**Chapter 7: The Bloody Magic Herb Trap**
**\[Realm 1, Shadow Clan Headquarters\]**
Lian Yu's sown seed had now blossomed into a golden harvest, and the Shadow Clan was ravenous to reap it. "Bloody Magic Herb." It was more than just a name; it had become an incantation, an addiction whispered on every cultivator's tongue. The promise of immortality... a lure so potent it could instantly incinerate one's honor and conscience once it took root in the mind. And Xiao Long, the leader of the Shadow Clan, was burning in this fire before anyone else.
He immediately summoned Mang Lin and Wu Chang to his private chambers. This time, his face showed not anger, but a strange savagery and impatience. His eyes blazed, as if he hadn't slept for nights.
"Where is that herb?" he demanded directly, his voice raspy.
Mang Lin, whose conscience still refused to succumb to this madness, bravely ventured, "Leader, we should proceed with caution. We don't even know if such a thing truly exists. This could be another ploy by the Blade Clan."
"Silence\!" Xiao Long snarled like a wounded wolf. "This cannot be a rumor\! When something is desired with such intensity, the universe makes it real\! It must be true\!" His eyes were completely bloodshot, as if filled with gore.
Just then, Wu Chang, calm and resolute as ever, stepped forward and said, "Leader, according to rumors, this herb is hidden in an old, supposedly haunted cave within our own territory."
Hearing this, a devilish gleam sparked in Xiao Long's eyes. He frantically rubbed his trembling hands together, as if he had already found the treasure. "Good\! Excellent\! We will go ourselves. Wu Chang, assemble a small team of our most trusted warriors and find that cave. Mang Lin, you will remain here at headquarters and ensure this information reaches no other ears. This treasure... will be mine alone."
**\[**
**A deranged smile graces Xiao Long's face, clearly revealing the burning greed and madness in his eyes. His shadow looms on the wall like a monstrous beast.\]**
Miles away, in the ruins of the Blade Clan, Lian Yu finalized his creation. He had poured his soul's power, the pain of his previous life's betrayal, and every drop of his hatred into a simple herb. That herb now pulsed with a dangerous, blood-red aura, capable of drawing anyone towards it. He concealed it within the hollow hilt of a broken sword and placed it under a rock near the cave's entrance, as if it had lain there for centuries.
"This is just bait," he thought slowly. "Xiao Long, your greed will draw you to this cave, and this very cave will become your tomb."
Lian Yu's plan was crystal clear. The leaders of the Shadow Clan would turn on each other, thirsty for blood over the herb. The allure of power and immortality would consume their brotherhood. And when they were weakened by their infighting, Lian Yu would make his final and most devastating move.
His eyes were fixed on the distant horizon, but his mind delved into the darkness of the past. He remembered the moment he was betrayed, when his breath was stolen. This revenge was not just against the Shadow Clan; it was against all those faces who had stabbed him in the back.
**\[Internal monologue: "You all conspired to kill me, to steal my identity, my honor, everything. Now I will take everything from you. Your power, your pride, your very breath... everything. This is my vengeance, and this is just the beginning."\]**
With the first rays of dawn the next day, Uncle Hu returned with news. The leader of the Shadow Clan, Xiao Long, had set out with some of his trusted men towards that very cave.
Hearing this, a cold, merciless smile spread across Lian Yu's face.
"Finally... the fish is in the net," he said. "Now, it's time to end this game."
Lian Yu picked up his broken sword; though its edge was shattered, its purpose was now sharper than ever. He walked towards the cave. There was no haste in his stride, only a steady resolve. His eyes were deep and burned with the fire of vengeance. This was not a battle; it was the final act of a meticulously written script, with himself as both director and executioner.
If you were in Lian Yu's place right now, what would you do?
Share your answer in the comments — your idea might just appear in the next chapter!"
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