BOOOOOOM—!
Transmission talismans ignited across the night sky like falling stars, streaking above the towering peaks of the Flowing Cloud Sect.
The sect was in uproar.
From outer courtyards to inner sanctums, alarms rang in overlapping waves as a single message echoed through every spiritual channel:
—Elder Liu is dead.
—Four Enforcement Elders slaughtered.
—The culprit: an outer disciple.
At the heart of the sect, Cloudheart Palace blazed with radiance.
This grand hall—capable of housing ten thousand cultivators—filled within minutes. Elders descended on sword light, peak masters tore through clouds, core disciples gathered in dense ranks, their expressions a mix of disbelief, anger, and fear.
At the highest seat sat Sect Master Yun Tianhao.
White jade throne. Silver robes like flowing clouds.
A late Nascent Soul cultivator whose presence alone weighed like an ocean.
His eyes were closed.
Yet no one dared speak above a whisper.
A single thread of spiritual pressure radiated from him, suppressing the chaos like an unseen hand around the throat.
Below, arguments erupted anyway—strained, frantic.
"This is outright rebellion!"
"An outer disciple killing elders—unprecedented!"
"There's proof Elder Liu acted first!"
"Proof or not, the sect's face has been trampled!"
BANG!
Grand Elder Mo, overseer of punishments, slammed his black iron staff into the floor. Shockwaves rippled through the hall.
"Enough!" he thundered. "The culprit will be judged here. When he is brought—"
His words froze.
The massive hall doors creaked open.
CREEEEAK—
No prisoner was dragged in chains.
No escort announced their arrival.
Instead—
Two figures walked in unhurriedly.
The first wore simple black robes, clean but unadorned—an outer disciple's uniform. His steps were calm, measured, yet every footfall pressed against the hall like an invisible drumbeat.
Ling Xiao.
His aura was restrained… yet vast. Like a dragon sleeping beneath calm seas.
Beside him walked Bai Xue.
White robes immaculate. Silver hair cascading like moonlit frost. Her Frostmoon Blade rested quietly at her waist, but the air around her shimmered with suppressed cold.
The moment she entered—
HSSSS—
Breath turned white. Temperature plummeted.
The hall fell into deathly silence.
Sect Master Yun Tianhao opened his eyes.
His divine sense swept over Ling Xiao—
—and stalled.
Peak Core Formation.
No… worse.
A golden core engraved with dragon runes, suffused with Asura killing intent, supported by a physique so tyrannical it resisted even Nascent Soul pressure.
His pupils shrank.
"…Who are you?" Yun Tianhao asked, voice echoing like thunder behind clouds.
Ling Xiao stopped at the center of the hall, hands clasped behind his back.
Bai Xue stood half a step behind him.
Alliance. Clear. Unmistakable.
"I am Ling Xiao," he said evenly.
"Outer disciple. Badge number 7842."
Murmurs rippled.
"Three days ago," Ling Xiao continued, voice steady, "Zhao Hu and six others attempted to murder me by casting me into the Forbidden Abyss."
A sharp intake of breath spread through the hall.
"I survived. I returned. Tonight, Elder Liu attempted to silence me permanently."
He flicked his wrist.
CLATTER—!
A storage pouch landed before the elders.
"Inside," Ling Xiao said calmly, "are Zhao Hu's jade slip recordings of the crime. Elder Liu's transmission orders for my execution. And the spatial rings of the four Enforcement Elders who assisted him."
Grand Elder Mo stepped forward, divine sense probing.
His expression darkened.
Second by second.
"…All of it," he said hoarsely, "is true."
BOOM—!
The hall exploded.
"Enforcement Hall corruption!"
"Elder Liu abused his authority!"
"But he killed elders—how can that be tolerated?!"
Sect Master Yun Tianhao raised a hand.
Silence fell instantly.
"You possess extraordinary power," he said slowly. "But killing elders is a capital crime. Even with evidence, the sect cannot appear weak."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly.
"Then let the sect appear just."
A pause.
"Conduct a public trial," Ling Xiao said. "Under the Truth Mirror."
A ripple of shock surged through the hall.
The Truth Mirror—an ancient artifact that exposed lies through spiritual reflection.
Even Nascent Soul cultivators feared it.
