Morning sunlight spilled across the courtyard, bright and warm.
But Lin Xuanji could feel a thick tension in the air—
like the world itself was waiting for Heavenly Peak to take its next step.
He stood before the disciples with his arms crossed.
"Alright. We have three goals before the ceremony."
Kai Yun raised her hand.
"FIGHT?"
"No."
Feng Xiao raised her hand.
"FIGHT but politely?"
"No!"
Kai Yun raised BOTH hands.
"OKAY BUT WHAT ABOUT—"
Lin Xuanji pointed at her.
"Kai Yun, no version of your question involving fighting will be accepted."
Kai Yun slowly lowered her arms.
"…Understood."
Mu Xiaofan whispered to the fox,
"She really likes battles."
Ruolan nodded shyly.
"I-I think she likes them too much…"
Tian Wen stepped forward, calm and composed.
"What are the goals, Sect Master?"
Lin Xuanji straightened up with a cough.
"Goal one: Not embarrassing ourselves."
Silence.
Kai Yun squinted. "This one already feels impossible."
Feng Xiao nodded.
"I agree."
"HEY!"
"Goal two," Lin Xuanji continued loudly,
"Basic formation training. We need to look organized."
Ruolan looked panicked.
"I'll trip…"
"You'll be fine!"
Tian Wen nodded.
"I'll guide Ruolan."
Ruolan's ears turned red.
Kai Yun: "I CAN GUIDE HER TOO—"
Lin Xuanji: "NO."
Kai Yun: "…"
Feng Xiao smirked.
"Goal three," Lin Xuanji said,
"Proper clothes."
Kai Yun's eyes lit up again.
"UNIFORMS!"
Mu Xiaofan raised his hand shyly.
"Can mine have a leaf pattern?"
"No."
"Aw…"
Stonewall stepped forward, his voice echoing like rolling boulders.
"We must also create a proper impression. Sect Master, the world will judge us."
Lin Xuanji sighed.
"I know. Which is why we'll practice greetings and etiquette."
Kai Yun raised her hand again.
"Will I have to bow?"
"Yes."
"Will I have to bow NICELY?"
"Yes."
Kai Yun dropped to the ground.
"THIS IS TORTURE!"
Feng Xiao kicked her lightly.
"Stop being dramatic."
Lin Xuanji clapped for attention.
"Alright. First, the greeting stance. Everyone follow me—"
He raised his hands in a standard sect salutation.
His body moved with ancient precision.
Graceful.
Beautiful.
Perfect.
Everyone froze.
Tian Wen whispered, "That's… elegant."
Feng Xiao blinked. "He's doing it again."
Kai Yun yelled,
"WHY CAN YOU MOVE LIKE THAT WHEN YOU CLAIM YOU'RE WEAK?!"
Lin Xuanji panicked and flailed his arms.
"I-I don't know! My body just DOES things!"
Stonewall nodded deeply.
"Yes. Instincts of an apex cultivator."
"STOP SAYING THAT!"
---
A Disturbance Below the Mountain
Before they could continue training, Wei Tian landed with heavy steps.
"Sect Master."
Lin Xuanji stiffened.
"Please tell me nothing new is happening."
Wei Tian shook his head slowly.
"I cannot."
Lin Xuanji felt his knees buckle.
"What now…"
Wei Tian pointed down the mountain trail.
"A group approaches."
Ruolan swallowed audibly.
Kai Yun grinned.
"ENEMIES?!"
"No," Wei Tian said.
"Escorts."
Lin Xuanji blinked.
"…Escorts?"
Stonewall crossed his arms.
"The alliance would send a guide. Good."
Lin Xuanji stared in horror.
"No. NO! Not yet! We aren't ready! We haven't even practiced bowing!"
Feng Xiao shrugged.
"They're just escorts."
"That's worse! Escorts see EVERYTHING!"
The mountain hummed helpfully.
Lin Xuanji screamed,
"STOP HUMMING AT MY PAIN!"
Tian Wen approached calmly.
"We should meet them."
Mu Xiaofan fed a squirrel.
"They feel friendly."
Kai Yun rested her giant sword on her shoulder.
"I'll come too! Just in case they want to fight."
Lin Xuanji: "THEY WON'T."
Kai Yun: "But what if they DO?"
Lin Xuanji: "THEY WON'T."
Kai Yun: "But what if—"
Lin Xuanji: "KA. YUN. NO."
Kai Yun sulked.
---
Heavenly Peak's First Visitors
They walked down the stone steps to the entrance path.
There, waiting politely, were three cultivators in Alliance robes.
The leader, a middle-aged man with a composed expression, bowed deeply.
"Heavenly Peak's Sect Master. Honored Elders. Disciples.
I greet you on behalf of the Jade Sparrow Alliance."
Lin Xuanji forced a smile.
"Ah… yes. Welcome to our… functional sect."
Feng Xiao whispered,
"That didn't sound confident."
Kai Yun added,
"It sounded like a lie."
The leader smiled politely.
"We are here to escort you to the northern stronghold in three days.
Please prepare accordingly."
Lin Xuanji panicked inside.
"You mean… you're staying right here? On my mountain?"
The leader nodded.
"Of course. The roads are dangerous."
Kai Yun: "CAN I SPAR WITH THEM—"
Lin Xuanji grabbed her face.
"No."
Feng Xiao muttered,
"We're doomed."
Tian Wen bowed politely to the escorts.
Ruolan hid behind him.
Mu Xiaofan offered the leader a berry.
"For your journey…"
The leader accepted with a warm smile.
"Thank you, little one."
Lin Xuanji froze.
"Wait—people can be NICE?!"
Ling Xueyin whispered,
"Not everyone is trying to kill you."
"ARE YOU SURE?!"
"Yes."
Lin Xuanji sighed deeply.
"…Fine. We'll host them."
Stonewall nodded.
"And we must continue training."
Kai Yun pumped her fist.
"TRAINING!"
Ruolan looked terrified.
Feng Xiao rolled her eyes.
Tian Wen breathed calmly.
Mu Xiaofan happily picked herbs.
Wei Tian maintained alert silence.
Lin Xuanji took a deep breath.
"Alright. Let's get through this without embarrassing ourselves."
The mountain hummed.
Lin Xuanji shouted,
"THAT WASN'T AN INVITATION!"