Night fell heavy over the Burning Sun Sect, the moon a pale sentinel above the silent courtyards. The air was still—until a sudden, low thrummm rippled across the training grounds, vibrating through stone and bone alike.
Haotian's head snapped toward the beast quarters where Yuying and Xiaoque lay. His spiritual sense surged outward—and his pulse quickened. The twin Moonfang Tigers' qi signatures were swelling and twisting, pulling in energy from the world like whirlpools.
"They've started…" he muttered, vanishing from his meditation chamber in a single step.
When he arrived, the enclosure was already awash in silver and violet light. Yuying and Xiaoque lay sprawled in the center, bodies wreathed in shifting elemental glow. The air distorted from the heat of their energy, the ground shuddering beneath the pulse of their cores.
Haotian knelt briefly, assessing them. Their breathing was deep and resonant, each exhale sending arcs of beast qi lashing outward, gouging claw-like marks into the earth.
Then danger struck his senses—multiple beast auras closing in from beyond the sect walls, drawn by the overwhelming energy. A distant howl of a spirit wolf rang out, followed by the shriek of a carrion hawk.
His eyes hardened. "Not tonight."
Haotian rose, lifting his right hand. Flames roared to life along his palm, golden arcs of lightning crackling over them. The two forces fused in a violent spiral—heat and light merging until they condensed into a gleaming spear of molten flame and radiant lightning. The weapon thrummed in his grip, each flicker promising destruction.
The first intruder burst through the tree line—an iron boar spirit beast, tusks glinting under the moon. It charged with a roar, the ground shaking under its bulk.
Haotian didn't move until the last instant. Then, with a single, blinding thrust, the elemental spear punched through the beast's skull. Golden lightning erupted out the other side, flame consuming the wound. The boar collapsed mid-charge, lifeless before it struck the dirt.
Above, a carrion hawk dived, wind qi swirling around its talons. Haotian spun the spear in his grip, releasing a blazing arc of lightning and fire that tore through the air. The strike split the hawk cleanly, both halves trailing smoke as they fell.
More beasts closed in—wolves, shadow-cats, even a scaled predator whose qi reeked of venom. Haotian became a storm at the center of the enclosure, his spear lancing out in strikes too fast for the eye to follow. Every thrust carried both searing heat and blinding lightning, turning each kill into an explosion of light.
Hours passed. The beasts thinned, driven off or slain.
Inside the shimmering barrier Haotian had raised, Yuying and Xiaoque's energy reached a fever pitch. Their light blazed so bright it eclipsed the moon, the air inside the dome rippling with raw power.
BOOM!
Yuying erupted first, a column of silver light spearing into the heavens. As it faded, new appendages unfolded from her shoulders—massive silver-feathered wings, their edges glinting with razor-sharp tips of metallic sheen.
BOOM!
Xiaoque followed, violet flames spiraling upward in a roaring helix. From her back, wings burst forth as well, but hers were made of layered amethyst-hued membranes, glowing faintly like molten crystal in the night.
When the brilliance subsided, the two stood transformed—larger, more imposing, wings half-spread, eyes burning with heightened intelligence. Yuying's feathers shimmered under the moonlight, each beat of her wings stirring the air, while Xiaoque's membrane wings rippled with flame-like energy, leaving faint trails of violet light in their wake.
They stepped forward, pressing their heads against Haotian in silent acknowledgment. He dispelled the spear, the sparks fading into the cool dawn air.
"Welcome back," he said quietly.
The first rays of sunlight crept over the horizon. Together, Yuying and Xiaoque threw back their heads, roaring in unison—wings unfurling wide as their voices thundered across the mountains, a declaration that the Moonfang Tigers had ascended.
The twin roars rolled across the Burning Sun Sect like a shockwave, rattling windows and sending disciples spilling into the courtyards. In the upper tiers, elders abandoned their meditations and patrol captains barked orders, unsure if the sound heralded danger—or victory.
High above the training grounds, the Sect Master's voice carried like a blade over still water. "Investigate. Now."
