When Jiang Muchen left the Martial Arena, the noise behind him boiled like hot oil about to spill over.
He didn't look back.
The iron rod dragged across the blue-stone path with a steady tap… tap… tap, a dull, rhythmic sound—like an ancient clock counting down something unseen. The jade flute rested at his waist, its thin crack glaring under the midday sun. Moments ago, the dragon's power had nearly torn it apart.
The flute was still warm.
Not the warmth of life—but the lingering heat of something that had barely survived.
Soul-Nourishing Pills.
He needed them to repair the flute.
He needed even more to keep the dragon spirit fed.
And both required money.
A lot of it.
When he reached the narrow stone alley leading to the menial quarters, he stopped.
Someone was waiting.
White robes. A green-edged sword.
Not Lin Pojun's flashy imitation—but a weapon old, restrained, and unmistakably genuine. Its owner looked seventeen or eighteen, his features clean and composed like a landscape painting. His presence was gentle, yet beneath it lay a blade-sharp edge.
Jiang Muchen had never seen him before.
"Junior Brother Jiang?" the youth asked, voice clear.
"That's me." Jiang tightened his grip on the iron rod. "And you are?"
"Chu Feng. Outer disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect." He cupped his fist politely.
"I was sent to the Red Dust Pavilion as part of an observation delegation."
The Heavenly Sword Sect.
Jiang's thoughts stirred. One of the Nine Provinces' sword sanctuaries—close enough to interact with the Pavilion, distant enough to remain aloof. For Chu Feng to approach him directly…
"Senior Brother Chu—what brings you here?"
"Curiosity," Chu Feng replied with a faint smile. "That battle just now… impressive. The Dragon-Summoning Art—who would have thought the legacy of the Azure Nether Sect would resurface here?"
He paused.
"Our sect's library holds half a volume called Records of the Azure Nether. It documents fragments of that sect's history. If you're interested, Junior Brother Jiang, you'd be welcome to visit Heavenly Sword Sect."
An invitation?
Or a probe?
Jiang bowed slightly. "I appreciate the offer. But my cultivation is shallow—I dare not overreach."
"Shallow?" Chu Feng chuckled. "Defeating a Bloodburn-enhanced Lin Pojun is hardly shallow. Still—"
His tone sharpened.
"The Dragon-Summoning Art is powerful. But the Azure Nether Sect made many enemies. You revealed it today… from now on, be careful."
He turned to leave, then stopped after three steps.
"Oh, one more thing. The Lin family won't let this go. Lin Pojun's master is an outer elder of the Azure Sword Sect. Word is, he's already demanding an explanation."
"Take care of yourself."
With that, Chu Feng disappeared into the light at the alley's end.
Jiang Muchen remained where he stood, fingers tightening around the iron rod.
An outer elder of the Azure Sword Sect…
So that was it.
Back in the courtyard, Wang Duobao and the others were already waiting, clustered around a stone table. Several cloth bags sat atop it—bulging with spirit stones.
"Brother Jiang!" Wang Duobao bounced to his feet. "You won! We saw everything!"
Jiang leaned the iron rod against the wall. "Did you sell everything?"
"All of it!" Wang Duobao pointed excitedly.
"Eighty-five stones for the Starsteel scrap, three hundred for six Moonlight Grasses, one-twenty for fifteen Thunderpattern Herbs! Total—five hundred and five low-grade spirit stones!"
Five hundred stones.
For a menial disciple, it was an astronomical sum.
Jiang nodded. "Give a hundred to Senior Brother Liu Zhen. He helped today. The rest—each of you take fifty as compensation."
"No way!" Lu Hanshan protested.
"Take it," Jiang cut in calmly. "We'll need money moving forward."
He turned to Wang Duobao. "Anything happening at the market?"
Wang's expression turned serious.
"Yes. After Lin Pojun was carried back, the Lin family exploded. His father stormed the Punishment Hall, accusing you of deliberate harm. Elder Li shut him down—said arena combat has no mercy."
"And," Zheng Xiaoqi added, "Elder Shi was publicly reprimanded by Elder Liu Yan for biased officiating. Word is, he's likely facing punishment."
"And…" Zhou Xiaohuan hesitated, then whispered, "Some senior sisters from Alchemy Peak were talking—Senior Sister Liu Ruyan seems interested in you. She wants to meet you… to discuss music."
Jiang rubbed his temples.
Winning the match had only multiplied his troubles.
"Is Junior Brother Jiang here?"
A voice came from outside.
Chen Song.
He stood at the gate, holding a small cloth pouch.
"Senior Brother Chen?"
Chen Song walked in and tossed the pouch onto the table. "Soul-Nourishing Pills. Twenty of them. My master refined these—better than anything in the market."
Jiang froze. "That's too valuable—"
"Not really," Chen Song interrupted. "You used the Thunder Talismans I gave you. The resonance stirred the dragon soul and damaged your flute. I share responsibility."
He paused, then added quietly, "And… you fought well. Lin Pojun deserved that lesson."
Jiang opened the pouch. Twenty pale-green pills lay inside, perfectly rounded, fragrant with medicinal aura.
High-grade Soul-Nourishing Pills.
