-
High above in the firmament, a thunderstorm raged. Lightning of many colors flashed across the heavens, and a lone figure stood there. He raised his arm, a large hammer in hand, drawing the lightning, absorbing all of their brilliance. Recorded in "Immortal Sightings," Chapter Nine, Page Twelve.
-
The morning mist still lingered above the quiet lake, beneath the old willows that drooped along the shore. It was a chilly morning, but with his strong cultivation Zang Liu didn't need to care. Zang Liu sat cross-legged under the largest willow, its crown veined out far above him, as if reaching towards the heavens. Zang Liu's brush moved softly across the parchment. Each stroke seemed alive. The faint scent of ink mingled with the earthy fragrance of dew and leaves.
Next to him lay small jars filled with paints of every shade, blue, black, red, green, white, and many more. With steady hands, Zang Liu dipped his brush, carefully blending the colors until they harmonized perfectly, each stroke breathing life into the scene before him.
As his qi flowed into the brush, the painting trembled with faint light, the mountains breathed, the rippling water shimmered, and even the birds above seemed to move their wings, to fly through the paint itself. Zang Liu didn't notice how the scene infront of him and the one on paper were beginning to mirror one another, reality and imagination blending like ink in water.
-
Inside the inn, warmth and chatter replaced the morning chill outside. The wooden beams were darkened from years of smoke, the round tables polished from countless travelers' elbows and cups. A faint fragrance of fried fish and steamed buns filled the air, along with the low murmur of voices, adults talking softly to teenagers, groups of young men and women boasting quietly of the journey ahead.
Song Xue sat by the window, her gaze wandering between the fog-covered mountains outside and the lively hall within. Her eyes still flickered faintly with strange patterns, threads of color, as if she could glimpse faint traces of qi around people and objects. She frowned slightly, not understanding what she saw, she blinked trying to get it go to away, though it was like before, fruitless.
At the other tables, there were families dressed in different robes, black, blue, and white. Some adults encouraged the teenagers, speaking softly about cultivation and how well they would do in the future. Others whispered prayers, hoping their sons or daughters would be chosen by a great sect in Moondragon City, some also discussed how they missed home and how their families would get by without them.
When the innkeeper brought their food, the table before Wang Shuren's group filled quickly. The dark brown wood was soon covered with bamboo steamers and clay bowls — soft white buns that glistened faintly with steam, rice porridge with spring onions floating atop, and slices of fried fish sprinkled with crushed ginger.
Lin Yue stirred her bowl of Wind Lotus Soup, the fragrant aroma of lotus and herbs rising gently. She cupped her cheeks, eyes sparkling. "I'm going to be the most beautiful celestial woman ever," she murmured, determination tightening her small fist.
Xiao Chi laughed, nearly spilling his porridge. "More beautiful than the moon herself, Sister Yue?"
Lin Yue nodded solemnly. "Even the moon will have to hide when I ascend."
Everyone chuckled softly.
Long Tianyu, however, was listening elsewhere. Not far away, a man and two teenagers were speaking in low voices about the sect selection. Curiosity tugged at him. He rose from his seat and approached, putting on his most charming smile. He introduced himself. The group was a man called Zhang Qingshan wearing a black robe, two teenagers called Lin An and Lin Yu'er each wore green and red robes.
"Excuse me, senior, and fellow brother and sister," he said, clasping his hands respectfully. "May I ask where you are from?"
The man looked up from his tea. His hair was short, and silver. The man felt like a saber wrapped in silk. He nodded and gestured for Long Tianyu to sit.
"We are from Tiancheng Town, east of here," Zhang Qingshan said.
"I see. Then you must also be heading to Moondragon City for the sect selection?" Long Tianyu asked, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with interest.
The younger of the two, a boy about his age, grinned. "Yes, of course. And you?"
"Of course, brother! Do you happen to know anything about the sects coming this time?"
Zhang Qingshan chuckled softly. "I have heard rumors," he said, placing his cup down. "This year's selection will be grander than before. Some say more than twenty sects have sent out disciples."
