The walk back down from the Whispering Cliffs was far less eventful, though that didn't mean it was peaceful.
Arin dragged his feet like a man returning from a war he didn't sign up for.
"My legs are filing a formal complaint," he muttered.
"Your mouth filed one first," Jun Bai said dryly.
Yura smiled as she skipped a few stones ahead. "You did better than usual, though. You only almost died twice."
"Progress," Yue Lan added with the same level of emotion one would use to describe rainfall.
Serenya remained silent, walking behind them, her gaze occasionally scanning the horizon. She had noticed it first—the strange residual aura that lingered even after the phantoms had vanished. Something about it wasn't natural.
Back at the sect gates, Elder Hao was waiting with arms folded. He didn't look impressed, though that might've just been his resting expression.
"You returned," he said.
"We're just as surprised as you are," Arin replied.
Yue Lan held out the sealed jade box containing the Moonshade Root.
"Mission completed, Elder."
The old man nodded and took the box, examining it closely.
"Well done. You've earned contribution points. Even you, boy."
He gave Arin a doubtful glance.
"Hey," Arin protested. "I was essential."
"To the entertainment," Jun Bai muttered.
"I'll take it."
Elder Hao cleared his throat. "There's more. The Sect Master has summoned all core disciples to the Grand Hall this evening. Something has happened."
Yura blinked. "What kind of something?"
"The kind that makes old cultivators lose sleep."
With that ominous message, he turned and walked away.
Arin looked at the others. "So… not a party?"
Yue Lan answered without smiling. "The Grand Hall is only used for sect-wide crises. Or selecting new elders."
"Do you think it's about what we found?" Yura asked, serious now.
"It could be," Serenya said. "That cave was sealed for a reason."
Jun Bai looked at Arin. "You did touch something, didn't you?"
"I didn't! Not on purpose!"
"That's what you said last time. And then the sky rained frogs."
"They were toads."
"Not better."
The five of them returned to their respective quarters to rest, clean up, and try to pretend they weren't potentially the center of an unknown ancient threat.
Arin flopped onto his bed with a groan.
[System Update: Quest complete. Reward pending.]
"Great. Give me something useful. Maybe a divine artifact. Or a spirit beast. Or a vacation."
[System Reward: Five low-grade healing pills and a bonus motivational quote.]
"…That's robbery."
[Quote: Success is a journey, not a destination.]
"Is the destination better rewards?"
[System Silence Mode Activated.]
As evening fell, lanterns lit up across the sect like stars descending onto rooftops. The disciples gathered, murmurs floating like ghosts through the mountain air.
In the Grand Hall, Sect Master Lin Tian sat upon the elevated jade throne, his long beard tied with golden thread, his robes embroidered with dragons of fire and lightning.
Disciples filled the rows below, whispering in hushed confusion.
When Arin and the others arrived, they were directed to stand near the center.
The Sect Master raised a hand. Silence followed immediately.
"Today," he began, voice echoing through the hall, "we felt an ancient seal awaken."
The crowd tensed.
Lin Tian continued, "The location was Whispering Cliffs. The seal was connected to a force long thought buried. Perhaps even forgotten."
Arin leaned toward Yura and whispered, "We're so fired."
She elbowed him gently.
"This force," the Sect Master went on, "was once responsible for devastating entire regions. And now… it stirs."
The air grew cold.
Jun Bai narrowed his eyes. "He means something's coming."
Serenya didn't speak, but her hand tightened slightly on her sword.
The Sect Master's voice rose.
"From this moment forward, all core disciples will begin preparation. You will train harder. Cultivate faster. Investigate deeper."
His eyes scanned the crowd and settled briefly on Arin.
"And some of you," he said with weight, "may be chosen to face it directly."
Arin felt his soul leave his body briefly.
"That can't be me," he muttered. "That's probably a different Arin."
Yue Lan's voice was calm and clear beside him.
"It's you."