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Atop a towering plateau that pierced the clouds, the Endless Horizon Sect stood as a testament to human ambition and tenacity. Its structures were carved directly from the plateau's stone, with grand halls and pagodas towering against the vast expanse of sky. The sect's name was no mere exaggeration—standing at its pinnacle, one could see the horizon stretch endlessly, an awe-inspiring sight that inspired its disciples to aim for the heavens.
Jin, drawn by the sect's aura of quiet strength, approached its gates with unhurried steps. Unlike the calm harmony of the Cloudrift Pavilion, this sect radiated a sense of fierce independence.
Let's see how this sky-bound sect lives, Jin thought as the gates loomed before him.
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Guardians at the Gate
The gate was massive, made of dark stone etched with runes that shimmered faintly in the daylight. Two guards, both at the Foundation Establishment stage, stood at attention. Their armor gleamed, and their expressions were sharp, their eyes scanning every newcomer with scrutiny.
As Jin approached, the guards stiffened. Though he concealed his aura, his very presence seemed to ripple through the air, an invisible force that unsettled even seasoned cultivators.
"Halt!" one of the guards barked, his hand moving to the hilt of his blade. "State your name and purpose!"
Jin stopped a few paces away, his expression calm. "Jin. I'm here to observe."
The guard frowned, exchanging a wary glance with his companion. "This is the Endless Horizon Sect. Outsiders cannot enter without express permission from the sect elders."
Jin raised a hand, gesturing for silence. "Your rules don't concern me," he said simply.
Before the guards could respond, a low hum resonated from the runes on the gate. The shimmering patterns pulsed with light, reacting to Jin's presence as if recognizing something far beyond their understanding.
The guards stepped back, their faces pale. One whispered, "The gate… it's never reacted like this before."
Jin tilted his head, mildly amused. "Perhaps it knows I mean no harm."
With a casual wave of his hand, the gate creaked open, revealing the sect's vast inner grounds.
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A Sect of Aspiration
Inside the sect, disciples were scattered across various training fields, their activities reflecting the sect's philosophy of striving toward the infinite.
On one field, a group of disciples practiced an aerial technique, leaping high into the air and remaining suspended momentarily before descending. Their movements were fluid yet fierce, their control over qi precise.
"Again!" a stern instructor barked. "Your qi must flow like the wind, unrestricted yet deliberate. To reach the sky, you must first become one with it!"
On another field, disciples sparred with long spears, their strikes swift and powerful. The clash of weapons echoed through the grounds, a testament to their dedication.
Jin walked through the sect unnoticed, his golden eyes observing every detail. The discipline here was different from the Cloudrift Pavilion—there was a hunger, an unrelenting drive that permeated the air.
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The Grand Elder's Attention
High above, in the sect's central hall, the Grand Elder of the Endless Horizon Sect stood on a balcony overlooking the grounds. He was an imposing figure, his robes embroidered with the image of a soaring eagle.
Like the Cloudrift Pavilion's leader, the Grand Elder sensed Jin's arrival almost immediately. His sharp gaze turned toward the gates, where the faint traces of Jin's presence lingered.
"An outsider… no, something more," the Grand Elder muttered.
He summoned a talisman from his sleeve, crushing it in his palm. The shattered fragments dissolved into light, carrying his summons to the sect's elders. Within moments, three figures appeared behind him, their expressions grim.
"Grand Elder," one said, bowing deeply. "We sensed the disturbance. What are your orders?"
"An intruder has entered our sect," the Grand Elder replied. "I want him found—quickly but cautiously. Do not provoke him unless necessary."
The elders exchanged uneasy glances. For their leader to react with such caution, the situation was undoubtedly extraordinary.
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An Unintentional Lesson
Meanwhile, Jin had wandered to a secluded training field where a lone disciple practiced. The young woman, clad in the sect's sky-blue robes, was attempting to perfect a movement technique. She dashed forward, her steps light, but each attempt ended with her stumbling slightly.
Frustration was evident on her face as she muttered to herself. "Why can't I get it right? The wind technique is supposed to be effortless…"
Jin watched silently for a moment before speaking. "Your footing is wrong."
The woman froze, spinning around to face him. Her eyes widened as she took in his presence, her instincts screaming at her to be wary.
"W-Who are you?" she stammered, clutching her training sword.
"Just an observer," Jin replied. He stepped closer, his movements unhurried. "Your technique is flawed because you're fighting the wind instead of moving with it."
The woman blinked, her confusion evident. "What do you mean?"
Jin raised a hand, drawing a faint line in the air with his finger. A gentle breeze followed the motion, swirling around them.
"Feel it," Jin said. "Let the wind guide your steps."
The disciple hesitated, then mimicked his movement. This time, the breeze seemed to carry her forward, her steps lighter and more fluid. She gasped, her expression lighting up with realization.
"I… I did it!"
Jin nodded faintly. "Your potential isn't limited by the technique. It's limited by your understanding of the world around you."
The woman stared at him, awe and gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, senior."
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A Grand Arrival
Before Jin could leave, the sky above the training field darkened as the Grand Elder and his entourage descended. Their auras were imposing, each one at least at the Nascent Soul stage.
The disciple stepped back, her face paling as the Grand Elder landed before Jin, his eyes sharp and probing.
"You've entered our sect uninvited," the Grand Elder said, his voice steady but firm. "State your purpose."
Jin met the elder's gaze calmly. "I'm merely exploring. Your sect caught my attention."
The Grand Elder frowned. Though Jin's tone was casual, the weight of his presence was undeniable. "Exploration is no excuse to trespass," he said.
Jin smiled faintly. "And yet, I've already entered. What will you do about it?"
The tension in the air thickened, but before the elders could act, Jin raised a hand. A gentle ripple of qi spread through the field, soothing the atmosphere.
"I've no quarrel with your sect," Jin said. "In fact, I've given one of your disciples some guidance. Consider it a gift."
The Grand Elder's gaze softened slightly as he glanced at the disciple, who nodded quickly, her face flushed with gratitude.
"Very well," the elder said after a pause. "But know this—should you cause harm to my sect, we will not stand idly by."
Jin chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming. "Noted."
With that, he vanished into the horizon, leaving the Endless Horizon Sect to ponder the presence of the enigmatic figure who had come and gone like the wind itself.
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