The first light of dawn brushed the peaks of Jade Sword Mountain Range, casting long shadows across the Heavenly Sword Sect. The wind carried the scent of sharp earth and newly awakened Sword Qi, intertwining with the lingering trace of Tian Jian's will.
Zhou Yu stood atop the Sect's central courtyard, the broken jade blade in hand, overseeing the morning drills of his disciples. Each strike, each step, resonated with the energy of the revitalized Sword Veins. The disciples' forms were still rough, but determination shone in every motion.
A sudden, unnatural tremor ran through the mountain.
Ling's ears twitched. He growled low in his throat, body coiling with tension. The silver wolf's fur bristled as sharp arcs of Sword Qi formed along his spine. Liang Chen, adjusting his stance mid-drill, froze, sensing the surge. Even the distant Sword Veins pulsed unnaturally.
From the Eastern horizon—a dark, twisted cloud rolled forward, moving too fast to be a natural storm. It radiated a thick, oppressive aura that clawed at the air itself. Birds scattered in panic; the ground vibrated.
Zhou Yu's eyes narrowed. "It's here."
The disciples stopped mid-motion, weapons halting in midair. Su Mei's lips parted, Fang Lian's fingers tightened reflexively, Han Xiang clutched his array plates like life rafts.
Ling barked sharply and stepped in front of Zhou Yu, growling low, a protective silver aura enveloping him.
The dark cloud tore across the sky, parting like a living entity. Then, with a bone-rattling crash, it struck the outer courtyard. Stone cracked under the impact. Trees snapped like twigs, and a gust of wind carrying demonic stench swept the area.
From the center of the storm emerged the figure:
A massive beast standing upright, easily three times the height of a man. Its muscular frame was covered in jagged black scales, each glinting like obsidian under the sun. Twin crimson eyes burned with intelligence and malice. Jagged horns spiraled from its forehead, and its massive tail lashed with lethal force, shaking the ground with every swing. Clawed feet tore into the stone, leaving deep gouges.
A low, rumbling growl vibrated through the air. Zhou Yu's dantian reacted instinctively; silver Sword Qi flared, forming faint arcs around his arms. The disciples flinched.
Liang Chen whispered, almost inaudibly: "Is… is that a Primordial Bloodline beast?"
Zhou Yu's jaw tightened. "Yes. One of the rarest kinds—a demonic envoy sent to test us… or intimidate us."
The beast's eyes scanned the sect, focusing directly on Zhou Yu. Its voice, deep and guttural, rolled out across the courtyard.
"Heavenly Sword Sect… your resurgence has been noted."
Even the disciples flinched. The voice was not merely sound—it was weight, pressing down on them physically.
"Know this," the beast continued, claws scraping stone, "we come not to negotiate… but to observe. The Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect has rules. You are an anomaly. If you provoke them, your death will be swift."
Zhou Yu stepped forward. His voice rang out, calm and sharp.
"We are no longer an anomaly. We are the Heavenly Sword Sect, awakened and strengthened by the Primordial Sword Saint's will."
The beast tilted its head, crimson eyes narrowing. It growled, a vibration so low that even Ling crouched defensively.
"Impressive," it said slowly, claws digging deeper into the stone. "But impressive does not equal survival."
Feng Lian whispered to Su Mei: "Master… it's… it's stronger than anything we've faced…"
Su Mei nodded, eyes wide. "Even the Silver Core cultivators we trained against last month would be crushed instantly."
Zhou Yu did not flinch. He studied the beast, analyzing its posture, the flow of its qi, and the primal rhythm of its aura. His silver Sword Qi flickered at his fingertips, responding instinctively to the predator's movements.
Ling's low growl grew louder. His tail bristled, arcs of silver lightning crawling along his fur.
The beast chuckled, a terrifying, guttural sound.
"Your beast is… bold."
It leapt forward in a blur, not yet attacking, but moving with enough speed to tear through three disciples in a heartbeat. Ling reacted instantly, howling and leaping to intercept. The wolf's silver aura collided with the beast's shadowy energy, producing a violent shockwave that shattered stone and twisted the courtyard trees.
Zhou Yu's eyes glowed silver. He released his Sword Qi, forming a series of ethereal, thin blades that sliced through the air like streams of light. Each blade met the demonic aura of the beast, clashing with sparks that illuminated the courtyard like lightning storms.
