The faint sound of wooden sandals echoed along the cobbled path as Wei Jin trudged up the winding trail of Celestial Peak, a woven broom slung over his shoulder and a simple cloth satchel strapped to his back. He paused to catch his breath, wiping the light sheen of sweat from his forehead as he took in the mist-covered mountain path before him.
"Celestial Peak Sect," he murmured to himself, a hint of disbelief coloring his voice. "So this is where I start… as a janitor."
The title had been emblazoned across his "welcome letter," stamped with the official mark of the Celestial Peak elders. An elegant scroll, it had explained—perhaps a bit too cheerfully—that he was to assume his duties immediately, beginning with the eastern temple courtyard. He'd always dreamed of adventure, of soaring across the heavens with divine power at his fingertips, of heroically battling evil. But a janitor?
Wei Jin sighed and tightened his grip on the broom handle. "Well, it's not like I have any other choice."
He resumed his march up the mountain, watching as the mist began to thin, revealing the imposing silhouette of Celestial Peak's grand gates. Towering above him, carved from pure jade and wrapped in lines of silver and gold, they shimmered faintly in the early morning light. A sense of awe filled him as he reached the base of the gates, which stretched high above, almost merging with the clouds. He wasn't one to be easily impressed, but there was something undeniably mystical about Celestial Peak, as though every stone here had a story to tell.
As he approached, the gates swung open with a soft creak, and he was greeted by an elderly man in plain gray robes, his hair tied back in a simple topknot.
"You must be Wei Jin," the man said, voice calm and steady.
Wei Jin nodded, bowing politely. "Yes, Elder…?"
"Elder Lan," the man supplied, a faint smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. "I oversee the grounds. And that means I oversee you, too."
The elder's gaze dropped to the broom in Wei Jin's hand. "Ah, I see you've brought your own tools. A good sign. We appreciate diligence here, though you'll find it's often in short supply." He gestured toward the courtyard, a vast expanse paved with smooth, pale stones, bordered by carefully tended gardens. "Your duties begin here, with the Eastern Temple Courtyard."
Wei Jin glanced around, taking in the scope of his task. It wasn't just a courtyard; it was practically a small village. Various disciples bustled about, dressed in flowing white and blue robes, some sparring, others meditating, all exuding an air of quiet purpose and dignity.
"Understood," Wei Jin said, suppressing a sigh as he moved toward the edge of the courtyard, deciding to start from the far side and work his way inward. He figured he might as well make a good impression, even if the impression involved sweeping leaves rather than striking down foes.
Elder Lan watched him for a moment longer before nodding and walking away, leaving Wei Jin to his work.
As he began to sweep, a strange sensation crept over him. The broom felt heavier than it should, like it was pulling energy from him with each stroke. He paused, narrowing his eyes at the seemingly ordinary broomstick.
"Is this… some kind of test?" he muttered. Testing its weight, he gave it another tentative sweep, and immediately, a flicker of silver energy rippled along the broom's bristles, cutting through the dust like a blade. A soft hum vibrated up the handle, and he felt a warmth seeping into his hands.
Then it dawned on him.
His Purification Dao was awakening.
He'd been reborn in this world with a single strange ability—his affinity for Purification Qi, a rare energy capable of cleansing and purifying almost anything, from spiritual impurities to physical dirt. In his old life, he hadn't thought much of it; what good was cleaning when everyone else was shooting fire from their fingertips or calling down lightning? But here, at Celestial Peak, where traditions ran deep and spiritual energy saturated the air, even his humble talent seemed… stronger.
Curious, he tried focusing, letting his Qi flow down through his hands and into the broom. To his surprise, the silver energy brightened, forming a faint aura around the bristles. He gave another sweep, and the line he cleared through the dust gleamed, untouched by dirt or grime.
"Interesting," he mused, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. Perhaps this janitor's job wasn't going to be as mundane as he'd thought.
Wei Jin continued sweeping, experimenting with his newfound control. Each stroke sent small bursts of energy flowing through the broom, erasing grime, dust, and any traces of impurity that lingered in the courtyard stones. By the time he reached the halfway point, the entire left side of the courtyard shone with an unnatural clarity, as though polished by a master artisan.
It didn't take long for him to attract attention. A few disciples passing by paused, frowning in confusion as they watched him work. They exchanged glances, whispering to each other, clearly puzzled by the gleaming path left in his wake.
"What technique is that?" one of them murmured.
Another shrugged. "I didn't know the sect employed purification arts."
