The Ninefold Mountain Sect's training grounds shimmered under the dawn's first light, a sprawling valley where jade-strewn cliffs caught the sun like scattered emeralds. Mist coiled around ancient spirit stones, their surfaces etched with runes that pulsed with the Tianxu Realm's primal qi. Wei Chen stood within a training array, its glowing lines humming beneath his feet, his grey tunic damp with sweat. The jade tablet, hidden against his chest, burned with a warmth that both anchored and unsettled him. His qi, now at Late Qi Condensation, flowed stronger, guided by the Jade Soul Scripture, but the weight of last night's demonic attack—and Su Meilin's cryptic warning—pressed heavily on his mind.
Elder Mo Tian loomed on a stone platform above, his Nascent Soul aura a storm of pressure that made Wei Chen's meridians ache. The elder's silver-streaked beard framed a face carved with suspicion, his eyes boring into Wei Chen like blades seeking secrets. "Your qi is unfocused, boy," Mo Tian barked, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "The Jade Soul Scripture is no child's toy. Master it, or it will master you."
Wei Chen gritted his teeth, channeling qi into a shimmering green shield. "Yes, Elder," he said, his tone clipped but respectful. His mind, though, was a whirlwind. The tablet's celestial glow, the assassins on the fourth spire, the blurred face of a betrayer in his visions—each piece of the puzzle pointed to a past he didn't fully grasp. The Jade Sovereign's instincts whispered: Trust no one, not even allies. But the tablet's warmth urged him to push forward, to seize the power it promised.
Nearby, Lin Xiyue practiced her Flame Blossom Strike, her sword carving arcs of fiery qi that lit the valley like miniature suns. Her black hair, tied with a crimson ribbon, danced in the breeze, and her eyes flicked to Wei Chen, a smirk playing on her lips. "Struggling already, scholar?" she called, her voice sharp with teasing. "Maybe you should stick to poetry. This array's going to eat you alive." Her grin was a challenge, but the warmth in her gaze betrayed a flicker of concern, a softness that made Wei Chen's pulse quicken.
He flashed a grin, dodging a surge of qi from the array. "Worried about me, sword maiden? Careful, people might think you care." His sarcasm was a shield, but the tablet's pulse quickened, as if amused by their banter. Lin Xiyue's laugh rang out, bright and unyielding, and for a moment, the valley felt less like a battlefield.
Su Meilin stood apart, her white robes pristine despite the dust kicked up by training disciples. Her jade fan traced delicate patterns, guiding her celestial qi to stabilize a nearby array. Her moonstone eyes met Wei Chen's, and the tablet flared, its warmth resonating with her presence. "Focus, Wei Chen," she said softly, her voice like a breeze over a still lake. "The tablet's qi is unstable. If you falter, it could harm you." Her words were calm, but a shadow of worry crossed her face, mirroring the tablet's warning.
"Great," Wei Chen muttered, his shield flickering. "A death trap array and a death trap tablet. My ancestors have a terrible sense of humor." He pushed more qi into the array, its runes glowing brighter, but a prickle of malice caught his senses. The tablet burned hotter, a silent alarm.
Before he could react, the array's runes twisted, their patterns warping into jagged lines that reeked of demonic qi. A surge of chaotic energy erupted, a green inferno that roared toward Wei Chen. He dove, instincts honed by the Jade Sovereign's memories, and tackled Lin Xiyue out of the blast's path. They hit the ground hard, his body shielding hers as sparks rained down, singeing his tunic. The tablet's glow leaked through the fabric, casting emerald light across the valley.
Lin Xiyue shoved him off, her cheeks flushed—not entirely from the explosion. "I didn't need saving, scholar!" she snapped, but her grin was wide, her eyes sparkling with something dangerously close to affection. "Nice reflexes, though. You almost looked like a cultivator."
