That night, whispers spread like wildfire through the Heavenly Sword Sect.

  The "rootless stray" from Forgotten Peak had defeated Lu Jian in a single move. No tricks. No weapons. Just raw strength, precision, and an unshakable will.

  And somewhere atop the Second Peak, Lin Qingxue stood alone beneath a cherry blossom tree, sword in hand.

  She had watched the entire duel.

  Her jade eyes reflected the moonlight, but her voice was distant. “He’s not just strong. He’s terrifyingly composed.”

  “Miss Lin,” a younger disciple approached cautiously. “Should we... report him to the Pavilion Master?”

  “No,” she said flatly, sheathing her sword. “He’s not a threat yet. But he’s going to change this sect.”

  Back on Forgotten Peak, Li Xuan meditated beside a shattered training dummy. His body pulsed with warmth from the Crimson Qi Pellets. The system flickered to life again.

  [Progress: 1/3 Ranked Outer Disciples Defeated]

  [Optional Encounter: Lin Qingxue – Interaction Chance: High]

  He raised an eyebrow. “Lin Qingxue?”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  He’d heard the name. One of the few inner disciples known across all peaks. The Sword Flower of the Sect. Talented. Cold. Untouchable.

  He opened his eyes.

  And there she was.

  Standing at the edge of Forgotten Peak, her white robes fluttering like snow over the cliffs.

  “You're more difficult to find than I expected,” she said.

  Li Xuan stood slowly. “I assume you're not lost.”

  “No. I’m here to see if the stories are true.”

  “Which part?” he asked. “That I don’t kneel to senior disciples, or that I kicked one into a wall?”

  A faint smirk touched her lips. “Both.”

  She stepped forward, unsheathing her sword with a flick.

  “I want to test you myself.”

  Li Xuan didn’t move. “You came to challenge me?”

  “No,” she said. “Just one exchange. If you can land a single blow, I’ll recommend you to the Inner Pavilion.”

  A heartbeat passed.

  Then Li Xuan moved.

  His steps were fluid, drawn from instinct and blood-earned experience. His palm darted forward, aiming not at her, but at her shadow—exploiting the moonlit angle.

  Clang.

  Her blade blocked him mid-strike. The force made her eyes widen slightly.

  “That’s not outer disciple strength,” she murmured.

  Li Xuan smiled. “Neither is your reaction.”

  The two backed away at the same time.

  She nodded. “You’ll do.”

  “For what?”

  “There's a ranking duel in five days. I want you to enter. Beat two more ranked disciples. The Pavilion will have no choice but to notice.”

  “Why help me?”

  Her gaze turned distant. “Because this sect needs shaking. And you have the hands to do it.”

  [New Quest Accepted: Rise Through Combat – Reward: Inner Pavilion Trial Invitation]

  Li Xuan watched her leave, her presence fading like a dream.

  Then he turned toward the sky, eyes gleaming.

  “Five days, huh? Fine. Let’s start with number nine.”

  The system pulsed.

  [Target Locked: Disciple #9 – Wu Fan, Iron Staff Style, Qi Refining Mid-stage]

  [Bonus Condition: Defeat within three moves – Reward Multiplier x2]

  Li Xuan rose.

  The arena would soon see blood again.