The Moonlit Jade Pavilion was unlike anything Ruoxue had ever seen. From the cliffs of Wuheng Mountain, it floated above the mist like a jewel suspended in the night. Jade tiles shimmered under the pale moonlight, while gold filigree carved along the railings caught the glow of lanterns that seemed to float of their own accord. Streams of ethereal water tumbled down invisible channels, forming delicate arcs that disappeared before reaching the ground. Every detail, from the delicate carvings of celestial beasts on the pillars to the soft, melodic hum that seemed to emanate from the air itself, spoke of power and privilege far beyond any mortal realm.
Ruoxue's heart raced. She had imagined grandeur, yes, but this… this was a world beyond imagination, a palace carved from moonlight and dreams. And yet, beneath the awe, there was tension—a quiet energy that pulsed like a heartbeat, warning her that this sanctuary was also an arena.
The pavilion doors opened silently, as if recognizing her presence, revealing a hall bathed in silver light. Statues of legendary cultivators lined the walls, their eyes seeming to follow her every step. Each step she took echoed softly against the jade floor, a rhythmic reminder that she had entered a world where even silence had weight.
"Welcome, Ruoxue," a voice rang out, clear and melodic, yet carrying the authority of one accustomed to command. A figure appeared from the shadows, tall and slender, adorned in robes that shimmered like starlight. His eyes, black as onyx, studied her carefully. "I am Yin Xiu, Guardian of the Moonlit Jade Pavilion. The Nine Courts have granted you this place because they believe in your potential. But do not mistake privilege for immunity. Here, you will be tested, observed, and challenged."
Ruoxue bowed, keeping her composure despite the whirlwind of emotions inside. "I… thank you, Guardian Yin Xiu." Her voice, soft yet steady, carried more resolve than she felt.
"Good." Yin Xiu nodded once, then gestured toward the expansive hall. "Here, you will reside, but do not linger in wonder. Explore the pavilion, learn its customs, and understand that every corner holds observation. The Nine Courts are watching."
As Ruoxue walked deeper into the pavilion, she realized that it was more than a home. It was a city in miniature. Towers of jade rose like crystalline trees, bridges arched over glowing streams, and courtyards opened to gardens where flowers bloomed under enchanted moonlight, each petal luminous with faint magic. Couriers floated along pathways, carrying messages in translucent crystal envelopes, while servants moved with silent precision, their eyes trained on newcomers with unblinking scrutiny.
Everywhere she looked, the air thrummed with cultivation energy—subtle yet omnipresent. Here, even a whisper could carry power; even a step could disturb balance. Ruoxue felt the half-moon mark on her neck pulse faintly, as if the pavilion itself acknowledged her presence and the latent power within her.
---
Her first encounter with other residents of the pavilion came in the form of curiosity… and disdain.
In a courtyard bathed in soft lunar glow, she saw a group of disciples practicing under the guidance of an instructor. Their movements were precise, almost ceremonial, each swing of a sword or flick of a finger calculated to perfection. They stopped abruptly when they noticed her, their eyes narrowing, whispers floating like sparks in the air.
"Who is she?" one of the older disciples murmured, her tone icy. "I've never seen her before. Did the Nine Courts really grant her a place here?"
"Hmph," another scoffed, crossing her arms. "She looks… ordinary. What could a newcomer possibly contribute?"
Ruoxue's gaze met theirs briefly, but she did not respond. She had learned long ago that silence could be a shield stronger than any sword. Yet beneath her calm exterior, a spark of determination kindled. She would prove, not with words, but with action.
---
Yin Xiu appeared beside her silently. "Ignore them for now. They will judge based on appearances, as many do. Your strength will speak when the time comes."
"I… understand," Ruoxue said.
"Good." He paused, eyes scanning the pavilion. "Tomorrow, you will visit the Providence Tribe's training grounds. You will begin formal cultivation under the guidance of their instructors. Prepare yourself. The path ahead will be challenging."
Ruoxue's stomach tightened. She had trained under Mother Bi, yes, but the Providence Tribe was renowned throughout the mountains. Its disciples were said to be fierce, its instructors legendary, and its challenges merciless. She knew this was not a place for novices. But she also understood that this was the opportunity she had been waiting for—the first step in awakening the memory buried deep within her blood.
---
That night, Ruoxue stood on the balcony of her assigned chamber, gazing at the distant peaks of Wuheng Mountain. The wind carried the scent of pine and earth, mingled with the subtle hum of cultivation energy. Below, the pavilion shimmered like a constellation fallen to earth.
She traced the half-moon mark on her neck absentmindedly. "Mother Bi…" she whispered. "I hope I am ready."
Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft rustle of silk. A boy, no older than her, approached from the shadows. His robes were dark, adorned with silver embroidery, and his eyes glimmered like jade. He bowed slightly, a polite smile on his lips.