Wei Chen rolled to his feet, brushing ash from his sleeve. "Almost? I'm hurt, Xiyue. I thought we were past the insults." His tone was light, but his eyes scanned the grounds, landing on a familiar figure: Wei Liang, his cousin, lurking near a spirit stone, his spear glinting. The smirk on Wei Liang's face was too smug, his qi too steady for innocence. The tablet pulsed, confirming Wei Chen's suspicion—sabotage.
Su Meilin appeared beside them, her fan dispersing residual qi with a flick. "This was no accident," she said, her voice low and urgent. "The array was tampered with—demonic qi clings to the runes." She knelt, tracing a warped rune with her finger, her celestial aura flaring briefly. "Someone within the sect did this."
Elder Mo Tian descended, his aura crushing the air like a collapsing mountain. "Sabotage in my training grounds?" he roared, his eyes sweeping the disciples. "Who dares defile the Ninefold Mountain Sect?" His gaze locked on Wei Chen, heavy with suspicion. "You, boy. Trouble follows you like a shadow."
Wei Chen's heart raced, but he forced a casual shrug. "Elder, I'm just trying to survive training. If someone's got a grudge, maybe ask my charming cousin over there." He nodded toward Wei Liang, whose smirk faltered, his spear twitching in his grip.
Lin Xiyue stepped forward, her sword half-drawn. "Yeah, Elder, maybe check the guy who's been glaring daggers at Wei Chen since we got here. Smells like jealousy to me." Her tone was playful, but her stance was ready, a silent promise to back Wei Chen.
Su Meilin's fan closed with a snap. "The demonic qi matches the assassins' from last night," she said, her eyes on Mo Tian. "This is no mere rivalry. A cult is at work within your sect."
Mo Tian's face darkened, his aura flaring. "Enough. Wei Chen, Lin Xiyue, Su Meilin—report to my pavilion tonight. We will uncover this treachery. The rest of you, training resumes at noon. Dismissed!"
As the disciples scattered, Wei Liang shot Wei Chen a venomous look before vanishing into the crowd. Lin Xiyue nudged Wei Chen, her grin fierce. "Your cousin's got it out for you, scholar. Want me to skewer him for you? I could make it quick." Her hand brushed his arm, lingering a moment too long, and Wei Chen's chest tightened, caught between amusement and something warmer.
"Tempting," he said, chuckling. "But I'll handle Liang. Keep your sword sharp for the tournament tomorrow—I hear it's going to be a spectacle." He glanced at Su Meilin, who stood silently, her fan hiding her expression. "You in, celestial girl? Or is dodging explosions not your style?"
Su Meilin's lips curved, a rare smile breaking her calm. "I'll be there, Wei Chen. But the tablet's qi is growing unstable. We must find the second fragment soon—or the cult will." Her words were soft, but they carried a chill that matched the tablet's pulse.
That night, in his sparse disciple quarters, Wei Chen sat cross-legged on a straw mat, the jade tablet in his hands. Its runes glowed faintly, casting shadows that danced like spirits on the walls. He closed his eyes, channeling qi into the tablet, seeking answers. A vision surged: a jade altar in a hidden vault, a second fragment glowing beside it, and a woman's voice—Lian Xue, the betrayer—whispering of a promise broken. The vision shifted, showing the Ninefold Mountain Sect's library, a map of runes pointing to a sealed chamber.
Wei Chen's eyes snapped open, his qi surging to the peak of Late Qi Condensation. The tablet's warmth felt like a heartbeat, urging him forward. The tournament tomorrow would test his strength, but the library held the key to the next fragment—and to Lian Xue's betrayal. He gripped the tablet, resolve hardening. Wei Liang's sabotage was a small threat compared to the cult's shadow, but it was a start. He'd face them all—cousin, assassins, and his own past—with Lin Xiyue's fire and Su Meilin's calm at his side.
As he lay down, the tablet pulsed against his chest, a silent vow. The Ninefold Mountain Sect was his crucible, and he would emerge stronger—or burn in its flames.