Wei Jin tried to ignore them, keeping his head down and focusing on his task. But as more disciples began to notice, a familiar pang of discomfort settled in his chest. He'd always preferred to avoid attention, and now, ironically, his cleaning seemed to be drawing more eyes than any flashy martial display.
"Is it true?" a new voice piped up. "A janitor with a Purification Dao?"
Wei Jin looked up, startled, and found himself face-to-face with a young woman, her silver hair glinting in the sunlight. She wore the same white and blue robes as the others, but something about her demeanor set her apart—she carried herself with an air of confidence, bordering on arrogance, her eyes sharp as she appraised him.
"I'm Xiao Mei," she said, arms crossed. "Disciple of the inner sect. And you… you're the new janitor?"
Wei Jin cleared his throat. "That's right."
She arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Interesting. I've heard of many Daos, but never a Purification Dao." Her eyes flicked to the gleaming stone behind him. "Looks useful, though hardly a path to enlightenment."
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, forcing himself to maintain a polite expression. "Every Dao has its purpose, doesn't it? And mine is to keep this courtyard clean."
Xiao Mei snorted, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "If you say so. Just try not to let it go to your head." She turned on her heel and strode away, leaving Wei Jin standing in a haze of indignation.
"Not a path to enlightenment, she says," he muttered, returning to his work. "We'll see about that."
Wei Jin continued sweeping, the rhythmic motion of the broom calming his mind as he let his Purification Qi flow. It felt surprisingly natural, almost as if the courtyard was a living thing responding to his touch. As he worked, the courtyard seemed to breathe, its stones gleaming brighter with each pass.
But he couldn't shake Xiao Mei's words. Hardly a path to enlightenment, she'd said, and he could still hear the slight sneer in her voice. He felt a prick of irritation, but then pushed it aside. She had no idea what his powers could truly do, and maybe he didn't either—not yet, at least.
"Who cares what they think," he muttered. "I'll just do what I came here to do."
The broom cut another gleaming line through the dust, and he felt a surge of satisfaction. Yet, he couldn't deny a flicker of curiosity. His Purification Dao felt… different here. Stronger. And he wondered what more he could achieve with it.
As he swept past one of the courtyard's ancient statues, he noticed something unusual. A faint, dark stain clung to the base of the statue, pulsing with an almost sinister energy. It was subtle—barely a smudge—but he could feel it, like a prickling heat against his skin.
"What's this?" he muttered, kneeling down to inspect it.
He reached out cautiously, channeling a gentle flow of Purification Qi into his hand. The moment his fingers brushed the stain, it recoiled, dissipating in a faint wisp of black smoke. Wei Jin frowned, watching as the dark energy melted away, leaving the stone pristine.
So there were impurities here—something more than mere dust. His fingers tingled, and he felt a spark of excitement. This wasn't just mindless work; he could feel the energy in the courtyard, the hidden filth woven into the very stones. Maybe his Dao wasn't as insignificant as Xiao Mei thought.
Lost in thought, he almost didn't notice Elder Lan approaching until the elder's shadow fell over him.
"You noticed the stain, did you?" Elder Lan asked, his voice calm but laced with an edge of curiosity.
Wei Jin quickly stood up, bowing. "Yes, Elder. It felt… unnatural."
Elder Lan studied him, one eyebrow raised, clearly intrigued. "Unnatural, indeed. Those stains appear from time to time—dark remnants left by visitors from certain… unsavory sects. Regular cleaning won't remove them. Only someone with purification abilities can erase such traces."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "You did well to sense it. There aren't many in the sect who would even notice such a stain."
Wei Jin felt a flicker of pride. "Thank you, Elder."
Elder Lan gave a slight nod. "Your abilities may be more useful here than you realize, Wei Jin. Celestial Peak is an ancient place, and not all of its past is pure. Corrupt forces have brushed against it many times. While others may pursue flashy techniques, your path might reveal secrets that would remain hidden otherwise."
Wei Jin's grip tightened on his broom. Secrets? He hadn't expected that, though he supposed it made sense. Celestial Peak was renowned across the land for its wisdom and age, but age often came with shadows, and shadows left marks.
"Then I'll make sure to keep an eye out, Elder," he said, inclining his head.
Elder Lan's mouth twitched, as though he was suppressing a smile. "Do that. And don't let others' opinions bother you. Power manifests in many forms—some subtler than others. You may find that purity can be more powerful than corruption."
With that, Elder Lan turned and strode away, leaving Wei Jin to process his words.
