As golden light settled across the city, City Lord Jun Ji stepped forward at the plaza gates, his long robes fluttering in the wind. His eyes swept over us—those who had returned from the Wind Cloud Special Cultivation Grounds.
"So, you all made it back," he said calmly, but there was pride hidden beneath his tone.
I bowed slightly. "Yes, City Lord."
Feng Xuan added with a nod, "We are back."
Mu Lingyao crossed her arms and gave a simple, "Yes."
Jun Ji smiled faintly. "Then let us proceed to the banquet. It's a celebration, after all."
We answered in unison, "Yes, City Lord."
Following him, we entered the grand City Lord's Mansion, already ablaze with lantern light and lively music. The main hall was filled with cultivators—those who had survived the competition. The moment we arrived, all eyes turned to us.
We had become the stars of the night.
The banquet was lavish—tables filled with exotic dishes, heavenly fruits, and wine aged for fifty years. Laughter rang out, and glasses clinked beneath a sky filled with lanterns. We drank, we shared stories of narrow escapes and hard-won breakthroughs, and for a night, the competition's edge dulled beneath the warmth of camaraderie.
Midnight came. The celebration wound down, and I quietly slipped away to an inn, booked a room, and collapsed onto the soft bed. Sleep claimed me almost instantly.
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight spilled through the paper window. I stretched, got dressed, and stepped out into the fresh morning air—just in time to see Feng Xuan in flight preparation, sword beneath his feet.
"Hey, Feng Xuan! Leaving already?" I called out.
He paused mid-hover. "Yeah. Why, you wanna come?"
I snorted. "What? No, just asking where you're headed."
"Blade Sect," he said simply.
"Ohh… So, you really are from Blade Sect."
Feng Xuan nodded. "Obviously."
I smirked. "Hey… On second thought, maybe I will come with you."
"Huh? Why?"
"Come on, aren't we friends? It'll be fun."
He rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine. Let's go."
We mounted our swords and soared into the sky. The world below became a blur of green forests and blue rivers. But not long into our journey, I sensed something.
"Hey, you feel that? Someone's following us," I said.
Feng Xuan didn't even turn his head. "Yeah. I noticed. Keep going—I've got a plan."
Suddenly, Feng Xuan vanished from sight, using an advanced agility technique. Moments later, a shout came from behind.
"Haha! Caught you—Huh?! Mu Lingyao?"
Feng Xuan held her by the arm as she struggled awkwardly.
"Hey! Let go! I… I just wanted to come along…" she muttered.
Feng Xuan blinked and released her. "You followed us just to tag along?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You could've just asked."
Mu Lingyao looked away, cheeks flushed. "It's embarrassing…"
I laughed. "Haha! Well, what do we do now, Feng Xuan? Take her or leave her?"
Feng Xuan sighed. "She's already here. Let's go."
Mu Lingyao smiled brightly. "Thank you! Hehee!"
Together, we continued our flight—now three blades streaking across the sky toward Blade Sect.
I turned to her. "Hey, Mu Lingyao, what sect are you from again?"
"Flower Valley Sect, from the Southern Continent."
I blinked. "Seriously? But you're not wearing sect robes."
"I'm here unofficially," she said. "Trying to improve my cultivation on my own."
I tilted my head. "Do you know Yun'er from your sect?"
Mu Lingyao looked puzzled. "Yun'er? Doesn't ring a bell…"
Feng Xuan, who had been silent, only nodded once.
"Oh, sorry," I said quickly. "Her full name is Yun Sha."
Mu Lingyao gasped. "Wait! Senior Yun Sha?! How do you know her?"
I scratched my cheek. "Ah… it's a long story."
Mu Lingyao squinted at me suspiciously. "Wait a second. Are you that guy? The one who came to our sect and left Senior Yun behind?"
I laughed awkwardly. "Uhh… I think so?"
Her mouth dropped. "What?!"