The night air trembled with rising tension.
Disciples across the outpost, once drifting in the serenity of well-earned rest, now sat or stood upright, eyes scanning the horizon, hands ready to summon weapons or talismans. Even among the ranks of the Inner Court disciples, one could see unease—some clenching their swords tighter, others murmuring to each other as they moved into formation.
Then—like distant thunder—the first sounds of battle reached them.
Boom. Crack. Whhhhhhhhhrr!—a long, keening cry split through the wind, followed by a burst of multicolored light that lit up the western edge of the valley a kilometer away.
Even at this distance, flashes of sword qi lit the distant forest ridge in brilliant arcs, and waves of spiritual energy pulsed in irregular bursts. There was no mistaking it now.
The battle had begun.
"It's the Sword Peak Head," someone whispered nearby. "And the Core Disciples… they're already engaged!"
