The morning sun cast a warm glow over the training grounds as members of Emerald Moon Valley gathered with the disciples of Azure Cloud Sect. The air was filled with the sound of clashing weapons, the hum of circulating Qi, and the focused energy of cultivation.
Lingxuan and Tianyu stood atop a small hill overlooking the grounds, observing the progress of their students. Over the past months, rigorous training had begun to show results. One by one, members of Moon Valley had reached the Nascent Soul Realm, a significant milestone in cultivation, while Su Qingyue had grown steadily in the Spirit Severing Realm.
Tianyu's brown hair swayed slightly in the morning breeze as he adjusted his posture. "They've improved faster than I expected," he said, glancing at the Moon Valley disciples who were now able to perform coordinated formation techniques and channel their Qi with greater precision.
Lingxuan nodded, his black hair reflecting the sunlight. "Yes. Step by step, they are catching up. That is why Xuan Yue could no longer be underestimated. Even though he is in the same realm as you, Tianyu, he has strength beyond ordinary cultivation. But with consistent training, one day, they will surpass him."
On the training field, Su Qingyue practiced diligently, her white hair flowing as she executed precise movements, each one radiating controlled energy. Her aura, still bound to the Spirit Severing Realm, pulsed with a quiet yet growing power. She recalled the previous confrontations with Xuan Yue and felt a burning determination to strengthen herself, to never be helpless again.
Nearby, the other Moon Valley disciples pushed themselves through rigorous exercises, refining their control of energy and strengthening both their bodies and minds. Even the weaker members had begun showing sparks of extraordinary talent, their cultivation now aided by the guidance of Lingxuan and Tianyu.
The influence of Azure Cloud Sect had grown significantly. With the alliance solidified, the two sects now shared techniques, resources, and knowledge, which accelerated the growth of Moon Valley. Each successful advancement elevated the reputation of Lingxuan's sect, spreading their name further across the lands. Merchants, travelers, and even minor sects spoke with admiration of their cooperation and strength.
Lingxuan observed quietly, his dark eyes calculating and reflective. "Strength is not only measured by cultivation," he murmured. "It is also the unity of the sect, the determination of its members, and the wisdom of guidance. Today, Moon Valley is stronger not because of Xuan Yue's weakness, but because we've nurtured them to be better than before."
Tianyu glanced at Lingxuan, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Soon, even Xuan Yue will realize the gap. He may have been unbeatable before, but now, everyone has grown. Their bonds, their training… nothing will be the same."
As the day progressed, the sounds of cultivation filled the valley. Every disciple, every movement, and every clash of energy reflected the rising power of Moon Valley and Azure Cloud Sect together. With each breakthrough, the influence of Lingxuan's sect expanded, and the people in surrounding areas began to recognize the strength and discipline that now defined the allied sects.
Even Su Qingyue, practicing alone under Lingxuan's watchful gaze, felt a renewed sense of hope. Though still in the Spirit Severing Realm, she could sense that her growth, combined with the collective strength of the allied sects, would one day allow her to stand on equal footing with Xuan Yue and protect herself without fear.
By midday, the training had produced tangible results. The members of Moon Valley had not only advanced in their cultivation but had also begun to internalize the discipline, respect, and unity emphasized by Lingxuan. Their rise in strength marked the beginning of a new era for both sects—a time when combined effort, dedication, and guidance would redefine the balance of power in the region.
Lingxuan's gaze softened slightly as he watched Su Qingyue finish her forms, her energy flowing seamlessly with precision and grace. "They are ready," he thought. "One step closer to surpassing those who once seemed untouchable."
The valley echoed with the sounds of practice, determination, and growth. It was a new dawn for the disciples, for Su Qingyue, and for the ever-expanding influence of Azure Cloud Sect.
The evening sun hung low on the horizon, bathing the training grounds in warm shades of orange and gold. Disciples of Moon Valley and Azure Cloud Sect were still scattered across the field, practicing in small groups under the watchful eyes of senior instructors. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and determination.
Lingxuan stood at the edge of the field, his black robes blending with the deepening shadows. His gaze was sharp and unwavering as he watched the disciples repeat their sword forms, their Qi circulation, and their footwork. Among them, Su Qingyue's silver-white hair shimmered like strands of moonlight, her movements precise and elegant. Even as sweat glistened on her brow, her eyes carried a quiet fire of determination.
