Inside the Phoenix Crest City was boiling with life.
Colorful lanterns lined the rooftops, merchants shouted over one another, and waves of cultivators from distant kingdoms surged through the streets like a living tide. Inns were overflowing, restaurants were packed, and vendors sold talismans, spirit snacks, and imitation Azure Spirit Sword Sect Dress.
All because of one reason.
The Azure Spirit Sword Sect's disciple recruitment trial.
Laughter echoed, spiritual beasts growled in the streets, and banners fluttered proudly in the wind. For the first time in decades, Phoenix Crest City felt like the center of the entire region.
Amid this lively chaos, a breathtaking figure walked calmly through the crowd.
White hair like moonlit snow. Eyes as red as rubies.
A cold, mesmerizing beauty that made hearts skip.
Yue.
She stopped random bystanders, asking direct questions.
"Do you know the exact arrival time of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect?"
"Did anyone from the Sect appear yet?"
But.
Every mortal she approached froze mid-word. Their mouths hung open. Their cheeks flushed. Their brains simply… stopped.
"Ah… uhh… your eyes… so pretty…"
"White hair… goddess… marry me—"
Yue's expression darkened with irritation.
"Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless. These mortals can't even answer a single simple question." Yue thought to herself
She clicked her tongue and turned away, more annoyed by each passing second.
Then—
A fluctuation.
A presence.
Someone was following her.
Her ruby eyes narrowed slightly.
A smirk curled on her lips.
"Perfect timing," she whispered.
...
Deep within Phoenix Crest City was a secluded compound, quiet, shadowed, guarded by layers of hidden formations.
This was the temporary residence of Elder Yi, a neutral but influential figure of the Phoenix Crest Council.
Inside the compound, masked guards knelt before him.
"Elder Yi," one guard said, voice solemn. "We found the woman you described. White hair, red eyes. My men are tailing her as we speak."
Elder Yi stood from his seat, eyes flashing with urgency.
"Where is she now?"
"In an alleyway to the north, Elder."
"Good. Lead the way."
The group moved quickly through the winding backstreets.
But when they arrived.
Elder Yi expression tightened.
Ten elite members of the Shadow Intel Corps lay sprawled across the ground, unconscious, bodies twitching, weapons broken, expressions pale with fear even as they slept.
"…She defeated all of them?" Elder Yi muttered, stunned.
He waved his hand.
"Take them back and treat their injuries. Once they awake, ask them what exactly happened."
"Yes, Elder Yi!" the guard replied immediately.
...
The bamboo forest was peaceful at midday. Sunlight filtered through tall stalks, painting shifting patterns on the grass. A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh bamboo and mountain qi.
Here, Lin Xuan and Liu Xin sat cross-legged.
Liu Xin frowned deeply.
"Master… I cannot comprehend the Heaven-Piercing Void Slash. No matter how much I try, I can't grasp its essence."
Lin Xuan stroked his chin.
"If that's the case… We'll use the Void Domain."
Before Liu Xin could question it.
A graceful figure materialized behind them.
"Master," Yue said sweetly, a bright smile on her face, "I brought good news."
Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Well? You look happy. What news?"
But Yue paused.
Her gaze landed on the Brown-haired young man sitting cross-legged beside Lin Xuan.
Her eyes widened.
"Master… who is that handsome young man?"
Lin Xuan replied lightly, "Liu Xin."
There was silence.
Then—
"LIU XIN?! That brat?!" Yue's jaw dropped. Her expression twisted into shock and disbelief. "How—when—what happened to him?!"
Liu Xin awkwardly bowed. "Lady Yue…"
Yue grabbed Lin Xuan's sleeve.
"Master, he really changed! I almost didn't recognize him!"
Lin Xuan casually waved her concerns away.
"He spent a thousand years inside the Void Domain. Of course he changed."
After calming down, Yue straightened her posture and reported.
"Master, the Azure Spirit Sword Sect will arrive in three days. Phoenix Crest City is extremely lively, all major clans and cultivators are gathering to witness the recruitment trial."
Lin Xuan nodded. "Good. We will wait here."
He then looked at Liu Xin.
"As for you, train the technique I gave you. You must master it before the trial."
Then his eyes glinted mischievously.
"Yue. Activate the Void Domain."
Liu Xin froze.
Lin Xuan continued calmly,
"And activate the Torture Mechanism."
"WHAT?!" Liu Xin shouted as his face darkened.
Before he could react. He was already sucked into the Void Domain.
A silent scream echoed.
Yue turned pale and glared at Lin Xuan.
"MASTER! What did you do?! Look at his face before he disappeared! He looked like someone who accepted death! Why would you say those words?!"
Lin Xuan raised both hands defensively.
"Let me explain! Let me explain!"
