The pale gold rays of the early morning sun filtered through the high canopy of the pine forest, casting long, peaceful shadows across the quiet courtyard. The crisp mountain air carried no trace of the violent clash from yesterday; the Grade-3 Spirit-Gathering Array had already cleansed the atmospheric Qi, leaving only the delicate fragrance of crushed herbs and blooming plum blossoms.
Li-Wen sat cross-legged on a polished wooden stool under the ancient plum blossom tree, a long strip of unbleached linen in his hands. On the low stone table before him lay his heavy blade, unsheathed for the first time in full daylight.
The blade was massive—nearly five feet long and five inches wide. It lacked the flashy luster or ornate engravings typical of high-tier aristocratic weapons. Instead, its surface was a dark, matte grey, forged from high-density Northern Shadow Iron that seemed to swallow the surrounding sunlight. Along the thick spine of the blade, subtle, vein-like dark-blue patterns flickered intermittently, vibrating in harmony with Li-Wen's steady breathing.
With methodical, measured movements, Li-Wen began wrapping the dark cloth back around the scabbard, binding it tightly with tough leather thongs. Each wrap was precise, locking away the terrifying Frost Blade-Intent that had shattered the Overlord Sect's pride just twenty-four hours ago.
"Brother Li-Wen!"
A soft, energetic voice broke the stillness of the yard.
Xiao-Yue bounced out of the main house, her short silver hair ribbons fluttering around her cheeks. She was dressed in a neat, fresh tunic of pale lavender, her small cheeks rosy and full of vitality. In her hands, she carefully held her small wooden practice sword, which she presented to Li-Wen with a solemn, dramatic bow.
"I have completed my morning breath control!" Xiao-Yue announced proudly, her big dark eyes sparkling with expectation. "My tummy was warm like a little sun three whole times!"
Li-Wen finished tying the final knot on his broad blade and set it against the stone table. He looked down at the little girl, a rare, faint trace of warmth softening the harsh lines of his face.
"Show me," Li-Wen said smoothly.
Xiao-Yue nodded vigorously. She took three steps back, setting her small feet firmly on the damp cobblestones in a wide, balanced stance. She closed her eyes, her chest rising and falling in a slow, rhythmic cadence that Li-Wen had meticulously taught her over the past fortnight.
HUMMM...
Within seconds, the air around Xiao-Yue began to shimmer with subtle, wavy heat. The pure Fire-Lotus energy within her core—previously a wild, volatile flame that threatened her tiny meridians—responded instantly to her intent. A soft, golden-orange glow emanated from her small palms, flowing smoothly into the wooden practice sword.
Unlike her previous attempts, where the energy would erupt in chaotic sparks and char the wood, the golden warmth now coated the wooden blade like a smooth layer of liquid amber.
SWOOSH!
Xiao-Yue executed a clean, single-handed downward strike.
The heat concentrated at the tip of the wooden sword cut through the mountain air with a soft whirring sound. A falling plum blossom petal, caught in the draft four inches away, was instantly split into two crisp halves by the invisible heat-wave—without a single scorch mark on the delicate pink edges!
"Hah!" Xiao-Yue held her finish stance for two full seconds before exhaling a long, faint puff of warm mist. She immediately broke character, hopping on one foot to check the sliced petal on the ground.
"Look, Brother Li-Wen! It didn't burn!" she squealed with delight, looking up at him for approval. "The heat stayed inside the wood just like you said!"
Li-Wen reached out, his broad, calloused palm resting gently on her head, smoothing down her silver ribbons.
"Control over power is far more difficult than releasing it," Li-Wen said softly, his low voice echoing with quiet authority. "You did well. The Fire-Lotus inside you is no longer a wild beast trying to consume its host; it is becoming your shield."
Xiao-Yue beamed, hugging her wooden sword tightly against her chest. "When I get even stronger, I will use my shield to help Brother Li-Wen when we go on the big flying ship!"
