The rain fell gently upon the roof, and a cool breeze drifted through the valley. The entire mountainside felt peaceful, wrapped in a serene silence broken only by the distant chirping of birds as they fluttered freely through the misty air.
In this quiet mountain range lay a hidden valley filled with flowers and herbs of many colors. At its center stood an old hut that shimmered faintly, as if made from crystals. In front of the hut grew an enormous peach tree, its pink leaves fluttering gracefully in the wind. It was flawless,radiant, ancient, and otherworldly.
Beneath the tree sat an old man. His silver-gray hair flowed gently with the wind, and his deep green eyes seemed to hold the secrets of all life within them. A small chewing stick rested in his mouth. He wore a green and black robe, a simple bamboo hat upon his head, and held a wooden cane in one hand as he sat on a short stool, quietly observing the world before him. Despite his age, there was a quiet dignity in his presence he must have been quite handsome when he was young.
His gaze rested on a young boy seated before him under the same tree. The boy was about seven years old, slim and graceful, with a gentle expression. His eyes were large and purple, shimmering with the boundless innocence of the universe, and his silver hair was tied neatly into a bun with delicate embroidery. He wore a black and purple robe that made his features stand out even more, and he seemed to radiate a soft, natural charm.
Scattered before him were several ancient books some on the wooden table, others stacked carelessly on the ground. He appeared to be searching for something specific. After flipping through a few books and scrolling through their contents , his small hands stopped on one particular book. The cover was pitch black, with glowing silver letters that read: "Abyss of Celestial Chaos Technique."
"Grandpa Zhao," the boy said excitedly, looking up with a bright smile, "I think I want this one! I like it,it sounds so cool! This is the technique I want to practice."
The old man chuckled softly and stood up, approaching the boy. "Young master, are you sure?" he asked gently. "That technique is extremely difficult. Only the elites among elites dare to practice it. It's also known to harm the body if not cultivated properly."
The boy nodded firmly.
"Why not choose this one instead?" Elder Zhao pointed to another book beside him titled 'Eternal Abyssal Lotus Technique.'
The boy shook his head. "No, Grandpa Zhao. I want this one."
The old man sighed and smiled. "Very well, young master. I know no one can change your mind once you've decided."
"Yay! Grandpa Zhao, you're the best!" the boy laughed happily. "Now I can finally go to the sect and start practicing!"
"Yier!" he called out suddenly.
From inside the hut stepped a woman whose presence seemed to light up the misty valley. She was stunning—her long pink hair flowed down her back, her eyes were a striking blue, and even though her white robe was modest, it couldn't completely hide her graceful figure.
"Yes, young master?" she said softly.
"I've found a suitable cultivation technique. We can finally leave," the boy said with excitement.
"Thank the Dao," she sighed. "We've been here for a month already. Your father has been asking for you to return for days! I'm tired of staying in this old mountain with this old geezer."
"Are you making fun of my home, young lady?" Elder Zhao asked with mock annoyance.
"Of course not, Elder Zhao. I wouldn't dare," she replied quickly, smiling playfully.
The boy laughed at their exchange. "Elder Zhao, why don't you come to the sect with us?" he asked curiously.
The old man shook his head and bent down to pick a few herbs and flowers. "This is my home, young master. I've lived here for a long time, and I'm at peace. The outside world is full of deceit and endless schemes. Besides," his eyes grew distant, "I have an important duty to watch over here."
"Here?" The boy looked around in confusion, but the old man nodded and smiled faintly and said nothing more.
"Whatever," the boy finally said. He picked up the book he had chosen and handed it over to mei yi."let's go yier"."Yes, young master."
Yier collected the book from the young man and and tapped the ring on her finger,she placed the book on it and it disappeared.Then a sword appeared in a flash of light. She whispered an incantation, and the sword grew larger, glowing faintly. She stepped onto it and turned to the boy.
"Come, young master. Let's go."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Zhao!" the boy shouted cheerfully as he hopped onto the sword.
