The morning of the Azure Cloud Sect inspector's arrival dawned clear and bright, as though the mountain itself had chosen to display its best face.
Lanterns were removed from the main courtyard before sunrise, and servants moved quietly to ensure every stone tile was swept and every banner properly aligned.
The Li Clan valued appearances when opportunity approached.
Li Tianyang remained in the eastern residence wing as preparations unfolded.
He had been formally informed that his presence at the welcoming assembly was unnecessary.
He accepted the decision without protest.
From his window, he could hear the disciplined footsteps of disciples forming ranks in the central square.
He poured himself a cup of tea and sat at the low wooden table near the open window.
The fragrance of plum blossoms drifted inward on a light breeze.
He did not rush his movements.
If anything, he moved more slowly than usual, as though testing how life felt without urgency.
Outside the estate gates, carriage wheels rolled against stone.
A faint murmur rose within the courtyard as the Azure Cloud Sect banner came into view.
The carriage entered through the gates with measured dignity, stopping at the center of the square.
Inspector Chen stepped down.
He was tall and composed, dressed in layered azure robes embroidered with subtle cloud patterns.
His aura was restrained but unmistakably powerful, a presence that commanded attention without display.
Clan Patriarch Li Zheng stepped forward to greet him.
Formal bows were exchanged.
"Patriarch Li," Inspector Chen said calmly.
"Inspector Chen," Li Zheng replied. "We are honored by your presence."
The younger disciples stood in disciplined rows, their expressions controlled though their hearts beat quickly.
Junhao stood among them, posture straight, eyes forward.
He wore ceremonial robes marking his new position as acting heir.
Inspector Chen began the selection process methodically.
Each candidate stepped forward in turn to demonstrate Qi circulation and foundational stability.
Junhao's name was called.
He stepped forward and knelt briefly before rising into a controlled stance.
He circulated Qi through his meridians with visible steadiness, allowing a faint red glow to outline his palms.
Inspector Chen observed in silence before nodding once.
"Eighth Layer Qi Gathering. Foundation acceptable."
Junhao bowed deeply.
Hope stirred within him, tempered by discipline.
After several demonstrations, Inspector Chen paused.
"There was mention of another candidate," he said.
The courtyard fell still.
Li Zheng inclined his head slightly.
"My son suffered a collapse of his dantian three days ago."
Inspector Chen's gaze sharpened faintly.
"Bring him."
A messenger was sent to the eastern wing.
Li Tianyang finished his tea before rising.
He adjusted his robes and stepped into the courtyard without haste.
Whispers followed him softly as he approached the central square.
Inspector Chen regarded him carefully.
"You are Li Tianyang," he stated.
"Yes."
"You stood at Ninth Layer Qi Gathering."
"Yes."
"And now?"
"My dantian has ruptured," Tianyang answered evenly.
Inspector Chen stepped forward and extended two fingers to Tianyang's wrist.
Spiritual sense flowed inward with quiet precision.
Several breaths passed in silence.
"The meridians show scarring," Chen said at last. "The core has collapsed."
There was no condemnation in his tone, only assessment.
"Such damage is rarely reversible."
"I am aware," Tianyang replied.
Inspector Chen studied him briefly.
"You remain steady."
"Loss does not alter breath," Tianyang answered quietly.
A faint flicker of approval passed through the inspector's expression before he withdrew his hand.
"You cannot enter the sect in this condition."
"I did not expect to."
The matter ended there.
Junhao and one other disciple were formally selected.
Preparations for departure began immediately.
As the carriage was readied once more, Su Meiling approached Tianyang at the edge of the courtyard.
The ceremony of dissolution would occur before sunset, in accordance with clan tradition.
They stood beneath the plum tree where they had once trained together.
"My father has requested that we conclude matters before the inspector departs," she said quietly.
"I understand."
She held the engagement jade between her fingers.
It caught the sunlight briefly before she lowered it.
"Our families arranged this when we were children," she said. "But cultivation paths shape destiny."
"They do," he agreed.
She looked at him searchingly.
"I do not wish to dishonor you."
"You are not dishonoring me," he replied calmly. "You are choosing your future."
Her composure wavered slightly.
"You speak as though it does not wound you."
"It does," he said honestly. "But not enough to resent you."
Silence lingered between them.
She bowed slightly, then released the jade from her hand.
It struck the stone at their feet and fractured cleanly in two.
The sound was small but final.
Their engagement was ended.
Neither bent to retrieve the pieces.
As evening approached, the carriage departed once more, carrying Junhao toward Azure Cloud Sect.
Junhao looked back only once before the gates closed behind him.
Tianyang remained beneath the plum tree long after the courtyard emptied.
The estate gradually returned to routine.
His position had changed.
His engagement had ended.
His cultivation was gone.
Yet as the last light faded from the mountain peaks, he felt something unfamiliar stirring beneath the silence within him.
It was not Qi.
It was not pain.
It was simply awareness.
As though the hollow space left by loss was waiting to be filled by something not yet understood.
Above him, the sky darkened.
Deep beneath the meditation chamber, far below the spiritual vein, a faint vibration passed through ancient stone.
It was subtle.
But it was no longer dormant.