"Hey, get down from that tree, you punk." Ling Yue, the Third Master of Ying Lian Zong. His voice was loud across the courtyard.
Zhizi leaned his head to the side, really lazy. He had one foot hanging over the branch. "No way! I am not getting down," he said with a smile on his face.
Ling Yue was so frustrated that he threw his hands up in the air. He said, "Forget it, you are really hard to deal with." He walked away, leaving him up there.
Zhizi just moved a little on the branch. He seemed like nothing could bother him, as if he didn't have a care in the world. "Finally!.. Peaceful," he muttered.
Then suddenly, Zhizi saw something in the corner of his eyes.
He saw a few masters of the different sects having a meeting. "A meeting again? Seriously?"... he muttered, as he squinted his eyes to see more.
Then...
"Ouch!" He fell to the ground, people staring at him. His face turned red as he got up.
Then, out of nowhere, Fei Luan/Luanzi, the First Master of Ying Lian Zong, popped up in front of him. His face was serious. "What are you planning to do? Huh?" his voice was cold.
"U-uhm... I'm just getting some fresh air up there," he spoke shyly.
"Fresh air, you said, huh?" He grinned. "Anyways… your sister Meilin has been looking for you for hours. There's a meeting happening, so go attend it."
"W-what??! A meeting again?!" He shouted, "I don't want this anymore. This is so hard for me." He dramatically fell to the ground.
Fei Luan put his hand on his head, looking stressed. "It's just a five-minute meeting, it won't take that long..."
"Yeah, it better be," he rolled his eyes, got up, and started walking.
They walked along the road as a horse-drawn carriage passed by. "Soo.... Your name is Fei Luan? Right?"
"No—"
Zhizi interrupted him. "I've heard it in my sect, though. They said you're the most powerful master in Ying Lian Zong.."
"Then why question it if you already know?" he questioned, annoyed.
Zhizi's face turned red. "A-ah.. Forget it!.." Zhizi's voice was embarrassed. I hate myself, AHHHHH, he thought.
And all of a sudden..
They realized that they had arrived at the meeting place of all the Lotus Sects.
"Master Luanzi!," He ran towards them. "You've arrived, where did you go?" Ling Yue asked, then out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zhizi. His expression changed.
"Seriously? Master, what is this punk doing here? He was suppose—"
Fei Luan raised his hand in a stopping gesture. "His sister called him, so I brought him here to attend the meeting." His voice was serious.
"M-Master, I sincerely apologize for speaking to you in such a manner. I humbly ask for your forgiveness." He bowed deeply.
"You're overreacting, Ling Yue. I didn't know you had such an attitude," Zhizi chuckled.
Ling Yue got up. "W-what.. are you laughing at!? That isn't funny," he shouted.
"Okay… chill, no need to shout. But why do you really hate me so much? I'm the most handsome man, you know that?" he teasingly said.
"Hell n—"
Fei Luan interrupted them. "Enough, the two of you," his voice was commanding as he added, "Shall we go now?"
"Yup, let's go.." Zhizi responded.
They stepped closer to where the masters of the different sects were talking.
"Master Luanzi! You've arrived." They bowed deeply as a sign of respect.
"Master… may I ask why Meilin's brother is here?" Mo Qing, the Fourth Master of Fen Lian Zong, asked.
"Come on, guys… why are you all questioning about me so much? I'm here to help, no matter what the problem is." Zhizi threw his hands up, interrupting Mo Qing's question.
"How dare you talk to me like that," Mo Qing answered.
"Talk like what?" Zhizi questioned.
Mo Qing clenched his fist. "You—"
"Enough.. We're here to talk, not to fight.." Xian Yao/Yaoxi, the Second Master of Tian Yong Zong, interrupted.
"My apologies, Master Yaoxi.." Mo Qing bowed deeply.
"Okay… as we were talking earlier, our mission is to find something important," Xian Yao said, then added, "the Celestial Lock."
Zhizi coughed. "Excuse me.. C-celestial lock?..."
"Yeah? What's wrong with that? Is it yours? You're the owner?" Ling Yue questioned, annoyed.
"No, I'm just questioning it," Zhizi said, pausing before adding, "I can help you find it if you want me to join your trip." He smirked, and silence grew as they looked at Zhizi strangely.
"S-..so may I know why you guys wanted to f-..find it?" Zhizi questioned, his face turning slightly red.
