The courtyard fell silent after Lin Xuanji finished reading the scroll.
He kept holding the paper like it was an execution notice.
In many ways, it felt like one.
"A demonstration…" he muttered. "In front of all the northern sects… in front of the Jade Sparrow Alliance elders… with spectators… and judges… and—"
Kai Yun planted her sword in the ground and grinned broadly.
"Me. Pick me. I was born for this moment."
"No," Lin Xuanji said immediately.
Feng Xiao crossed her arms. "She'll blow the stage up by mistake."
Kai Yun scoffed. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It is," Lin Xuanji said. "We want the world to recognize us, not blacklist us."
Ruolan tugged on Lin Xuanji's robe nervously.
"D-Do I… have to go on stage?"
"No," Lin Xuanji said, then softened his voice. "Not this time. You're not ready for crowds yet."
Ruolan nodded quickly, visibly relieved, though a small part of him seemed disappointed he wasn't ready.
Kai Yun clapped him on the back so hard he stumbled.
"Don't worry, little bro! You'll shine later!"
Ruolan almost died on the spot.
Tian Wen stepped forward calmly, eyes steady.
"I will do it."
Lin Xuanji blinked. "You will?"
Tian Wen nodded without a hint of hesitation.
"It is not that I want to be seen. It is that the sect must be seen—and I can perform without embarrassing you."
Kai Yun gasped dramatically. "HE JUST SAID I'D EMBARRASS US!"
"I didn't," Tian Wen said.
"You THOUGHT IT!"
"Likely," Feng Xiao muttered.
Kai Yun whipped toward her. "HEY—"
Stonewall approached, arms folded like a living statue.
"Tian Wen is the only one with mental stability."
Kai Yun pointed at Mu Xiaofan. "WHAT ABOUT HIM?!"
Stonewall turned to Mu Xiaofan, who was gently feeding the dragonling a handful of grass and whispering lullabies.
"He is a child who calms ancient monsters. That is not stable. That is witchcraft."
Mu Xiaofan blinked up at him innocently. "Witch… what?"
Lin Xuanji exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples.
"Okay… let's be logical. Tian Wen is indeed our most balanced. He won't fight wildly, he won't panic, and—"
The mountain hummed.
Lin Xuanji glared at the peak. "Don't hum at me when I'm trying to be responsible."
The mountain hummed again, louder.
Ling Xueyin approached silently, her presence calming the whole courtyard in an instant.
"Tian Wen is the right choice," she said. "His temperament suits public attention. And his techniques, though simple, are clean."
Tian Wen bowed to her.
"I will represent the sect with as much dignity as I can."
Ruolan looked at him with awe.
Feng Xiao nodded approvingly.
Kai Yun groaned loudly but didn't argue.
Mu Xiaofan gave him a handful of berries "for luck."
Lin Xuanji took a long breath.
"…Alright. Tian Wen will be our representative."
Tian Wen nodded.
"Then I must prepare."
He turned to leave—
but the moment he stepped forward, he froze.
Everyone felt it.
A faint pressure in the air.
Not dangerous—
but sharp, like a blade drawn in silence.
Tian Wen looked down at his own hand in surprise.
"…My qi is responding."
Stonewall stepped closer.
"Your Seedless Root awakening is progressing. The mountain's energy accelerated it."
Tian Wen inhaled slowly, eyelids lowering as he felt the shift inside him.
Feng Xiao stepped forward, curious.
"What's happening?"
Stonewall's tone remained steady.
"He is approaching a breakthrough."
Ruolan gasped softly.
"K-Already?"
Kai Yun slammed a fist into her palm. "YES! POWER UP ARC! LET'S GO!"
Lin Xuanji's eyes widened. "Wait—can he control it? If he breaks through too fast—"
Ling Xueyin laid a calming hand on his arm.
"He'll be fine. His foundation is solid."
The escorts watching from the side exchanged whispers, startled.
"That boy… his spiritual fluctuation spiked just now."
"Impossible. They've only revived recently—unless…"
"Unless the rumors are true. Heavenly Peak may not be simple."
Lin Xuanji heard none of this.
He was too focused on Tian Wen, who stood still as the wind around him shifted.
The mountain hummed again.
This time, not teasing.
Not mocking.
A low, grounding hum—
like a drum deep in the earth.
Tian Wen closed his eyes.
"…I can see it."
Lin Xuanji stepped closer. "See what?"
Tian Wen opened his eyes slowly.
"The path forward."
The ground beneath his feet cracked lightly—not from damage, but from stabilization; the earth-energy around him settling into a perfect balance.
Stonewall nodded once.
"He's ready."
Tian Wen bowed once more.
"I will not let the sect down."
Lin Xuanji stared at him, a strange mix of pride and fear swelling in his chest.
"…I know."
Kai Yun pumped her fist.
"HE'S GONNA CRUSH THAT CEREMONY!"
Feng Xiao smirked. "Try not to break the stage."
Ruolan gave him a small, brave smile.
"G-Good luck…"
Mu Xiaofan held out the fox.
"He says he believes in you."
Tian Wen looked at all of them, and for the first time, a faint smile touched his lips.
"Thank you."
Ling Xueyin raised her voice gently.
"Three days until departure. Tonight… Tian Wen trains with me."
Feng Xiao muttered, "He's lucky."
Kai Yun snapped, "YEAH—WAIT, WHY LING XUEYIN?!"
Stonewall answered plainly.
"She is the only one who won't kill him by accident."
Kai Yun opened her mouth—
closed it—
and nodded reluctantly.
"Fair."
Lin Xuanji clapped his hands, nervous and excited all at once.
"Alright, everyone. Let's prepare. We leave for the ceremony soon."
The mountain hummed softly.
The dragonling stirred.
The disciples straightened their backs.
And for the first time…
Heavenly Peak felt like a sect ready to meet the world.