As the morning sun rose over the Shenzhou Province, its light bathed the grand structures of the Shining Blade Sect. The sect was bustling with activity, hurriedly preparing to receive guests from far and wide. Some early arrivals were engaged in their morning training routines, while others immersed themselves in the region's literature within the peaceful confines of the sect's library.
Amidst this serene scene, Xu Lian found herself grappling with unexpected challenges. She had received word that the children of the Blazing Dawn Sect had escaped her men’s search efforts the previous night, finding refuge in an imperial carriage. This alone was headache-inducing, but the situation escalated with the arrival of the Blazing Dawn Sect's guards. They were clamoring to organize a search party, sending urgent messages back to their sect. Xu Lian knew all too well that Li Mei, the formidable martial warrior of the Blazing Dawn Sect, would spare no effort to find her children’s captors once she learned that they were safe.
If only the plan had unfolded as Xu Lian anticipated, she would have avoided these complications. Now, with the plan derailed, she faced the daunting task of damage control and containment.
In her chambers, Xu Lian paced back and forth, weighing her options. The sounds of preparation and training outside seemed incongruous with her mounting anxiety. She needed to devise a strategy swiftly, one that would mitigate the repercussions of this unforeseen turn of events. The reputation of the Shining Blade Sect and her own standing in the martial world depended on it.
Xu Lian strode out of her office to where her martial artists and guards had been waiting for hours. They eagerly awaited her approval to organize a search party. Addressing them firmly, she declared, "I will dispatch our finest men to locate the young master and mistresses. This is now our top priority at the Shining Blade Sect. We seek to foster peace with our rivals, the Blazing Dawn Sect. If it means eradicating every bandit on the Zunzon road, so be it! We will spare no effort."
With these words, she quelled their concerns and swiftly passed through the gathered crowd before they could barrage her with questions. Xu Lian understood the urgency of the situation. The children would soon arrive at the sect, and she needed to strategize her next steps accordingly to avoid being being found out.
Main Street Road, Konsa City, Shenzhou Province
The imperial carriage, adorned with luxurious designs and bearing the imperial symbol, elegantly traversed the main road. Normally bustling with activity, the thoroughfare now parted ways respectfully as the carriage passed through. The two scout carriages had coordinated to ensure a smooth passage for the princess, prompting bystanders to bow in deference to the imperial family.
Inside the carriage, Huangshu responded to Wei's statement, "So you suspect your captors were from the Shining Blade Sect?"
"I'm not stating it definitively, Your Highness! I'm merely speculating because the third captor attempted a signature Shining Blade Sect technique," Wei replied defensively. Jinhai shot him a disapproving glance and interjected, "Show respect, young man. She deserves it." Wei shrugged off the reprimand. The atmosphere inside the carriage had noticeably shifted since their departure from Zunzon road. However, Lin's jealousy was still palpable in her gaze.
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Huangshu smiled and looked at Junior Edina with excitement in her eyes again. “Edina, would you like to go sightseeing around town after we reach the Shining Blade Sect? I’ve always wanted to do that! A princess and princess hangout!” Junior Edina has allowed Huangshu to call her with her given name and vice versa since calling each “your highness” was not really something both of them wanted.
Junior Edina, ever the shy and meek girl, nodded. Despite gaining confidence ever since she received Senior Edina’s letter a month ago, she was still a 13-year-old girl with no real friends. This offer from Huangshu was a significant change for her.
As they continued talking, the Shining Blade Sect came into view. The sect was an impressive sight, nestled against the backdrop of the towering Shenzhou Mountains. The entrance was marked by a grand archway, intricately carved with symbols of the sect's storied history. Beyond the archway, a series of beautifully maintained gardens and courtyards stretched out, each adorned with vibrant flowers and meticulously pruned bonsai trees. The main hall, a magnificent structure of polished stone and wood, rose majestically at the center, its roof adorned with shimmering tiles that reflected the morning sun. Surrounding the main hall were numerous smaller buildings, each serving a different purpose, from training halls to meditation chambers. The entire sect exuded an aura of tranquility and discipline, a testament to its esteemed reputation, which allowed it to have rivalry with one of the nine great sects.
On the staircase leading to the peak of Mount Hua, within the Hua Province,
Lu Shun was struggling to catch his breath. Each step seemed steeper and more unforgiving than the last. His subordinates, who had been keeping pace with him, were now starting to drift into unconsciousness sporadically as they climbed higher and higher up the mountain. This grueling ascent was a test to determine the worthiness of participants for the prestigious Dragon and Phoenix Tournament hosted by the Mount Hua Sect. The tournament was an esteemed event, offering a great opportunity for young martial artists to showcase their talents and skills, gaining recognition across the central plains.
The Mount Hua Sect was uniquely structured with two distinct areas. At the base of the mountain lay the outer sect, where the general populace could engage in interactions related to investment, competition, and business opportunities. This outer sect served as a bridge between the martial arts world and the everyday world of commerce and social interaction. In stark contrast, the true essence of the sect resided at the mountain's peak, where the ancient sect was located. This upper sect was the hallowed ground of one of the oldest martial arts institutions in the world, steeped in tradition and history.
The arduous climb to the summit was a test reserved for martial artists of at least grade 1. Lu Shun, despite being a grade 1 half-step martial artist, was determined to complete it. His heart pounded in his chest, and his legs felt like lead, but his resolve was unyielding. He knew that reaching the top was only the beginning; to achieve his goal of winning at least one title in the tournament, he first needed to prove his worthiness by conquering this formidable challenge. Each step he took was a testament to his determination and his unwavering spirit, and he was determined to overcome this trial and make a name for himself in the martial arts world.
As his eyes finally caught sight of the imposing gates of the upper sect, a surge of determination coursed through Lu Shun. His vision, however, began to blur, the world around him fading in and out of focus. His legs trembled with exhaustion, every muscle in his body screaming for respite. Despite this, he forced himself to move forward, each step feeling like a monumental effort. The gates seemed so close, yet so impossibly far.
With sheer willpower, Lu Shun pushed onward, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The majestic gates of the ancient sect loomed larger with every step, their intricate carvings and the aura of history they exuded beckoning him. He could almost feel the weight of his ambition driving him forward, the dreams of glory in the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament just within reach.
But the physical toll of the climb was relentless. His vision continued to waver, dark spots dancing before his eyes. His pace slowed, and the sounds of his surroundings grew distant and muffled. As he drew nearer to the gates, his strength waned. Just a few more steps, he told himself, willing his body to obey.
In a final, desperate push, Lu Shun staggered towards the gates, his hand reaching out to grasp the cool, ancient wood. But before he could cross the threshold, his strength gave out entirely. His knees buckled, and he felt himself falling. The world around him spun wildly before everything went black, and he drifted into unconsciousness.
Lu Shun lay motionless at the entrance of the upper sect, a testament to his unyielding determination. He had made it further than many others, his body lying just short of his goal, a reminder of the grueling journey he had undertaken and the challenges that lay ahead in his quest for martial glory.