Moments later, a group of five elders soared across the sect on streaks of qi-light, their robes snapping in the wind. Elder Ren led them, his face composed but his heart beating faster. If anyone outside the inner circle sees the truth…
They descended over the beast quarters—and stopped midair.
Below, Yuying and Xiaoque stood in the dawn light, wings half-spread. Silver feathers gleamed like forged moonsteel on Yuying's back, every movement sending ripples of wind across the enclosure. Beside her, Xiaoque's violet membrane wings shimmered like crystal fire, faint trails of amethyst flame curling in her wake.
The two Moonfang Tigers stood with Haotian between them, their bodies radiating power so dense the air seemed to thicken. Even at rest, their auras pressed outward, a primal weight that made the ground creak.
One elder, a hawk-eyed woman, broke the stunned silence. "…They've evolved. Fully."
Another elder whispered under his breath, "Wings… Moonfangs aren't supposed to—this is… this is impossible."
Elder Ren landed first, stepping forward with the calm authority of someone who had already decided what the others would be allowed to know. "The roars were theirs. Their evolution is… the result of my long-term conditioning and Haotian's assistance in stabilizing their cores. That is all you need to report to the Sect Master."
The hawk-eyed elder narrowed her gaze. "And the wings? No Moonfang in recorded history has manifested them."
Ren's tone cooled. "You want to argue with results? Or do you want to see these beasts fly above our walls, striking down enemies before they reach our gates?"
That silenced her. The others exchanged glances—hesitation battling with the vision Ren's words conjured.
Haotian remained silent, resting a hand on Yuying's neck, the other brushing Xiaoque's shoulder. Both tigers remained motionless but watchful, their eyes following the elders without blinking. The message in those gazes was unmistakable—these were not mere beasts anymore.
Finally, Elder Ren turned to Haotian. "Keep them within the sect grounds for now. Their power will draw attention if shown carelessly."
Haotian gave a short nod. "They won't leave without me."
One by one, the elders took to the air again, their expressions ranging from awe to unease. As they vanished into the morning sky, Elder Ren lingered just a moment longer, meeting Haotian's gaze. No words passed, but the unspoken agreement was clear—what had happened here tonight would remain a tightly held secret until the right moment to reveal it.
Behind them, the Moonfang Tigers lifted their wings higher, catching the first true rays of the sun. And for a heartbeat, Haotian allowed himself to imagine the battlefield to come—silver and violet shadows blotting out the sky, striking with the force of thunder and fire.
The sect had just gained more than guardians.
It had gained legends.
The Sect Master's audience chamber was silent save for the faint hiss of incense curling from a bronze dragon-shaped burner. The doors were closed, the guards dismissed. Only Elder Ren stood before the dais, having just finished his report on the events in the beast quarters.
The Sect Master sat in stillness, silver-flecked eyes half-lidded in thought. "Wings on Moonfang Tigers… an aberration in their evolution, yet their power is undeniable." He tapped the armrest once, decisively. "Summon Haotian."
Moments later, the doors opened again. Haotian stepped in, cupping his hands and bowing deeply. "Sect Master."
The Sect Master's gaze lingered on him, weighing, measuring. "You've brought the sect something rare, Haotian. Two beasts that have broken their natural limits and stepped into an evolution unseen in our records. The elders are unsettled. I am… intrigued."
Haotian straightened, meeting his eyes calmly. "Their path has diverged from normal Moonfang lineage. That means their potential growth may far exceed the usual boundaries. If guided properly, they will not just be stronger—they could become true guardians of the sect, capable of defending its gates for generations."
The Sect Master's brows rose slightly. "Guardians…"
"They already possess loyalty," Haotian continued. "With training and cultivation resources, they could patrol our skies, intercept threats long before they reach our walls, and stand as a living deterrent to rival sects. Their wings give them mobility no enemy beast could easily match. Their presence alone could shift the balance of power in our favor."
For a moment, the Sect Master said nothing. Then, slowly, he nodded. "Very well. I will name them the Guardians of the Burning Sun Sect."
He reached for the carved jade seal at his side, pressing it into a scroll of decree. "A formal announcement will be made. The Moonfang Tigers Yuying and Xiaoque will be recognized as official protectors of the sect, under your direct care. Their needs—be it resources, training grounds, or protection—will be provided."
