Wu Meng floated through the air, his heart racing as he looked down at the world below. Flying—he still couldn't quite believe it. The wind whipped past his face, and his oversized robes flapped awkwardly as they glided through the sky. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced—or at least anything he could remember. The sensation of weightlessness was both exhilarating and terrifying.

Is this normal for cultivators? he wondered. He watched as Lian Hua flew ahead of him with perfect control, her robes trailing behind her like flowing embers. To her, it seemed effortless. For Wu Meng, it was a marvel.

The landscape below was a patchwork of forests, rivers, and rolling hills, stretching endlessly into the horizon. In the distance, he could see a cluster of houses and manor built against the side of a towering volcano.

Is this the Half-Phoenix Sect? he wondered as they were slowly but surely approaching it.

They were now only a few minutes away from their destination.

"So, do all of you fly like this all the time?" Wu Meng asked, his voice barely audible over the rush of wind. He didn't really expect an answer from Lian Hua, who was as silent as ever, her gaze fixed on the path ahead.

As they closed on their destination, Wu Meng spotted a clearing in the dense forest below. Something caught his attention—a battle was unfolding. A group of three cultivators fought desperately against a massive tiger-like creature, its fur crackling with lightning as it snarled and lunged at them. The creature's movements were swift and deadly, but the cultivators were skilled, parrying its strikes with blades that flashed in the three moons light.

Wu Meng's eyes locked onto the scene, his breath catching in his throat. "What is that?" he muttered to himself, his gaze drawn to the ferocious beast. The tiger moved with an unnatural speed, its lightning-infused body a blur as it dodged the cultivators' attacks. They were strong—clearly skilled in combat—but the tiger seemed to have the upper hand.

For a moment, he forgot everything else. The sight of cultivators battling such a fearsome beast in the middle of a forest clearing was nothing short of mesmerizing. He had no idea what the creature was, but it radiated power—dangerous and wild.

As they flew over the clearing, Wu Meng instinctively focused on the tiger, and its status window flickered into view before his eyes.

[Stormstrike Tiger - Core Formation Realm (Peak)]

Mental Resistance: 60%

Body Fortification: 75%

Danger Level: Mountain Breaker

Notes: Vulnerable at the base of its tail, where a small Qi node disrupts its lightning defenses.

Wu Meng blinked at the information, trying to make sense of it. "The base of its tail…" he murmured to himself. "That's it's weakness."

Lian Hua's sharp ears caught his words. She glanced back at him, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "What did you say?"

Wu Meng hesitated. "I… just noticed something. It's weak at the base of its tail, where the lightning seems to falter when it attacks. There's a… Qi node there."

Wu Meng didn't know himself what a Qi node was.

Lian Hua's eyes narrowed, her expression hard to read. "And how would you know that?"

He shrugged awkwardly. "I don't know… it's just something I saw."

Lian Hua's eyes narrowed, suspicion tightening her jaw. No ordinary person could spot a weakness like that. But still… she'd felt something strange about him since the moment they met. With a silent nod, she descended toward the clearing.

She landed with ease, her greatsword gleaming as she unsheathed it in one fluid motion. The disciples barely had time to register her presence before the Stormstrike Tiger attacked her. With seemingly ease, she took a step back to narrowly avoid the deadly tail before striking with deadly precision. The beast roared in pain, and with a second swing, she widened the wound from the tail to the head of the creature, instantly killing it.

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The disciples stared in shock, their mouths agape as the Stormstrike Tiger's body slumped to the ground.

"Lian Hua?" one of them stammered, his voice filled with disbelief. "How did you…?"

Lian Hua wiped the blood off her greatsword with a practiced flick, the blade gleaming in the fading light. The Stormstrike Tiger lay still at her feet, its massive form crumpled and lifeless. Without glancing back at the stunned disciples, she sheathed her sword in one swift motion, the metallic sound cutting through the stillness of the clearing.

