As the girl in the light purple robe approached the He Sect gates, two guards stepped forward, blocking her path. Their expressions were stern as one of them raised a hand. "Halt! State your purpose," he commanded.
She stopped gracefully, her expression calm but confident. "I am here to join the He Sect as a disciple," she said, her voice clear and unwavering.
The guards exchanged glances, their brows furrowing. "The recruitment has already ended. We're not accepting anyone else," the other guard said firmly.
Before she could respond, Song An happened to walk by and noticed the commotion. Curious, he approached, his long robe swaying lightly with each step. "What's going on here?" he asked the guards.
The girl turned to him, her gaze steady. "Senior Brother, I'm here to become a disciple of the He Sect."
Song An studied her for a moment, then asked, "What's your name?"
"Wen Ying," she replied simply, her tone carrying an air of self-assurance.
Song An frowned slightly, shaking his head. "Wen Ying, I'm afraid I can't let you join. The recruitment ended days ago. We're no longer accepting disciples."
Before Wen Ying could respond, a sudden commotion caught their attention. In the distance, the distinct sound of clashing swords echoed from the waterfall behind the sect. The guards stiffened, and Song An immediately turned his head toward the noise.
"That's coming from the waterfall," he muttered.
By the time Song An and Wen Ying arrived, they found Feng Min and Sheng Ling locked in an intense duel. Their swords moved with lightning speed, the clash of their blades reverberating through the area. Both fought with fierce determination, their movements sharp and precise, but it was clear neither was using their full power yet.
"Stop this!" Song An called out, but the two seemed too absorbed in their fight to hear him.
The duel grew fiercer, their techniques becoming more intricate, and the energy in the air grew tense. Song An's patience snapped. Drawing his sword, he stepped between them and forced their blades apart with a powerful strike.
"Enough!" he commanded, his voice firm. Feng Min and Sheng Ling finally stepped back, their breathing steady but their eyes still locked on each other with competitive fire.
It was then that both noticed Wen Ying standing nearby. Sheng Ling glanced at her briefly but said nothing, while Feng Min's expression shifted slightly. His usual composure faltered for a brief moment, a flicker of shock crossing his face before he quickly masked it.
Song An caught the subtle change in Feng Min's expression and narrowed his eyes, but he chose to let it slide. Turning back to the two fighters, he said sternly, "This isn't the place for such recklessness. You're both disciples now—act like it."
Feng Min and Sheng Ling both bowed slightly in acknowledgment, though the tension between them was still palpable. Song An glanced back at Wen Ying, who remained calm despite the scene, and decided it was best to move on without addressing Feng Min's reaction.
"Let's go," Song An said, leading Wen Ying away. Though his expression remained neutral, his mind lingered on Feng Min's momentary reaction. There's more to this than meets the eye, he thought silently.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, Song An walked alongside Wen Ying, their footsteps echoing softly on the stone path. He glanced at her with a frown, his tone firm yet curious.
"Why did you come so late, Wen Ying? The recruitment ended days ago," he asked.
She sighed lightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I didn't know the exact direction," she admitted. "It took me time to find my way here."
Song An shook his head, his expression unwavering. "Even so, we can't take you now. The rules are clear, and the process is closed."
Wen Ying stopped, her gaze steady as she said with quiet determination, "I have good reasons to be here. And if you give me the chance, I'll prove that I'll be an exceptional disciple."
Song An raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "We've already accepted enough disciples. Go back. This is not your place," he said coldly, turning to leave.
Before he could take more than a few steps, Wen Ying's voice stopped him. "I heard about the demonic incident in the He Sect."
Song An froze mid-step, his head snapping back to look at her. His eyes widened slightly in shock. "What did you just say?"
Wen Ying's calm expression didn't waver. "The incident with the demonic presence in the He Sect and... the Bai Sect relocating. I know why they moved. And I also know what you discussed with the Bai Sect elders."
Song An's face darkened, suspicion flashing in his eyes. Only a select few knew about the cause of the incident—him, the He Sect elders, Feng Min, and Sheng Ling. Yet this stranger, who claimed to have wandered here by chance, spoke of it so casually.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.
She smiled faintly. "I'm just a wandering cultivator. Nothing more."
Song An's suspicion deepened, his mind racing. There was no way a mere wandering cultivator could know such confidential matters. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "If you truly want to join the He Sect, show me your skills. Prove you're worth accepting."
Wen Ying's lips curved into a confident smile. Without hesitation, she drew her sword. What followed was a display of unparalleled skill—her movements were swift and precise, her blade dancing with a deadly elegance. Each strike was calculated, showing not just raw power but also deep understanding and mastery.
Then, with a subtle shift in her stance, she vanished from view, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. Song An's sharp eyes scanned the area, but it wasn't until she reappeared behind him, her sword sheathed, that he realized the extent of her hiding skills.
Impressed but still wary, Song An nodded. "You've proven yourself. From this moment, you are my disciple," he said, though his tone carried a hint of reluctance.
Wen Ying bowed respectfully, her expression calm and unreadable. Song An couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than she let on, but for now, he decided to keep his doubts to himself.
She was his first disciple, and as he led her into the He Sect, he couldn't help but wonder what mysteries she would bring with her.
In the grand hall of the He Sect, the elders sat in a semicircle, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. Song An stood before them, his head slightly bowed, his demeanor respectful but resolute.
"Song An," one of the elders began, his tone measured, "why have you taken a disciple? You've yet to fully complete your own cultivation journey."
Song An straightened slightly, meeting the elder's gaze. "I thought it would be beneficial," he explained calmly. "Having a companion to train alongside me will motivate me to learn faster and improve myself. It's an opportunity for growth—for both of us."
The elders exchanged glances, clearly not fully convinced. One of them was about to speak when the sect leader raised his hand, silencing the room.
"That's enough," the leader said firmly, his authoritative voice carrying through the hall. "Song An, take your disciple and focus on training. That will be all."
Song An bowed deeply. "Yes, Sect Leader." Without another word, he turned and left the hall.
As the heavy doors closed behind him, one of the elders leaned toward the sect leader. "Why did you allow this?" he asked in a low voice. "Song An is still young. He may not be ready for the responsibility of a disciple."
The sect leader looked at the elder, his expression calm but thoughtful. "He may not be ready now," he admitted, "but he will have to bear such responsibilities in the future. This experience will help him grow—teach him lessons he cannot learn through cultivation alone."
The elders nodded slowly, though some still seemed unsure.
The sect leader's gaze became more serious, and he leaned forward slightly. "However, the true purpose of this meeting is not about Song An or his new disciple." His tone turned grave, leaving the room in a tense silence.
The elders straightened in their seats, their attention fully focused. Whatever the sect leader was about to address, it was clear it would be of great importance.