The decree was passed to an attendant to be copied and posted throughout the sect by morning.
The Sect Master's eyes returned to Haotian. "You've already changed more than you realize. This… is only another step."
Haotian cupped his hands again. "I will ensure they fulfill their role."
"You are dismissed."
Haotian bowed once more and turned to leave. The Sect Master watched him go, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
With this youth here… the sect may not just endure the coming storms. It may rise higher than ever before.
His gaze drifted to the open balcony, where dawn's light painted the distant mountains. "Perhaps," he murmured to himself, "the Burning Sun will blaze anew."
The next morning, the sect's great plaza was a sea of disciples. Word of the Sect Master's decree had spread like wildfire, and now hundreds stood shoulder to shoulder, the hum of speculation rippling through the crowd.
At the center dais, the Sect Master stepped forward, flanked by elders in formal robes. His voice cut through the air with the weight of authority.
"Today," he declared, "the Burning Sun Sect gains two guardians—beasts whose power and loyalty shall protect our gates, skies, and people for generations. From this day forward, Yuying and Xiaoque will be known as the Winged Moonfang Guardians of the Burning Sun."
A murmur swept the plaza, swelling into a gasp as the sound of great wings broke the air.
Fwoooom—!
From the beast quarters, two massive forms emerged. Yuying descended first, silver-feathered wings spread wide, sunlight glinting off her metallic sheen. Her paws struck the plaza stones with the precision of a queen claiming her throne. Moments later, Xiaoque swept in beside her, violet membrane wings trailing faint flames, each step radiating quiet, predatory grace.
The crowd fell silent, eyes wide in awe. Then came the whispers—disbelieving, reverent.
"Moonfangs with wings…""Impossible… and yet…""They're magnificent…"
The tigers stood tall, heads lifted proudly as the Sect Master spoke of their role and authority. The disciples bowed in unison, the plaza ringing with a unified shout:
"We greet the Guardians of the Burning Sun!"
Yuying and Xiaoque answered with twin roars that shook the tiles beneath their paws. The plaza erupted in cheers.
When the crowd dispersed and the morning ceremony ended, Haotian slipped away quietly.
In the quiet of the alchemy hall, he set to work. The Sect Master had given him protection, resources, and trust—it was time to return the favor. He had something in mind: a pill that could help the Sect Master break past his peak Soul Transformation bottleneck without risk of deviation, stabilizing the next realm instantly.
For two days, the hall became his world. Runes scrawled across the floor, cauldrons simmering with precise elemental balance, herbs ground into powders finer than mist. Each failed batch was discarded without hesitation. He worked without sleep, the fire in his eyes growing brighter.
On the morning of the third day, he stood over a cauldron holding a single gleaming pill, its surface smooth and white-gold, the scent sharp and invigorating.
Footsteps echoed at the door. Elder Ren entered—and stopped short.
"You… haven't rested for these past few days?" His eyes swept over Haotian's disheveled hair, smudged robes, and the lingering heat haze in the air.
Haotian turned, a faint smile on his tired face. "I've been busy."
He picked up the pill in a small jade bottle and handed it over. "Here. This will let the Sect Master break through to the next major realm without complications. Not only that—his new realm will be completely stabilized. One hundred percent effectiveness."
Elder Ren's hand trembled as he took the bottle. "You mean…"
"As a form of thanks," Haotian said simply.
For a moment, Elder Ren stood frozen, the weight of the bottle far heavier than its size suggested. Haotian tilted his head. "Elder Ren… are you all right? You should hurry and give this to the Sect Master."
No response.
Haotian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Or… do you want one as well? I could make a pill for you to break through to peak Soul Transformation."
That jolted the elder into motion. "No… don't… I… I should… go… to the Sect Master…" His words were broken, his mind clearly struggling to process what he'd just been offered.
He left the hall in a slow, almost mechanical walk, still gripping the bottle with trembling fingers. Each step steadied him slightly until he reached the Sect Master's private chamber.
The door opened without knocking.
The Sect Master, seated at a low desk reading a report, looked up. "Elder Ren. What is the matter?"