At least twenty stones each.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"Don't thank me yet." Chen Song glanced at the flute. "Can it still be used?"
Jiang drew it out. The cracks spiderwebbed across its surface, but faint dark-gold lines still pulsed beneath.
"It can be repaired. Needs Frost Jade Marrow and Warm Spirit Wood."
"Frost Jade Marrow can be found in the Ice Palace of the Cold Domain. Warm Spirit Wood comes from the Myriad Beast Valley," Chen Song said.
"Both have traces inside the Trial Secret Realm. If you place top ten in the competition, you'll gain entry."
The Trial Secret Realm…
Jiang remembered the rewards.
"You think I can make top ten?"
"You're already top four of C-Group," Chen Song replied. "Win one more, and you're guaranteed top ten. But the remaining three opponents won't be easy."
"And now," he added, "they all know your cards."
Yes.
Every trump card was exposed.
"Another thing," Chen Song lowered his voice. "Shi Gang came looking for me."
"Shi Gang?"
"He says his uncle was punished, but he personally holds no grudge. Tomorrow, he wants a clean fight—no talismans, no dragon power, no tricks. Just raw skill."
Jiang fell silent.
An olive branch?
Pure strength against Shi Gang—his odds were slim. But refusing meant admitting he was nothing without his cards.
"What did you tell him?"
"That I'd pass the message," Chen Song said. "But honestly—I think you should consider it. Shi Gang is rough, but straightforward. If you beat him clean, no one in the outer sect will dare look down on you again."
Straightforward?
Jiang smiled faintly.
In this world, how long did straightforward people survive?
"I'll think about it," he said.
Chen Song nodded, then paused. "One last thing—Senior Sister Su asked me to tell you. Midnight. Same place."
Su Qingwu.
Jiang's heart stirred.
After Chen Song left, the courtyard quieted.
Wang Duobao leaned in. "Brother Jiang… are you really meeting Senior Sister Su?"
"Yes."
"And Shi Gang—"
"Tomorrow." Jiang pocketed the pills. "Rest up. I'm heading out."
He changed clothes, left both the jade flute and black-jade sword behind, took only the iron rod—and left.
Not for the back mountain.
He went to the Forge Hall.
Firecloud Uncle was drinking. He tossed Jiang a wineskin.
"Drink."
Jiang took a swig. It burned like liquid flame.
"I saw the match," Firecloud said. "Using the Dragon-Summoning Art… you've got guts."
"I had no choice."
"No choice?" Firecloud snorted. "Do you know why the Azure Nether Sect was destroyed?"
Jiang shook his head.
"Because of that art," Firecloud said. "They ruled by controlling dragons. Then the dragons rebelled. Other sects joined the purge. Since then, the Dragon-Summoning Art became taboo—not evil, just cursed."
He looked at Jiang.
"You used it today. Tomorrow, someone will come knocking. Dragon bloodlines. Old enemies. Or people who want what you have."
"I know."
"And you still used it?"
"If I hadn't," Jiang said calmly, "I'd be lying down instead of Lin Pojun."
Firecloud stared at him—then laughed loudly.
"Good! That's the kind of answer I like." He slapped Jiang's shoulder.
"Cultivation is about breath—don't lose it. Lose that, and you're finished."
He handed Jiang a black metal plate.
"Take this."
"What is it?"
"My old Soul-Forging Plate," Firecloud said. "Wear it. It warms the spirit, speeds recovery. Your dragon's hungry—this will save you pills."
The plate was warm in Jiang's hand.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Don't thank me. Prepare." Firecloud turned away. "Forge Hall folk—can lose, but never cower."
Night fell.
Jiang went straight to the maple grove.
Su Qingwu was already there.
White robes. Moonlight like silver gauze.
"You're injured?" she asked.
"Minor."
"The backlash wasn't light," she said. "You can't fully control the dragon yet. Borrowing its power damages your foundation."
She handed him a jade vial.
"Condensed Soul Dew. It'll stabilize you."
Jiang hesitated. "Senior Sister… why help me?"
She didn't answer at first.
She stepped closer, fingers brushing the shallow cut on his forehead. Cool. Gentle.
"My master—the Azure Nether Fairy—started as a menial too," she said softly. "She taught me this: talent is rare. Temperament is rarer."
She withdrew her hand.
"But temperament alone isn't enough. You need resources. Techniques. And backing."
Jiang looked up. "Senior Sister means…?"
"I can be that backing," Su Qingwu said.
"But you must prove you're worth it."
"How?"
"Top ten. Then obtain a token from the Trial Secret Realm."
"If you succeed, I'll take you as a registered disciple."
Jiang's pulse jumped—but he remained calm.
"And the price?"
She smiled. "Good. There's something in the Ice Palace ruins. Bring it to me."
"What is it?"
"An Ice Jade Pendant."
He nodded. "I accept."
"Good." She handed him a jade slip.
"Flowing Cloud Sword Art. Train well tonight."
As he left, Jiang glanced back.
She stood beneath the maple tree, moonlight stretching her shadow long.
Like a mountain.
A mountain he could lean on—for now.
But he knew better.
In the end, the only mountain that never falls is the one you become yourself.