The night was shattered by a blinding pillar of light erupting from the distant mountains.
Qi roared through the air; it was heavy and oppressive, and the light was so bright it looked like day.
"So that's how they plan to gather everyone at the Plum Blossom ruins…"
Lian narrowed his eyes.
"With a light this bright and Qi this dense,anyone would be drawn to it."
They ran without pause, ascending a tall mountain, and endless stone steps were carved onto the mountain. Along the way, the remnants of ancient temples, collapsed halls, broken altars, and statues eroded by time were scattered everywhere.
"We're almost there," Momo said quietly, glancing at the map.
"Once we pass the Sword Saint statue, we'll reach the site."
"Stop."
Lian's voice came out sharp and hoarse.
They halted instantly, turning toward him.
"There's an ambush ahead," he pointed beyond the statue.
"Five people."
"Oh? Already?"
Shéyǎn's lips curved upward.
"As expected. The older participants must have capable people among them. Well, they did survive until now, ha."
He turned to Momo.
"What do you think? Is there another route?"
Momo didn't answer immediately. She was already moving, stepping lightly off the stairs.
"Yes," she said, pointing to the mountain's side.
"There's an old training path the disciples used. It runs along the cliff."
They followed her, slipping away from the main road. Hidden among jagged stones was a narrow opening in the mountain wall.
Momo brushed aside debris and pried it open.
"This should be it."
They stepped inside.
Darkness swallowed them whole.
The passage was pitch black. The tunnel had been crudely carved, just wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Every footstep echoed softly as they passed statues of an old, angry demon that were lined against one wall.
Moments later, they emerged on the other side of the mountain.
The very first thing they heard was screaming, desperate cries echoing through the night.
"No! No...please! Why are you doing this?! We'll give you the robes—please, please…!"
Lian immediately extended his Qi further.
An image formed in his mind.
A group that had laid an ambush had managed to capture ten newcomers, people who had entered alongside Lian earlier. Their vision stolen, they were cut down one by one with single, precise strikes.
"They're caught in some kind of blinding formation," Lian said quietly. "They didn't even get the chance to fight back."
Momo's eyes widened as she stepped closer to him, curiosity sparkling within them.
"Ohhh… you can see all of that from here?" she asked. "How are you doing that?"
"I don't know," Lian replied, brushing her off. "I just… can."
He turned away and leapt out of the tunnel.
"That ability of his is truly incredible," Shéyǎn murmured as he followed behind. "But I wonder… can he sense me as well?"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"And Momo…" he continued inwardly. "If he ever senses her fully… that would be far too dangerous. And if it comes to that, I might have to kill him."
"Brother Shéyǎn," Momo said lightly as she jumped out of the tunnel, glancing back at him.
"You haven't been acting like yourself lately, you know."
"Huu…" Shéyǎn exhaled sharply.
"Damn it. This art is far too corrupting, filling my heart with murderous thoughts." His fists clenched.
"If it's affecting me badly, then for Momo, whose constitution is far more unique, it must be even worse."
His expression darkened with realisation.
"No wonder she went on a rampage back then…"
He landed beside them, eyes sharpening with resolve.
"I need to get stronger," Shéyǎn thought.
"And I need to find a way to remove these side effects—for her sake."
Ahead of them stood the broken gates,
The Plum Blossom Sect.
Stepping outside, a powerful wave of Qi washed over them—far denser than anything they had experienced so far.
Still hidden, they caught sight of Shinto-like gates in the distance, wrapped in a heavy blue light that swirled slowly around them like a current. In front of the gates stood a group of people who appeared to be guarding the area. Most of them carried swords, their stances disciplined and alert.
"Brother Kang, how long will it take for the gate to open?"
A woman seated near the gate spoke calmly.
Lian's eyes narrowed.
He recognised her.
Huǒ Yànhuā.
She looked slightly different from the last time he had seen her—more restrained, more guarded—but the moment his gaze settled on her, his Frost Qi stirred faintly in response.
"What is she doing here…?" Lian thought.
"Was she caught as well?"
He remained silent, continuing to observe from a distance.
"Ah, Sister Huǒ," a man replied with a practised smile.
"Just a few more hours. When the gate turns orange, the teleportation portal will be fully prepared."
"Would you like to—"
"Oh, I see," Huǒ Yànhuā said flatly, cutting him off before he could finish. She turned away without another word.
"Hahaha!"
"Brother Kang, she didn't even give you face!"
The young men nearby burst into laughter.
Kang's smile stiffened, but he soon laughed along.
"Hahaha, don't worry," he said confidently, turning away from her.
"She'll be mine soon enough. Just wait—you'll see."
But inwardly, his expression twisted.
"That bitch…" Kang thought darkly.
"So ungrateful."
His eyes burned with possessive malice.
"Once we enter the ruins this time… I'll make her obedient."
"Two more groups are approaching," Lian Xing said.
"They're much larger this time—around fifty people in each group."
Shéyǎn narrowed his eyes, following Lian's gaze.
"Mmm… it seems Yue Xing is among them as well," he said calmly.
"Well then—this is about to get interesting."
"That's perfect," Shéyǎn continued, his eyes locked onto the array gate.
"When they're busy confronting each other, we'll seize the opportunity to slip through."
"Agreed," Lian replied.
He spread his Will Qi, extending it carefully toward the gate, probing the structure of the array as his consciousness brushed against its surface.