"Twenty sects?!" Long Tianyu nearly choked on his breath. "That many?"
Zhang Qingshan nodded. "Perhaps even more. Though, I cannot be certain. Rumors spread faster than truth."
Long Tianyu scratched his head. "Wang Shuren told us before that usually only a handful come… five at most...''
Long Tianyu paused and then continued ''Do you know any sects that cultivate the path of music or swords?'''
The young girl sitting beside Zhang Qingshan, Lin Yu'er smiled politely. Her red robe shimmered faintly under the lantern light. "Most likely Golden Wind Sect, Radiant Saber Sect and Heavenly Sword Temple for swords and maybe Soulrend Valley might attend this time."
"Ah! Soulrend Valley cultivates through music, does it?" Long Tianyu asked eagerly. "And the others, swords and sabers?"
Lin Yu'er nodded. "Yes. Golden Wind Sect and Heavenly Sword Temple are known for sword arts. Radiant Saber Sect for their fierce saber techniques. And Soulrend Valley... for melodies that can pierce the soul."
Long Tianyu's heart leapt. Then Hua Qingqing might really have a chance, he thought, glancing at her from across the room. She was quietly sipping her tea, unaware of the hope blooming in his chest.
''How come there is only one sect for music?'' Long Tianyu asked.
''I'm not sure, it could be because the others are more effective when fighting or more popular, I'm not sure. I have also heard that Soulrend Valley is very strict when chosing disciples'' Zhang Qingshan replied.
They spoke for a while longer, but the group decided to leave, their breakfast finished. Long Tianyu sighed. He turned to other tables, hoping to spark another conversation, but most travelers were too absorbed in their meals to notice him, or not interest in making small talk with others. Defeated, he returned to their table and found that only scraps of breakfast remained, a few cold buns and half a bowl of porridge.
"Hey, you guys ate everything!" he exclaimed.
"Then you shouldn't have talked so much," Chen Jie said dryly, wiping his mouth.
Long Tianyu told his discovery to the group and Hua Qingqing. Her eyes gleamed with determination at the mention of Soulrend Valley, and he also added that there might be three sword sects arriving as well. The group was surprised when they learned that there might be 20 sects coming to Moondragon City.
''We must be very careful when we arrive, as to not provoke some disaster to us and the village'' Wang Shuren warned again. The group nodded and understood.
-
Outside, the mist above the lake had lifted. Zang Liu stood beside his finished painting, drying under the morning sun. When the others came out, they stopped in awe.
The painting showed the willow trees, the lake, and the mountains, yet somehow, it seemed alive. The willows swayed though there was no breeze. The lake rippled faintly, as though a fish had just leapt. In the center, sunlight fell across a mountain peak, and above it, a flock of birds soared into the painted sky.
"You're getting better and better," Song Xue said softly, a faint smile touching her lips.
Zang Liu smiled shyly. "It's only practice."
The others agreed, each one giving Zang Liu compliments, maybe hoping to get a portait of themselves one day.
The group packed their belongings and loaded the last bundles onto the carts. Horses neighed softly as the wheels began to turn.
The sun cast a golden glow over the road as the group continued their journey. Long Tianyu sat in the cart glancing occasionally toward Hua Qingqing. She sat beside Lin Yue, pretending to listen to her chatter about herbs, but her eyes often drifted toward Long Tianyu and a faint, knowing smile would appear on her lips.
The night before still lingered in both their minds, the quiet talks beneath the moonlight, the laughter, the shy confessions.
Chen Jie exchanged a look with Nong Xuanfeng, who stifled a laugh. Even Wang Mei couldn't help but smirk. "They really think we don't notice," she whispered.
Long Tianyu, hearing faint giggles coming from the cart behind his back, scratched his neck awkwardly. "What are they laughing at?" he muttered. Hua Qingqing only smiled, her cheeks blooming pink as she looked down.
They might not have dared to call themselves a couple, but everyone knew. The way their gazes lingered, the softness in their voices, it was already clear as the daylight shining down on the road.
-
End of chapter 3 - Steamed buns and rumors