The morning mist clung to Jinghong Peak, its serene beauty a stark contrast to the undercurrents of tension weaving through its halls. Cheng Mo stood in the training grounds, guiding Lin Xiaoxi through basic sword forms, her voice calm but her heart heavy. Qing Wan’s shutting me out, and Liu Qingxu’s waiting to strike. Her Golden Core aura remained restrained, but Frost Silence’s earlier outburst lingered in her mind. I can’t lose control again. Lin Xiaoxi’s earnest strikes grounded her, but Qing Wan’s icy courtyard haunted her thoughts. I have to reach her before the sect trials.
In her sealed courtyard, Qing Wan sat cross-legged, her Silent Annihilation Sword Intent pulsing like a frozen storm. Her latest task—a solo hunt against a peak Foundation Building demon beast—had pushed her to the brink of Foundation Building Late Stage, but her dao heart wavered. Why does her face keep appearing? Shu Yue’s vulnerable eyes and Frost Silence’s glow clashed with her anger, stirring a longing she refused to acknowledge. She doesn’t deserve my trust. She stood, her sword slashing through practice arrays, each strike a desperate bid to silence her heart.
Chu Yi, overseeing peak duties, received a jade slip from Elder Yuheng. “Luyue, the council’s watching closely,” it read. “Liu Qingxu’s pushing for your demotion. Prepare for the trials.” Chu Yi’s heart sank. Master’s barely holding on, and Sunny Sister’s a powder keg. He glanced at Lin Xiaoxi, her innocence a stark contrast to the peak’s turmoil. “Xiaoxi, stay focused on your training. Things might get… rough.” Xiaoxi nodded, her trust in Shu Yue unshaken. Elder’s strong. She’ll fix this.
In her guest courtyard, Wan Qing plucked her zither, each note weaving a subtle spell to monitor Jinghong Peak’s aura fluctuations. Shu Yue’s emotional lapse and Qing Wan’s volatile state intrigued her. They’re bound by pain, but I’ll turn it to my advantage. Her tracker’s latest report confirmed Liu Qingxu’s schemes—a rigged sect trial to expose Qing Wan’s instability. Perfect. I’ll ensure Sunny Sister shines, and Luyue owes me. She smiled, her plan crystallizing: align with Shu Yue, undermine Qing Wan, and secure her place in their hearts.
At Yaochi Immortal Sect, Liu Qingxu finalized her trap. A forged mission jade slip, laced with a subtle curse, lay ready for Qing Wan’s next task. Face a Golden Core beast, “Ice Fiend,” and let’s see your control. Her spies reported Shu Yue’s failed outreach and Qing Wan’s isolation. “Luyue’s weakness and Qing Wan’s recklessness will end them both,” she told her cloaked ally. “Spread the rumors: Jinghong Peak’s falling.” The ally vanished, sowing discord among Canglan’s disciples.
On Jinghong Peak, Cheng Mo summoned Chu Yi to her chambers. “How’s Qing Wan’s training?” she asked, her voice steady but her eyes betraying worry. Chu Yi hesitated. “Sunny Sister’s pushing herself too hard, Master. She’s taking high-risk tasks, barely rests. I’m… scared for her.” Cheng Mo’s jaw tightened. She’s running from me, from herself. “Keep an eye on her, Chu Yi. And Liu Qingxu—report any moves she makes.” Chu Yi nodded, his loyalty unwavering.
Determined to try again, Cheng Mo approached Qing Wan’s courtyard at dusk, carrying a simple jade slip inscribed with a basic sword technique she’d once taught her. No grand gestures this time. She knocked softly, her voice low. “Qing Wan, it’s me. No swords, no excuses. This is for you—something we worked on together. I’m not giving up.” She placed the jade slip by the door and stepped back, her heart pounding. The bans didn’t flare, but no response came. As she turned to leave, a faint rustle sounded—the jade slip was gone.
The next day, Qing Wan accepted a new task from the mission hall, her eyes cold but her grip on the jade slip tight. The mission: hunt a rogue beast in the Qingyun Mountains. Unbeknownst to her, Liu Qingxu’s curse lay within, designed to provoke her instability during the sect trials. As she departed, Cheng Mo watched from a distance, her divine sense tracking her disciple. Something’s off. She turned to Chu Yi. “Follow her discreetly. If she’s in danger, signal me.” Chu Yi nodded, vanishing into the mist.
Wan Qing, sensing the shift, plucked a sharper note on her zither. Sunny Sister’s heading into a trap. Luyue will follow. Her smile deepened. This is my moment. As Qing Wan’s sword light faded into the horizon, Jinghong Peak braced for the trials, unaware of the storm Liu Qingxu had unleashed.
