The flickering torchlight cast long shadows across the stone chamber as Mei Lin and Li Sheng turned toward the figure emerging from the darkness. His black robes blended into the shadows, and a faint metallic sheen glinted at his waist—a hidden weapon, ready to strike.
The man's voice was low, chilling. "So, the lost heir has finally awakened."
Mei Lin's pulse thundered in her ears. "Who are you?"
The assassin chuckled, his gloved fingers tapping the hilt of a dagger. "I have waited many years for this day," he murmured. "For the moment when the last remnant of the Celestial Lineage would appear." His tone darkened. "So I could erase it forever."
Li Sheng stepped in front of Mei Lin, sword drawn. "You'll have to go through me first."
The assassin vanished in an instant.
Mei Lin barely had time to react before a cold blade slashed toward her throat. She ducked, her heart hammering, as Li Sheng's sword clashed against the assassin's dagger, sending a shower of sparks into the air.
"You're fast," Li Sheng growled, blocking another strike.
The assassin smirked. "You've trained well, Exile General. But you're not the one I came for."
Mei Lin threw a handful of silver powder from her spatial pocket—a blinding mixture of crushed pearl and sleeping herbs.
The assassin twisted away just in time, but the mist still clouded his vision. Mei Lin grabbed a jade tablet from a nearby shelf and hurled it at him, forcing him back.
Li Sheng took the opening. His sword flashed, slicing through the assassin's sleeve, drawing a thin line of blood.
The assassin hissed. "Not bad."
Then, he whistled sharply—and from the shadows, two more figures leaped into the vault.
Mei Lin's breath caught. "There's more of them?!"
One of the new attackers flung a set of poisoned needles straight at her. Mei Lin barely managed to dodge, but one grazed her shoulder. A sharp sting shot through her veins.
"Mei Lin!" Li Sheng tried to reach her, but the second assassin blocked his path.
Mei Lin's vision blurred for a split second. The poison was fast-acting. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to stay conscious. No. She wouldn't fall here.
Clutching her wound, she dashed toward the golden chest, pressing her palm against the ancient engravings.
The Vault trembled.
The Guardian's voice boomed, "The heir has spoken. The Vault shall awaken."
A pulse of golden energy burst from the chest, sweeping through the room. The assassins stumbled back, shielding their eyes from the blinding light.
When the glow faded, Mei Lin stood firm, the golden chest now open—revealing an ancient jade seal nestled inside.
The assassin's face twisted with fury. "The Imperial Seal…"
Mei Lin grabbed the seal, feeling its warmth pulse in her hands.
Something within her awoke.
And the assassins realized—they were no longer hunting a helpless woman.
They were standing before the true heir to the Celestial Throne.