Kaelen squeezed through the gathered crowd of disciples, his curiosity piqued. His gaze fell upon the green-clad girl confidently making her way up the stone steps, her hands clasped behind her back, her expression playful yet challenging. The morning mist curled around her like a living thing, giving her an ethereal aura that clashed sharply with the indignation brewing among the Mystic Dawn Pavilion disciples.
"Who's that girl? How dare she cause trouble at our sect gate?" someone muttered beside Kaelen, voice tinged with anger.
"She said she's from the Ithryan Order," another hissed. "And she even challenged us directly! We can't just let this go!"
Kaelen's eyebrows twitched. Ithryan Order... The name rang familiar. Along with Mystic Dawn Pavilion and Silvercrest Immortal Sect, the Ithryan Order was one of the Three Great Sects, and its reputation was nothing to scoff at. Still, barging into another sect and openly provoking its disciples was a serious breach of etiquette.
This girl isn't just arrogant—she's inviting a storm.
Elder Cedric stood beside Kaelen, his arms folded behind his back. His sharp eyes gleamed with a rare amusement as he watched the approaching Selene. "This girl is bold," he said lightly. "But not foolish. She's testing the waters."
Kaelen nodded silently, his gaze sharpening. Beside Selene, descending at a much more measured pace, was the middle-aged priest—William, if he recalled correctly. His robes billowed with an invisible force, and the faint aura of a powerful cultivator clung to him like a second skin. His presence was calm, steady, and suppressive, like a towering mountain.
Clearly, the girl wasn't acting entirely on her own.
"Step aside! Make way for Senior Brother Lucas!" someone suddenly shouted.
The crowd parted, and a tall, broad-shouldered youth strode forward. His white robe was embroidered with silver cloud patterns, and a long sword hung from his waist. His expression was cold, his steps firm.
Lucas Brightwind. Among the younger generation of Mystic Dawn Pavilion, Lucas ranked within the top five. He had reached the Sixth Stage of Awakening Realm. He was a proud figure among the sect's disciples.
Lucas walked forward, standing imposingly before Selene. He drew his sword slowly, the metal singing a sharp note through the misty air. "You dare to act unruly at Mystic Dawn Pavilion?" he said, his voice cold.
Selene tilted her head, the corner of her mouth lifting in a smirk. "Just a friendly spar, senior brother. No need for such a serious face. Or..." Her eyes flashed mischievously. "Are Mystic Dawn Pavilion's geniuses afraid of a little girl like me?"
A ripple of anger passed through the gathered disciples.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Very well. Since you want a spar, I will entertain you. But if you lose—"
"I'll admit defeat honestly," Selene said, cutting him off. She clapped her hands. "And if I win, you have to call me 'Senior Sister Selene' for a month!"
The surrounding disciples gasped. Kaelen barely managed to hide a smile.
This girl... truly knows no fear.
Lucas' face darkened. "You overestimate yourself!" he snapped.
With a flick of his wrist, his sword gleamed. In an instant, an intense surge of elemental energy filled the air. The mist twisted violently as the sword drew in elemental Qi, forming a sharp vortex around Lucas.
Selene's eyes sparkled with excitement. Without drawing any weapon, she merely brought her palms together lightly. A series of shimmering glyphs formed between her hands, faint arcs of lightning snapping and crackling with growing intensity.
The mountain grew quiet, the tension so thick it could be cut with a blade.
A bell-like chime echoed from deeper within the sect grounds—clearly, the elders had been alerted.
Still, none intervened. It seemed they were content to let the younger generation settle their own squabble.
"Take this!" Lucas roared, stepping forward.
His sword flashed downward like a bolt of lightning, a silver arc cleaving through the air toward Selene. The sheer force of it made Kaelen instinctively step back.
Selene didn't flinch.
At the last possible instant, she twisted her body like a leaf in the wind, slipping past the sword's edge. Her hands thrust forward, releasing a crackling bolt of purple thunder straight at Lucas' chest.
Boom!
Lucas grunted, sliding back several steps, his robe singed.
The crowd gasped in disbelief.
Lucas' eyes burned with fury. His pride would not allow him to lose to a girl younger than him in full view of his peers.
"Skyburst Slash!" he roared, elemental Qi surging to its peak.
The sky seemed to darken slightly as dozens of translucent sword shadows appeared above Lucas, each one humming with deadly force. With a gesture, the swords plunged toward Selene like a meteor shower.
Kaelen's heart tensed. This wasn't a casual spar anymore—Lucas was using a true killing move!
But Selene remained unflustered. She pressed her hands together, her expression serious for the first time.