The old man waved with a gentle smile as the sword lifted into the sky. The two figures soared higher and higher, the mist swirling around them. As they looked back one last time, the mountains seemed endless and the valley serene.
The sword whooshed through the clouds, slicing across the endless blue sky. After several hours of flight, the pair finally arrived at their destination. Below them stretched a vast mountain range grand and majestic but unlike the quiet valley they had left behind, this place brimmed with life, vitality and action.
Countless buildings, shops, and towering pagodas covered the mountainsides, each glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The air buzzed with the laughter of disciples, the hum of merchants, and the soft chime of bells from cultivation halls. As the sword descended, its radiant light drew the eyes of everyone below.
When the sword touched the ground, a beautiful maiden stepped off gracefully, followed by a charming young boy. The crowd's attention immediately fixed on them. The maiden's pink hair fluttered in the breeze, her beauty ethereal and her bearing elegant. The young boy beside her looked noble and serene, his purple eyes reflected the scene around him as he calmly observed.
"Isn't that Mei Yi?" whispered a woman standing beside a fruit stall. "She's the personal maid of the young master of the Celestial Lotus Sect!"
"Of course it's her," another woman replied. "No one else in the sect has pink hair like that. She's from the Mei Clan born with the bloodline of the Phoenix of Life!"
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Then that boy must be Feng Wuji!" a man slurred from nearby, his clothes tattered and his breath heavy with wine.
Instantly, whispers spread like wildfire. Everyone turned to watch the pair as they made their way up the mountain path, their expressions filled with curiosity and awe and disbelief.
Mei Yi guided the young boy through the bustling streets until they reached a quiet space high on the mountainside. Before them stood a massive and tall gate of black steel engraved with golden runes that shimmered softly beneath the sunlight. Behind it stretched a vast complex of elegant buildings, courtyards, and gardens this was the territory of the Celestial Lotus Sect.
At the very center of the compound stood the largest structure of all, a majestic palace supported by black pillars covered in intricate glowing symbols. Its roof glistened like obsidian under the sun, and an aura of nobility ,majesty and divinity surrounded it. This was the Palace of the Patriarch, home of the sect's leader and the heart of its authority.
Guards stood at the entrance, their armor polished and they looked menacing and fierce . As soon as they saw Mei Yi and the Feng wuji,hey bowed respectfully and opened the gates without question. The pair walked through the grand entrance into the inner sect.
Inside, disciples of various ages moved busily, carrying scrolls, swords, and baskets of herbs. The air smelled faintly of incense and lotus blossoms. Yet despite the young master's presence, no one dared to look directly at him; everyone continued their duties in silence and scurried off when they met his gaze,it looked like Feng wuji had quite the reputation in the sect.
"It's nice to be home again, isn't it, young master?" Mei Yi said softly, glancing around with a faint smile. "The air here feels pure, and even the wind smells like lotus petals."
"Indeed, it does," Feng Wuji replied with a small nod. "Let's go greet Father."
He took a few steps toward the majestic palace, but Mei Yi quickly stopped him.
"Young master," she said gently, "the Patriarch is currently in a meeting with the Emperor of the Tian Empire. They are discussing your engagement."
Feng Wuji turned to her, surprised and asked. "How do you know that? We just arrived."
"The Patriarch sent me a message through my spirit jade," she replied calmly. "He wanted me to inform you in case we returned earlier than expected."
"I see," the Feng wuji said after a moment. "Then let's go to my courtyard and rest. We'll see Father tomorrow. It's getting late, and I haven't had a proper sleep in a long time."
"As you wish, young master." Mei Yi smiled softly and led the way.
They passed through winding paths lined with blooming lotuses until they reached a quiet courtyard surrounded by crystal-clear ponds. Inside, Feng Wuji took a warm bath, the fatigue of travel washing away. Moments later, he lay down on his soft bed made of spiritual jade, drifting into peaceful slumber beneath the gentle glow of the moon that shown through his window.Unaware that there was trouble brooding in the palace.