The Celestial Blade Sect was a mountain palace bathed in sunlight, with sky bridges and jade gardens. Elegant. Pristine. Boring.
"Smells like incense and hypocrisy," Shen Mo muttered as they arrived at the grand gate.
A disciple in pristine white robes greeted them with a dazzling smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Welcome, honored guests! The Celestial Blade Sect is humbled by your presence. Sect Master Qian Mu eagerly awaits."
"Tell him we brought snacks," Lin Fan whispered. "And grudges."
At the Welcome Pavilion
The Twilight Shadow Sect walked in formation—calm, composed, and absolutely out of place among the glittering sects from across the empire.
Disciples in the crowd whispered:
"That's the ghost sect from Twilight Mountain, right?""Why is their mascot a chicken?""Wait, that chicken just pecked the Sacred Peacock!"
The Sacred Peacock squawked in outrage.
Moonchick stood unfazed, ruffled feathers slicked back like a gang boss.
[System Notification:]
Sect Presence Established: Twilight Shadow Sect – Recognized
Initial Reputation Among Sects:▸ Celestial Blade Sect: ✖ Hostile (hidden)▸ Burning Rain Pavilion: △ Cautious respect▸ Thunderwind Sect: ◎ Neutral curiosity▸ Spiritroot Valley: ☼ Amused interest
Inside the Main Hall
Qian Mu descended the stairs like a god stepping through mist.
Tall. Silver-haired. Polished smile. The very picture of virtue.
He stopped before Shen Mo.
"So this is the infamous rising sect… and its mysterious master. Tell me, Shen Mo. How does it feel to be… visible?"
Shen Mo smiled calmly.
"Visibility is only dangerous if you're afraid to be seen."
Qian Mu's eyes flashed, just for a second.
"May our disciples learn from one another. But remember—the Harmony Tournament does not permit… accidents."
Shen Mo raised his teacup.
"Of course not. Just friendly bloodshed."
The Lodging
They were assigned a side hall "with rustic charm"—meaning slightly cracked windows and a raccoon in the pantry.
Lin Fan loved it.
Yun Xi set up a surveillance formation in under ten minutes.
Li Ziqing booby-trapped the teapot.
"Anyone who drinks our tea without permission will hallucinate bamboo for a week."
"Why bamboo?" Han Li asked.
"Because it's deeply unsettling," Ziqing replied.
Training Grounds – That Evening
Xue Rong practiced alone.
Shen Mo approached and said nothing.
After a moment, Xue Rong asked:
"You knew someone would try to sabotage us."
"Yes."
"And you brought us anyway."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Shen Mo looked at him. Calm. Honest.
"Because the world won't stop trying to break you. I want you to learn how to break it back."
That Night
A spy crept into their guest quarters.
A chicken leapt from the rafters and headbutted him off a balcony.
THUNK.
"Moonchick has entered stealth mode," Li Ziqing said proudly. "I installed a pressure trigger in her roost."
Yun Xi sighed.
"We're going to win, aren't we?"
"Obviously," Lin Fan said. "We have the world's first assassination chicken."
[System Notification:]
Tournament Arc – Phase I: ArrivalNext Phase: First Round Begins
Rival Encounter Expected: Celestial Blade Inner Disciples
Reward Preview:▸ Access to Forbidden Blade Archive▸ Recruitment Opportunity: Healer with a cursed eye▸ Shen Mo Past Encounter Triggered: "Voice from the Ash Tower"