Silence stretched within Gu Qingxi's mindscape. Finally, the ancient spirit's voice, tinged with frustration, echoed back. "Not yet. But its resonance is undeniable. It lies somewhere within this mountain's embrace. Wander freely in the coming days. Let me brush against its signature."
"Agreed," Gu Qingxi murmured mentally. "Rest now." She retrieved the ancient spirit egg from its pouch, placing it carefully beside her pillow. Her fingers traced the cool, smooth shell, channeling a gentle stream of Qi into its depths. "Sleep well," she whispered softly before closing her own eyes.
For the first time since arriving in this bewildering world, slumber claimed her swiftly and deeply. No fragmented memories of crumbling cities or desperate struggles haunted her dreams. Only profound, restorative darkness.
***
Dawn painted the sky in soft pastels when Gu Qingxi awoke. Outside her window, rhythmic thump-thump-thumping echoed – the sound of massive, webbed feet impatiently stomping the packed earth. Fluff and Dodo were broadcasting their readiness for duty.
After a quick wash, Gu Qingxi emerged to find both Shoebills jostling for position near the courtyard gate, their enormous bills clacking competitively.
"Patience," she soothed, stroking each rough-feathered head in turn. "Fluff flies today. Dodo tomorrow. Evening brings rewards." She emphasized the last word, meeting their suddenly attentive gazes. "Good fish."
The jostling ceased instantly. Fluff preened, shuffling forward with an air of newly appointed importance. Dodo merely blinked, radiating stoic acceptance.
***
The communal dining hall buzzed with the energy of new beginnings. Amidst the crowd, Gu Qingxi spotted the familiar, round-faced figure she'd been hoping to see.
"Qingxi! Over here!" Xu Baozhu waved frantically, her face splitting into a wide, relieved grin.
Relief washed over Gu Qingxi too. Xu Baozhu had made it through the trials. She collected a steaming bowl of beef noodles and slid onto the bench beside her friend.
"I knew you'd pass!" Xu Baozhu leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "That Fang Jingxue was insufferable! When you weren't in the Grand Hall afterward, she practically crowed, convinced you'd failed. Such a nasty piece of work."
"Fang Jingxue?" Gu Qingxi raised an eyebrow, genuinely struggling to place the name.
"The sword girl! The one who carried herself like she owned the place from the very start? Nose perpetually tilted skyward?" Xu Baozhu prompted, mimicking the haughty posture.
Ah. The perpetually antagonistic sword-bearer. The image solidified. "Right. Her."
"And get this," Xu Baozhu continued, her voice dipping even lower. "I heard about the final 'Heart Trial' later. Apparently, any choice passed you! Even refusing to choose! What kind of test was that?"
"Perhaps," Gu Qingxi mused, stirring her noodles, "it wasn't about the choice itself. Maybe it sought the raw, unfiltered truth of our instinct. What lies deepest within, unvarnished by logic or expectation." The Sect's reasoning remained opaque, but the outcome spoke volumes about their priorities.
"Still," Xu Baozhu grumbled, stabbing a pickled vegetable with unnecessary force, "it galls me that someone as vile as Fang Jingxue passed. The universe feels unbalanced."
"Don't waste energy on her," Gu Qingxi advised calmly. She noticed Xu Baozhu's covert glances towards the succulent slices of beef floating in her own bowl. Without a word, she deftly transferred a generous portion into her friend's dish. "Which Peak claimed you?"
Xu Baozhu's eyes lit up like twin moons. "Qingxi, you're an angel!" She popped a slice of beef into her mouth, savoring it before answering. "Yu Ling Peak! Beast Taming! Where did you land?"
"Zi Lin Peak," Gu Qingxi replied simply, turning her attention back to her noodles.
"Zi Lin Peak?!" Xu Baozhu choked slightly, lowering her voice to an urgent hiss. "Why on earth...? I mean... everyone knows Zi Lin Peak Lord is... well... formidable. Probably the strongest cultivator among the Peak Lords! But Qingxi!" Her eyes widened with genuine concern. "They're also famously, legendarily the poorest! If you ever run short on funds, can't afford meals... promise you'll tell me! My family manages well enough. Friends share burdens, right? Don't you dare hesitate!"
A wave of warmth washed over Gu Qingxi. Xu Baozhu's earnest, uncomplicated loyalty was a constant source of comfort. "I promise," she smiled, the gesture genuine and reassuring.
