At once, a loud voice echoed through the skies, regal and arrogant, pouring out from the grand ship of the Moonveil Palace.
"I'm here, Brother Xie! I'm here!"
A moment later, a burst of white light spiraled from the ship, forming a vortex of radiant spiritual qi. From within that blinding aura emerged a single figure—his robes untouched by the wind. He landed on the ground before Zheng Xie with a grace that bordered on divine, hands neatly clasped behind his back.
The surrounding atmosphere shifted instantly.
His expression was serene, almost sage-like, as though he'd descended from a mountaintop after a century of closed-door cultivation. His every movement carried the elegance of a scholar. With a subtle tilt of his head, his calm eyes stared at Zheng Xie, as if silently asking: "What seems to be the problem, oh great brother?"
The surrounding disciples of Moonveil Palace instantly changed their tune. The frigid arrogance and disdain they'd previously held vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Ahhh~ Senior Brother Mei Mo has finally appeared!"
"He's safe… I told you, didn't I?! How could a mere Split Soul beast ever harm Senior Brother!"
"You fool! Don't insult our senior brother like that. He's practically invincible! How could you even entertain such a thought."
"Even Master and the First Senior Sister are infatuated with him. If that doesn't speak to his ability, what does?"
"He's truly a man among mongrels… I mean, men."
Zheng Xie stood unfazed amidst the sea of admiration. If anything, there was a twitch at the edge of his lips—a restrained snarl hiding beneath civility. Were it not for the number of witnesses, he would've already spat on the ground.
"Brother Mei Mo," Zheng Xie said coolly, voice dipped in unbothered sarcasm. "You seem well. I heard you left the ceremony rather hastily. I hope there wasn't anything... unpleasant?"
Mei Mo smiled, the corners of his lips rising in perfect symmetry—seductive and wise all at once. "Ah, not at all. I was simply stunned. To see Brother Li Hao strike so ruthlessly... my heart trembled. How could a man stoop so low? It is disgraceful. Were his elders senile? When one is strong, they must never oppress the weak."
Zheng Xie internally rolled his eyes hard enough to see the back of his skull. 'You? Of all people?'
Mei Mo was the textbook example of someone who sucked up to anyone stronger and trod mercilessly on those weaker.
Still, Zheng Xie gave him a lazy smile. "How wise, Brother Mei Mo. Though… shouldn't the strong also extend their hand to aid the weak? It's not commendable to just watch injustice unfold."
Mei Mo chuckled and rubbed his chin, slipping into his favorite role—that of the all-knowing sage. "Truly profound words. However... even the strong have shackles. Invisible chains forged by their position, their oaths, their fear. Trapped, unable to act even if their heart commands it. Tell me, brother…" His gaze locked onto Zheng Xie with meaning hidden beneath the calm, "...what should one do then?"
Zheng Xie's eyes narrowed faintly.
'So he was stopped. The Leader must've ordered him not to interfere...'
It was the only logical answer. For someone like Mei Mo, to stand idle while Li Hao struck him even though he was a battle fanatic… It had to be an order. He was someone who would bend backwards for the Leader's whims. And worse—it meant Leader might've lost faith in him.
Zheng Xie's jaw clenched slightly, imperceptibly.
'No... it's not over. There's still time to win his trust back. I still don't have all the answers. Especially the biggest one—why can't we ascend to the upper realm?'
A thousand thoughts buzzed in his mind, but he masked it with a calm exhale.
Before he could respond, Mei Mo casually draped an arm around Zheng Xie's shoulders, grinning. "Come now, don't look so tense. How about a tour of your sect, Brother Xie? While we await the examination announcements, we might as well make it a fun little venture."
Zheng Xie exhaled again. This time, there was a flicker of calculation in his eyes.
"Fine. Let's begin with the Elite Court," he said.
Mei Mo gave him a brief nod, and the two walked in quiet tandem toward the Elite Court.
As they strolled, Zheng Xie's hands remained clasped behind his back, his steps unhurried. The sleeves of his long black robe fluttered gently with each motion, and though his expression remained placid, a subtle gleam passed through his crimson eyes.
"Mei Mo," he spoke calmly, "there is someone in particular I'd like you to meet. A peculiar individual. You might appreciate his existence more than most."
