I atoned for a belated missive, for the twin stars of my lineage – my father and my father-in-law – had claimed my time and devotion during the hallowed days. Forgive my tardiness.

—

The assembled disciples of the Xuandao Sect cast furtive glances amongst themselves, each secretly measuring their own mettle against their brethren. Of particular interest were those clad in black, their Qi having coalesced to the sixth level. Beyond them, the undeniably comely Wang Zhuojun, though only at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, nevertheless drew the Xuandao Sect’s keenest scrutiny, their features etched in memory.

As for Wang Lin, a mere neophyte struggling at the third level, he was deemed unworthy of consideration, a mote of dust lost in the grand tapestry of cultivation.

Save for a fleeting glance from the fair Liu Mei, none held him in their gaze.

Even as the elders of the two sects exchanged pleasantries, their eyes danced across the ranks, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their respective charges. The three venerable patriarchs of the Xuandao Sect grew increasingly emboldened with each passing moment. Surely, they whispered amongst themselves, if these were the best the Hengyue Sect could muster, victory was assured.

Yet, they were seasoned veterans of countless veiled conflicts with the Hengyue Sect, well versed in their wily nature. The Hengyue Sect held their true strength in reserve, waiting for the opportune moment to unleash their secret weapons. These faces before them, though many at the sixth level of Qi Condensation, were unfamiliar, untested. Where were the true combatants, the seasoned warriors of past exchanges?

*They* were the ones that demanded their attention.

High above, Headmaster Huanglong, the True Man, surveyed the assembled ranks of the Xuandao Sect. His gaze lingered upon a man and a woman, blessed with the singular gift of water spirit roots, and a sigh escaped his lips. In the five centuries since its glory days, the Hengyue Sect had dwindled, its fortunes diminished. Even the Xuandao Sect, a mere speck of dust five centuries past, had bested them in many a contest. He had dared to hope this time, but the sight of those two rare single spirit-rooted disciples sent a chill of apprehension through his bones.

“Must the core disciples in purple be summoned from their penance?” Huanglong’s gaze snapped to a solitary figure at the rear of the Xuandao Sect’s ranks, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. His decision was made.

“No matter. If they possess such strength, then we, too, must unveil our own true potential!”

With newfound resolve, his visage returned to its customary serenity. “Fellow Daoyang,” he boomed, his voice resonating with convivial warmth, “These young disciples have endured a long journey. Let them refresh themselves. Let us, the old guard, withdraw and parley. Come, enter the hallowed halls!” With a sweeping gesture, he beckoned the Xuandao Sect elders forward, a smile plastered upon his face.

The three elders of the Xuandao Sect returned his smile and followed him into the hall.

The elders of the Hengyue Sect followed closely behind, and Master Daoxu lingered at the rear. He cast a sharp glance upon the disciples of both sects, his voice sharp, “Wang Zhuo, you are entrusted with the hospitality of these Xuandao Sect disciples. Should any misdeed befall them, you shall bear the full weight of my wrath. Know that your master’s forgiveness will be forever denied!”

Wang Zhuo, clearly anticipating this duty, bowed low. “Master, fear not. The senior brothers and sisters of the Xuandao Sect shall receive the utmost care and respect.”

Master Daoxu then turned towards the Xuandao Sect disciples, a smile softening his features. “Should you have any need, speak freely to Wang Zhuo. My bones creak with age, and I shall not intrude upon your youthful exchanges. May your discussions be fruitful, for the future of cultivation lies within your grasp!” With a final nod, he turned and followed his brethren into the hall.

As the elders departed, a palpable sense of relaxation settled over the ranks of both sects. Several female disciples of the Hengyue Sect gravitated towards the man blessed with the water spirit root, their smiles practiced, their admiration theatrical.

Those amongst the Hengyue Sect who had reached the sixth level of Qi Condensation were quickly surrounded by Xuandao Sect disciples, eager to compare techniques and strategies.