Tianyu walked up beside Lingxuan, his brown hair tied loosely behind his back. "They're making remarkable progress," he said, his voice calm but tinged with satisfaction. "Especially Su Qingyue. Her Spirit Severing Realm has stabilized. With the right guidance, she could attempt her next breakthrough sooner than expected."
Lingxuan nodded slowly, his eyes still locked on Qingyue. For a moment, his normally unreadable expression softened. "Yes… she has potential. But more than that—she has the willpower. Even when cornered, she fights back, no matter the odds."
There was a brief silence between them, filled only by the distant sound of blades clashing and disciples shouting encouragement to one another. Then Lingxuan spoke again, his tone steady but with a hint of decision.
"Tianyu," he said, turning slightly toward his companion. "From this day forward, I will personally train Su Qingyue."
Tianyu blinked, surprised by the sudden declaration. "Personally?" he repeated, lowering his voice so others wouldn't overhear. "You've never offered such a thing before. Not even to me, and I've followed you for years."
Lingxuan's lips curved into a faint smile. "That is because you didn't need me to guide every step. You grew through your own determination. But she…" He glanced back at Qingyue, who was now catching her breath, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. "She carries too much pain, too much burden. Without someone to steady her path, she might break before she truly blossoms."
Tianyu folded his arms, studying Lingxuan with narrowed eyes. Something felt different in his tone, a warmth he rarely allowed himself to show. Slowly, Tianyu leaned closer and whispered, "Lingxuan… tell me the truth. Do you… like her?"
Lingxuan did not answer immediately. For a long while, his gaze lingered on Su Qingyue. Her silhouette stood out against the crimson sky, fragile yet unyielding, beautiful yet lonely. Finally, he exhaled and murmured, "Yes. I think… I like her. Perhaps only a little for now, but it is there."
Tianyu's eyes widened, his composure faltering for the first time in years. "You? The one who always keeps emotions locked away? The one who never let anyone close?" His voice dropped further, incredulous. "You actually admit you like someone?"
Lingxuan gave a rare chuckle, though quiet. "Even I am human, Tianyu. Even I can't ignore what my heart whispers."
Tianyu stared at him, then let out a low sigh, half amused, half exasperated. "Well… this is unexpected. But if that is how you truly feel, then perhaps it's not a bad thing. Just remember—feelings can make even the strongest cultivator vulnerable."
"I know," Lingxuan replied calmly, his dark eyes gleaming. "But perhaps… for once, vulnerability is not a weakness."
Meanwhile, across the field, Su Qingyue had paused in her training. She had been practicing diligently for hours, but her focus was broken when she noticed Lingxuan and Tianyu standing together, speaking in hushed tones.
From afar, they looked so close—Tianyu leaning toward Lingxuan, Lingxuan listening attentively, the two sharing words that she could not hear. Her chest tightened unexpectedly, an unfamiliar ache spreading through her heart.
"Why… why does he always stay with Tianyu?" she thought, biting her lip. "Every time I look for him, he is with him. Talking. Smiling. Listening. Has he ever looked at me the way he looks at Tianyu?"
Her grip on her sword trembled. She told herself she had no right to feel this way. Lingxuan had saved her, given her shelter, even allowed her to stay within his sect. He owed her nothing more. And yet… when she saw him smile faintly at Tianyu's words, a pang of jealousy surged through her chest.
Su Qingyue's cheeks warmed, though not from exertion. "Why do I feel like this?" she whispered under her breath. "Why does my heart race when I think of him? And why… why does it hurt when he doesn't notice me?"
Unable to control the turmoil inside, she tried to refocus on her training, swinging her sword again and again. But her movements grew sloppy, her concentration broken. The image of Lingxuan and Tianyu together lingered in her mind, feeding the jealousy she could not admit aloud.
At that moment, one of the younger Moon Valley disciples approached her hesitantly. "Senior Sister Qingyue," the boy said softly, "your stance is off. Are you… are you alright?"
Qingyue blinked, startled, then forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just… tired, perhaps." She turned her gaze away quickly, unwilling for anyone to see the storm of emotions in her eyes.
But when she dared to glance back at Lingxuan once more, he was still there—beside Tianyu, discussing strategies for tomorrow's training. They looked natural together, as though they had been by each other's side for a lifetime.