Wu Meng watched, wide-eyed, as Lian Hua shot him a glance—half curiosity, half quiet approval. There was a flicker of something in her gaze, as if she was starting to see him differently, though the suspicion still lingered. She didn't say a word, simply nodded once before turning on her heel, her robes swirling around her as she took off into the air once again.

The three disciples, who had been locked in a life-or-death struggle only moments ago, stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief. Their mouths hung open, watching in stunned silence as Lian Hua ascended into the sky, leaving the defeated beast behind.

As they flew, the clearing quickly faded from view, swallowed by the vast forests and mountains surrounding the Half-Phoenix Sect. Wu Meng felt the wind rush past him, but his mind was still racing. He couldn't shake the image of Lian Hua effortlessly defeating the tiger that three trained cultivators couldn't even touch. How did she do that? He glanced at her, but she seemed unaffected, her face set in its usual expression of calm focus.

He thought back to what had just happened—the battle, the status window that had appeared before his eyes, and the words he had spoken almost on instinct. He didn't know where that knowledge had come from, yet somehow, it had been right. And Lian Hua… she had trusted it.

The volcano loomed ahead, smoke curling lazily from its peak. As they neared the sect, Wu Meng could see the stone buildings built into the side of the mountain, the pagodas rising like sentinels watching over the landscape. The sight filled him with awe again, though he couldn't help but wonder how ordinary this place must seem to those who lived here.

They descended slowly toward the gates of the sect, the volcanic rock beneath them glowing faintly in the dim light. The heat from the volcano made the air shimmer as they approached the massive entrance. Wu Meng felt a strange mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling up inside him. He had no idea what awaited him here, but he knew it was bound to be something significant.

As they touched down near the gates of the Half-Phoenix Sect, the towering doors loomed over them like silent guardians. Wu Meng felt his stomach twist as they landed. His palms were clammy, and his legs wobbled slightly, still adjusting to being on solid ground again. Lian Hua landed gracefully beside him, as if stepping down from the sky was just another day for her.

She glanced over at him, her face still impassive. "Let's go," she said, her voice low and firm. Without waiting for a response, she walked toward the sect's entrance, leaving Wu Meng to follow in her wake.

Standing at the entrance was a beautiful woman. Wu Meng's eyes lingered on her for a moment, taking in her flawless appearance—her long black hair, her elegant robes that shimmered like flame, and her intense, fiery red eyes.

[Yan Mei - Nascent Soul Realm (Early)]

Qi Intensity: Strong

Mental Resistance: 75%

Body Fortification: 60%

Danger Level: Country Destroyer

Notes: A sharp mind and skilled with spiritual energy manipulation. She has been the doorkeeper of the Half-Phoenix sect for hundreds of years.

Hundreds of years !? Wu Meng wondered while looking at the beauty in front of him.

Meanwhile, Mei's eyes flicked from Lian Hua to him, and her lips curved into a playful smile. "Well, well," she purred, her voice smooth as silk. "Lian Hua, back from the wilds with a new friend already? That didn't take long."

Lian Hua stiffened. "He's an outsider, found near the secret realm. I'm bringing him to the elders."

Mei's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Mmm, an outsider, you say? And you just happened to find him near the secret realm?" She stepped closer to Wu Meng, eyeing him with interest. "A fancy boy, no less. You've certainly improved your taste."

Wu Meng blinked. "I'm… standing right here, you know."

Mei's laugh was light, almost musical. "Oh, I know. Don't worry, dear. Lian Hua can be… intense, but you'll get used to it. I'm sure the elders will be very interested in your story."

Lian Hua cut in, her tone sharp. "Mei, enough. We need to see the elder now."

Mei raised her hands in mock surrender, her smile widening. "Of course, of course. Go on, then. I'll be sure to tell everyone about your little adventure later."

Lian Hua exhaled softly through her nose, clearly holding back a retort. She didn't spare another glance at Mei as she walked toward the main path leading deeper into the Half-Phoenix Sect. Wu Meng hurried after her, glancing back at the doorkeeper's playful smirk before catching up.