he barely noticed the approach of master Yunlong, his shifu, until he stood beside him, a silent sentinel in the fading light.

Clearing his throat softly, master Yunlong hesitated for a moment before broaching the topic that weighed heavily on his mind.

"Li Wei," he began, his voice gentle yet tinged with concern. "I must ask you something of great importance."

Li Wei turned to face his shifu. "What is it, shifu?" he inquired, his voice barely above a whisper.

Master Yunlong regarded his disciple with a solemn gaze, his eyes reflecting the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

"The dark energy that was unleashed earlier...do you know who was responsible for it?" he asked, his tone grave.

Li Wei expression darkened as he recalled the events of the recent confrontation.

"It was the Master of The Shadow Serpent Sect." he replied, his voice tinged with bitterness. "He sought to get a hand of Legendary Scripture and want to turn this world into darkness."

Master Yunlong features hardened with resolve as he absorbed Li Wei words. "And do you believe that he has been dealt with, that he poses no further threat to us?" he pressed, his voice unwavering.

Li Wei jaw clenched as he considered his shifu question. "I fought him with all my strength." he replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of certainty and uncertainty. "And when I finally defeated him, he turned to dust before my eyes. There is no doubt in my mind that he is gone."

Master Yunlong nodded solemnly. He feel relieved after knowing it from Li Wei. Because that forbidden dark magic are the same as someone he fought before, so it lead him for having many question. That person can't be alive since he already killed him long time ago. But from what he's heard from Li Wei the person that release the forbidden dark magic was different person. As long that person already dead, he can rest assured.