"Because it is necessary to answer our questions," Fei Luan replied.
"But the owner of that key passed away decades ago. He was killed by the evil Yun Zhi Lan; that is why we never knew where Yun Zhi Lan took the key." Xian Yao responded.
"Yeah, that's right! I still remember that man—he killed my parents and burned our entire village. I can still picture the scene… I almost got killed by him," Mo Qing said.
That man... Zhizi thought.
"Yeah, we know—we all feel the same. But we need to fight back no matter what, and we must find that key to uncover the past, understand the future, and answer the questions that have been hidden." Fei Luan said, his voice serious.
"Uh! Master, isn't that a waste of time?... I mean.. we all know that the owner of the key died. However, the point remains: we cannot open the book without the presence of the key's owner." Zhizi replied.
"And why do you know everything about it?" Mo Qing responded to Zhizi, his expression serious.
"Come on..." Zhizi chuckled, as he put his palm on his forehead, "How can I not know? I have a sister, and she told me everything about it."
Lei Jun, the Fourth Master of Po Lei Zong, popped up beside him, whispering quietly into Zhizi's ear, one hand shielding the side of his cheek. "Zhizi... Are you not really that scared of your sister?"
"Why suddenly say that?" Zhizi turned to look at Lei Jun, curious.
"Your sister is incredibly powerful. Considering she's only the Second Master, I've always been curious—who is the First Master of your sect?" Lei Jun curiously said.
"It's... a long story, Lei Jun.. I don't really know about it." He smiled at Lei Jun.
"So-"
"Shall we listen to them?" he pleaded. "Because I really want to join this mission." He gave Lei Jun a pleading, puppy-eyed look.
Lei Jun sighed. "As you wish."
Zhizi looked back at the several masters.
"So, Zhizi, we've agreed that you will join this mission." Xian Yao said, with a smile on his face.
"Ah! Really?!" He said excitedly.
"But there is one condition," Xian Yao responded.
"A condition?...." Zhizi said, almost melting to the ground. ARRGHHH WHYYY, he thought.
"Yes. On one condition—you must respect us. As an ordinary assistant of your sect, you are expected to show respect to all your masters."
Huh? Did they just call me an assistant? Uhm.. hello? I'm a master too, you know? Zhizi thought.
"Why silent, Zhizi? You can't handle that simple task?" Mo Qing said, almost laughing.
"No, Master... I will do my best to master it." He forcefully said it with politeness in his words.
"Good." Mo Qing smirked.
"Everyone, this is the map we have created. First, I will explain what each of you must do. The map is connected to the Imperial Tomb." Xian Yao said.
Xian Yao began, unrolling the map before them. "This mission is going to be tough. Each place has a challenge we need to beat."
Their faces turned serious, except for Zhizi.
He pointed to the mark.
"First, we have the Ancient Temple Ruins. There are two statues at the entrance. They have already fallen. Don't be fooled… the place is covered in moss and vines. It feels sacred… but it is also cursed."
His finger moved to the next.
"Second, there's the Crystal Cave. It's deep underground, where light barely reaches. There are eight-headed snakes that live there. The crystals shine…. They look pretty and hide danger. Stay alert—the echoes alone can make you crazy."
"Ohh... Interesting~" Zhizi mumbled
He continued, voice steady.
"Third, we have the Abandoned Fortress. There, you will face King I and King II. Two rulers… two areas. One controls fire, the other ice—or maybe worse. You need to beat both."
He glanced at them briefly.
"Fourth, there's the Sunken City. Under the water is your challenge. Ancient ruins… statues watching from the deep. Serena will have her battle there."
He pointed again.
"Fifth, there's the Poison Swamp. A place filled with snakes that have poison. The air is thick, and the ground is not stable. One wrong step…. You won't make it out alive."
Poison swamp.. That sounds familiar... Zhizi thought.
His tone got darker.
"Sixth, there's the Ancient Battlefield. A ruined colosseum that is about to fall. That is where you will face the boss… a giant. The battlefield itself might fall before you do."
He tapped near the end.
"Seventh, there's the Library of the Ancients. A hidden archive filled with scrolls and symbols. You need to solve the paper puzzle to move on."
Then—
"Eighth, there's the Temple of Knowledge. Another challenge awaits—a puzzle of numbers and shifting walls. This one will test your brain, not your strength."
