The Ninefold Mountain Sect buzzed with tension as dawn painted its spires in hues of jade and gold, the paused tournament fueling whispers of demonic intruders and sabotaged arrays. Wei Chen stood in Elder Mo Tian's pavilion, the three jade fragments hidden in his tunic, their combined qi anchoring his new Early Foundation Realm cultivation. The breakthrough in the vault had steadied his meridians, but the glow leaking through his tunic drew eyes—especially Mo Tian's, whose Nascent Soul aura pressed like a mountain, heavy with suspicion. The pavilion's jade lanterns cast flickering shadows, their light mingling with the scent of sandalwood, creating an air thick with secrets.
Lin Xiyue stood beside Wei Chen, her sword sheathed but her fingers twitching, ready to draw. Her crimson ribbon caught the lantern light, and her grin was defiant, a silent challenge to the elder's scrutiny. "You look like you're planning to dissect him, Elder," she said, her tone bold but playful. "Ease up—he's not the enemy." Her hand brushed Wei Chen's, a fleeting warmth that steadied his racing heart.
Su Meilin stood by a window, her white robes glowing faintly, her jade fan closed. Her moonstone eyes met Wei Chen's, calm but piercing, and the fragments pulsed, as if resonating with her celestial blood. "The tablet is tied to the Celestial War, Elder," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Its fragments are keys to a sealed realm. Wei Chen is its guardian, whether he wishes it or not." Her words carried a weight that made the fragments burn hotter, and Wei Chen wondered again what secrets she held.
Mo Tian's scowl deepened, his silver-streaked beard framing a face carved with distrust. "You've brought chaos to my sect, Wei Chen," he said, his voice like grinding stone. "Sabotaged arrays, demonic assassins, and a celestial relic that draws trouble like moths to flame. Speak the truth, or I'll rip it from your soul."
Wei Chen's heart pounded, but he forced a grin, his sarcasm a shield. "Elder, I'm just a humble disciple trying to survive. The tablet's a family heirloom—bit more trouble than I expected, I'll admit. Maybe my ancestors thought I needed some excitement." The fragments burned, urging honesty, but the Jade Sovereign's instincts screamed caution. Trusting a Nascent Soul cultivator was a gamble, especially with Wei Liang's demonic taint and the Abyss Cult's shadow looming.
Lin Xiyue snorted, stepping closer. "He's not lying, Elder. Those assassins were after the tablet, not him. Maybe ask why your sect's crawling with demonic qi? Seems like a bigger problem than a scholar with a shiny rock." Her tone was defiant, her grin fierce, but her hand lingered on Wei Chen's arm, a warmth that made his pulse skip. Her loyalty, sharp as her sword, was a comfort he hadn't expected.
Su Meilin's fan flicked open, her voice softer but resolute. "The Abyss Cult seeks the fragments to unlock the sealed realm, Elder. Wei Chen's qi resonates with them—he's the key to stopping them." Her eyes met Wei Chen's, a silent promise of trust, and the fragments pulsed, as if agreeing.
Mo Tian's gaze softened, but only slightly, his aura still crushing. "A guardian, you say? Then prove it, Wei Chen. The tournament resumes tomorrow. Win, and I'll train you myself, unlocking the Jade Sovereign Arts in our archives. Fail, and the tablet—and your secrets—become the sect's." His eyes flicked to Lin Xiyue and Su Meilin. "You two, keep him alive. I sense a storm brewing beyond demonic qi—celestial forces are watching."
As they left the pavilion, the morning sun bathed the sect in jade light, but the fragments' pulse felt like a storm gathering. Lin Xiyue nudged Wei Chen, her grin returning. "You're in deep now, scholar. Better not lose, or I'll never let you live it down. Got any more fancy moves up your sleeve?" Her teasing was light, but her hand lingered on his arm, her eyes holding a spark of affection that made his chest tighten.
Su Meilin's fan closed with a snap, her voice a whisper as she walked beside him. "We'll find the truth together, Wei Chen. But beware—Lian Xue's shadow is closer than you think. The cult may have allies within the sect." Her hand brushed his, fleeting but warm, and the fragments flared, as if sensing her celestial blood.
Wei Chen nodded, the betrayer's name a bitter weight on his heart. The tournament was his next battle, but the real war was with his past—Lian Xue's betrayal, the Abyss Cult's reach, and the fragments' power that could reshape the Tianxu Realm. As they headed toward the training grounds, the sect's spires loomed like silent judges, their jade tips piercing the sky. Wei Chen felt the weight of his allies' trust—Lin Xiyue's fiery loyalty, Su Meilin's quiet resolve—and the destiny he couldn't escape. The fragments pulsed, a call to power and peril, and he knew the path ahead would test them all.