Chapter 24: night training
General Mei Lan, after leaving the temple, arrives at the grand hall for her scheduled meeting with other military leaders. She is met by a somber atmosphere. Her sharp instincts sense that something is wrong, and her suspicions are confirmed as soon as she sits at the table.
A high-ranking official steps forward, his face pale and eyes hollow. His voice trembles as he delivers the news.
**Official**: *"General, we've received reports from our scouts stationed near the gateways connecting to the Murim world... it's gone. The entire Murim world has been... exterminated."*
General Mei Lan's eyes widen with disbelief, her composed expression faltering for a brief moment. The room falls into an eerie silence as the official continues.
**Official**: *"Billions of lives, warriors and civilians alike, wiped out. Our surveillance shows that some form of infection was responsible... but it's more than that."*
He hesitates, the weight of what he's about to say hanging heavy in the air.
**Official**: *"The infected... they retain the fighting styles, the techniques, and all the abilities they possessed before they died. It's like their souls are trapped in their decaying bodies, fighting just as fiercely as they did in life."*
The general's knuckles turn white as she grips the table, the severity of the situation becoming clear. The Murim world, known for its powerful warriors and ancient techniques, has not just fallen but has become a breeding ground for an evolved undead horde with their abilities intact.
**General Mei Lan**: *"How could this have happened? The Murim warriors were the finest in their world, disciplined and strong. For an entire realm to fall so swiftly…"*
She trails off, her mind racing through the possibilities. Her thoughts flash to the growing threats they've been facing, the dark forces stirring beyond their own world. Could this be connected?
**Official**: *"We don't know the full extent of the threat, but the infected could potentially spread to other worlds, including ours. We must prepare for the possibility of an invasion."*
**General Mei Lan**: *"This virus... it's more than just a plague. Whoever or whatever is behind this knows what they're doing. This isn't just about spreading disease; it's about creating an army."*
She stands up abruptly, her face now hard as steel.
**General Mei Lan**: *"We must send out reconnaissance teams immediately. I want all gateways to the Murim world monitored, and our best strategists working on containment plans. If these undead reach our world... we will be ready."*
She turns to leave, but the weight of the situation keeps her rooted for a moment longer. Her mind is already calculating the necessary steps, the alliances they'll need to forge, and the strategies they must employ to face this new enemy.
Before she departs, she speaks to the officials, her voice calm but commanding.
**General Mei Lan**: *"This is no longer just about the Murim world. If we don't act now, their fate could become ours. I will not allow the Xianzhou to fall."*
With that, she leaves the meeting, her mind set on rallying the forces of the Cloud Knights and preparing for the dark days ahead. As she walks through the halls of the temple, she knows the peace they've known is about to be shattered. The undead plague, combined with the martial prowess of the Murim world, will be an unstoppable force if left unchecked.
And somewhere out there, whoever is responsible for this horrific event is already planning their next move.
The high council, along with General Mei Lan and other military leaders, convened to officially address the growing threat. After much deliberation, they unanimously agreed to give the virus a name that captured the malevolent nature of the infection. They decided to call it **"The Mara Virus."**
**Council Leader**: *"The name comes from the ancient texts, where 'Mara' was a force of destruction and corruption, consuming everything in its path."*
**General Mei Lan**: *"It's fitting. This virus is a corruption, turning warriors and innocents alike into instruments of destruction."*
With the Mara Virus now named, the military and strategic plans began to form around containing and combating it. The Cloud Knights, led by General Mei Lan, would stand as the first line of defense should the infected breach into Xianzhou. Meanwhile, reconnaissance missions would be sent to the borders of the Murim world to gather more intelligence on the evolving situation.
The name Mara would soon spread like wildfire across the worlds, becoming synonymous with fear and death, as the heroes of Xianzhou prepared for the worst.
**General Mei Lan**, standing before her council and military leaders, waved off the concerns for a moment, her eyes focused and determined.
**General Mei Lan**: "We'll worry about the Mara Virus later. Right now, I have more immediate priorities. I need to find a disciple, someone worthy of carrying the legacy of the Cloud Knights. I'll decide after the tournament is over."
The room fell silent as her words sunk in. The Cloud Knights were known for their discipline and powerful warriors, and for Mei Lan to take on a disciple meant the start of a new chapter.
**Commander Liu**: *"Are you considering any of the recruits from the Sky Temple?"*
**General Mei Lan**: "There are some promising students. I will watch closely during the tournament. Only one will prove worthy."
