The Azure Heaven Sect was bathed in golden light from the morning sun, which reflected its vast halls and innumerable stone staircases. The Core Court Palace shone like a celestial temple atop the tallest peak, and a figure slowly lowered itself from its steps.
Gu Jin stood in spotless white robes, the fabric billowing in a gentle breeze like clouds. He was clearly identified as a Core Disciple—one of the most valuable and uncommon geniuses in the sect—by the Azure symbol embroidered in black across his chest.
However, it was his appearance—rather than his outfit—that attracted the most attention. With each step, his hair caught the sun and glistened a unique yellow, as though it had been kissed by lightning. His eyes—ah, his eyes—told a different tale than his serene face.
One was a deep, blazing red, akin to smoldering flames that might pierce the soul. The other carried the stillness of the ocean's depths and was a crystalline blue, calm but incomprehensible. Anyone who dared to look at him for too long would be unnerved by the sudden, mysterious contrast.
Gu Jin's presence was like a wave sweeping over the lowly disciples as they made their way down toward the Outer Sect grounds. Some distant disciples even bowed in respect as they halted their practice in the middle of their stride, whispering in wonder. Seeing a Core Disciple up close was like seeing a star from the mortal world to them.
A group of Outer Sect Elders stood waiting at the perimeter of the Outer Sect training grounds. Their robes were simple in comparison to his, but as he drew nearer, their positions straightened. A Core Disciple could not be treated lightly, not even by these elders, who held positions of power in the outer court.
"Greetings, Core Disciple Gu Jin," the elders said collectively, their hands cupped in reverence and their voices solemn.
Gu Jin paused, his expression calm and without arrogance. He returned the gesture, bowing slightly with hands clasped.
"This disciple greets the honored elders. It is my fortune to visit the Outer Court today," he said, his tone carrying both respect and steadiness. His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it carried clearly across the courtyard, reaching the ears of nearby disciples.
The throng of outer disciples began to murmur. For them, Gu Jin was a living example of what they wanted to be, not just a cultivator of greater status. That aura—a genius without conceit, a star among stars—was only enhanced by his polite remarks to the elders.
The elders exchanged faint smiles, nodding at his courtesy. For a moment, the air around the sect felt lighter, as though even the heavens acknowledged his presence.
One of the biggest sects on the Eastern Continent, the Azure Heaven Sect, was located high above the misty mountains, encircled by rivers that glistened like jade and endless forests. The entire sect seemed to be a celestial fortress descending from the heavens, with its peaks penetrating the clouds and layers of protective formations glinting faintly.
The sect was divided clearly into ranks, each carrying its own pride and arrogance.
Simple stone homes, training grounds, and expansive courtyards were located at the base of the majestic mountain. Thousands of outer disciples lived in the Outer Court.
On their chests, they wore blue robes embroidered with the Azure symbol. Completing sect tasks, growing with limited resources, and aspiring to rise to a higher position were the main focuses of their lives.
Since being an outer disciple of the Azure Heaven Sect meant being above countless mortals, they all carried themselves with pride despite being the lowest branch of disciples.
Magnificent palaces with red-tiled roofs that glowed in the sunlight stood higher up, on the mid-level peaks. These were only available to the Inner Court disciples, who were much more honorable despite being far fewer in number.
They walked with colder eyes and sharper auras, wearing red robes adorned with the Azure symbol. They had access to training grounds rich in spirit Qi, in-depth cultivation manuals, and even inner elder guidance, unlike the outer disciples.
Entering the Inner Court was a dream worth dying for an outer disciple.
A soaring palace that reached the clouds stood at the very top of the sacred mountain of the Azure Heaven Sect. The true geniuses of the sect lived in the Core Court.
The future of the sect rested on the shoulders of the few hundred who were eligible to be called Core Disciples. In contrast to the flickering candles of the outer court, their presence was like blazing suns.
They wore pristine white robes, with the Azure symbol, which stands for both purity and power, embroidered across their chest in black thread. Grand elders personally tutored core disciples, and their words alone had the power to decide the fate of entire groups of outer disciples.
Beyond disciples, the true pillars of the sect were the Elders.
Outer Elders supervised the vast outer court, ensuring discipline and overseeing minor missions. Their authority could decide which disciple rose or fell.
Inner Elders, far stronger and more respected, guided inner disciples and occasionally selected promising talents to push into the core court.
The Sect Master, whose name alone shook rival sects, and the Grand Elders, lofty figures seldom seen, stood above them all.
In the Azure Heaven Sect, each robe, symbol, and mountain step stood for not only one's identity but also one's fate.
A sudden commotion swept across the courtyard just as the tension surrounding Gu Jin's arrival was starting to subside. Disciples automatically straightened their backs, heads turned, and voices were hushed. A graceful figure walked with measured steps down the stone path from the Inner Court.
The Azure symbol was embroidered on her crimson-red robes, which shone dimly in the sunlight. With a simple jade hairpin that seemed to accentuate rather than overpower her inherent beauty, her long black hair fell behind her like silk. She had the pride of someone born for the higher heavens, and her eyes were cold, distant, and sharp.
It was Lady Su Xinyue—one of the most celebrated Inner Disciples of Azure Heaven Sect.
The murmurs among the outer disciples grew louder.
"Lady Su Xinyue… she's here too?"
"What fortune is this? To see both a Core Disciple and her together…"
"But wait… isn't she… daughter of sect leader? What she doing outer Sect disciples selection ceremony "
Gu Jin's eyes lifted before the whispers could fully develop. As he moved forward, a faint warmth appeared on his face. He stepped confidently and unhurriedly to block her path.
His white robes and the Azure symbol of black seemed to gleam even more against her crimson clothing as he stood in front of her. His tone was even and sincere as he cupped his hands in a respectful manner and bowed slightly.
"Disciple Gu Jin welcomes Lady Su Xinyue."
The air seemed to freeze for a second, and all eyes were on her.
Su Xinyue's gaze passed over him with a colder expression rather than one of curiosity or even contempt. She passed him without even a nod or a glimmer of recognition, her face as expressionless as if he were a breeze rustling the leaves.
There was complete silence in the courtyard.
The disciples felt a wave of shock. She had been politely greeted by a Core Disciple of Gu Jin's caliber, but she had decided to ignore him entirely. Some of the outer disciples looked at each other uneasily, while others gaped in shock at what they had just seen.
The obvious display made even the outer elders stiffen. One of them, an old man with a long white beard, scowled deeply and then stepped forward.
"Are you, Core Disciple Gu Jin? Are you okay?" He sounded hesitant and worried at the same time, as if he was afraid Gu Jin would be embarrassed.
Gu Jin, however, only gave a slight smile. His smile was disarmingly composed, calm, courteous, and neither forced nor bitter.
"I'm all right, Elder," he said quietly. "I think Lady Su Xinyue is still upset about the Sect Leader's decision about our marriage. She would naturally behave in this manner."
His words, spoken without resentment, fell like thunder among those gathered.
"Marriage…?" gasps erupted from the disciples, their whispers trembling with disbelief.
"Her marriage to Gu Jin was arranged by the Sect Leader."
"It makes sense why she ignored him. Thus, it is true.
"The entire sect will be shaken by this."
Gu Jin stood as if unaffected by the shock that filled the courtyard, his mismatched eyes glowing dimly in the morning light, his serene smile unflinching.