"You must be Ruoxue," he said. "I am Zhen Ye. I was told to welcome you… though I suspect the Nine Courts already made that unnecessary."
Ruoxue inclined her head. "I am… honored."
Zhen Ye's gaze lingered on her, curious and discerning. "You have a mark," he said, nodding toward her neck. "The half-moon seal. The Nine Courts rarely grant one such a gift without purpose. I imagine you feel it already—the stirring beneath your skin, the pull of memories you do not yet recognize."
Ruoxue's heart skipped a beat. How could he know? She said nothing, letting the silence answer for her. Zhen Ye simply nodded, as if satisfied, then turned to leave. "Sleep well, Ruoxue. Tomorrow, the path begins."
---
Morning arrived with a pale light that seeped through the jade latticework. Ruoxue followed Yin Xiu to the edge of the pavilion, where an ethereal bridge connected it to the mountains beyond. Across the valley, she saw the Providence Tribe's training grounds for the first time.
It was a sprawling expanse, dotted with pavilions, towers, and open courtyards. Streams of cultivation energy formed visible threads in the air, snaking and weaving through the terrain like living rivers. Disciples practiced with fervor, their movements blurring with speed and precision. The sound of swords clashing, elemental manifestations flaring, and the hum of incantations filled the air.
"This is where you will train," Yin Xiu said. "The Providence Tribe has agreed to oversee your cultivation. Their instructors are rigorous, and their expectations are high. You will begin by learning the fundamentals: control, focus, and understanding your own energy. From there, the path diverges based on talent, will, and perseverance."
Ruoxue's stomach tightened at the sight of the training grounds. The air was heavy with the pressure of discipline and skill, and yet it carried a thrill that her heart could not resist. She had spent years in quiet study, learning from herbs, observation, and the mountain winds. Now, she would take her first real step into the world she had been destined for.
As they approached, a group of trainees noticed her arrival. Whispers passed among them like wind through bamboo.
"Look at her," one muttered. "The girl from the Moonlit Jade Pavilion. Do you think she can last here?"
"She's probably weak," another sneered. "Why would the Nine Courts waste such a privilege on someone so… ordinary?"
Ruoxue kept her head high. Ordinary, she thought, is a mask. And beneath the mask, power waits.
---
Her first trial came sooner than expected. The instructors gathered the newcomers in a circular courtyard, its floor etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly.
"Today," the lead instructor began, voice carrying across the courtyard, "you will demonstrate control over your energy. Not raw strength, not speed, not knowledge. Control. Focus. Energy is alive, and only those who understand it will wield it without danger."
Ruoxue's pulse quickened. She had always been observant, always attuned to the whispers of nature. Now, she would test her instincts against raw cultivation techniques. She stepped forward as the instructors' gaze fell upon her, feeling the weight of every eye, every expectation.
When the runes flared to life, the ground beneath her seemed to hum. Ruoxue inhaled deeply, letting her half-moon seal pulse in rhythm with the vibrations. Slowly, deliberately, she extended her senses, feeling the energy of the courtyard flow around her.
It was… alive.
A surge of memory, fleeting and fragmented, brushed against her mind—a whisper of a sword's edge slicing through mist, a shadow of wind that carried voices she did not recognize, a fleeting warmth of protection she could not place.
And then, clarity.
With careful movement, she molded the energy, guiding it along the floor runes, causing them to glow steadily under her influence. Other trainees struggled, bursts of energy flaring uncontrollably, while the instructors murmured in approval at her steady command.
"Interesting," one said quietly. "The girl carries more than mere training… instinct, precision… even memory buried beneath the surface."
Ruoxue felt a spark of pride—but it was tempered by awareness. This was only the beginning. The path ahead was long, and the Providence Tribe's training would demand everything she had… and more.
---
By nightfall, Ruoxue returned to Moonlit Jade Pavilion, her body weary but her mind alert. The floating lanterns illuminated the pavilion like stars scattered across the earth. She leaned against the balcony rail, gazing down at the distant peaks where the Providence Tribe trained, feeling both exhilaration and apprehension.
Somewhere, in the whisper of wind and rustle of leaves, she sensed a presence. A shadow moved silently among the pavilion's towers, eyes glinting with curiosity… and intent.
Ruoxue straightened, her hand brushing against the half-moon mark. "No matter what awaits," she murmured, "I will not falter."
And so, beneath the pale moonlight, the girl marked by the Silent Goddess took her first steps into a world of challenge, intrigue, and awakening. The Moonlit Jade Pavilion had welcomed her, but the mountains beyond—the Providence Tribe, the Nine Courts, and the forces that stirred in darkness—would test her in ways she could not yet imagine.
The journey had begun.