C26: Fractured Trust

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Lin Xiao’s recovery was slow and painful. The soul poison from Fairy Luo Qing’s betrayal had left deep scars on his soul core. Even with the six loyal women pouring their energy into him through dual cultivation, full healing felt distant. The System remained partially unstable, its Divine Plunder sluggish and unreliable.

On the fifteenth day, urgent news arrived. A coalition force from the remnants of the Eternal Divine Alliance launched a probing attack on the western border. Their leader was Lord Mo Tian, a mid Divine Ascension expert known for his ruthless shadow and blade techniques.

Despite his injuries, Lin Xiao refused to stay behind. “I cannot appear weak. If they sense hesitation, more will come.”

The six women argued fiercely before he left.

Su Mei, ever practical, spoke first. “Master, you are still not recovered. Let us handle this skirmish. You should stay and heal.”

Murong Xue agreed. “Your back wound is still open. Going now is reckless.”

Princess Yan Zi and Xuan Yue supported caution, while Bing Yue and Mei Ling believed he should push through to maintain momentum.

The tension that had been building since the betrayal finally boiled over into a heated argument in the recovery chamber.

“We almost lost him once already because of Luo Qing!” Su Mei said sharply, her voice trembling with worry. “If he pushes himself and something happens…”

“He is Lin Xiao,” Princess Yan Zi countered firmly. “He has overcome everything so far. Hiding now would damage his reputation more than any wound.”

Xuan Yue added quietly, “But the soul poison is still affecting him. One mistake could be fatal.”

The women’s voices rose as they debated, all of them visibly torn — their thoughts centered entirely on Lin Xiao’s safety versus his unyielding path. The fracture caused by the betrayal made every decision feel heavier. Loyalty remained, but fear and doubt had taken root.

Lin Xiao ended the argument with a single cold command. “Enough. I am going. Prepare to support me.”

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The battle on the western frontier was brutal.

Lord Mo Tian was a cunning mid Divine Ascension expert who specialized in shadow blade techniques. He waited until Lin Xiao’s group engaged the coalition soldiers before striking from the darkness.

The moment Lin Xiao entered the fray, Mo Tian appeared behind him like a ghost. A black blade infused with devouring shadow laws slashed across his back, reopening the old wound from the previous battle and carving a deep, corrosive gash from shoulder to hip.

Lin Xiao roared in pain and spun, Divine Chaos Lightning exploding outward. The two clashed violently in the center of the battlefield.

Mo Tian’s blades moved like living shadows, striking from impossible angles. Each hit carried soul-erosion properties that aggravated the lingering poison in Lin Xiao’s system. Lin Xiao’s movements were slower than usual due to his injuries. A shadow blade grazed his ribs, another cut deep into his thigh.

Blood poured freely. His vision blurred from pain and soul strain. For several agonizing minutes, he was on the defensive, barely keeping up with the mid-stage expert’s speed and trickery.

His women fought desperately around him. Murong Xue took a hit meant for his blind spot. Princess Yan Zi burned blood essence to create an opening. The others coordinated attacks to distract Mo Tian.

Lin Xiao endured. Gritting his teeth through the burning pain in his back, he waited for the perfect moment. When Mo Tian overextended for a killing strike, Lin Xiao sacrificed more blood essence and unleashed a point-blank Chaos Emperor Dragon Strike.

The tri-colored lightning pierced Mo Tian’s shadow defenses. Lin Xiao followed through, grabbing the man by the throat and forcing a partial Divine Plunder despite the System’s instability.

【Partial Divine Plunder… Shadow Blade Laws acquired.】

Lord Mo Tian was killed, but the cost was high. Lin Xiao collapsed to one knee after the battle, blood streaming from the new deep gash on his back. The wound refused to close properly due to the combined effects of the old soul poison and shadow corrosion. Pain radiated through his entire body with every breath.

His women carried him back to the palace in heavy silence.

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Back in the recovery chamber, the argument erupted again as they treated his wounds.

“He cannot continue like this!” Su Mei cried, tears in her eyes as she pressed healing pills into the deep gash on his back. “We should retreat to a safer territory and let him recover fully. This path will kill him.”

Murong Xue, bandaging the wound tightly, shook her head. “Retreating now would invite more enemies. He has never run. We must believe in him.”

Princess Yan Zi stood by the window, fists clenched. “He overcame the betrayal and the previous battles. He will overcome this too. But… I fear pushing him will break him permanently.”

Xuan Yue remained quiet but her expression showed deep worry. Bing Yue and Mei Ling argued for caution while still supporting his will.

The harem was visibly divided. All of them hovered around Lin Xiao, their concern and love for him clear, yet the tension from the betrayal and his accumulating injuries had created real cracks. Some wanted safety. Others believed only continued conquest would strengthen him.

Lin Xiao, lying on the bed pale and bloodied, listened to their argument with half-closed eyes. The new back wound throbbed painfully, a constant reminder that the Divine Realm was no longer forgiving.

He spoke weakly but firmly, silencing them. “I will not flee… The grind continues. But… be ready. Trust must be earned again. All of you.”

The women fell silent, their divided hearts heavy as they continued tending to his wounds.

The betrayal and escalating challenges had changed everything. Lin Xiao was no longer breezing through the Divine Realm. Every victory now came with blood, pain, and growing tension within his inner circle.

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