With that, the meeting was adjourned, and General Mei Lan's thoughts turned to the upcoming tournament, where the best of the young warriors would showcase their strength, skill, and potential. She knew this would be the perfect time to observe and make her decision, as the next generation of knights would need a leader stronger than ever, especially with the looming threat of the Mara Virus.
As she left the meeting hall, she couldn't help but think of the recruits, particularly those like Xiao Ling, whose potential she had noticed from a distance. The tournament would reveal much.
Under the dim glow of the moon, **Xiao Ling** stood outside, her breath visible in the cool night air. The courtyard was silent, except for the sharp sound of her sword slicing through the darkness. She was drenched in sweat, her muscles aching, but her determination was unyielding.
Each swing of the sword was deliberate, powerful, and precise. With every strike, she shouted out her count, a fierce reminder to herself of her goal.
"Seven thousand... eight thousand..." Her voice strained, but she refused to stop.
The moonlight reflected off the blade as she pushed her body to its limits, her thoughts consumed by the memory of her mother, her brother, and the weight of the promise she had made to herself.
"Nine thousand..." Her voice was growing hoarse, but her movements remained steady. The world around her seemed to fade away as her focus sharpened, her will stronger than her fatigue.
"Ten thousand!" She cried out with one final swing, her sword gleaming in the moonlight. She dropped to her knees, panting heavily, staring at the ground as the echoes of her own voice faded into the night.
As **Xiao Ling** returned to her dorm, she noticed an envelope tucked into her drawer, sealed with familiar handwriting. Her brow furrowed as she recognized the style—it was from **Jiang Tao** and **Chen**. Intrigued, she carefully opened the letter and began to read.
The letter started with a warm, heartfelt tone:
"*Dear Xiao Ling,*
We hope you're still practicing your sword swings because we both know you'd be tripping over that blade without us around to keep you in line. Just kidding! Mostly. But seriously, we miss seeing your serious face and your never-give-up attitude. It's something we could never tease you about enough, so consider this us making up for lost time."
Then it shifted into a more sarcastic and joking tone:
"*Remember that time you almost cut my arm off during training? Yeah, good times. Chen still blames you for that scar. You might think you're getting stronger, but don't get too cocky—someone's gotta keep you humble, after all.*"
The letter was full of affectionate insults and inside jokes that only people who truly cared about her could pull off.
"*By the way, have you gotten any taller, or are you still that pint-sized warrior who's all heart but no height?*
*(Don't worry, we'll still recognize you even if you have to stand on a stool to talk to us.)*"
The tone shifted again, a bit more sincere:
"*All jokes aside, we're proud of you, Xiao Ling. We know how hard you work and how much you've been through. Never forget that we're here for you, even when we're miles away. Stay strong, and remember to smile once in a while, you know? Life isn't just about swinging that sword a thousand times—sometimes it's about finding something to laugh at too.*"
It ended with a blend of care and humor:
"*Take care of yourself, but don't forget to embarrass yourself now and then. It builds character.
With love,
Your annoying big brothers, Jiang Tao & Chen*"
Xiao Ling smiled, feeling the warmth of their words sink in. The letter had everything she needed—a reminder of those who cared about her, and just enough teasing to keep her grounded. She folded the letter carefully and placed it back in the drawer, her heart a little lighter as she climbed into bed for the night.
As **Xiao Ling** finished reading the letter, her hands trembled slightly. The familiar teasing and warmth from **Jiang Tao** and **Chen** brought back a flood of memories. Her heart ached as she realized just how much she missed them—their jokes, their presence, the way they always knew how to lift her spirits. Tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop herself, they spilled over.
Clutching the letter to her chest, she whispered through her tears, "I miss you too... I miss you both so much."
The weight of the past few years, the training, the loneliness—it all came crashing down at once. She had worked so hard to be strong, to move forward, but in this quiet moment, all she wanted was to be with the people she loved.
Xiao Ling gently closed the letter, wiping her eyes with her sleeve, and placed it back in the drawer, her tears still falling silently. She sat on the edge of her bed, her heart heavy but somehow comforted by their words.
"Thank you..." she whispered, her voice barely audible in the silence of the dorm. Despite the sadness, there was a sense of peace knowing that they hadn't forgotten her, just as she could never forget them.
Weekly Power Status
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