Yawn…
Ye Kaishan stirred awake, blinking sleepily as his senses returned. He reached to the side, expecting warmth, but the bed was empty. His brow furrowed.
Where did she go? Don't tell me… did I oversleep?
He swung his legs over the side and rose, padding toward the window. The first rays of dawn spilled across the horizon, spreading golden light that gradually chased away the chill of night. In the courtyard below, Song Tao sat slumped in her chair, her sword clutched tightly to her chest like a child's toy.
Tsk, tsk… this woman actually slept all night in the cold like that? Doesn't her body ache?
His gaze lingered a moment before returning to the empty bed. But where's Song Yan? Did she leave before me? …No. Ye Kaishan shook his head firmly. Impossible. She wouldn't just go without a word.
With a sigh, he changed into fresh clothes—a brown robe with delicate patterns woven along the sleeves—then stepped into the courtyard. His eyes fell again on Song Tao.
Should I ask her? He hesitated, then frowned as a thread of drool dangled from her lips, dripping onto the blade she held so tightly.
He stared at her blankly. "…Umm. I doubt she'll know."
She's sleeping like a log. Ye Kaishan shook his head, dismissing the thought. The disciple selection is this morning. She wouldn't disappear for long…
Wait.
A spark flickered in his mind. How did I forget? There's a way to find her.
The soul link.
If I concentrate enough, I should be able to sense her… though I've never tried before.
Sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor, Ye Kaishan closed his eyes and stilled his breathing. Space seemed to grow quiet around him as he turned inward. Focus… sink deeper…
Then—
Found it!
A smile broke across his face as the faint thread of connection pulsed within his soul. In the next instant, the laws of space flowed around him, distorting the courtyard. With a ripple, Ye Kaishan vanished.
Mistveil Town
The door of a modest inn creaked open. Song Yan stepped out, her expression calm, a soft smile lingering on her lips.
"…I really don't know what to do with this girl," she murmured, shaking her head lightly. "Still, it can't be helped. She's young."
Her gaze lifted toward the empty morning streets. "Shall we leave as well?" she asked softly, as though speaking to the void itself.
The space beside her twisted—and Ye Kaishan stepped out slowly.
"You knew?" he asked in surprise.
Song Yan's eyes glimmered faintly. "I felt a ripple of space fluctuations. It wasn't difficult to guess."
"But what were you doing this early?" Ye Kaishan frowned, glancing at the inn behind her.
"It's nothing. Someone from the clan arrived. I went to meet them."
"From the clan?" he pressed.
"It's not important. I'll explain later." Her voice remained calm, steady.
Ye Kaishan sighed, shaking his head. "Haa… fine. Even if I asked, you wouldn't tell me now. I'll just have to wait until the end, won't I?"
Song Yan's gaze softened, her tone calm yet firm. "When the time is right, you will know."
"More than that—we should hurry. The selection will begin soon."
Ye Kaishan understood instantly.
The laws of space surged once more. He took her hand, the void opening around them, and in a breath they disappeared.
Elsewhere
"Brother… Brother! Where are you!?"
Jiang An's frantic cries broke through the crisp morning air, her voice tight with panic. She ran through the small clearing, eyes darting in every direction.
"Where did she go? And who was she…?" she muttered under her breath, recalling the strange encounter from the day before.
A While Ago
"Sister, how did we even come out of that trial? And my stomach—it's healed. What happened after I passed out?" Jiang Mu's voice was filled with confusion as he tugged at her sleeve.
"It's nothing. Cultivators from outside saved us," Jiang An replied absently, her tone flat.
"Not that again!" Jiang Mu puffed his cheeks, dissatisfied. "You said the exact same thing yesterday."
But Jiang An's mind was far away. She tilted her head back, gazing at the endless sky. The wind lifted strands of her black hair, carrying her thoughts into uncertainty.
What should I do now?
Should I go to the selection this morning?
Her brows drew together. But that elder's words still echo in my mind. If what she said is true, then I… I can't possibly go.
Her eyes dropped to her hands. A bronze token rested in her palm, gifted by Xiao Mo. She stared at it for a long moment. Should I…?
"Caught you!!"
A sharp voice split the air. A rope of radiant energy coiled down from the heavens, snaring Jiang Mu in an instant.
"U-uh!? What's this!?" Jiang Mu flailed helplessly as the rope wound tightly around his arms and body, stretching skyward.
Jiang An's eyes widened. She spun, staring at the flying sword circling above their hut.
"Come here."
The rope tightened, and Jiang Mu was yanked upward, his feet leaving the ground.
