The morning sun broke over the Jade Sword Mountain Range, casting golden light across the newly awakened Heavenly Sword Sect. Sword Qi drifted like faint silver mist through the courtyards, filling the cold air with a gentle hum. For the first time in decades, the sect pulsed with life.
But beneath that tranquility lurked tension.
Because today… the world had begun to arrive.
Liang Chen stood in the central training courtyard, steam rising from his body as he completed his morning cycle. Each breath sent refined Sword Qi pulsing through his meridians, polishing the newly formed Bronze Sword Core at his center.
His sword hummed softly, resonating with him like a living creature.
He opened his eyes.
The air itself looked sharper.
Not metaphorically—literally.
Edges of Sword Qi cut faint lines through drifting fog. His vision was clearer. His senses expanded further than ever.
Is this the power of a Sword Core?
He clenched his fist, marveling at the firmness of his bones, the resilience of his Qi.
Before he could reflect further, Feng Lian's icy aura swept into the courtyard. She approached with calm steps, her long white hair fluttering gently behind her.
"You're improving quickly," she said without looking at him.
Liang Chen smiled. "Senior Sister, you're up early."
"I haven't slept," she replied simply.
Liang blinked. "At all?"
"I'm preparing for advancement. Silver Core requires complete control." She turned her gaze to him. "Your breakthrough has pushed everyone to accelerate."
Liang Chen rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't mean to pressure anyone…"
Feng Lian looked at him with a hint of amusement.
"You didn't. But watching a junior surpass expectations always lights a fire under those above them."
At that moment, Han Xiang sprinted past, carrying a half-finished formation plate and several scrolls. His hair was a mess, his eyes bloodshot.
"Liang Chen, Feng Lian—if I collapse, bury me in the Sword Pavilion, okay?!"
Liang Chen blinked. "Han? Are you… alright?"
"No!" Han Xiang shouted, waving the plate like a madman. "Master wants the entire mountain shielded by noon! I only have one pair of hands—this is impossible!"
Zhou Yu's voice drifted from across the courtyard, calm and terrifying:
"Han Xiang. Work faster."
Han Xiang nearly cried.
Feng Lian chuckled, which was rare enough to be startling. "This is what it means to be part of the Heavenly Sword Sect now. Pressure creates diamonds."
Liang Chen nodded quietly.
But then the sect bell rang.
DONG.
A deep, ancient tone that vibrated through every stone in the mountain.
Liang Chen stiffened. Feng Lian's expression hardened like frost forming over still water.
Han Xiang froze mid-run and whispered:
"…That's the visitor bell."
Liang Chen swallowed.
"Someone's at the gate."
At the front gate of the Heavenly Sword Sect, a group of cultivators stood beneath the morning sky. They wore long azure robes embroidered with cloud patterns — unmistakably the Azure Cloud Sword Sect, one of the major righteous sword sects of the Eastern Sky Continent.
At their front stood a tall middle-aged man with a calm presence and a sword sheathed in blue jade. His cultivation surged beneath the surface — Silver Core late stage, just shy of Gold.
His name was Elder Yun Jian.
Behind him were eight disciples, each carrying sealed gift boxes.
The elder studied the cracked stone steps, the half-mended walls, the flickering Sword Qi drifting like spiritual fireflies.
"This sect… has awakened," he murmured.
Then he looked up.
Zhou Yu appeared atop the gate's archway, standing with calm authority, long hair drifting in the morning wind. He looked like a man untouched by dust or time, yet hiding unfathomable depth.
Beside him stood Ling, the giant Nether Shadow Wolf, fangs bared.
Liang Chen and Feng Lian stood slightly behind.
Elder Yun Jian clasped his fists.
"Azure Cloud Sword Sect greets Sect Master Zhou Yu."
Zhou Yu nodded slightly. "Elder Yun. Your presence is… unexpected."
Elder Yun Jian smiled politely. "Rumors spread like wildfire, as you must know. Word reached us that the Heavenly Sword Sect has begun to revive its ancient foundations. Our sect could not sit idle."
Han Xiang whispered to Liang Chen: "Translation: they're here to see if we've actually become a threat."
Liang Chen whispered back: "Are they enemies?"
"No," Feng Lian said, "but they're far from allies."
Elder Yun motioned to the disciples.
"We bring gifts—herbs, ores, and a Spirit Infusion Pill for your rising disciples."
Han Xiang nearly gasped. "That's expensive!"
"Why are they being so generous?" Liang Chen whispered.
Feng Lian's eyes narrowed. "They're testing Master. Gifts from a major sect always carry strings."
Zhou Yu raised a brow.
"Gifts are unnecessary."
Elder Yun Jian chuckled lightly. "It is only right that righteous sword sects support one another."
Zhou Yu's voice remained calm. "If that is the case, then state what you want."
The Azure Cloud disciples stiffened at the bluntness.
Elder Yun Jian exhaled softly.
