Lisin City, Blaze Sword SectLand of Trikur
The training field rang with the crisp swoosh of a blade cutting through the air.
"Swoosh… Swoosh… Swoosh."
Fifteen-year-old Yen Mo practiced his sword forms relentlessly, his movements precise yet brimming with youthful intensity. His feet slid forward, rotating smoothly, blade arcing in a graceful crescent—
"Enough, Yen Mo."
The stern voice came from the walkway.An elder approached with steady steps, hands clasped behind his back, robes rustling softly.
Yen Mo halted immediately. "Elder Han? Has something happened?"
Elder Han's expression softened. "Not an emergency… but someone has returned."
Before Yen Mo could ask—
Footsteps echoed across the courtyard.A figure emerged from the shadows of the archway.Dust clung to his robes, and his breathing carried faint fatigue.
It was Zu Tian.
His tall frame was unmistakable, but what drew every eye—as always—was the broken sword strapped to his back. Half a blade, chipped along the edge, yet emanating an odd, ancient presence.
"Senior Brother Tian!" Yen Mo rushed forward. "You're back!"
Zu Tian managed a faint smile. "Mn. Mission completed… the Sword Elder sends his report."
Elder Han nodded approvingly, but his gaze lingered on the broken sword. "Good. Your timing is fortunate. The Sect Master has called an assembly."
"An assembly?" Yen Mo blinked. "Why?"
Zu Tian looked between them, sensing tension. "Something occurred while I was away?"
The elder exhaled slowly.
"There are… disturbances beyond Trikur. Rumors of ancient ruins awakening. Sword intent waves detected in the north. Strange lights seen in the Scarlet Gorge at night."
Zu Tian's brows rose slightly, hand brushing the hilt of his half-blade.
Meanwhile, Yen Mo stepped closer, examining the cracked edges of the sword like he always did.
"Senior Brother Tian… this sword of yours… it never changes, yet it feels like it's alive."
Zu Tian's eyes flickered.Because deep inside the broken blade… something did stir.
He heard it again—a whisper, faint but ancient, brushing the edge of his consciousness:
"…Awaken… soon…"
But he said nothing.
Instead, he patted Yen Mo on the shoulder.
"We'll worry about that later. Come, Elder Han said the Sect Master is gathering everyone."
As they walked toward the main plaza of the Blaze Sword Sect, disciples whispered excitedly.
"Zu Tian is back!"
"The Broken-Sword returns from another mission."
"Maybe the sect leader will finally speak about the disturbances…"
Up ahead, the bell of the Blaze Sect tolled, deep and resonant.
GONG—
GONG—
GONG—
The tolling bell echoed across the mountainside as Zu Tian, Yen Mo, and Elder Han crossed the long stone bridge leading toward the central plaza. Disciples hurried from every direction—outer disciples, inner disciples, weapon division disciples, and sword pavilions' young prodigies—all gathering under the towering statue of the Blaze Ancestor.
The plaza rippled with murmurs.
"Why has the Sect Master summoned everyone?"
"Something big is happening…"
"Maybe it has to do with the strange sword aura from the north…"
Zu Tian's eyes scanned the crowd but remained calm, the broken sword at his back humming ever so faintly.
"Senior Brother, the Sect wouldn't call everyone unless something major happened," Yen Mo whispered nervously.
Zu Tian only hummed in response, his expression calm. The chipped, broken sword on his back clinked softly as he walked, drawing a few glances—mostly amused or dismissive. To the sect, it was simply his odd habit, an old ornamental relic he refused to part with.
A sudden pressure swept across the square as a voice boomed:
"The Sect Master arrives!"
Descending from the sky like a falling ember was Sect Master Huo Cangxuan—the Flame Warden. His crimson robes flowed like living fire, and his gaze carried the weight of a man who had stood against countless storms.
Behind him landed the Elders in order:
First Elder – Huo Jianfeng
A severe man with sharp sword-eyes, enforcing discipline with iron will.
Second Elder – Shen Ruohan(Master of Zu Tian and Yen Mo)
Calm, scholarly, and refined. His presence was peaceful, but the hidden sword intent around him was terrifying. He gave Zu Tian and Yen Mo a slight nod of approval.
Third Elder – Ling Xuan
Beautiful and cold as winter frost, master of the Disciplinary Hall.
Fourth Elder – Mo Yunchuan
Broad-shouldered and loud, yet with a gentle heart and an elegant sword style.
The elders took their places behind the Sect Master, and silence descended like a falling blade.
The Sect Master's Announcement
Huo Cangxuan clasped his hands behind his back.
"Disciples of the Blaze Sword Sect, heed my words."
His voice carried effortlessly through the plaza.
"For three nights, the Sensor Stones of the northern tower have detected violent waves of sword intent. Ancient… powerful… and unlike anything recorded in the last hundred years."
Gasps swept the crowd.
"Sword intent waves?!"
"Has a hidden expert appeared?"
"Or an ancient ruin awakened?"
The Sect Master continued:
"These waves come from beyond the Scarlet Gorge, in a region long considered dormant."
The First Elder stepped forward."Sect Master, the last disturbance in that region was centuries ago. Whatever awakens now… may be beyond our expectations."
The Sect Master nodded grimly.
"Exactly."
Disciples shifted nervously.
Then the Sect Master's gaze swept the crowd and stopped.
"Zu Tian."
Zu Tian stepped forward immediately, cupping his fists. "This disciple is present."
Whispers spread:
"Why him?"
"He just returned from a mission."
"He's strong, but still young—why call him now?"
The Sect Master studied him for a moment.
"During your mission in the River Marsh, you reported encountering faint traces of sword pressure in abandoned territory, did you not?"
Zu Tian nodded. "Yes, Sect Master."
The First Elder spoke, stroking his beard."That region has been silent for years… and yet you felt remnants of sword force?"
Zu Tian didn't answer immediately—but his memory flashed with the sensation of an invisible blade watching him.
"…Yes."
The plaza rustled with unease
Zu Tian's master, the Second Elder Shen Ruohan, stepped forward.
"Zu Tian has a sharp intuition for sword intent. Even slight fluctuations rarely escape him. His senses will be valuable."
The First Elder gave a reluctant nod.The disciples whispered again—some surprised, others jealous.
Zu Tian remained composed despite the attention.
Finally, the Sect Master spoke the words that shook the plaza:
"In five days, the Blaze Sword Sect will send an expedition into the Scarlet Gorge. The sword disturbance is either an opportunity… or a catastrophe. We must know which."
Everyone inhaled sharply.
An expedition into unknown sword lands was extremely rare.
The Sect Master's gaze solidified like burning iron.
"And the leader of the third expedition team… will be Zu Tian."
The plaza exploded in noise.
"What?!"
"A sixteen-year-old leading a team?!"
"He just became an elite inner disciple—how?!"
Even some elders raised eyebrows, though no one objected openly.
Zu Tian bowed deeply.
"This disciple will not disappoint."
His master allowed himself a faint, proud smile.But inside Zu Tian's sleeve, his fingers subtly tightened—
Because the broken sword on his back pulsed once, faintly, as though responding to the call of the Scarlet Gorge.