Yun Tianhao's eyes sharpened. "You would submit yourself?"
"I insist."
Before the sect master could respond—
A figure strode forward arrogantly.
Li Feng.
Early Nascent Soul. Heaven-grade spirit roots. The pride of the Flowing Cloud Sect.
"Sect Master!" Li Feng scoffed. "This trash orphan dares challenge authority? Let me subdue him first. Trial later."
Many nodded eagerly.
They wanted blood.
Bai Xue's voice cut through the noise like falling ice.
"Anyone who touches him," she said coldly, "answers to Frost Moon Peak."
Li Feng sneered. "Senior Sister Bai, you defend a murderer?"
"I defend truth," she replied. "And prophecy."
Yun Tianhao's gaze flickered between them.
"…Very well," he said. "Trial by combat."
His voice hardened.
"Ling Xiao. Defeat three core disciples of your choosing. No killing. If you succeed, the Truth Mirror trial proceeds. If you fail—death."
Ling Xiao's eyes gleamed.
"I choose one."
The hall buzzed.
"…Who?"
Ling Xiao lifted a finger.
Pointed straight at Li Feng.
Silence.
Then laughter.
"Peak Core Formation challenging early Nascent Soul?"
"Madness!"
Li Feng grinned savagely. "Granted."
The hall parted as arrays activated.
HUMMMMM—
A vast battle circle shimmered into existence.
Li Feng stepped in first, golden sword manifesting in his hand.
Flowing Cloud Sword Intent erupted.
"Arrogant trash," he roared. "Kneel!"
Sword light cascaded like a river of stars.
Ling Xiao stepped forward.
No weapon.
Azure scales shimmered across his skin.
Crimson Asura runes ignited.
He raised one hand.
BOOOOOOM—!
Dragon Suppression Domain.
Invisible pressure crashed down like a mountain.
Li Feng's sword intent shattered mid-strike.
THUD—!
He was forced to one knee.
"…What?!" gasps erupted.
Li Feng roared, Nascent Soul power surging as he broke free and thrust forward—
Ling Xiao caught the blade.
Between two fingers.
CRACK—!
The spirit sword shattered.
A phantom Asura claw flashed.
BAM—!
Li Feng was hurled backward, slamming into the array barrier. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his meridians severed in a single blow.
Crippled.
Alive.
The hall was silent enough to hear hearts pounding.
One move.
Yun Tianhao stood.
"…Enough."
The Truth Mirror rose, bronze and ancient, radiating impartial light.
Ling Xiao stepped beneath it without hesitation.
He spoke.
Everything.
The mirror remained pure white.
Truth.
When Elder Liu's allies tried to twist the narrative—
FLASH—!
Red light.
Lies exposed.
By the end—
The Enforcement Hall was disbanded.
Three elders were detained on the spot.
Yun Tianhao looked directly at Ling Xiao.
"Your grievances are valid. Name your compensation."
Ling Xiao's voice rang through the hall.
"First—promote me to core disciple.
Second—grant me independent peak rights. Blackwind Mountain will be mine.
Third—all resources hoarded by Elder Liu belong to me."
He paused.
Then glanced at Bai Xue.
"Fourth—Senior Sister Bai Xue will assist my cultivation, without restriction."
A faint flush colored her cheeks.
She nodded.
Yun Tianhao exhaled slowly.
"…Granted. Additionally, choose one high-grade spirit treasure from the treasury."
Ling Xiao inclined his head. "Accepted."
As they turned to leave—
Ling Xiao paused.
"One more thing, Sect Master."
His voice carried a subtle dragon roar.
"Tell the heavens—
the Dragonfall heir has returned."
A wave of supreme bloodline pressure swept the hall.
THUD—!
Lower disciples fell to their knees.
Yun Tianhao's expression finally changed.
Shock.
Then deep contemplation.
Outside, beneath the stars, Bai Xue walked beside Ling Xiao.
"You revealed too much," she said softly.
He smiled.
"Fear," he replied, eyes glowing crimson-azure, "is the first step to vengeance."
She looked at him—frost melting just a little.
"Then I will walk that step with you."
High above, Qinglong's spirit laughed.
Excellent, heir. A sect bends already.
Next—the true enemies awaken.
In the distance, Blackwind Mountain loomed.
Their domain.