"First," Li-Wen said faintly, "you must learn to control your balance when moving forward."
He gestured toward a row of five small, round river stones set into the garden soil, each no larger than a teacup and spaced three feet apart.
"Step on the center of each stone without letting your heel touch the dirt," Li-Wen instructed. "Keep the Fire-Lotus warmth concentrated at your soles. If your focus slips, the stone will roll."
"Easy!" Xiao-Yue declared, stepping up to the first stone with confidence.
As Xiao-Yue began her practice—concentrating with all her might, her tongue sticking out slightly from the corner of her mouth as she balanced carefully on the small river rocks—Li-Wen turned his attention back to the stone table.
With a light flick of his sleeve, two items materialized on the flat granite surface: the sealed black envelope given to him by Vice-President Lin Xuan, and a wide, yellowed parchment map drawn on high-grade beast-hide.
Li-Wen unrolled the beast-hide map. It was an ancient, detailed map of the central and northern territories of the Great Continent.
Imperial Sun City was situated on the extreme western border—a tiny, regional outpost surrounded by rugged mountain passes and dense pine forests. To the east lay the vast, sprawling expanse of the Central Imperial Plains, dotted with sprawling city-states, ancient sect domains, and major trading arteries.
At the absolute center of the map, marked with an intricate golden crest, was the Central Imperial Capital—a colossal metropolis three hundred times larger than Imperial Sun City, governed by ancient aristocratic clans, sovereign merchant guilds, and royal martial institutions.
Li-Wen's gaze moved past the Imperial Capital, tracing a long, jagged line far to the north.
High above the central plains lay the Northern Glacial Wilderness—a land of perpetual snow, endless frozen ravines, and ancient ancestral ruins. It was the birthplace of his lineage, the graveyard of the Northern Ridge Clan, and the true location where the second half of the Ancestral Northern Rune Slab was rumored to be sealed.
Li-Wen opened the black envelope from the Central Merchant League. Inside was a finely written letter signed by Lin Xuan, detailing the route of the Floating Cloud galleon, as well as crucial intelligence regarding the major factions operating in the Central Capital.
According to the League's reports, Li-Wen thought, his eyes narrowing slightly, the Imperial Capital is not like this border town. There, Stage-4 masters are as common as guard captains, and true Stage-5 Martial Sovereigns hold sway over the high council. The local laws are governed strictly by the royal alliance and the merchant guilds.
Li-Wen tapped his long finger against the map. He knew that taking Xiao-Yue into such a densely populated, high-powered environment carried its own risks. Her awakening Fire-Lotus bloodline, while stable under his guidance, was a rare and precious physique. In a place filled with ancient alchemists and predatory clans, a pure bloodline was a target of immense greed.
However, the Central Imperial Capital was also the only place where he could obtain the rare, high-grade spiritual herbs required to permanently forge her meridians before her seventh birthday.
We need the Central Capital's resources, Li-Wen concluded silently, his expression unyielding. And if any hidden hands stretch out toward her... I will sever them just as I severed the Overlord Sect.
"Brother Li-Wen! Look! I did all five!"
Xiao-Yue's triumphant shout snapped Li-Wen out of his thoughts. He looked over to see her standing proudly on the fifth river rock, her feet perfectly balanced, a soft golden heat radiating smoothly from her embroidered slippers.
"Not bad," Li-Wen said, sweeping his sleeve to roll up the beast-hide map and store it away into his spatial ring along with the letter. "Now, pack your wooden sword and your lantern. We will leave nothing behind."
"Okay!" Xiao-Yue hopped off the rock and skipped toward the house.
Over the next few hours, the quiet routine of preparing for departure filled the courtyard. There were few personal belongings to gather—Li-Wen lived an ascetic, unburdened life, carrying only his weapon, his cultivation materials, and a few change of simple dark robes.
For Xiao-Yue, however, packing was a monumental affair. She carefully wrapped her small pink lotus lantern in soft cloth, stored her spare ribbons in a small wooden box, and made sure her practice sword was tied securely to her small leather pack.
