The crowd's laughter hit harder than the poison.
Li wei knelt in the dirt of the Azure Peak Arena, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, green-tinged and burning. His hands shook as he tried to steady himself against the pill furnace-cold now, useless. Three years of being "the genius alchemist" wiped away in one afternoon.
Jian Hao stood above him, arms folded, that same smug grin he'd worn since they were kids. "You really thought you could compete today, cousin? With those ruined meridians? Pathetic."
The elders didn't even bother looking surprised. Uncle Kang just sighed like this was paperwork. "Li Wei's spirit root never formed properly. Resources wasted. Strip his status. He leaves by nightfall."
No one argued. Why would they? He was trash now.
Then she appeared.
Mei Ling walked out from the guest pavilion in the plain crimson sect robes, sword at her hip. She didn't flinch at the jeers or the stares at her scarred cheek. Her eyes met his just for a heartbeat-and something flickered there. Notpity. Not quite anger. Whatever it was it hurt worse than the venom eating his insides.
Jian Hao slid an arm around her shoulders like she was a trophy. "The engagment's off. Mei Ling will marry the real heir me."
Cheers erupted. Mei Ling's jaw tightened. Her twitched toward the sword hilt, knuckles white. She didn't pull away, but she didn't lean in either.
Now she was being handed to his poisoner.
The poison surged. Vison tunneling. He collapsed forward, palms slapping stone.
In the black, memories crashed in: her voice in the dark two years back. "Don't you dare die on me, idiot someone's gotta stick it to these assholes."
Regret choked him worse than blood. I should've told her. Should've said the herbs weren't the only thing keeping me going.
Everything faded.
Than a voice crackeld like dry fire wood catching fire.
[Host located. Life signs failing.]
[Flame Heart System initiating bind.]
[Rebirth sequence starting. Soul transfer of prior vessel.]
Li Wei jerked awake on the thin mat in his old shack. Moonlight slanted through cracked shutters. His body—younger, unpoisoned. Hands steady. No pain.
He sat up fast, breath ragged.
A small flame danced in his palm, warm, alive, pulsing with his heartbeat.
[Flame Heart System online. Strength grows through bonds and resolve. Current potential bonds: 1 (unlit).]
[Daily task: Survive till dawn. Reward: Qi surge ×3.]
He stared at the flame, then out the window toward the distant Crimson Sword peak where the sect disciples were probably still toasting Jian Hao's "victory."
Mei Ling was up there. Trapped.
Li Wei curled his fingers. The flame brightened.
"Not this time," he muttered. "Not again."