For the rest of the morning, Wei Jin worked in a strange, almost meditative state. He continued sweeping, his Purification Qi flowing naturally, brightening each surface he touched. The courtyard was soon spotless, but he didn't stop there. He moved to the gardens, trimming stray branches, dusting the statues, and inspecting every inch of the place for signs of the dark energy he'd sensed earlier.
As he finished tidying a section of the garden, he caught sight of a faint, wispy shadow clinging to the roots of an ancient pine tree. He knelt down, extending his hand, and watched as his Qi wrapped around the shadow like smoke curling around a flame. The shadow dissipated with a faint hiss, and a rush of energy flowed back into him.
There was something deeply satisfying about it, like pulling a thorn from a wound. The air felt lighter, cleaner, and he couldn't help but smile. Maybe his job wasn't as grand as mastering martial techniques or summoning the elements, but there was power in it all the same. And he was beginning to understand that his Purification Dao might be something rare, something more than just a janitor's skill.
By the time he finished his work, the sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the courtyard. Wei Jin stretched, feeling the pleasant ache of a morning well spent, and began gathering his tools.
"Hey, janitor!"
He turned, spotting Xiao Mei striding toward him with an annoyed look on her face. Her silver hair gleamed in the sunlight, and her robes were immaculate, without a single crease out of place. She seemed to radiate a quiet, simmering intensity, like a storm waiting to break.
"What is it, Disciple Xiao Mei?" Wei Jin asked, keeping his tone neutral.
She stopped a few paces away, eyeing him with an expression that was half irritation, half curiosity. "What did you do to the courtyard?"
Wei Jin blinked, glancing around. The courtyard gleamed under the sunlight, every stone polished, every statue free of dust or grime. He'd even pruned the bushes, giving the whole place a neat, almost ethereal quality.
"I just… cleaned it," he replied, trying to sound casual.
Xiao Mei snorted, crossing her arms. "Cleaned? It looks like you poured half the sect's spiritual energy into it. Look at it—it's practically glowing."
She had a point. The courtyard seemed to shimmer, as though some unseen energy had seeped into the stones, giving them an otherworldly luster. Wei Jin felt a flicker of satisfaction, though he tried to keep his expression neutral.
"Well, I take my work seriously," he said, shrugging.
Xiao Mei narrowed her eyes. "You really think this cleaning business is going to lead to anything? The sect is filled with disciples training day and night, pursuing real cultivation paths. Your broom isn't exactly the path to enlightenment."
Wei Jin shrugged again. "I'm just doing what I was hired to do. If it leads somewhere, great. If not… well, at least the courtyard's clean."
Xiao Mei's gaze lingered on him, her expression a mixture of frustration and something else—something he couldn't quite identify. Finally, she huffed and turned on her heel, striding away without another word.
As she disappeared into the distance, Wei Jin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He chuckled to himself, glancing down at his broom.
"Not a path to enlightenment, huh?" he murmured. "Guess I'll have to prove you wrong."
He felt a new determination rising in him. He didn't know where this journey would lead, or what mysteries Celestial Peak held, but he was starting to suspect that his Purification Dao might be more than just a humble skill.
Picking up his broom, he resumed his work, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Wei Jin spent the rest of the afternoon inspecting the temple grounds, determined to get familiar with every corner of his new domain. His sweeping had led him through the main courtyard and gardens, but he was beginning to suspect that Celestial Peak held far more hidden areas than he could see from the open paths.
As he moved toward the outer edge of the gardens, he noticed a faint trail winding into a small grove of bamboo. Curiosity piqued, he followed it, brushing aside tall stalks as he ventured deeper. The dense bamboo created a cool, green shade, and the air was thick with the scent of earth and old wood.
The path grew narrower until it opened into a small, secluded clearing. At the center stood an old stone well, partially covered in moss, with a worn rope hanging from a small pulley at its side. Wei Jin hesitated, sensing something peculiar about the place. His Purification Qi tingled, as if the very air was alive with secrets.
"Strange…" he murmured, approaching the well.
As he leaned over to peer inside, a sudden gust of wind rustled through the bamboo, making him straighten with a start. The air felt charged, almost as if someone—or something—was watching him.
"Who dares disturb my slumber?" a voice echoed from within the well.
Wei Jin jumped, gripping his broom defensively as he took a step back. The voice was soft, almost playful, yet it carried an otherworldly resonance that made his skin prickle. He looked around, half-expecting to see some spirit or apparition lurking in the shadows, but the clearing was empty.
"Who's there?" he called, trying to sound braver than he felt.
A faint giggle floated up from the well. "The one who has watched over Celestial Peak for a thousand years… or maybe just a few centuries. Who's counting?"