A complex glyph formation bloomed beneath her feet, and her body blurred, becoming illusory.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sword shadows smashed into the ground, kicking up clouds of dust and debris.
When the smoke cleared, Selene stood several feet away, completely unharmed, a cheeky grin on her lips.
"You're too slow, Senior Brother!" she teased.
Lucas' face turned an alarming shade of red.
"You—!"
Before he could finish, Selene flicked her fingers lightly. A tiny bolt of lightning zipped forward and struck Lucas square in the forehead, leaving a tiny black mark like a burn.
It wasn't painful—but the insult was unbearable.
The watching disciples erupted in whispers and exclamations.
"Senior Brother Lucas... was toyed with?"
"That girl's elemental control is terrifying!"
Elder Cedric chuckled under his breath. "Interesting. That girl isn't just relying on raw power. Her elemental manipulation is precise, refined. No wonder the Ithryan Order dares to send her as their representative."
Kaelen watched intently. He wasn't as easily impressed as the others, but even he had to admit—the girl was powerful. Not necessarily invincible, but clever, agile, and unpredictable.
"Enough!" a stern voice boomed.
Everyone turned. Striding down from the sect's inner court was another elder, his beard like flowing silver silk, his eyes sharp as blades.
It was Elder Gareth, the Pavilion's overseer of the younger generation.
"Selene of the Ithryan Order," Gareth said, voice heavy, "you have trespassed and assaulted our disciples. Explain yourself."
Selene cupped her hands and bowed slightly. "Senior, I apologize for my rudeness. I merely wished to exchange pointers with your sect's geniuses before the Centennial Gathering. I meant no true harm."
William, who had been silent all this while, stepped forward. His voice was calm and powerful. "This was merely a test, to see the current strength of Mystic Dawn Pavilion's younger generation. After all, the Centennial Gathering is not far. It would be best if both sides understood each other better, no?"
Gareth's eyes narrowed slightly. The Centennial Gathering was a major event among the Three Great Sects, held every hundred years. Disciples would compete fiercely, and prestige was on the line.
So that's their game, Kaelen realized. They want to gauge our strength early.
Elder Gareth waved a hand. "Very well. Since it was only a sparring match, we shall not pursue it. However, should you seek further exchanges..." He smiled thinly. "We shall oblige."
Selene clapped her hands gleefully. "Then let's continue!"
A murmur ran through the crowd.
"You!" Lucas shouted, stepping forward again.
But Gareth raised a hand. "Lucas, step down."
Lucas' face twisted with anger and shame, but he obediently retreated.
Elder Gareth turned to the crowd. "Is there any disciple willing to spar with Selene of the Ithryan Order?"
For a moment, no one spoke.
Selene's eyes roamed over the crowd. When her gaze landed on Kaelen, she paused, a spark of interest flashing in her eyes. Then—suddenly—her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp enough to cut stone.
The disciples buzzed in confusion.
"You're the pervert from the cold pool!" Selene pointed an accusing finger at Kaelen, her cheeks flushing slightly with a mix of anger and embarrassment.
Kaelen stiffened, his mind racing back. Cold pool...?
He winced inwardly. A few days ago, he had stumbled into a secluded part of the sect's grounds—seeking a place to Cleaning—only to find himself intruding on a private bathing area. He had immediately turned and fled, but it seemed... it hadn't been forgotten.
"I-It was a misunderstanding," Kaelen said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "I didn't know anyone was there!"
"Misunderstanding?" Selene sneered. "You saw everything!"
A ripple of shocked gasps ran through the crowd. Some looked at Kaelen with newfound awe. Others glared at him with jealousy.
"I didn't!" Kaelen protested. "I left immediately!"
Elder Cedric beside him coughed into his sleeve, clearly trying not to laugh.
Selene's glare intensified. "Regardless, you must take responsibility!" she declared, planting her hands on her hips. "I challenge you!"
The crowd erupted.
"Kaelen... caught in such a scandal?"
"A challenge? This is getting too exciting!"
Elder Gareth raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly willing to let the drama unfold.
Kaelen sighed internally. Trouble always finds me.
Elder Cedric nudged him. "Go on, Kaelen. Show her the dignity of Mystic Dawn Pavilion. And... clear your name."
Kaelen stepped forward, his expression calm but a slight blush on his cheeks. He saluted Selene with a slight bow. "Kaelen, disciple of Mystic Dawn Pavilion's Body-Tempering Lineage. I accept your challenge."
Selene's lips curled into a dazzling smile, but her eyes still burned with righteous fury. "Good! Let's see what you're made of, you shameless rogue!"
As the two squared off, a new tension filled the air.
Unlike before, this was no longer a one-sided provocation.
This time, the real duel was about to begin.