Past afternoon,
Even though Yang Zhai had intended to sleep only until dawn, his body simply refused to rouse. Time slipped by unnoticed, and noon came and went. Yet, instead of bright sunlight greeting him, the world outside still seemed wrapped in a heavy, unnatural darkness that clung to the air and weighed down the day as though the heavens themselves had turned against the island.
He opened his eyes slowly, a faint weariness still lingering in his bones, and pushed himself upright. His gaze swept across the garden and rested upon Zuh Qil, who was sitting silently in his usual calm posture, hands placed over his knees, eyes half-closed as if lost in thought or deep meditation.
"Master, I think it's about time we leave," Yang Zhai said in a low voice, breaking the stillness that surrounded them. Zuh Qil opened his eyes and looked up at him, then rose to his feet without any hesitation, giving a quiet nod in agreement.
They turned and walked back into the room. When they stepped inside, Yang Zhai noticed that the room had already been repaired. The walls and floor no longer had wide cracks, though faint marks still remained. It wasn't as polished as before, but compared to the destruction he had seen earlier, the improvement was undeniable. On the floor, Min Ho and Jin Su lay asleep, exhausted, their chests rising and falling slowly.
Yang Zhai's eyes narrowed as they lingered on Jin Su, who wore a set of clothes far too large for his frame. The sleeves hung low, and the fabric around his shoulders sagged loosely. It was obvious these were not his own, but he wore them without complaint as he slept.
Neither Yang Zhai nor Zuh Qil spoke a word. They quietly left the room and stepped out into the hallway of the Iron Clad residence.
I should begin searching for Mil Do Nim, Yang Zhai thought as he began walking. He picked a random door and pushed it open, only to find nothing inside—just an empty room with neatly arranged furniture.
He closed it and moved to the next, but the same emptiness greeted him.
One room after another he entered, checking carefully, yet none contained a single person.
"Where is everyone?" he murmured under his breath as he finally left the residence and stepped outside, his expression calm but his eyes sharp with thought.
The streets were unusually quiet. A few strangers passed by, but none wore the robes or insignia of the Iron Clad Sect. The absence was unsettling.
He did not panic. Instead, he followed behind Zuh Qil, who was already looking around carefully. They had not gone far when the distant sound of voices and movement drew Yang Zhai's attention. Ahead, a crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves, tension in their tones.
"What's this about?" Yang Zhai muttered as they approached.
He pushed gently through the people until he reached the front, and what he saw made him pause. A large group from the Iron Clad Sect stood together, their faces serious, their eyes fixed on something ahead.
Zuh Qil and Yang Zhai stepped closer, joining their fellow sect members.
"Brother, what's happening here?" Yang Zhai asked, his voice quiet yet firm.
The man he addressed turned slightly. He was a servant of the Iron Clad Sect, his eyes uneasy as he spoke.
"You are here as well? Look over there," the servant said, pointing ahead. "Do you see those people standing opposite Elder Yu Hao and Elder Li Min? They are from the Moonlight Sect, also from the Recn Continent. That woman in the middle… she is notorious. They say she has ways to slowly influence and twist a person's mind until they become absolutely loyal to the Moonlight Sect. Whenever she spots someone with talent, she does everything she can to steal them. And right now, she is trying to do exactly that."
Yang Zhai frowned slightly. "Can you explain that in easier words?"
The servant nodded quickly, lowering his voice. "That woman challenged Master Yu Hao to a duel. She said if she wins, she will claim one of our newly joined disciples. And Master Yu Hao agreed to it. That's why everyone is gathered here."
Hmm… challenging someone so openly, and Yu Hao agreed? He is not reckless. He is a veteran, someone who knows better than to accept a challenge without thought. There must be something else, something hidden in this situation. On Jun Island, no less. Even if her strength was greater and they ended up fighting seriously, the experts here would intervene. Nobody would allow this place or the protective barrier to be destroyed—it would risk too many lives. Something about this is strange, Yang Zhai thought, his expression unreadable.
Even so, this matter had nothing to do with him.
Still, he gave a slight signal to Zuh Qil, urging him silently to step away. He turned to leave, keeping his pace steady.
"Hunting for talents? Zuh Qil and I should stay far away from this," he murmured to himself. But just as they turned, a sharp, commanding voice rang out through the crowd.
"The boy who just arrived… I want him if I win."
Yang Zhai stopped in his tracks and turned back. The woman's eyes were locked on Zuh Qil as she raised her hand and pointed at him.
Her hair was like a black waterfall, tied half into a ponytail that trailed all the way down to her knees, swaying gently with the breeze. Her skin was pale as freshly fallen snow, flawless and smooth, untouched by any scar. Her light-brown pupils gleamed with a soft yet dangerous light, and the tan-colored Hanfu she wore gave her a quiet grace that only amplified her beauty.
Around her neck rested a thin silver necklace that arched softly from one shoulder to the other, disappearing behind her collar. Threader earrings glimmered faintly as they caught the dim light. Her beauty was such that any man who gazed upon her might feel his heart skip a beat.
Beside her stood a young woman and a young man, both bearing the air of authority—elders of the Moonlight Sect. Behind them stood six disciples, all sharp-eyed and alert, along with two servants who stood silently at attention.
"What do you say, Yu Hao?" the woman asked with a sly smile, her tone almost mocking.
Yu Hao's eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze shifted toward Zuh Qil, measuring him in silence.
Yang Zhai stepped forward quickly, standing protectively in front of Zuh Qil. His voice was calm but unwavering.
"Forgive me, Elder, but I cannot allow you to have Master Zuh. He is not someone who can be treated as a wager."
I can't let Zuh Qil be dragged into this just like that. If I was left with no other choice and saw a chance to gain something, only then would I consider it. But not now. He is the Last One, and exposing him would bring disaster. If anyone realized what he truly is, they would chase me to the ends of the world to know where I found him. Yu Hao wouldn't be reckless enough to accept such a challenge if Zuh Qil refused. His reputation matters, and to those who walk the righteous path, reputation is as important as life itself. Besides, there is no benefit for me in this, Yang Zhai thought, his mind turning swiftly while his face remained calm.
Yu Hao said nothing, his silence heavy as the crowd watched.
"Kid, you dare to defy your elders? Yu Hao, is this how you teach your disciples?" the woman taunted, her smirk deepening.
"Del Mo, do not think I am blind to your schemes," Yu Hao replied coldly. "If you selected him, then he must be extraordinary. Do you really think I would hand him over so easily?"
"So, that's how you plan to refuse?" Del Mo's voice sharpened like a blade. "Very well. If you want to play this way, I will give you my best talent. His name is Mil Do Nim. He is also a body path cultivator, and his strength surpasses what your imagination can reach. Send your best to face him, and you will see the result yourself." Confidence shone in her eyes like a spark catching fire.
Yu Hao's expression darkened, but Yang Zhai's thoughts raced as the name struck him like a jolt.
Mil Do Nim? I thought he had joined us back in the Suru Continent, part of the group that traveled with our qafila. Could it be that I was mistaken, and he only joined here on Jun Island?
Yang Zhai's face revealed nothing, but inside, countless possibilities and questions unfolded in his mind.
!|!*****!*****!|!