The remaining disciples, less eager for serious discussion, milled about, their eyes drawn to the slumbering thousand-legged centipede, a creature of wonder and awe.

Wang Lin, however, felt no inclination to join the throng. He sought refuge on a secluded corner staircase, gazing at the azure canvas of the sky, dotted with clouds as white as freshly fallen snow. The sun warmed his face, and a profound sense of peace settled over him.

Among the inner disciples of the Hengyue Sect, there were others who shared Wang Lin’s aversion to the clamor. The woman surnamed Zhou was one such soul. Seeing his tranquil pose from afar, she approached.

“Junior Brother Wang,” she said, her voice gentle, “I have long sought the opportunity to congratulate you on reaching the third level of Qi Condensation. Few amongst the inner disciples cultivate with such diligence.” Unconcerned by the dust, she settled upon the step beside him.

Wang Lin chuckled, shaking his head. “Surely that is not so. I believe most strive towards improvement.”

The woman surnamed Zhou followed his gaze to the clouds, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “Junior Brother Wang, do not diminish your accomplishments. In the four years of seclusion in the back mountain, I have often seen my fellow disciples emerge for respite. But you… I rarely see you. Cultivation can be a tedious endeavor. I truly admire you, Junior Brother Wang. To reach the third level in so short a time requires unwavering perseverance!”

Wang Lin touched his nose, a smile playing on his lips. “Senior Sister Zhou, have you also reached the third level?”

Melancholy tinged her voice as she confessed, “I achieved the third level three years ago, yet those who were once weaker than I have since surpassed me. Perhaps I am not destined for greatness.”

A moment of silence hung between them before Wang Lin spoke. “The Great Way is ruthless. If Senior Sister Zhou seeks advancement, the ties of mortality must be severed.”

The woman surnamed Zhou turned to face him, her large, beautiful eyes filled with light. “Junior Brother Wang, I see that your third level is nearing its peak. Soon, you will break through, and I believe you will surpass me in time.”

Wang Lin glanced at her stunning features, a bitter smile twisting his lips. “I cannot break through in the near future. To sever the ties of mortality is easily spoken, but I find myself incapable.”

The woman surnamed Zhou was taken aback. After a moment of hesitation, she ventured, “Junior Brother Wang, forgive my boldness, but what are you unable to sever?”

Wang Lin shook his head, unwilling to answer. The faces of his aging parents rose unbidden in his mind. Filial piety was paramount, and his parents’ kindness was a debt that could never be repaid. How could he coldly sever their ties simply to further his cultivation?

Seeing Wang Lin’s reticence, the woman surnamed Zhou sighed. “What I cannot sever is family affection. This path of immortal cultivation is too cruel. Perhaps I am simply unsuited for it.”

Wang Lin was about to speak when his gaze sharpened. He turned his head to see Wang Zhuo in the distance, his eyes burning with a malevolent intensity, fixed upon him and the woman surnamed Zhou.

At that moment, Wang Zhuo’s voice carried across the courtyard. “Venerable senior brothers and sisters of the Xuandao Sect! I was just saying that this thousand-legged centipede has a particular fondness for live prey. I, therefore, entrust you with the task of feeding it during your stay at the Hengyue Sect. I have a junior brother here; his cultivation is… less than promising. He would be far better suited to catching small creatures to sate the centipede’s hunger!”

“Senior Brother Wang Zhuo, surely this is unseemly,” the man blessed with the water spirit root of Xuandao Sect hesitated. “The Thousand-Legged Centipede is notoriously untamed. Feeding it to a stranger could prove… dangerous!”

“Fear not, Senior Brother Liu! How can those who seek immortality be deterred by mere danger? You are our esteemed guests. Since this task falls upon my Hengyue Sect, we shall shoulder the responsibility,” Wang Zhuo insisted, his voice a smooth, almost sickeningly sweet tone.