CHAPTER 5 – RUMBLING WINDS OF THE FOUR SECTS
Morning light spilled across the Azure Sky Sect courtyard, warm and golden, yet Kael felt none of its comfort. His muscles still ached from last night's brutal training, but he stood firm, fists clenched, trying to balance his breath the way Master Shen Rokan had taught him.
Root your strength.
Let the earth recognize you.
Kael lowered his stance, trembling slightly as the faintest thread of astral light flickered through his arms… but only for a heartbeat.
"Tsk. Look at him wobbling again."
Kael froze. He knew the voice.
Taron Blaze walked in with four disciples behind him. Their footsteps drummed across the courtyard like an approaching storm. Taron crossed his arms, looking down at Kael with a familiar mix of irritation and curiosity.
"So, this is the 'astral prodigy' the sect is whispering about?"
Taron's smirk deepened. "Can't even stand properly."
The disciples laughed.
Kael felt heat crawl up his neck. "I'm… still learning."
"Oh, we can see that," Taron said, circling him. "Master Shen Rokan personally trains you for a few days and suddenly the entire sect starts talking. How lucky you are."
There was bitterness in his voice—sharp, unfiltered.
Kael lifted his gaze. "You think I asked for this?"
Taron's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Power doesn't choose at random. If the elders are watching you… I have every right to question why."
Kael inhaled slowly, ignoring the pain in his legs. "Then watch me. Question me. Mock me. I don't care. I'll still stand."
The courtyard went silent.
Then Taron chuckled. "You've grown a tongue too, huh?"
But before anything escalated, a soft voice echoed from nearby.
"Enough."
The disciples stiffened. All eyes shifted to the veranda where Elder Yun of the Azure Sky Sect stood, hands folded behind her back. Her sharp gaze locked onto Kael.
"So the rumors are true," she said. "The boy's cultivation has changed."
Kael swallowed hard.
Elder Yun sighed. "Master Shen Rokan has already informed the council. Every sect under Shen Tian Shou Academy is whispering about a sudden astral fluctuation three days ago." She turned her gaze to Taron. "I suggest you and your friends stop loitering. You will all need to prepare."
"Prepare for what?" Taron asked.
Elder Yun's expression darkened.
"For the Inter–Sect Assembly."
The disciples exchanged glances, all tension momentarily forgotten.
Kael blinked. "Assembly…? What is that?"
Taron scoffed. "You really don't know anything. It's when representatives from all four sects gather before the academy's council."
Elder Yun continued, "And this time, they are coming sooner than expected. Apparently, some sect masters sensed an abnormal astral disturbance. They believe… it came from here."
Her gaze lingered on Kael for a long, heavy moment.
Kael felt cold.
"But I only—" he began.
"I know," Elder Yun said. "Which is why you must be careful. The other sects do not welcome sudden prodigies. They will question you. Some may even… fear you."
The wind shifted. Kael felt it—like distant eyes watching him from beyond the mountains.
Taron clicked his tongue. "A newbie causing trouble for the entire sect. Just perfect."
Then he stepped closer, staring Kael down.
"Listen well. When the Inter–Sect Assembly begins, you will not embarrass Azure Sky Sect. Do you hear me?"
Kael met his gaze with more courage than he felt.
"I won't."
Taron studied him for a moment… then smirked.
"Good. Because I'll crush you myself before anyone else gets the chance."
With that, Taron turned and walked off, his group following.
But Kael didn't move.
His fists trembled—not from fear, but from something stirring deep inside him. A quiet pulse. A whisper of blue light beneath his skin.
Master Shen Rokan stepped beside him without Kael noticing.
"You felt it, didn't you?" Rokan asked.
Kael nodded slowly. "Someone's watching."
"Not someone," Rokan replied. "Three sects. Three masters. Three factions waiting to see who you become."
Kael's heart pounded faster.
"Will… will they try to stop me?"
Rokan gave him a tired smile.
"Boy… everyone tries to stop a rising sun."
He placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"That is why you must shine so brightly… they won't be able to look directly at you."
Kael exhaled shakily.
Behind them, the bell tower rang—deep, echoing, ominous.
"You should prepare," Rokan said. "The Assembly begins soon."
Kael looked toward the distant mountains where the other sects resided.
Ruled by the same academy.
Guided by the same ancient laws.
Bound by rivalry as old as the cultivation world itself.
For the first time since awakening his power…
Kael felt the world shifting around him.
He wasn't just fighting for strength anymore.
He was being pulled into something bigger.
Something dangerous.
And the disciples of three sects were already moving—
to test him,
challenge him,
or crush him…
before he even had the chance to rise.
The winds stirred as Kael clenched his fist.
The Inter–Sect Assembly was coming.
And so was his first real challenge.