The path vanished behind them.
Mist coiled at their heels like living silk as Lian followed Shengzhi through a stone arch carved into the mountainside. Her legs burned from the climb, and her heart raced—not just from exhaustion, but from awe.
Before her stood an impossible sight.
Floating walkways stretched across the sky, connecting soaring towers of pale jade and gold. Waterfalls flowed upward into the air. Massive cranes with pearl-white feathers flew overhead. She could feel the air itself pulsing with energy—spiritual qi, Shengzhi had called it.
"This is Mount Yunyuan?" she whispered.
Shengzhi nodded. "The home of the Celestial Sword Sect. Hidden from the mortal world."
She clutched the edge of his sleeve. "And I'm really allowed here?"
"You're with me," he said simply.
Still, as they walked past glowing runes and floating lanterns, she couldn't shake the feeling: I don't belong here.
Disciples in flowing robes glanced her way—some curious, others hostile. They were all young… but confident. Strong. They carried swords that sang softly when they moved.
Lian pulled her worn shawl tighter around her.
One girl in green robes narrowed her eyes. "Who's the mortal?"
Before Lian could respond, Shengzhi turned his head sharply. "My disciple."
Whispers followed them after that.
---
They reached a quiet courtyard near a waterfall. Peach blossoms floated in the air despite it not being spring.
"You'll stay here," Shengzhi said. "No one will bother you."
She looked around. "This is… for me?"
He gave a small nod. "You'll need rest. And soon, training."
Lian looked at him warily. "You still haven't told me why I'm here. Who I was."
Shengzhi sat beneath the peach tree, looking up into its branches. "Because if I tell you… it might destroy who you are now."
She frowned. "You said Wuqian was hunting me. If I don't know the truth, how do I fight?"
His jaw tensed. "You weren't a warrior in your past life, Lian. You were… something rarer. Something sacred."
She opened her mouth—but a voice cut through the air.
"Well, well. The 'Lotus Flame' returns."
Lian turned.
A boy stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed. His robes were midnight blue, lined with silver, and his smile was too sharp to be kind.
Shengzhi rose slowly. "Li Fang."
"Oh, you remember me?" Li Fang said with a mock bow. "That's a surprise. You ignored the entire sect for decades."
Lian stepped back instinctively. Something about this boy felt… off.
Shengzhi's hand hovered near his sleeve. "Why are you here?"
"Master Yu wants to see you. Word's already spread—you brought a mortal girl here. And they say she glows like moonlight when she's angry."
Lian stiffened.
Shengzhi moved in front of her protectively. "She's not to be spoken about like that."
Li Fang raised both hands in mock surrender. "Relax, Senior Brother. I'm only a messenger."
But as he turned, his eyes locked onto Lian's.
And for just a second—she saw it.
Fear.
Like he knew what she could become.
---
That night, Lian sat beneath the peach tree, unable to sleep. The petals glowed faintly in the moonlight, like soft fire.
She didn't belong in this world of swords and spirit beasts. She didn't even know who she was.
But… when she closed her eyes, a name echoed in her mind—spoken in a long-lost voice.
> "Yue Lian… my lotus flame."
She opened her eyes, heart pounding.
Where had she heard that name before?
----------
To be continued...