By late afternoon, the courtyard had been stripped of all personal traces. The main house stood clean and silent, the wooden tables wiped spotless, and the tea cups stacked neatly on the shelves.
Li-Wen stood under the plum blossom tree, looking up at the ancient branches one last time. He raised his right hand, making a swift, intricate gesture with his fingers toward the four corners of the yard.
HUMMM...
The four hidden spirit-stones buried beneath the garden soil flared with a brief silver light, then went completely dark. The Grade-3 Spirit-Gathering Array that had sheltered them for weeks was smoothly dismantled, its spiritual essence returning to the surrounding earth.
Without the array's warming protection, the cool, mountain wind swept through the courtyard, fluttering the dry leaves on the ground.
Xiao-Yue stood beside Li-Wen, her small leather pack strapped to her back, holding her pink lotus lantern in her left hand. She looked around the empty garden with a hint of quiet nostalgia in her big eyes.
"Brother Li-Wen... will we ever come back here?" she asked softly, looking up at his tall frame.
Li-Wen looked down at her, then turned his gaze toward the heavy iron-wood gates that led out to the mountain road.
"The world is vast, Xiao-Yue," Li-Wen replied, his voice low, steady, and filled with quiet depth. "A courtyard is merely a place to rest your feet for a night. The true path is always forward."
Xiao-Yue blinked, digested his words for a moment, and then smiled warmly, her small hand reaching up to grasp his broad, calloused fingers.
"Then wherever Brother Li-Wen goes is my home!" she declared brightly.
Li-Wen's broad hand closed gently around her tiny fingers, protecting her small palm from the cool mountain breeze.
"Let us go," Li-Wen said.
With a light sweep of his sleeve, the twin iron-wood gates opened smoothly. The two figures—the towering man in the plain dark coat carrying a wrapped heavy blade, and the small, cheerful girl with silver hair ribbons—stepped through the threshold, leaving the silent Autumn Water Courtyard behind.
As they walked down the quiet, stone-paved hill path toward the lower districts of Imperial Sun City, the transformation of the city was strikingly evident.
The heavy barricades, crimson banners, and aggressive enforcers of the Overlord Sect had completely vanished. The streets leading to the western district were clean, peaceful, and open to all travelers. Common merchants were out in full force, selling hot meat buns, steaming tea, and colorful hand-made toys under the bright evening lanterns.
Every time passersby caught sight of Li-Wen's tall frame and the wrapped broad sword across his back, they instinctively stepped aside, bowing their heads in quiet, profound respect. Rumors of the monstrous master who had defeated Patriarch Meng Tian-Xiong in a single stroke had spread to every corner of the city, turning Li-Wen into an almost mythical figure in the eyes of the locals.
Li-Wen paid no mind to the whispers or the lingering gazes of awe. He walked with a steady, unhurried pace, keeping Xiao-Yue safely at his side as they navigated the bustling avenues toward the central plaza.
The sun was just beginning to dip below the western mountain ridges, painting the evening sky in sweeping bands of violet, crimson, and pale gold. High above the city's central district, floating anchored in the upper clouds, the massive, dark-timbered silhouette of the Central Merchant League's flagship galleon—the Floating Cloud—glistened under the setting sun like a sleeping leviathan.
"Look, Brother Li-Wen! The big flying ship!" Xiao-Yue pointed up at the sky with wide, star-filled eyes, her small voice full of pure, unadulterated wonder.
Li-Wen looked up at the colossal spirit-vessel suspended in the heavens.
The first chapter of their journey in this border city was officially drawing to a close. Beyond the clouds, across the vast plains of the empire, lay unknown horizons, greater power, and the inevitable storms that would shape their destinies forever.
Li-Wen adjusted his hold on Xiao-Yue's small hand, his dark eyes fixed firmly on the sky ahead.
"Tomorrow," Li-Wen murmured softly, "we fly."
See you in next chapter....