Mei Mo raised a brow, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "Hoh? This is the first time I've heard you speak about anyone so… fondly. You're usually cold to everyone but yourself."
Zheng Xie chuckled faintly at that but didn't deny it.
Mei Mo continued, his voice casual, "Still, I'd love to meet this person. Truthfully, I'm also searching for someone here."
Zheng Xie's gaze shifted toward him, sharp and momentary. "Oh…? The Leader sent you?"
"Mn." Mei Mo exhaled with a half-lazy shrug. "You know how he is. Said I should find someone. Apparently, the guy's got some kind of fetish for kidnapping the talented. Maybe wants to refine a pill using their body or something."
A pause.
Zheng Xie asked, "Mei Mo, does the Syndicate of the Devils have an alchemist?"
Mei Mo blinked, scratching his chin. "Hm… no. Not that I know of. We mostly have fighters, assassins, and spies. No one dedicated to alchemy. Leader doesn't seem interested in it either. I think he views alchemists like glorified cooks."
"Which is ironic," Zheng Xie muttered.
"Hah? What was that?"
"Nothing."
Just as their conversation faded into silence, Zheng Xie's gaze flicked ahead—and narrowed.
A youth with flowing black hair and piercing blue eyes walked with a purposeful stride toward the inner court—Wu Zhu.
Zheng Xie's lips curled into a faint smile.
But before he could say a word, there was a blur.
Mei Mo vanished from beside him and reappeared directly in front of the unsuspecting Wu Zhu.
Zheng Xie didn't even blink.
'This guy… seriously…'
But inwardly, a realization dawned. Mei Mo's sudden movement, the gleam in his eyes, and the interest he took in Wu Zhu were all pieces of a larger puzzle.
'So it's true. Leader's been targeting the sons and daughters of Heaven. At first, I thought Wu Zhu's memories were just an anomaly. But no… Li Hao is the same. They come from different worlds. And the Leader—he knows that.'
He remained calm outwardly, but his mind raced.
'Why is he gathering them? What could possibly be the reason to capture so many individuals? Is it somehow related to why people can't ascend to upper realm?'
The question could wait, so he stepped forward. By the time he reached them, Mei Mo and Wu Zhu were already locked in conversation.
Wu Zhu's posture was guarded, his brows slightly furrowed, but his tone remained polite. "Do you need something from me? If you do, I'd prefer you say it quickly. I'm in a hurry."
Mei Mo smiled, lips curled like a fox. "Ah, don't worry. I'm not here to rob or kill you. I'm from the Moonveil Palace, and I'm going to be watching your examination later? There's still time though. I thought we could talk a bit."
Wu Zhu blinked, clearly confused. "Wait… Moonveil Palace? Aren't they all… female cultivators?"
"I am the exception!" Mei Mo puffed his chest with mock pride. "The only male disciple. Sounds fun, right?"
"...Is it?"
"No. Not even remotely." Mei Mo sighed heavily. "You wouldn't believe the kind of mood swings they have. It's like walking through a thunderstorm, you don't know when one would strike. Do you know how hard it is to find peace when everyone's threatening to castrate you over bath schedules?"
Zheng Xie coughed lightly from behind them.
Both turned toward him.
And then promptly ignored him.
Zheng Xie blinked. His mouth slightly parted.
'Huh…? What just happened?'
He watched as the two began walking side by side, Mei Mo chatting nonchalantly while Wu Zhu nodded occasionally.
A strange sight.
Zheng Xie couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
'They became friends that fast?'
Something about that unsettled him. Perhaps it was how smoothly Mei Mo shifted into different personas. Or how smoothly he got closer to people. Taking people's guard off? He was a master at that.
…
After two hours passed, the disciples of both sects stood lined in the inner court.
Standing at the front of them were two notable figures: Miss Qingqing of Moonveil and the Martial Master of Seven Strike Sect.
The Martial Master took a single step forward.
"Disciples," he began, voice sharp yet calm. "As you all know, today was meant to mark the beginning of your examination. You were to be tested."
A few disciples straightened their spines, anticipating the trial with quiet pride.
"But..." The Martial Master paused deliberately, allowing a hush to fall deeper. His gaze scanned the crowd. "There has been a small—fortunate—change of plans."
He let those words linger.
