The stars were still fading into the pale light of morning when Lin Xuanye's figure disappeared into the mouth of the Cave of Ascending Stars — alone, resolute, wrapped in silence.
Not long after, the soft echoes of footsteps returned to the great courtyard.
Sect Master Lin Tianyan stood in quiet thought, his robe fluttering in the breeze like the folds of a celestial cloud.
Beside him, Su Feilí bowed slightly, her hands behind her back.
He turned his gaze toward her — not as a leader, but as something far more personal.
"Feilí," he said gently, "you are like a daughter to me. I've watched you grow, shoulder burdens no child should ever bear. I cherish you… as I do Xuanye."
Her eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the rare softness in his tone.
"That's why," he continued, "you too will enter seclusion. Prepare yourself. The tournament ahead will test more than strength — it will test spirit."
Her lips curled into a surprised smile.
"Wait… does that mean… I'm joining the tournament?"
He nodded with quiet affirmation. "Yes, my daughter."
Something in her heart melted.
And without a second thought, she stepped forward and embraced him.
"谢谢你,舅舅." (Thank you, Uncle.)
Lin Tianyan chuckled, a rare warmth rising in his expression.
"It's been a long time since I heard you call me that."
🕊️ Memories Beneath Ash
For a moment, time blurred.
Years ago…
A village in flames. Screams drowned by poison fog. A young girl hidden beneath the floorboards as her parents — the village chief and his wife — gave their lives to protect her.
Above the smoke, a talisman shone.
A flare of divine light reached the heavens.
And far away in the heart of Qingling, it was received by Lin Tianyan — the brother of the woman who had died that day.
He had ridden clouds to her side.
But arrived too late.
Only the girl remained.
Eyes full of tears.
Fists full of ash.
He had held her close that day and whispered, "From now on… I'll be your uncle and your master. And this place… will be your home."
🌓 Present Day
Tears shimmered but didn't fall from Feilí's eyes.
She stepped back.
"I've always trained. But not for myself. For him. For our sect."
"I'm already stronger than many elders," she said with a little grin. "But since you insist, Uncle, I'll cultivate properly this time."
Lin nodded and handed her a small spirit box.
"Inside are six spirit treasures from the Deep Vault. Choose only what you need. Greed makes roots grow crooked."
She smirked. "Even now, you sound like a lecture scroll."
"That's because I wrote the lecture scrolls."
She laughed — real, bright — and stepped back.
"Take care of Aunt Yueling while I'm gone. And don't overwork yourself."
"I always do," he muttered.
"That's why I said it."
And with a gentle leap, Su Feilí vanished into the morning wind, on her way to her seclusion peak — somewhere north, where white lotus grew wild between cliffs.
🏯 The Sect Awakens
As the sun rose fully, the entire Qingling Sect was already stirring.
All halls began strict regimens.
Hall masters barked commands. Elders roamed in inspection. Spirit stones glowed at every training terrace.
Yue Chányīn sparred with blade disciples two stages above her, her ice qi freezing swords mid-air.
Shui Lin meditated by the Falling Ink River, weaving illusions that collapsed one after another — each time a little sharper, a little more real.
Huo Shan stood like a fortress in the mountain ring, enduring barrage after barrage from fellow disciples to refine his defensive arts. He bled, but never wavered.
Feng Ruo, ever the firebrand, dueled with a half-smirk and full charm. Many seniors tried, few succeeded. Her flames danced with seduction and wrath alike.
The sect was a cauldron of focused ambition.
A month would pass in storms.
🌍 A World Responds
Elsewhere across the continent, invitations soared on spiritual cranes, bearing the imperial seal of Qingling Sect.
The Sea Cloud Kingdom read the scroll with silent pride, immediately sending its elite to train under the glacier monasteries.
The Empyrean Lotus Empire burned incense at their dragon shrines, selecting twin sisters from the Moonflame Pavilion to represent them.
The Void Horizon Sect, shrouded in mystery, laughed quietly and whispered, "Finally, a chance to eclipse the sun."
But not all reactions were so righteous.
In the dark marble halls of the Obsidian Bone Sect, elders whispered bitterly of Qingling's pride.
"Let the fools boast. We'll poison the roots of their tree."
Within the Crimson Jade Dynasty, rival princes gritted their teeth and swore to crush the young master of Qingling beneath jeweled boots.
Training began — but their techniques were laced with poison, cruelty, and forbidden spiritual brands.
Behind veils of civility, jealousy bloomed into schemes.
To be continued...