"Explain yourself!" Yue puffed her cheeks, glaring angrily.
Lin Xuan coughed. "It's… to strengthen his mental strength because—"
He paused.
A long, suspicious pause.
Yue narrowed her eyes.
Lin Xuan quickly nodded. "Yes. Mental strength. Exactly that."
Yue's expression turned disgusted.
"Master… are you trying to turn him into a fool before sending him to the trial? If he loses his mind, your excitement will be ruined."
Lin Xuan blinked.
She was right.
He widened his eyes dramatically. "Yue, you're right!"
He raised a hand.
"I take it back! No Torture Mechanism!"
Yue stared at him suspiciously.
"…Do you actually mean it?"
Lin Xuan avoided eye contact.
Before Yue could interrogate further, she added.
"By the way, Master. Young Master Yuwei of the Han Family is plotting something against us. And against Liu Xin too."
Lin Xuan eyes darkened instantly.
"Oh? He dares to plot against us?"
A cold, thrilled smile spread across his face.
"Perfect."
"Then I'll use him as a stepping stone… for my protagonist."
...
Miles away from Phoenix Crest City, the sky split open as a massive flying vessel emerged.
A colossal divine-gold ark, thousands of meters long, inscribed with ancient azure runes.
The Heavenly Ark, flagship of the Azure Spirit Sword Sect.
Inside, in a grand meeting hall, three Outer Elders sat around a long table.
They were currently arguing.
"I will pick all the geniuses," Elder One declared proudly. "I am the oldest, so I get first choice!"
"You greedy old geezer!" Elder Two snapped. "You want to hog all the talent again?!"
"Both of you, calm—" Elder Three tried to say.
Too late.
The two elders were already inches from punching each other.
Then—
A deep, commanding voice echoed.
"Enough."
Silence.
The elders who are arguing with each other they stop immediately.
From the shadows walked a young-looking man or rather, a figure with the face and body of a delicate, beautiful girl. But the aura he radiated…
Ancient. Oppressive. Boundless.
Sect Master Xingjin.
Despite his delicate, almost feminine appearance, he carried an authority so terrifying that even the Inner Elders bowed instantly when they saw him. His beauty only made it worse, no one dared look directly at him for too long, afraid they might be accused of disrespect… or seduction.
The three elders bent at the waist immediately, hands trembling, knees wobbling like they might give out at any moment.
One elder, braver or perhaps more foolish, spoke up.
"S-Sect Master Xingjin… w-why did you accompany us personally?"
Dead silence.
Then, Xingjin reply "Is there a problem?"
The other two elders whipped their heads toward him as if he had just swallowed a sacred relic. Their eyes were wide, mouths slightly open, and beads of sweat trickled down their foreheads.
"You idiot…"
"Why would you ask that…?!"
The elder who spoke scrambled, dropping to his knees with a thud. "I-I apologize for my insolence!"
Sect Master Xingjin blinked, genuinely confused.
Why are they acting like I just cursed the heavens? I just asked a question…
He sighed inwardly.
Back at the sect, I'm buried under mountains of paperwork while these old fossils sip tea and gossip all day… Damn you, Master. Why did you pass the Sect Master position to ME before ascending? You should've given it to your advisor or anyone else!
He pressed his fingers to his forehead, trying to calm the twitching in his eye.
And this face… he thought bitterly. Every time I enter a room, someone faints. Every time I try to look serious, they tremble. I swear, I'm a Sect Master, not a courtesan. Heaven, why did you curse me with this appearance? I just want to look intimidating without causing mass panic!
His eyes darted subtly at the three elders.
Look at them. Shaking. Hands trembling. One of them almost swallowed his tongue. And all because of my face! My face!
He clenched his fists.
I swear… I'm finding a disciple to replace me. I want to retire. Hide in some mountain cave and eat instant noodles in peace…
But outwardly.
He maintained an air of calm elegance, expression flawless, robes billowing lightly in the wind, aura radiating authority.
The elders shivered harder. Their knees threatened to collapse entirely.
One whispered to another, "D-do you think Sect Master Xingjin is… angry?"
"Impossible… he always looks like this… and yet… I feel like I'm about to die."
Sect Master Xingjin's inner thoughts darkened.
You think this is scary? This is my resting face. Imagine when I'm truly angry… Or worse, when I try to smile…
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
I should seriously consider appointing a disciple soon. Preferably one ugly enough to absorb all the fear I naturally radiate. Maybe then… maybe then I can retire in peace.
He exhaled softly, straightened his posture, and gave the faintest tilt of his head.
The three elders trembling intensified. One actually groaned, "Please… don't look at me like that…"
Sect Master Xingjin blinked.
Seriously, why are they all like this? I just asked a question…