Kai sat in stunned silence, his mind racing.
He tried circulating his Qi again, reaching for even a trickle of energy. Nothing.
A cold dread sank into his bones.
His Qi was completely unresponsive. He could not move energy, could not execute techniques. It was as if he had returned to being…
Ordinary.
A sharp, uncomfortable stillness filled the chamber.
Elder Kong's gaze was heavy with understanding. "You've lost all access to your Qi, haven't you?"
Kai swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "…Yes."
Liu Yu gasped. "You're joking, right? You're fine, right?"
Liu Yue's hands curled into fists. "This… this can't be happening."
Kai exhaled, a wry smile twitching at the corner of his lips. "I thought the same thing."
Elder Kong's expression remained unreadable. "This must be kept a secret. If anyone learns that the Sect Leader of Obsidian Peak is powerless, you will not last the night."
Kai's stomach clenched.
Even when he had Qi, his position had been precarious—the three halls are barely united under him, rival sects wanted him dead, and assassins lurked in the shadows.
And here he was, a sitting target.
Elder Kong stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You need treatment. And soon."
Kai's brows furrowed. "Can this be fixed?"
"Your Qi pathways have been completely blocked," Elder Kong said. "If left untreated, you may never regain access to your cultivation."
Liu Yu's face paled. "Never?"
Elder Kong nodded solemnly. "There is one person who might be able to help, one with a reputation throughout the lands as Divine Healer."
Kai perked up. "Who?"
"Bai Lianhua," Elder Kong replied. "A healer of unparalleled skill. She resides in Clearwater Village, southeast of the sect stronghold."
Kai mulled it over. "So, I just stroll into this town, ask her nicely, and she fixes me?"
Elder Kong's lips twitched. "If it were that simple, I wouldn't be worried."
Liu Yue frowned. "Clearwater Village is neutral territory. If word spreads that the Obsidian Peak Sect Leader is there, vulnerable, enemies could take advantage."
Elder Kong nodded. "That is why this mission must remain secret. Only the twins will accompany you. No guards, no messengers, no one else can know."
Kai sighed, rubbing his temples. "Great. So I'm basically sneaking out of my own sect to go see a mysterious healer."
Liu Yu grinned. "Sounds fun, doesn't it?"
Kai groaned. "You and I have very different definitions of 'fun.'"
Elder Kong's gaze darkened. "Hiding your condition will not work for long. As the Sect leader, you will probably be challenged for your position every few weeks. If you are not healed before then, you will not be able to hold your place."
Kai nodded grimly. He had no choice.
As dawn broke the next morning, Kai, flanked by the twin sisters, left the Obsidian Peak Sect under the guise of an ordinary traveler.