Her heart squeezed painfully.
"Lingxuan…" she whispered, almost inaudible. "Why can't you look at me… the way I look at you?"
That night, long after training had ended and the disciples had returned to their quarters, Su Qingyue lay awake in her guest chamber. The moonlight spilled across her bed, cold and silent, mirroring the restlessness in her heart. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind replaying every glance, every smile Lingxuan had given Tianyu.
The thought made her chest ache with something she barely understood. Was it envy? Longing? Or something deeper?
Covering her face with her hands, her cheeks burning, she whispered into the darkness:
"Have I… fallen in love with him?"
Her heart thudded violently in response, as if confirming the truth she was too afraid to accept.
But then another thought pierced her heart like a blade.
"What if… he has already given his heart to someone else?"
The image of Lingxuan standing beside Tianyu returned, and for the first time, tears pricked the corners of her eyes.
"I don't want to lose him," she admitted silently, clutching the blanket tightly. "Not now. Not when I've finally found someone who makes me feel alive."
The night stretched endlessly, her heart tangled between hope and despair, love and jealousy. And though she tried to deny it, she knew the truth had already taken root within her.
She had fallen for Mo Lingxuan.
And it terrified her.
The training ground grew quieter as the sun climbed higher, its heat pressing down on the disciples who had been drilling without pause since dawn. Their robes clung to their bodies, soaked with sweat, yet their determination kept them standing.
Tianyu clapped his hands, calling out to the nearest group. "Enough for now! Everyone, slow your breathing and let your Qi settle. Overtraining will do more harm than good." His voice carried across the field, steady and firm. The disciples nodded, bowing slightly before dispersing to sit in meditative poses, their breathing syncing into calm patterns.
He wiped his brow, then turned to Lingxuan who stood watching in silence, his expression unreadable as always.
"Lingxuan," Tianyu began, lowering his voice. "When will you begin training Su Qingyue personally?"
Lingxuan's black eyes flicked toward the girl in question. Qingyue was seated under the shade of a tree, catching her breath after her own training. Her silver hair gleamed like liquid moonlight under the sun, a quiet contrast to the tiredness in her eyes.
"Not yet," Lingxuan said after a moment. His tone was calm, deliberate. "She still needs time to stabilize her Spirit Severing Realm. If I intervene too early, it may disrupt her foundation. Perhaps… five days from now."
"Five days," Tianyu repeated with a small nod. "Alright. I'll make sure she's prepared until then."
Satisfied with the answer, Tianyu stepped away to give orders to the disciples. He urged them to rest, reminding them that patience was just as vital as effort. "Strength doesn't come overnight," he said firmly. "Sit, meditate, let your bodies recover. Tomorrow, we continue."
As the disciples obeyed, Lingxuan finally began walking toward Su Qingyue. His pace was unhurried, yet his presence drew subtle attention from those around. Qingyue's heart skipped a beat as she noticed him approaching, her pulse quickening for reasons she dared not admit.
"He's coming here," she thought, clutching her hands together. "Is he… finally going to speak to me? To ask about my progress?"
Her chest tightened with anticipation, her lips parting slightly as if to greet him. The image of Lingxuan training her, speaking gently to her, guiding her steps—those thoughts raced through her mind in a blur of hope and nervousness.
But just as Lingxuan closed the distance, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Lingxuan!" Tianyu's call cut through the air. He jogged back toward him, his brown hair swaying with the movement. "You've been standing all day without rest. Come—sit with me for a while. If you exhaust yourself, what example are we setting for the others?"
Without hesitation, Tianyu placed a hand on Lingxuan's arm and gently but firmly pulled him toward a shaded area at the edge of the field.
Lingxuan glanced at him, slightly puzzled. "I'm fine, Tianyu. Rest isn't necessary for me."
"All the more reason to show them that even you rest," Tianyu countered, his expression serious. "If you never pause, they'll think they shouldn't either. And that will only harm them."
Lingxuan considered his words for a moment, then exhaled softly. "Very well."
The two walked together toward the resting spot, Tianyu speaking with ease, Lingxuan listening with faint amusement tugging at the corner of his lips. From a distance, they seemed almost inseparable—companions who shared burdens that others could never understand.
Su Qingyue's heart sank as she watched.