"Xue Mingbai went to Ling Yue Peak," Xu Baozhu continued, shifting topics as she shared a steamed bun with Gu Qingxi. "Apparently, they have many Artifact Crafters there. He seems drawn to forging. Fang Jingxue, predictably, strutted off to Heaven's Chasm Peak. Probably aiming to be the Sect's next Sword Saint." She rolled her eyes.
"Artifact Crafting? I thought Xue Mingbai leaned towards formations," Gu Qingxi remarked, recalling his brief demonstration during the trials.
"Who knows?" Xu Baozhu shrugged. "Finding one's true Dao takes time. He'll settle eventually." She pushed her empty plate away. "Come on! Time for our indoctrination!"
***
They emerged from the dining hall to find their respective mounts waiting. Xu Baozhu's Yu Ling Peak crane was a picture of avian grace – sleek, white-feathered, holding itself with aristocratic poise. Her eyes widened comically as she took in Fluff, shuffling impatiently beside Gu Qingxi. She opened her mouth, then closed it firmly, biting back any comment about the Shoebill's... unique aesthetic. Friendship demanded tact regarding potentially sensitive Peak-related matters, like profoundly homely transportation.
The Hall of Triple Inquiry nestled halfway up Heaven's Chasm Peak, its grand entrance opening onto a wide flagstone plaza. Beyond stretched a vibrant meadow carpeted with wildflowers, their sweet scent carried on the morning breeze. Several other new disciples had already arrived, their elegant Cloud Cranes either preening nearby or strolling gracefully through the floral sea.
Gu Qingxi dismounted and patted Fluff's massive head. "Go explore," she instructed. "Return at midday to fetch me. Remember the promise."
Fluff emitted a soft clack of understanding, nudging her hand affectionately with its enormous beak before waddling towards the meadow with surprising purpose.
"Qingxi," Xu Baozhu whispered, genuine admiration in her voice, "your crane... well, it's incredibly obedient!"
Before Gu Qingxi could respond, a familiar, grating voice sliced through the peaceful morning air.
"That hideous monstrosity passes for a Cloud Crane on Zi Lin Peak? How utterly... fitting."
Fang Jingxue descended gracefully from her own crane – a magnificent specimen with plumage like spun moonlight and obsidian. Her landing was calculated for maximum dramatic effect. She'd witnessed the interaction between Gu Qingxi and the Shoebill, along with Xu Baozhu's compliment. After the Grand Hall incident where Gu Qingxi's absence had fueled her smug assumption of failure, only to learn the humiliating truth of the Peak Lords' fierce competition for her, Fang Jingxue had seethed. Seeing Gu Qingxi saddled with such an abomination felt like poetic justice.
"This," Fang Jingxue declared, stroking her crane's neck with theatrical reverence, "is a true Cloud Crane. Elegance personified. Capable of summoning Gale Blades with a single wingbeat! The pride of Heaven's Chasm Peak!" Her crane, seemingly attuned to its mistress's arrogance, lifted its head and emitted a piercing, melodious cry, casting a distinctly superior glance towards Fluff's retreating, shuffling form.
Fluff stopped. Slowly, deliberately, it turned its massive head. Its large, seemingly vacant eyes fixed on the preening Heaven's Chasm crane. Then, with a speed that belied its awkward build, it lunged.
Its enormous bill snapped shut like a sprung trap, clamping onto the base of the other crane's primary wing feathers.
A shriek of pure avian terror ripped through the plaza. Feathers exploded into the air like a startled pillow fight. The Heaven's Chasm crane flailed desperately, trying to wrench itself free from Fluff's viselike grip, its earlier haughtiness replaced by sheer panic.
"Release it! Release it NOW!" Fang Jingxue shrieked, her face contorted with rage and horror. Instinctively, her hand flew to her sword hilt.
"Touch him," Gu Qingxi's voice cut through the chaos, colder than glacial ice. Her hand clamped down on Fang Jingxue's wrist with bone-crushing force, halting the draw. Her eyes, locked onto Fang Jingxue's, held not anger, but a terrifying, absolute promise. "And I will personally pluck and roast your bird for dinner."
Fang Jingxue froze. The sheer, predatory intensity in Gu Qingxi's gaze, the iron grip on her wrist radiating palpable threat, sent an involuntary shiver of primal fear down her spine. The casual brutality of the threat, delivered with such chilling certainty, momentarily stole her breath and her bravado.