Ling lunged repeatedly, dodging strikes that could fell mountains. Every time the beast swung, Ling responded with bursts of silver electricity, fangs bared, claws tearing through the shadows. His movements were precise, perfectly synchronized with Zhou Yu's Sword Qi, even though they were not yet fully in resonance.
Liang Chen watched from the side, jaw clenched, heart hammering. "I… I've never seen Ling move like that… Master, the beast is… terrifying."
Zhou Yu nodded, silently correcting Ling's movements with subtle Sword Qi waves that pulsed through the air like invisible hands.
The beast roared and raised its claw, sending a destructive shockwave at Ling. The wolf braced, silver energy flaring across his body. He took the blow, wings of Sword Qi slicing through the attack, and the force sent him rolling several meters across the courtyard.
Su Mei gasped. "Ling… he's amazing…"
Feng Lian whispered: "He's barely scratched by that strike…"
But Zhou Yu's expression remained calm. He knew this was not about defeating the beast yet—it was a test, a warning, and a lesson.
The beast fixed its gaze on Zhou Yu, sensing the difference in power. With a sudden, terrifying roar, it charged, faster than any mortal or cultivator could perceive. The ground cracked beneath its claws.
Zhou Yu's silver Sword Qi flared around him, forming a blade-shaped aura that split the air as he leapt forward.
Silver trails streaked across the courtyard as sword energy clashed with primal demonic power.
Each strike sent shockwaves through the mountain. Trees splintered. Stones shattered. Sword Qi and demonic aura collided in brilliant bursts of light and shadow.
The disciples watched, frozen in awe. Even Han Xiang's face turned pale as he struggled to keep the formation plates from shaking violently.
Zhou Yu moved with precise, almost surgical accuracy. Every movement was calculated, flowing naturally from the Sword Saint's inheritance. His silver aura surged, forming multiple ghost-like sword projections that struck at the beast from every angle.
The beast roared, staggering slightly, claws slashing through the projections—but Zhou Yu's Sword Qi adapted instantly, slicing the air, leaving faint trails of silver that cut across the beast's shadows, drawing blood.
Liang Chen's eyes widened. "Master… he… he actually wounded it…"
Zhou Yu's expression was unreadable. He extended a hand, sending a pulse of Sword Qi that forced the beast back a few steps.
Ling leaped forward again, connecting in a synchronized strike with Zhou Yu's energy. The wolf and Zhou Yu moved as one—two bodies, one intent. The shockwave was enough to dent stone, leaving a deep scar in the courtyard.
The beast's eyes narrowed in alarm. It snarled and recoiled, giving them space. It realized that Zhou Yu was no ordinary cultivator—he was something else entirely.
The beast straightened, chest heaving. It retracted slightly, circling the courtyard like a predator reassessing its prey. Then, in a voice that shook the air itself, it spoke:
"You… are far stronger than the Scarlet Moon expected. Their interest is piqued. One month. One month before their envoy comes. Prepare yourselves. Fail, and the destruction will be absolute."
Zhou Yu's eyes never left the beast.
"We will not fail," he said calmly.
The beast snorted, a mixture of respect and threat. "Bold words… for mortals."
Then, with a sudden leap, it vanished in a swirl of shadow and wind, leaving the courtyard in silence.
The disciples looked around, stunned. The only sound was Ling's low growl, still alert.
Zhou Yu lowered his hand and turned to his disciples. His eyes were calm, yet burning with determination.
"This was only a warning," he said. "The Scarlet Moon Demonic Sect is aware of us. They know we are rebuilding—and now they know we are dangerous."
Feng Lian swallowed. "Master… it… it's only a matter of time before they attack."
Su Mei nodded. "And that… beast… it's stronger than anyone we've faced. What happens when their main force comes?"
Zhou Yu's eyes gleamed silver. "Then we will be ready. This… is why we train. This… is why the Heavenly Sword Sect exists."
Ling barked, leaping onto a high rock, silver fur glinting in the morning sun.
And somewhere in the horizon, the shadows of the Eastern Sky Continent seemed to tremble.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had truly awakened—and the first test of its rebirth had been survived.
But the real battle was yet to come.