The following months blurred past quickly as they settled into an intense training routine, their days filled with cultivation, sparring, and refining their techniques. The once calm and quiet forest was filled with the echoes of their training—sounds of clashing weapons, shouted techniques, and the rhythmic chanting of mantras.

Jiang Tao had achieved the late foundation stage and was very close to peak stage, all that remained was Zhou Yixing's breakthrough. Yixing's progress was steady; though a step behind Jiang Tao, he was fiercely determined.

One crisp morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through the canopy, Yixing emerged from his meditation with a look of stubborn determination. He had spent weeks on the brink of a breakthrough, and today felt different.

“Brother Tao,” Yixing called, his voice carrying an edge of excitement. “I believe today is the day.”

Jiang Tao looked up from his meditation, a smile of encouragement on his face. “Are you sure?”

“I feel it in my bones,” Yixing's energy was palpable as he spoke, his aura crackling with anticipation. Jiang Tao rose to his feet, stretching lightly before approaching his friend.

"Then let’s not waste any time.”

Jiang Tao stepped back leaving the formation to give Yixing the ideal space he needed. He watched as Yixing took his position, and he entered a deep meditative state.

Moments turned into hours, but Jiang Tao remained patient, understanding that breakthroughs were delicate and required the utmost concentration.

The intensity of Yixing’s qi fluctuated, sometimes flaring brightly, then dimming as if the energy was battling within itself for dominance

As his qi reached a critical mass, the surrounding air seemed to vibrate with an almost tangible force.

Finally, with a powerful surge, Yixing’s cultivation base rose and steadied. A wave of energy radiated outward, stirring the leaves and branches in a cascading ripple as he expelled the residual overflow.

“Congratulations, Brother,” Jiang Tao said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. “You’ve made it.”

“Now that we’re both at late Foundation Stage, it’s time to head for the Dawnmist Mountains,” Jiang Tao said, his voice laced with anticipation. “The Twilight Flame Sect is waiting, and we’ve lingered here long enough.”

----------------------------------------

With their preparations complete and their cultivation advanced, Jiang Tao and Yixing set out toward the Dawnmist Mountains.

The journey took them through rugged terrain and dense forests, their path occasionally obscured by fog that seemed to rise from the earth itself.

The mountains loomed ahead, their peaks shrouded in mist, creating an ethereal and almost foreboding atmosphere. The central peak towered over the rest.

As they approached the base of the Dawnmist Mountains, Jiang Tao and Yixing came to a halt, surveying the rugged landscape before them. The fog hung heavy in the air, casting an almost ghostly glow over the mountains.

Jiang Tao removed the sect plaque from his pouch, the ornate artifact shimmering faintly even in the dim light. He studied it closely, trying to decipher the symbols and inscriptions that might reveal the entrance to the Twilight Flame Sect.

Yixing, standing beside him, peered at the plaque with equal focus. "It should have some sort of marking or guiding mechanism," he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

They walked for a bit before the plaque started glowing faintly.

“What does that mean?” He asked an equally perplexed Yixing.

“I don't know,” he answered.

As the plaque glowed faintly, Jiang Tao noticed a subtle shift in the surrounding fog. The mist seemed to part, revealing a narrow, winding path that led deeper into the mountains.

“Ah! The mist is a defensive array,” Yixing said nodding in realization. “I wonder what would've happened if we didn't have the plaque on hand…”

The path led them to a pair of massive bronze gates. They were etched with carvings of the four divine beasts two on each section.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“This must be the entrance,” Jiang Tao said, his gaze fixed on the gates. “But how do we open them?”

“Who goes there!” A booming voice asked, then a low rumbling sound echoed through the area as the gates slowly creaked open.

When they fully opened the figure or rather figures on the other side were revealed, four men clad in identical dark robes each with a spear by their side.

Gate guard

“Peace seniors,” He said as he bowed, Yixing following suit.

Tao could tell the men were core formation stage cultivators, they couldn't afford any disrespect here.

“We’re from the Imperial sect,” he said as he showed off his sect emblem, summoning it from the depths of his storage ring. It was a small jade token in the shape of a sunburst.

The guards' stern expressions softened slightly at the mention of the Imperial Sect. One of them, a tall figure with a commanding presence, stepped forward.

“Welcome to the Twilight Flame Sect,” he said, his voice firm but less intimidating. “I am Guard Captain Lin. You are expected.”

The guards stepped aside and gestured for them to enter. The environment inside was not at all similar to the outside. The chill of the mountain air was replaced by a soothing warmth, and the atmosphere shifted from foreboding to inviting.

The path led them through lush, meticulously maintained gardens, with vibrant flora and serene water features enhancing the peaceful ambiance.

Elegant pavilions and ornate structures were interspersed among the greenery, their architecture traditional in design.