Ren stepped forward, still holding the bottle as though it might vanish. In halting words, he told the Sect Master exactly what Haotian had done—how he had, after only two days, crafted a pill to shatter the bottleneck of peak Soul Transformation without risk.
The Sect Master's eyes widened slightly. His fingers stilled over the scroll in front of him. For a long moment, the chamber was silent save for the faint hiss of the incense.
"…Haotian," he said at last, "what exactly are you?"
The Sect Master's summons came swiftly, the attendant bowing low at the alchemy hall's door. Haotian followed without hesitation, his steps steady as he was led into the private chamber where the Sect Master waited.
Elder Ren stood to the side, silent, the jade bottle resting on the table before the dais. The Sect Master's gaze was fixed on it, though when Haotian entered, his eyes shifted to study the youth instead.
"Haotian," he began, his voice measured. "Elder Ren tells me you created this pill—for me. A pill that can shatter the bottleneck at peak Soul Transformation without risk. Before I consider such a thing… I must know why."
Haotian met his gaze without flinching. His eyes were clear, the dark depths steady and unclouded by deceit. "Because you've helped me. You've given me protection, trust, and opportunities without asking for anything in return. This is simply my thanks. Nothing more."
The Sect Master leaned back slightly, his gaze searching for any flicker of hidden intent. He found none. No shadow of ambition. No calculation. Only the calm sincerity of someone who meant every word.
"You show no fear in giving something of such value," the Sect Master said slowly.
"I have no reason to fear," Haotian replied. "If I can help the sect grow stronger, then I will. You've done much for me in such a short time. This is nothing compared to that."
The Sect Master's fingers curled loosely on the armrest, his mind turning over an old saying: Help someone once, and you may receive one hundred times in return. Looking at Haotian now, he thought—This… is a true blessing.
Haotian inclined his head slightly. "You should take it, Sect Master. And you should do so in closed seclusion. The sooner you break through, the sooner the sect will benefit from your strength."
A faint, rare smile touched the Sect Master's lips. "You speak as though it's already decided."
"It should be," Haotian said with quiet certainty.
He cupped his hands and bowed. "I'll take my leave so you can prepare."
As Haotian left, the chamber fell silent once more. The Sect Master's gaze dropped to the jade bottle, the faint golden light within hinting at the immense power it held.
He rose to his feet. "Attendant."
The guard outside entered at once.
"Send word," the Sect Master commanded. "The Burning Sun Sect Master will enter closed-door cultivation to advance to the next major realm. Effective immediately."
The attendant bowed and hurried out to spread the decree.
Alone again, the Sect Master took the bottle in hand, weighing not just its contents, but the trust and sincerity with which it had been given.
The Sect Master's seclusion chamber was deep within the mountain heart, sealed by seven layers of formation gates. Inside, the air shimmered with the purest spiritual energy the sect could muster, channeled from hidden spirit springs into the cultivation platform at the center.
For three days, the sect lay under a tense quiet. The elders patrolled the perimeter of the mountain, disciples spoke in hushed tones, and no one dared disturb the stillness of their leader's advance.
On the dawn of the third day—
BOOM!
A thunderclap cracked across the heavens, not born of storm but of sheer spiritual force. Above the Burning Sun Sect, the skies split with blinding light, forming a vast halo that stretched from horizon to horizon. Within it, threads of gold and crimson fire spiraled together, bathing the sect in radiance.
From the beast quarters to the outer forests, every creature stirred. The Moonfang Tigers Yuying and Xiaoque raised their heads, silver and violet light radiating from their wings. Spirit cranes wheeled in the air, their calls sharp and clear. Even the most reclusive mountain beasts roared or howled in unison, as though the entire living world within the sect was bowing in recognition.
High in the halo's heart, the Sect Master emerged. His robes hung still despite the swirling energy, his silver-flecked eyes now brighter, sharper, carrying the weight of a new realm—the Dao Compression Realm.
He stepped forward onto the open air as though it were solid ground, each step leaving faint ripples that spread into the world around him. Extending his senses, he began to feel the living dao in everything—the whisper of the wind between the pines, the heat coiled in the earth, the faint pulse of qi in every leaf.