"…Your sect has awakened fragments of the Heavenly Sword Saint's legacy. Our sect has long yearned for any inheritance linked to the Sword Dao."
There it was.
The real purpose.
"We hope," Elder Yun continued, "to exchange sword arts, or perhaps… observe your Sword Pavilion."
Feng Lian whispered, "They want our founder's legacy."
Liang Chen felt anger rise, but Zhou Yu raised his hand, silencing everyone.
His gaze sharpened like a drawn blade.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect's legacy will not be shared."
Elder Yun Jian paused, then bowed respectfully.
"…I expected as much."
He straightened.
"But understand, Sect Master. Now that your sect rises again, the Eastern Sky Continent will turn its gaze upon you. If you ever require support, or if demon sects target you, Azure Cloud will be watching."
Zhou Yu nodded.
"Then watch from afar."
Elder Yun Jian smiled thinly.
"We will."
He turned with a sweeping motion. His disciples followed, leaving behind sealed boxes of precious materials.
As they descended the mountain path, Liang Chen exhaled.
"Master… did we just offend them?"
"No," Zhou Yu said, stepping down from the gate. "If they were insulted, they hid it well. If they were testing us, they learned nothing."
He looked at the departing Azure Cloud figures.
"Let them watch. Their presence will deter smaller sects."
Han Xiang sighed in relief.
"Then… this wasn't so bad—"
BOOM.
A blast of demonic Qi erupted in the distance.
Ling growled, fur rising.
Feng Lian's eyes sharpened like ice daggers.
Liang Chen gripped his sword.
Zhou Yu immediately turned toward the source.
"That," he said, "is the second visitor."
A crimson streak tore through the clouds like a bloody spear. It shot toward the Heavenly Sword Sect with violent momentum, forcing the air to bend around it.
Han Xiang squeaked. "T-that's definitely not a righteous sect!"
Feng Lian said one word:
"…Scarlet Moon."
The crimson light landed at the foot of the mountain, cracking stone and sending dust spiraling. The air stank of iron. Demonic Qi seeped from the crater, forming twisted shapes.
Liang Chen's heart pounded.
A woman stepped out of the crimson mist.
She had long red hair, blood-colored robes, and eyes that glowed like fresh wounds. Her presence screamed danger — seductive, deadly, chaotic.
A Nascent Soul aura suppressed beneath layers of concealment.
Feng Lian hissed. "A Nascent Soul demoness…!"
Han Xiang's voice cracked. "WH-WHY WOULD SOMEONE LIKE THAT COME HERE? WE'RE DEAD! WE'RE SO DEAD—"
Zhou Yu stepped forward.
"Scarlet Moon Demon Sect," he said calmly. "State your business."
The woman smiled slowly, like a predator tasting the air.
"So the rumors are true. The Heavenly Sword Sect has indeed revived. And its Master… is quite handsome."
Ling growled. The woman giggled.
"Relax, wolf~ I only came to deliver a message."
She flicked a crimson talisman into the air. It flew toward Zhou Yu but dissolved before entering his barrier.
Her smile sharpened.
"The Scarlet Moon Sect requests that you hand over all Heavenly Sword fragments in your possession."
Feng Lian's aura exploded with cold killing intent. Liang Chen's Sword Qi flared.
Han Xiang nearly fainted.
Zhou Yu's expression remained unreadable.
"No."
The woman tilted her head. "No?"
"No."
She licked her lips.
"Then we will take them."
Zhou Yu took a step forward.
And the mountain trembled.
His suppressed aura surged like a sleeping dragon stretching its limbs. It wasn't loud. It wasn't flashy. But the air thickened instantly, freezing even the demonic woman in place.
The earth cracked beneath her feet.
She inhaled sharply.
"You're… not a Qi Condensation cultivator."
Zhou Yu didn't respond.
The woman slowly backed away, her seductive confidence evaporating. For the first time, fear flickered in her eyes.
"…Very well, Sect Master Zhou. The Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect will remember this."
With a wave of crimson Qi, she vanished.
Han Xiang collapsed onto the ground. "WHY DOES EVERYTHING WANT TO KILL US?!"
Feng Lian exhaled slowly. "Master suppressed a Nascent Soul presence with just his intent…"
Liang Chen looked at Zhou Yu with awe.
Zhou Yu simply said:
"This is only the beginning."
Later that day, the atmosphere within the sect shifted entirely.
Feng Lian began training in the Frost Lotus Hall, pushing her limits toward Silver Core.
Han Xiang carved complex array lines into stones, preparing a full mountain-scale defense grid.
Su Mei strengthened the spiritual fields, cultivating herbs for future battles.
Liang Chen stood in the courtyard, sword in hand, forming the first stance of the Dawn Break technique, refining his Sword Core.
And Zhou Yu stood on the highest peak, cloak fluttering, eyes scanning the horizon.
He could feel it.
More presences lurking in the forests.
More spies hiding in the mountains.
More sects whispering his name.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had awakened.
And every power in the Eastern Sky Continent was watching.