Nestled slightly behind the grand Heavenly Scripture Tower, a quiet terrace of pale rose-stone stretched beneath a canopy of gently swaying cloud-willows. Known as the Whispering Cloud Terrace, this open platform overlooked a serene drop into mist-covered valleys below.
The ground was paved with smooth, ivory-hued tiles that caught the glow of the setting sun, and delicate flowering vines crept along the curved jade railings. The air always seemed faintly perfumed — a lingering trace of spiritual plum blossoms that never wilted, no matter the season.
It wasn't an official training ground or sacred site. Instead, it was a place spoken of in hushed tones — where young disciples in love might sit in silence, exchange stories, or simply watch the drifting clouds. Among the sect's romantic youth, it was called the Terrace of Hidden Hearts.
But now, that place of silent affection had turned into a battlefield.
Two figures stood face to face, locked in silence, waiting for the other to make the first move.
A few onlookers lingered. The confident ones stood closer. The weaker disciples had already fled, unwilling to be caught in the aftermath.
On one side stood Ye Chen. His looks were average, but his presence was formidable — sharp eyes, a serious expression, a slightly wide nose. Normally composed, now his face was twisted in fury, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white, teeth grinding audibly.
On the other side stood a woman, her expression cold. She had soft silver eyes, flowing jet-black hair, and skin as pale as moonlight. She wore a muted gray-blue hanfu — plain but meticulously kept. A small silver bell hung from her waist, its sound rarely heard unless she willed it.
Her gaze, full of disdain, was fixed on Ye Chen. Though calm, her body was taut with vigilance.
In the far corner stood a man like no other. His obsidian-black eyes shimmered with quiet clarity, like still water beneath moonlight. Pale as freshly fallen snow, his skin contrasted with long, ink-dark hair that flowed freely past his shoulders. Every feature of his face was sculpted with delicate precision — an ethereal, almost unearthly beauty.
Clad in a flowing black robe trimmed with golden embroidery, he exuded an air of ease and indifference, untouched by the chaos around him.
He was the reason for this battle. Though a mortal... he was none other than —
Shen Yan.
Shen Yan looked at Yue Lian. Until now, she was just a maid to him — a quiet attendant. But now, he was about to witness her strength firsthand.
'Just how powerful is she?'
Yue Lian stepped forward. Her aura surged without restraint. Ye Chen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This? This girl... she's already reached the Perfected Foundation Vein Tempering Realm?!"
"Damn it, this is too hateful!"
She was only one realm above him — and yet, in cultivation, that gap was like a chasm. Reaching the Perfected stage wasn't a matter of mere effort. It was a transformation.
"But I won't lose easily!"
Ye Chen growled, pouring his spiritual essence into the sigils around his body.
In the blink of an eye, he transformed — towering two meters tall, his entire body turning into a massive creature of burning stone. A lava-forged giant, flames licking across his rock-like limbs.
Shen Yan was stunned.
'He… changed into something completely different. This world… truly full of surprises.'
From behind, Ye Chen's followers began cheering.
"Hehehe!"
"Way to go, boss!"
"Show them who the real prodigy is!"
Ye Chen raised one of his massive arms and hurled flaming boulders toward Yue Lian.
Shen Yan's expression grew tense.
"Yue Lian, be careful!"
But she only snorted coldly.
"Cheap tricks."
With a wave of her hand—
Whoosh!
A towering wall of water formed before her, crashing against the incoming flaming rocks. None pierced through.
Then she spoke coldly:
"I'll return this favor."
The water wall twisted into a spiraling aqua-tornado and surged back toward the lava-rock Ye Chen.
Ye Chen puffed his cheeks—
Boom!
Flames erupted from his mouth, colliding with the tornado midair.
Whoosh!
The collision unleashed a dense fog of steam, shrouding the entire terrace.
Ye Chen took advantage. Cloaked in mist, he charged, lava arms outstretched.
Yue Lian sensed something—too late.
BOOM!
Fire erupted from beneath her.
As the fog cleared, Shen Yan's expression changed.
"Yue Lian!" he called out, anxiety in his voice.
Her left arm had been scorched. But her gaze remained cold. A green glow began to mend the wound, slowly.
Ye Chen didn't let up. He pelted her with flaming boulders, shifting constantly to limit her healing.
"It seems," Yue Lian muttered, "you've left me no choice."
She exhaled smoke into the air.
Clouds began gathering overhead — dark, roiling, and thick with qi.
"Hah!" Ye Chen scoffed.
"You think a bit of rain will extinguish my lava body?"
"I'll stand here and watch you make a fool of yourself!"
Rain began to fall — not a drizzle, but a torrential downpour, dense enough to batter even trained disciples off their stance.
Yue Lian watched silently, one hand glowing behind her back.
Eventually, the rain slowed to a stop.
Ye Chen stood firm, steam rising from his body as the heat evaporated the moisture instantly.
"Is that all?" he sneered.
Yue Lian smiled faintly, then raised her finger. A ball of lightning flew upward — striking the rain-drenched clouds.
In that moment, the clouds churned... then transformed into pure thunder.
A serpentine dragon of lightning formed, coiling above.
Ye Chen's eyes widened.
"So that's your move?! That rain... was just a setup?!"
'If I'd known, I would have attacked nonstop…!'
Panicked, he moved to dodge—but his foot slipped.
"Tch—!"
He looked down.
'The entire terrace has turned to mud…?!'
Above, the thunder-dragon descended.
"Just die," Yue Lian said coldly.
"You cunning vixen! I won't let you—"
BOOOOM!!
"AAAHHHH!"
The thunderclap exploded across the terrace, a blinding flash illuminating the sky. Silence followed.
When the light faded, Ye Chen lay unconscious on the ground.
"Did She win?" Shen Yan muttered.
She approached calmly. Those soft-silver eyes, the soundless bell at her waist, that quiet dignity — a woman like a celestial snow-blade.
'Truly beautiful… But who would've thought this kitten hides a lioness?'
Yue Lian smiled gently at Shen Yan, but the moment she saw Su Yanyu standing beside him, her eyes turned frigid.
"Who is this girl?" she asked, voice like ice.
"Huh?" Shen Yan blinked.
'That's your first question after blasting a man into the ground?'
In a low voice, he asked,
"Did you kill him?"
"No. Just unconscious." She stepped closer.
"More importantly, why did you leave your residence and get into such trouble?"
"Young Master, you haven't awakened your spiritual vein. It's far too dangerous for you to be wandering without a guard."
Suddenly—
"Who dares to fight within the sect?!"
A thunderous voice echoed across the Whispering Cloud Terrace.
Everyone froze.