Wei Jin frowned, squinting into the dark, narrow depths of the well. "Are you… a spirit?"
Another giggle. "Close enough. They call me Yan Rui. And you, mortal, are either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish to wander here alone."
Wei Jin rolled his eyes, some of his nerves dissipating. Whoever—or whatever—this "Yan Rui" was, she didn't sound particularly threatening. In fact, she sounded more amused than anything else.
"I'm Wei Jin," he replied, keeping his tone polite. "Celestial Peak's new janitor."
"Oh, I know who you are," the voice said, a hint of mischief in her tone. "The one with the Purification Dao, a talent so rare it's practically unheard of… except in legends."
Wei Jin blinked, taken aback. "Legends?"
"Yes, yes," Yan Rui replied breezily, as if the subject were of little consequence. "Long ago, Celestial Peak was founded by a cultivator of the Purification Dao—a master who wielded powers far beyond what mere mortals could comprehend."
Wei Jin stared at the well, feeling a flicker of intrigue. He'd always known his abilities were unusual, but to think they were connected to the sect's history…
"But I doubt you're ready for such a tale," Yan Rui continued with a sigh. "After all, you're just a janitor."
Wei Jin frowned, feeling a bit of his pride sting. "Hey, I'm doing my best here. And if my powers can help the sect, then I'm going to use them."
A faint shimmer rose from the well, coalescing into a pale, ghostly figure. A young woman with flowing silver hair and mischievous eyes appeared before him, her ethereal form flickering like a flame in the wind. She floated above the well, watching him with a bemused smile.
"Oh, don't be so serious," Yan Rui teased, her voice lilting with laughter. "I know you're more than just a janitor. That's why I wanted to meet you."
Wei Jin crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at her. "And you've been watching me?"
Yan Rui nodded, floating closer until she was barely a few inches from his face. Her presence was strangely warm, her gaze sharp yet oddly kind. "I watch everything that happens on Celestial Peak. And I've been waiting for someone like you—someone with the ability to cleanse, to purify… to reveal truths others can't see."
Wei Jin's curiosity flared, but he tried to keep his expression neutral. "Why do you care?"
Yan Rui tilted her head, studying him as if he were a particularly interesting puzzle. "Because there are things here—old things, dark things—that even the elders don't know about. Secrets that have been buried, hidden under layers of corruption. Only someone with your abilities can bring them to light."
Her voice grew soft, almost wistful, as though she were remembering something long forgotten. Wei Jin felt a strange pull, as if her words were resonating with something deep within him, something he couldn't quite name.
"What kind of secrets?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yan Rui smiled, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Ah, that's for you to discover, little janitor. But if you're willing… I could guide you. Show you things hidden even from the grandmasters themselves."
Wei Jin hesitated, glancing around the clearing. The air felt thick, as though the very mountain was holding its breath, waiting for his answer. He wasn't sure what he'd expected from this job, but it certainly hadn't been secret pacts with ancient spirits.
Still, he felt a thrill of excitement. This was what he'd longed for—a chance to prove himself, to find his place in this strange, mystical world. And if Yan Rui was offering him a path to power, he wasn't about to refuse.
"All right," he said, meeting her gaze. "Show me what you can."
Yan Rui's smile widened, and she raised a hand, beckoning him closer. "Very well. But remember, Wei Jin—every secret comes at a price."
With that, she reached out, and a thin tendril of light shot from her hand, wrapping around his wrist. He felt a rush of energy, a strange warmth that sank into his skin, spreading through his body like a wave. His Purification Qi stirred in response, resonating with her energy in a way that felt both foreign and deeply familiar.
"Consider this a gift," Yan Rui said, her voice soft. "A taste of what lies beyond your broom and dust."
The light faded, and Wei Jin stared at his hand, feeling a strange sensation lingering just beneath the surface. His Purification Qi felt… stronger, sharper, as though a door had been opened inside him, revealing depths he hadn't known existed.
"What did you do?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Yan Rui winked. "I merely unlocked a bit of potential. What you do with it is up to you."
Before he could respond, her form flickered, dissolving into mist that drifted back into the well. Her laughter echoed faintly in the clearing, a soft, haunting sound that lingered long after she disappeared.
Wei Jin stood there, staring at the well, his mind racing. He could still feel her energy within him, a quiet, powerful force humming just beneath the surface. He didn't fully understand it, but he knew one thing for certain—his Purification Dao was far more powerful than he'd realized.
With a final glance at the well, he turned and made his way back to the courtyard, his heart pounding with anticipation. Whatever secrets Celestial Peak held, he was ready to uncover them.