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The Oracle of the Moonlight Temple wore clothing of pure white, elegant and spotless, for they had to remain free of impurity, both in soul and spirit, when they divined. Chapter 1, page two of The Moonlight Temple.
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"This," Mu Qian said quietly, "is the Golden Windblade Sect."
Infront massive, deep ravines stretched far, carving the land into jagged scars that split the mountain range apart. Their edges were sharp and perilous, and within them, endless mist churned and rolled, hiding whatever lay buried below. Waterfalls cascaded down from the cliffs in roaring torrents, their light blue streams vanishing into the white fog beneath. The air was thick with moisture, and the distant rumble of falling water echoed like drums.
Nine peaks stood above it all, immense, proud, and impossibly tall. They pierced the clouds like blades unsheathed to slash the heavens, their silhouettes sharp against the heavens. Verdant trees and grass clung to their slopes, softening their razor edges, while faint traces of glowing qi drifted through the air like motes of light. Each mountain carried a unique aura, some calm and serene, others fierce and wild, as if the spirit of the sword had taken nine different forms.
At the heart of this divine landscape stood the central peak, towering over all others. But what drew every gaze was not the mountain itself, it was the colossal sword embedded within it. The blade was vast beyond comprehension, its edge buried deep into the rock as though it had been driven down from the heavens. A faint, ethereal blue light pulsed from its surface, illuminating the surrounding cliffs and casting long, shimmering reflections upon the mist below.
Around the sword's hilt, countless structures had been built, temples, halls, and graceful pagodas that spiraled upward like guardians honoring a sacred relic. The entire peak seemed to revolve around that sword, as if the mountain itself had grown to cradle it.
From a distance, the scene felt unreal, a fusion of nature and divinity. The clouds here moved strongly, Long Tianyu could see that there was a never ending storm at these peaks.
''Is... that a sword?'' Wen Li stammered in awe behind Long Tianyu.
Xie Wuji had heard the rumors from before, but hearing rumors and seeing it in person was completely different. He was also shocked.
"This is our sect's ancient relic, the very symbol of our sect, The Nine Tribulations Godslaying Sword, though most simply call it Nine Tribulations. It has remained stuck here since before the founding of the sect itself. Legend says that when it descended from the heavens, nine divine tribulations followed, striking this mountain and carving out the deep ravines you see around us."
Mu Qian explained and pointed towards the peaks.
''And these are the peaks of the sect. Azure Edge Peak, Crimson Slash Peak, Iron Peak, Silver Water Peak, Obsidian Blade Peak, Verdant Gale Peak, Celestial Piercing Peak, Shadow Edge Peak and Golden Sword Peak.''
At the center of it all stood Golden Sword Peak, the tallest and most radiant of them all with the massive, Nine Tribulations Godslaying Sword dug into the mountain.
As the eagle circled lower, Long Tianyu could feel it, a faint current brushing against his skin, like the edge of a sword grazing the air. The closer they came, the stronger it grew. His heart pounded, not from fear, but from awe.
Below them, he saw wide stone bridges arching between cliffs, and more waterfalls plunging into deep ravines, and pagodas that clung to the mountainsides. Sword platforms gleamed under the sun, and disciples in uniforms practiced with their sword, some even fought eachother.
The eagle finally landed on a wide platform carved into a mountain, not belonging to the nine peaks.
''This area is for outer sect disciples. Once you become an inner sect disicple you may chose a peak that fits you. '' Mu Qian said.
Long Tianyu took his things and stepped down from the eagle, his boots touching sect grounds for the first time.
He looked up at the towering mountains before him, he felt so small, so insignificant.
Mu Qian turned to the group. "Welcome," he said. "From this moment on, your old lives are over. What you become from here… depends on your blade, your heart, and your will."
A few adult outer disciples took care of the eagle, leading it away.
Those must be the ones that never reached Elementary Qi Long Tianyu thought, reminded of the words by Mu Qian before.
Mu Qian led the group along the winding stone paths and bridges of the sect. Around them, other inner sect disciples were guiding their own batches of newcomers, each group filled with wide-eyed youths gazing at the grandeur of this new world. It seemed Mu Qian was not the only one who had gone out to recruit fresh blood and new geniuses for the Golden Windblade Sect.
The path opened up into a vast courtyard surrounded by tall pavilions and flowing waterfalls. "This is the Cultivation Hall," Mu Qian explained as they passed beneath an archway. "Outer disciples come here to meditate, stabilize their qi, and draw energy from the sect's spirit veins." The faint hum of formations resonated in the air, and Long Tianyu could feel a subtle pulse of power flowing beneath the ground.
Further ahead stretched an enormous open field surrounded by training posts, stone pillars, and weapon racks. The sound of clashing swords and echoing shouts filled the air. "The Practice Ground," Mu Qian continued. "Every day, disciples train here, regularly some of the lower ranked elders will be teaching here."
Beyond that lay a raised platform surrounded by protective barriers that flickered faintly with light. "That is the Sparring Arena," Mu Qian said. "Disputes are settled there, and so are rankings. Victory brings respect, and contribution points. Maybe it is your first time seeing it, but it is protected by an array, it is a force created by using spiritual stones, though I know basically nothing of it, Nine Patterns Sect specialize in arrays. Some arrays can create illusions and even kill, be careful if you ever meet an arraymaster." Mu Qian warned.
Long Tianyu remembered that was the sect that Song Xue went to. Maybe second sister can build a grand array to protect Xincheng in the future. That would be good..
They walked through several connecting bridges until they reached a tall, serene building of white jade and blue tiles. Rows of incense smoke rose gently toward the sky. "The Library Pavilion," Mu Qian said, his tone softening slightly. "Thousands of techniques, manuals, books all kinds of knowledge and scrolls lie within. Only those with sufficient contribution points or status may enter the higher floors."
Long Tianyu's eyes lingered there longer than anything before. He would go there as soon as he could. Mu Qian continued guiding the group, walking onto another stone path.
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End of chapter 2 - Golden Windblade Sect (1)