The morning mist clung to Qingyang City like a veil of silver, softening the edges of the towering peaks around the Ye Family estate.
Rumors had spread through the Jianghu like wildfire: a young master of the Ye Family had risen beyond expectation, defeating prodigies, taming spirit beasts, and commanding the respect of the Spirit Beast Tournament.
Now, another ripple of curiosity swept across the land.
---
At the gates of the estate, a procession approached. Their banners bore the emblem of a silver lotus, intricate and glowing faintly under the sun. The group moved with grace, their qi radiating calm authority, each step precise, deliberate, as if their very movements were martial poetry.
> "The Silver Lotus Sect…" a servant whispered.
"They only appear for prodigies worth noticing—or threats that demand caution."
Ye Chen, standing quietly in the courtyard, observed the newcomers. His eyes gleamed with interest.
Inside his mind, the Book Realm pulsed, opening a new shelf automatically:
> "Records of the Silver Lotus Sect"
Titles glimmered faintly: Masters of the Hidden Arts, Spirit Qi Harmonization, Secrets of Subtle Battle.
> "So they have noticed me… and perhaps, seek to test me," Ye Chen thought.
---
The sect's leader emerged from the procession, a tall figure in flowing silver robes: Lotus Master Yin, whose calm, piercing gaze swept across the courtyard.
> "Ye Chen of the Ye Family," Yin said, voice soft yet commanding,
"your reputation precedes you. The Silver Lotus Sect has observed your rise. We come to see whether the whispers of your skill are true—and whether your understanding of beasts and qi surpasses mere mortals."
The disciples behind Yin shifted subtly, aura dense, eyes trained like weapons. Two of them stepped forward, each accompanied by spirit beasts of rare and dangerous breed.
> "The test begins with no malice, only observation," Yin continued.
"But understand this—failure will leave a permanent mark on your reputation, for our sect spares no weakness."
---
Ye Chen bowed slightly, expression serene.
> "Then let the test begin. Every movement, every thought, is another page.
I will read, and I will respond."
Inside the Book Realm, he opened:
> "Codex of Multiple Beasts and Adversaries"
The golden pages hummed with energy, showing patterns of coordinated attacks, qi flow, and resonance techniques for multiple spirit beasts simultaneously.
> "Two opponents, two beasts, but every movement is a story. I must read both simultaneously… and understand the whole battlefield."
---
The challenge began.
The two spirit beasts struck simultaneously, their qi flaring in different frequencies. Ye Chen moved like water, soft yet precise, redirecting the beasts' momentum while subtly influencing their behavior with resonant qi.
He recited under his breath:
> "The lotus blooms where water flows;
The mind unmoved, yet the world bends around it."
One beast faltered, then the second. In moments, both submitted, circling him calmly.
The Silver Lotus disciples froze in surprise. Yin's lips curved faintly.
> "Interesting. Few in our records have mastered both comprehension and qi in such harmony… yet there is more in your mind than we can see."
---
That night, Ye Chen returned to the quiet of his garden.
Inside the Book Realm, a new tome appeared:
> "Secrets Beyond the Silver Lotus: Preparation for Greater Trials"
A whisper echoed, calm but grave:
> "The Jianghu stirs. Allies and enemies alike move.
Every page read must now be defended with courage, for the storms are coming faster than you can imagine."
Ye Chen smiled faintly, gazing at the moonlit peaks.
> "Then I will read faster, understand deeper, and write my path through the storms.
Let every sect, every guardian, every rival witness… the rise of the scholar who will carve the Jianghu with words and qi alike."