Chapter 2: The Kid with a Screaming Blade
The Cangyun Sect's stone paths snaked through quiet courtyards, morning mist curling around tiled roofs and ancient pines. Disciples moved like a gentle breeze some clashing wooden swords in open yards, their strikes soft and steady, others meditating in airy halls, their breaths weaving with the valley's faint hum. The sect was a tranquil bubble, its routine of sword drills and Qi cultivation so plain it could lull a stone to sleep. For Noah, it was pure bliss.
In his bamboo pavilion perched high above the valley, Noah sprawled on a creaky mat, jade-leaf tea steaming in his chipped cup. His silver hair spilled over his shoulders, and his patched robes sagged, masking the might of a Dormant Immortal King. The sect's calm buzz was a distant murmur, drowned by the teapot's soft hiss. His jade pendant dangled on its cord, glinting faintly, like it was waiting for chaos to knock.
Lin Jian trudged up the pavilion's steps, chipped sword strapped to his back. The kid was a mess dust caked his torn robe, blood crusted his arm, and his dark eyes burned with distrust. Each step looked like agony, as if his soul was clawing at his bones. Noah sipped his tea, eyes fixed on the valley, pretending the kid wasn't there.
"Sit down, kid," Noah said, voice flat. "You're blocking my view."
Lin Jian froze, hand gripping his sword hilt. "You dragged me here, old man. What's the deal? I'm not your errand boy."
Noah snorted, setting his cup down with a clink. "Old man? Watch your tongue, brat. I saved your sorry ass. Least you can do is not bleed on my floor."
Lin Jian's jaw clenched, but he dropped onto the mat, wincing as his chest spasmed. The pavilion's silence grew heavy, broken only by the wind rattling the bamboo. Noah leaned back, eyeing the kid like a pesky fly.
DING!
A shrill chime stabbed Noah's skull, sharp as a botched gong strike. Golden words flared in his mind, mist swirling around them:
[System Update: Disciple Lin Jian Located. Host, Provide Guidance.]
'Not again, you noisy pest, Noah thought, rubbing his temples. Can't you see I'm busy?'
[Error: Tea Consumption Is Not Guidance. Host, Review Task Progress.]
'Busybody pest', Noah grumbled inwardly, but a golden panel flickered, pulsing like a smug lantern:
[Progress Tracker: Lin Jian]
- Soul Seal: 0% Unsealed
- Sword Intent: Crimson Fang (1st Layer, 0% Mastered)
- Realm: Body Tempering (Bone Stage, 80% to Marrow)
- Task Status: Guide Lin Jian to unseal soul, survive sect trial. Deadline: Seven days.
'Zero percent?' Noah's mental scowl deepened. 'A broken kid and a nagging System. Perfect day.'
Lin Jian glared. "You muttering to yourself, old man? If you've got nothing to teach, I'm out."
Noah smirked, tossing a worn scroll at Lin Jian's feet. It landed with a thud, its frayed edges glowing faintly with Qi. "Don't get cocky, kid. Meditate on that. It's a soul-unsealing trick I… got it from an old friend. Might stop your chest from caving in."
Lin Jian snatched the scroll, fingers shaking. "This better not be a prank."
Noah sipped his tea, voice dry. "Prank's on me, stuck with you. Now shut up and read."
The kid unrolled the scroll, eyes tracing cryptic symbols that pulsed like heartbeats. Noah watched, his mind drifting. The Heavenly Insight Token from the System's last task had sparked a memory a sword rhythm technique his old ally used to tame a raging soul. The Token's insight was clear: Lin Jian's sealed soul needed to hum, not scream. 'Why's Heaven digging up my ghosts with this brat?' Noah thought, frowning.
A shout snapped him back. In the training yard below, disciples clustered, gawking at a tall figure carving through wooden dummies. Zhang Wei, a senior disciple at Qi Gathering (Early Stage), swung his sword with smug flair, his robe fluttering like he ruled the valley. Xiao Fan, the jittery errand boy, hovered nearby, whispering to others.
'Kids these days', Noah thought, sipping his tea. 'All flash, no depth.'
Lin Jian's eyes flicked to the yard, hand tightening on his sword. "That guy's strong. Better than these soft sect fools."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Strong? He's all show and no real power. You, on the other hand…" He paused as the System's Insight Ability activated. A faint red glow appeared around Lin Jian, pulsing with Crimson Fang energy. "Your sword's too loud, kid. It'll hurt you more than your enemies."
Lin Jian's voice cracked with anger and pain. "What do you know? This sword's all I have left, so don't you dare talk down to me!"
Before Noah could retort, Zhang Wei's voice boomed. "Who's the new kid? Looks like a beggar!" The disciples snickered, Xiao Fan stifling a grin.
Lin Jian shot to his feet, pain ignored, and stormed down the steps. Here we go, Noah thought, grabbing his tea. 'This brat's got no patience.'
In the yard, Lin Jian faced Zhang Wei, chipped sword drawn. The senior disciple smirked, twirling his polished blade. "Newcomer, know your place. This sect's for cultivators, not street rats."
Lin Jian's eyes blazed. "Talk less, swing more."
The crowd gasped as Lin Jian lunged, his sword slashing a red arc that roared like a beast. Zhang Wei parried, but the force sent him skidding, smirk vanishing. Lin Jian swung again, red sparks flaring, but his face twisted, hand clutching his chest. The soul seal was biting back.
Idiot, Noah thought, sipping tea from the pavilion's edge. Told you it's too loud.
DING!
[Warning: Disciple Lin Jian's Soul Seal at Risk. Host, Intervene or Guide.]
'Intervene? I'm not his nanny', Noah scoffed mentally. But his fingers brushed the jade pendant, its glow flaring as Lin Jian's red arcs flickered. A memory stung his old ally, sword humming softly, cutting through chaos. Noah sighed, flicking a pebble from his table.
The pebble zipped like an arrow, striking Lin Jian's sword mid-swing. A faint hum sang out, and the red arc softened, slicing Zhang Wei's dummy clean in half instead of exploding. The crowd fell silent. Zhang Wei's face flushed, but he sheathed his sword, spitting, "Lucky shot, beggar."
Lin Jian panted, staring at his blade, baffled. The hum lingered, easing his chest's pain. He glanced at Noah, eyes narrowing.
Noah waved lazily. "Told you, kid. Make it hum, not scream. Now get back here before you collapse."
Lin Jian limped back, scroll clutched tight. Xiao Fan whispered to the crowd, "Was that Elder Noah's doing?" The disciples buzzed, but Noah ignored them, sipping his tea.
As Lin Jian sat, the System chimed:
[Progress Update: Lin Jian]
- Soul Seal: 5% Unsealed
- Sword Intent: Crimson Fang (1st Layer, 10% Mastered)
- Task Status: Progress Noted. Continue Guidance.
'Five percent? Slow as tortoise, Noah thought. And disciple? Not yet, you pushy pest.'
[Host, Effort Is Insufficient. Deadline: Six Days.]
'Keep nagging, granny', Noah retorted silently, but his eyes flicked to Lin Jian, who studied the scroll, sweat beading on his brow. The kid's stubborn fire reminded Noah of someone lost long ago.
A horn blared across the sect. A disciple shouted, "Trial announcement! All newcomers, prepare for the Beast Valley Test in six days!"
Lin Jian's head snapped up, sword hand twitching. Noah's tea paused mid-sip, the jade pendant glowing faintly.
'Great, More trouble huh'. Noah thought.
Somewhere, a blade's hum was growing louder.