Her hands, which had just moments ago trembled with excitement at Lingxuan's approach, now curled tightly into fists. Heat rushed to her cheeks, not from the sun but from the burning jealousy rising within her.
"Why… why does Tianyu always take him away?" she thought bitterly. "Even when Lingxuan was about to speak to me… Tianyu comes and pulls him aside. They laugh together, talk together… as if I don't exist at all."
She bit her lip, lowering her gaze to hide the storm of emotions swirling in her eyes. Logic whispered that her feelings were irrational—that Tianyu was a man, a brother-in-arms to Lingxuan, not a rival for his affection. Yet her heart refused reason.
To her, it didn't matter. All she saw was that Lingxuan gave Tianyu the attention she longed for.
Her chest ached, her breathing uneven. "Even though Tianyu is a man… I can't help it. I'm jealous. I want Lingxuan to look at me, to smile at me… not at him."
Qingyue closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself. When she opened them again, she forced a calm facade, but the faint redness at the corners of her eyes betrayed her turmoil.
From across the field, Lingxuan's gaze briefly flicked toward her, as though sensing something. But Tianyu said something in that moment, drawing his attention back.
And just like that, Qingyue's heart sank deeper.
Morning descended upon Moon Valley with a veil of mist, the soft sunlight breaking through the trees as dew still clung to the leaves. The air was crisp, quiet, almost serene.
Su Qingyue slowly opened her eyes, her body feeling somewhat refreshed after the long night. Yet her heart remained restless. The memory of yesterday—when Lingxuan nearly approached her but was pulled away by Tianyu—lingered painfully in her chest.
Today, she was determined. "I need to see him. I can't just sit and wait forever," she thought, clutching the hem of her robe nervously.
She wandered across the training grounds, her gaze scanning every corner. But Lingxuan was nowhere to be found. Not in the courtyard, not in the meditation hall, not even in the small pavilion where he usually sat.
"Where… did he go?" she muttered under her breath, worry seeping into her voice.
At that moment, she spotted Tianyu. He had just stepped out of his room, hair disheveled, eyes still half-shut, clearly just waking up.
"Senior Tianyu!" Qingyue hurried toward him. "Do you know where Lingxuan is?"
Tianyu yawned loudly, scratching his head with no thought behind his words. "Lingxuan? Hm… maybe he went to… a brothel or something?" he said lazily, as if it were nothing.
The words stabbed like knives.
Su Qingyue froze in place, her breath caught in her throat. "A… brothel?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Yes, yes," Tianyu muttered, waving his hand carelessly while stumbling toward the well to wash his face. "Who knows? He's a man after all. Don't ask me…"
Qingyue stood motionless, her chest tightening as if the world itself had turned against her.
"So that's… how it is." Her lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. "All this time… I was hoping for something that never existed."
Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest, trying to suppress the ache. Her eyes grew misty, but she forced herself to blink away the tears.
"Oh… I see. That's fine then." Her voice was soft, resigned. With those words, she turned and walked away slowly, each step heavier than the last, as though her heart was breaking with every movement.
Meanwhile, Lingxuan was indeed in the city—but not where she thought.
The marketplace buzzed with life, filled with the calls of merchants and the chatter of townsfolk. Lingxuan stood before a stall, selecting sacks of rice and dried meat, then moving on to herbs, fresh fruits, and spices.
"The disciples have been training hard. They'll need proper meals to recover," he told the merchant, handing over several gold coins. His expression was calm, his thoughts focused only on the well-being of his sect.
He had no idea that, while he was carefully ensuring everyone was provided for, someone dear to him was drowning in despair from a single careless misunderstanding.
Back in Moon Valley, Su Qingyue sat alone beneath a tree, her eyes blank, her thoughts spiraling.
"Why was I so foolish…? To think he cared about me… when in truth, he seeks pleasure elsewhere."
Her voice cracked, and finally, the tears she had been holding back spilled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, not wanting anyone to see her weakness. But the wound in her heart remained deep, raw, and unforgiving.
At that same moment, Lingxuan, arms full of supplies, began making his way back to the sect. Among his purchases was a rare medicinal flower—something he thought would help Su Qingyue in her cultivation.
He never imagined that the gift, meant to show his care, would arrive far too late… for her heart was already clouded with sorrow and doubt.