"W-wait! What—!?" His panicked cry was swallowed by the wind as the sword soared toward Mistveil Town.
"Hey! Wait—who are you!? Let my brother go!" Jiang An shouted, sprinting after them with all her strength. Her foot caught, and she stumbled hard into the dirt.
Dust clung to her clothes and hair as she staggered back up, teeth gritted. "Who was that…? And why target my brother?"
Present Time
Jiang An walked with hurried steps toward Mistveil Town, determination etched into her face.
The sword… and the one riding it—they stopped in the town. Jiang Mu must be there.
Her voice was low, her tone resolute as she pressed on.
The Disciple Selection
Ye Kaishan and Song Yan arrived at the selection grounds just in time, taking their seats among the gathered guests. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, cultivators young and old filling the plaza, eyes bright with excitement.
On the high platform, an elderly man stepped forward. His presence carried the weight of authority, and silence fell across the square.
He cleared his throat. "Ahem…"
His hoarse voice rang out. "The disciple selection now officially begins."
A wave of cheers erupted, breaking the silence like thunder.
"As the lord and protector of Mistveil Town, the Song Clan will take the lead in choosing the first disciples!"
Excitement boiled over. The air thrummed with expectation.
"So, have you decided who to choose?" Ye Kaishan asked Song Yan.
"Well, I have my thoughts—and they are good," Song Yan replied calmly. "I've already instructed Song Tao. She will make the announcement."
Ye Kaishan's gaze shifted to Song Tao as she stepped onto the platform, sword in hand.
"Bai Ling… do you think any of the sects will actually choose us?" Yun Xi asked as the old examiner withdrew from the stage.
"I don't know. But probably not," Bai Ling sighed. "We didn't earn enough points to stand out."
"It's not so bad either," Yue Lan added, her voice tinged with relief. "At least we survived the trial. Though… I still don't understand why. When we woke up inside the Cultivator Pavilion, we were completely unscathed."
"Hey, look straight ahead," Xue Hua interrupted, eyes widening. "The Song Clan's representative has arrived."
Song Tao stood tall, her posture flawless, her voice unnaturally firm as it carried across the square.
she looked across the square all cultivator meeting her gaze after a moment her lips parted
"I represent the Song Clan.
as a member of song clan We do not seek strength alone, but also character.
One who cannot share in our hardships does not deserve to share in our glory.
By the will of the Lady of the Song Clan,
I announce the recruitment of Bai Ling, Yun Xi, Yue Lan, and Xue Hua."
she stopped
A wave of murmurs rippled through the gathered cultivators, spreading quickly among the crowd. Even the sect representatives seated beside Song Yan and Ye Kaishan exchanged puzzled glances.
"Who are they? I thought the ones with the best results would be recruited," one whispered.
"I don't know either. It's the first time I've even seen them," another replied with a furrowed brow.
"Wait—aren't they the ones who fought against that cultivator named Qing Lin… and lost miserably?" a voice suddenly cut in from the crowd.
Recognition flickered through several faces.
"Now that you mention it, yes. They were crushed in just a few moves."
"But then why would the Song Clan recruit them?" someone muttered in disbelief, their tone laced with suspicion.
The cultivators and onlookers chattered restlessly, their voices rising and falling in disbelief.
On the platform, Song Tao's lips pressed into a faint frown as her eyes swept over the four girls.
Why did she instruct me to choose them? They didn't even pass the trial. By their looks, they seem like peasants with a trace of talent who simply dreamed of becoming cultivators.
Her hand tightened slightly on her sword. Lady Song Yan must have her reasons… but I cannot see them yet.
The four girls froze in shock, their jaws dropping as excitement and disbelief lit up their faces.
Ye Kaishan's brows furrowed slightly. These four? He hadn't expected Song Yan to choose them.
"What is it? Do you think they're unworthy?" Song Yan asked, glancing at him.
"No," Ye Kaishan shook his head. "In fact, I thought the same. Their strength is solid, but more importantly… their character shines." His eyes lingered on the four, who still struggled to process their fortune.
"But isn't it the rule that only one disciple can be recruited?" he asked, puzzled.
"The rule states the Song Clan may take one disciple who passes the trial," Song Yan explained calmly.
"But those who merely survived—if no sect claims them—may still be taken in.
It depends on the will of the recruiting clan." She paused, her gaze sweeping the four girls. "In the end, it depends on whether they choose to join us."
Ye Kaishan studied the group of young cultivators. Judging by their radiant expressions, he thought with quiet certainty, I doubt they'll refuse.