Next to him, Qingqing stepped forward with a light smile. Her voice, in contrast to the Martial Master's, flowed gently. "A secret realm has been sighted."
The effect was immediate. Whispers exploded among the crowd like ripples in a pond.
"A secret realm?"
"No way... those only open once every few decades, don't they?"
"I heard someone found an immortal herb in the last one..."
Qingqing nodded, as if she'd expected this exact reaction. "Indeed. And as you all know, such a phenomenon is an opportunity gifted by the heavens. One does not decline the heavens' grace."
The Martial Master continued where she left off. "Therefore, the examination will be suspended. Instead, all disciples at or below the Formation Establishment Realm will be entering the secret realm."
The murmurs turned into full-blown hushed chatter. Hopes, fears, excitement—all of it buzzed through the inner court like a live current.
"Secret realms are filled with danger," someone whispered.
"But also treasure, idiot," another shot back.
"A chance to rise above our peers… no better test than this."
"Shut it!" a brawnier disciple barked. "If you're scared, go back to plucking herbs. This is for real cultivators."
"Silence!" the Martial Master's voice boomed across the courtyard, the air itself trembling. Immediately, mouths clamped shut.
"We will not waste any more time. Many sects have caught wind of this realm. Before its gate closes, we must act. Steel yourselves. Once inside, your lives are your own responsibility."
Qingqing nodded in approval, her gaze sweeping over the young faces. "Disciples of Moonveil and Seven Strike, assemble. All those below Formation Establishment Realm, board the spirit ship."
With practiced elegance, she turned and gestured toward the jade-gliding vessel docked on the eastern cliff. A sleek construct of enchanted wood and floating formations, it hovered silently with glowing array runes circling its hull. Its sheer presence made the inner court seem small.
The Martial Master gave one final nod, and the Seven Strike Martial Sect's disciples began to move. Robes fluttered, boots clicked, and figures ascended toward the floating ship.
Among them, standing alone at a corner, was Zheng Xie.
His posture was relaxed. But his eyes, as always, were unreadable. He tapped a finger against his sleeve, deep in thought.
'That man, Wu Zhu… he was far too comfortable speaking with Mei Mo earlier. Suspiciously so.' He narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Mei Mo's hiding more than he's letting on. I'll need to check Wu Zhu's memories to know for sure.'
Just then, a pair of arms wrapped casually around his shoulders from behind, startlingly close.
"Yo," a familiar voice chirped. "What are you brooding about so hard?"
Zheng Xie didn't need to turn. The friendly gesture made the culprit obvious.
"Mei Mo," he said flatly.
The grinning youth leaned forward, whispering near his ear. "You're wondering what I talked about with Wu Zhu, aren't you?"
Zheng Xie didn't respond, his expression remained impassive.
Mei Mo clicked his tongue, annoyed by the lack of reaction. "Tsk. You could at least pretend to be surprised. Would it kill you to show some reaction? You're no fun."
Then his tone lowered, conspiratorial. "Anyway, I knew you wouldn't believe a word I say. Even if I told you the truth, your ever-mistrusting self would just assume I'm lying."
He leaned back, hands raised in mock defeat. "So? Go on. Go through my memories if it makes you feel better."
Zheng Xie calmly removed the arm resting across his shoulders. "No need. I'll check Wu Zhu's instead."
"Ouch. That stings." Mei Mo clutched his chest dramatically. "You trust me even less than Mystic does. And she's borderline… we don't talk about it."
He gave a lopsided smirk. "Still… try not to die, will you?"
Zheng Xie raised a brow.
"Word is, this realm's not a baby playground. Real dangerous stuff," Mei Mo said, eyes darkening. "Even I wouldn't go in without proper insurance. So yeah—stay alive. You've still got... uses."
Zheng Xie allowed himself a faint smile. "So the leader gave you a task."
"Oh?" Mei Mo tilted his head, then smirked. "Sharp as ever. Yeah, there's a plan. You'll know when it hits you."
Without elaborating further, he turned and began walking toward the ship, his laughter echoing behind him.
Zheng Xie's gaze lingered on his back before shifting skyward. Clouds moved slowly above drifting through the winds. He exhaled softly.
'Secret realm, huh… well then. Let's see what kind beasts I can slaughter there. It's been a long time since I fought.'