Guard Captain Lin led them along the primary avenue, their footsteps echoing softly on the stone pathways. “This is the peak of embers, the core of our sect,” he explained. “Esteemed Elder Chen has you in the unused dormitories”

As they walked, they got curious looks from passing disciples. Some even shot them glares. They approached the dormitories, which appeared to be a row of wide buildings.

Captain Lin led them to a building that was the last in the row. “That is where you will be housed,” He said curtly before turning around and leaving them.

Jiang Tao and Zhou Yixing exchanged curious glances as Guard Captain Lin departed. The dormitory building, though functional, seemed somewhat unremarkable compared to the grandeur of the sect's main areas they had passed through.

The atmosphere was notably different from the lush gardens and ornate pavilions they had seen.

"Truly a wonder we're being treated like outer sect disciples," Yixing said with a wry smile. “Well, let's see if our fellow disciples are here?”

They pushed open the doors and stepped inside the dormitory. The room fell silent as the other occupants turned to look at the newcomers.

“Brother Yixing! Brother Tao!” Zhang Yuhan's excited voice called.

Zhang Yuhan, the missing piece of their trio, was already on his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Jiang Tao and Yixing's faces lit up with surprise and joy at the sight of Zhang Yuhan. The three friends quickly closed the distance between them, exchanging heartfelt embraces.

"Yuhan! We didn't expect to see you here!" Jiang Tao exclaimed, his voice full of relief.

Someone in the room scoffed, but they ignored it, focused on their reunion after what was close to two years.

Jiang Tao could see many familiar faces in the building, Zhang Yue, Liu Yang, Yu Hongyi and other disciples of the celestial illumination sect.

So we’re split by gender. Tao noticed that all the occupants were male.

As the initial excitement of the reunion settled, Zhang Yuhan led Jiang Tao and Yixing to a cluster of vacant beds. The dormitory was simple but functional, with wooden furnishings and minimal decor.

“So, how did you end up here?” Yixing asked Zhang Yuhan, his curiosity piqued.

Zhang Yuhan’s expression turned contemplative. “It’s a long story. Before we fell, First Brother used a treasure to save a couple of us, so we landed together. The rest of it was training until we made our way here"

Lucky you, I fell headfirst into a mountain. He thought wryly.

Jiang Tao's eyes looked out for the first prince, and he found him situated with a group of other disciples their eyes met and they exchanged small nods.

Zhang Shen had a regal air about him that none of his siblings could match, and a weird maturity that made Jiang Tao doubt his age.

What are the odds he had a perfect treasure on hand? He couldn't help but envy his peers sometimes they all had wondrous artifacts and treasures. Before coming to Howling Valley territory all he had was a dagger and some low-grade talismans.

Master Yao’s inheritance was priceless as a result and he also had the talisman he had swiped from Lord Bai.

May your next life be peaceful Master Yao. Jiang Tao thought, offering a silent prayer for the master whose teachings and treasures had elevated him.

"So now that we're here what's next?" He asked Yuhan.

Zhang Yuhan scratched his head, his eyes thoughtful. “I confess to being clueless. They've just holed up here with no word. We haven’t seen a lick of Elder Chen Zhiyuan. For now, we’ve just been cultivating, but it's hard to focus in such a cramped space. My father is Emperor but we're being treated like dogs here,” He said, frustrated. “They mean to humble us. Show us we’re no better than outer sect disciples from, backwater sects.”

Jiang Tao nodded surveying the spartan dormitory, it didn’t bother him after roughing it out in the forest for a year; it was ok. Sure there was Ying Manor, but he was there for a short time, so he didn’t get that comfortable.

It’s probably the perceived disrespect that’s got him agitated. He was coming to learn face was everything in this new world.

“Even the disciples are testing us. Only Second brother is getting preferential treatment.” Yuhan said bitterly.

Both Yixing and Jiang Tao turned to look at the second prince, Zhang Yue, who was surrounded by his usual group which comprised of Chu Kaicheng, Zeng Weilong, and Song Zhan. He wasn’t really familiar with that group of disciples; they thought themselves too important. A few of them were missing, they had likely not made their way to the sect yet.

“I just thank the great sage that you arrived before Fourth brother, it was hard being alone here.”

The conversation was interrupted as the door to the dormitory opened, and a newcomer entered—a young man with a sharp gaze and an air of quiet confidence. He was dressed in the Twilight Flame sect robes but they weren’t those of an outer sect disciple.

He scanned the room with a dismissive glance his eyes brief settling on Jiang Tao and Yixing before continuing.

“The esteemed elders have sent a missive,” the young man said, his voice carrying a tone of authority. He let the words sink in. “You are all to report to the central pavilion immediately.”

A murmur of surprise rippled through the dormitory. That was a first.

The newcomer, noticing their reaction, offered a faint, almost imperceptible smirk before turning on his heel and exiting the room.

As the door closed behind him, the tension in the room was palpable.

“Looks like we’re finally going to get some answers,” Tao said, trying to sound optimistic despite the underlying tension.