For a long moment, he simply stood there, letting the world speak to him in ways it never had before.
Then his voice rang out across the mountains, deep and resonant: "All elders, assemble at once. Tonight, we celebrate the sect's advancement."
Messengers flew to every corner of the sect. Within an hour, the great assembly hall blazed with lantern light, and the elders—still awed from the display in the skies—gathered in full ceremonial dress. Disciples filled the outer courtyards, excitement palpable in the air.
The Sect Master descended before them, the faint aura of the Dao Compression Realm still rippling from him like heat over desert sand. His gaze swept across the faces of his people, and for the first time in decades, he allowed a true smile to form.
"The Burning Sun Sect rises," he said simply.
The hall erupted in cheers, the sound carrying far into the night.
The celebration hall of the Burning Sun Sect glowed with hundreds of lanterns, their golden light reflecting off polished floors and the lacquered beams overhead. Rows of tables groaned under the weight of roasted spirit beast cuts, platters of steamed lotus buns, and bowls of glistening immortal-fruit wine. Outside, musicians played lively tunes, while laughter and clinking cups filled the air.
At the head of the hall, the Sect Master sat in a place of honor, elders arrayed on either side. Their expressions were still shadowed with awe from his earlier display—less for the breakthrough itself, and more for what had made it possible. In hushed tones, they traded quiet words, their gazes occasionally flicking toward one person sitting further down the hall.
Haotian.
For most of them, he had been an intriguing talent, a rare seed worth cultivating. Now, after learning that he had personally crafted a pill to push their Sect Master past a bottleneck without harm, that view had shifted entirely. The whispers now held a new edge—respect mixed with a hint of wariness. They were no longer looking at a promising youth. They were looking at a force that could quietly change the course of the sect.
Haotian, however, seemed oblivious to the quiet political weight pressing around him.
He sat at one of the long banquet tables among his team, Lianhua at his side, both of them leaning slightly toward each other. At times, she would pick a tender slice of roasted beast from the platter, hold it up with her chopsticks, and feed it to him with a small, warm smile. Other times, he'd return the gesture, slipping her a piece of sweet lotus bun or a slice of glazed spirit pear, their shared amusement barely hidden.
Feng Lanyue set down her chopsticks with a theatrical gasp. "A public feeding? At an official sect banquet? This is a breach of the sacred code of ethics!"
An Yuerin immediately leaned forward, eyes narrowing like a magistrate about to pass judgment. "I concur. And furthermore, I propose an immediate investigation into this display's impact on the sect's moral standing."
"Ethics and morality," Huo Zhanfeng declared loudly, pounding his cup on the table. "We must defend both pillars of civilization before they crumble beneath our very eyes!"
Tu Jianhong, grinning like a wolf, pointed his skewer at Haotian. "For the crime of wanton public affection, I demand the defendant buy a round of wine for all emotionally scarred witnesses present."
Jin Xuanming, calmly slicing his venison, added without looking up, "And for the crime of causing moral envy, sentence them to demonstrate this behavior in the training yard tomorrow so all may 'learn' from it."
Lan Shuyin sipped her tea slowly, voice dry. "This is neither a courtroom nor a temple lecture. But since both ethics and morality are under attack, I suppose leniency is off the table."
From there, the war on ethics and war on morality became a twin-pronged assault — accusations flying from one end of the table to the other. Ethics charges covered "overuse of chopstick intimacy" and "knees touching under the table," while morality charges accused them of "corrupting the single disciples" and "excessive enjoyment of each other's company in public."
Lianhua flushed but smiled, while Haotian only responded by calmly feeding her another bite. The table erupted — the Ethics Faction groaning in outrage, the Morality Faction clutching their hearts in mock agony.
Nearby tables began to listen in, and even a few elders smothered laughter behind their cups. The hall's music rose, wine flowed, and the double war raged until it became just another layer of the celebration — a reminder that even in a world of cultivation, laughter and mischief had their place.
When the Sect Master finally rose to toast, the entire hall stood, and for one fleeting moment, both wars were called to an uneasy truce… until dessert arrived.