Finally, he pointed to the place… his expression serious.
"Last… the Imperial Tomb."
Imperial tomb... Zhizi repeated in his thoughts
The Lotus meeting room was silent.
"The key is in the Energy Core Chamber… floating, protected by some kind of force. That… is what we really want."
He looked at everyone.
"Get ready. Once we start… there is no going back."
"Uh.. Master Xian Yao, may I ask why you know all of this?" Zhizi asked politely.
"Based on your question, Zhizi, we attempted all of that decades ago, but nothing worked because the enemies were powerful. Over the years, they have only grown stronger—who knows how strong they are now? We cannot be certain. So, today, we must move forward and begin our mission." He said, then added,
"Prepare all your things. In 2 days, we will leave."
"Yes, Master!" They all bowed deeply as Xian Yao turned and returned to his sect.
Zhizi regained his composure, his head exploring the room, trying to find Lei Jun.
Then.
"Zhizi!" Lei Jun shouted.
"Master! Lei Jun," Zhizi bowed.
"Hey!.. no need to be so polite. I know you've been forcing yourself," Lei Jun whispered quietly.
"Finally.. A first master had noticed," Zhizi answered his voice is so dramatic.
"Pfft yea.. You should thank me you know that?" Lei Jun rolled his eyes, then he added. "So about what Master Xian Yao said sounds so difficult—it feels like we're already going to lose at the very first enemy."
"Yeah.. I've heard it too, but I think we can do it. We can use our powers," Zhizi answered. His face is very chill.
"We might be powerful, but the power of our enemies cannot be reached by anyone except for Yun Zhi Lan, or if we combine all our powers together," Lei Jun responded, his voice serious.
Yun Zhi Lan... Zhizi thought.
"What if I have that power?" Zhizi questioned. His voice is slightly serious.
"W-what do you mean, have that power? It's impossible.. no one can have that power except for Yun Zhi Lan." Lei Jun looked at Zhizi.
Zhizi chuckled "Chill i was just kidding.." he pauses then added "Let's just hope we can overcome the power of those enemies."
"I know right.." Lei Jun mumbled. Then he added "Uhm.. Are you familiar with Yun Zhi Lan?" He questioned, His face curious.
The sun was beginning to set, the question lingering in the air as its golden light touched Zhizi's face.
Then Zhizi chuckled "Pfft.. Seriously? Of course, I know him. He killed many people in the past and burned down entire sects."
"Yea.. your right. But he have a gentle side you know that?" Lei Jun said his voice serious as he looked at the sky, imagining that scene.
[Twenty years ago, Lei Jun was fourteen years old.]
"Master Yun Zhi Lan" Lei Jun hugged him, his face is full of admiration
"Lei Jun, I didn't see you there. Do you want to learn again?"
"Yes master Yun Zhi Lan!" He bowed deeply as a sign of respect, he gain back his composure, as the wind touched his skin, his hair flowed with the breeze.
"Then, come follow me" Yun Zhi Lan smiled as he trailed Lei Jun back to his sect.
The sun touches Lei Jun face, his hair flowed with breeze as they arrived in his sect.
"Very well, Lei Jun. Since it has been weeks, I shall now teach you how to handle a sword properly" Yun Zhi Lan responded, his voice playful.
Yun Zhi Lan drew his sword from his back and offered it to him. "This sword is now yours; you must learn to care for it" he hands the sword to Lei Jun.
"B-but.. Master isn't this yours? I..I cannot accept it; you would be left without a sword..." Lei Jun voice embarrassed, as he held the sword in his hand.
"I made that for you. Don't you want it?" Yun Zhi Lan questioned.
Suddenly, his own sword appeared in his hand. Energy spread through the air as Lei Jun flinched.
"I have my original sword right here Lei Jun, so that sword is all yours" He smiled at Lei Jun.
"I-... T-thank you very much Master Yun Zhi Lan!" He bowed once he had regained his composure.
"Let's start now shall we?" Yun Zhi Lan smiled.
"Yes Master!" Lei Jun responded.
[Back to present]
"That is all of my story about Yun Zhi Lan." Lei Jun looked back at Zhizi before adding, "The sword he gave me—I kept his promise."
He pointed to his sword. "I hope that one day, he can be proud of me." Lei Jun smiled.
Zhizi smiled "He must be so proud right now.."
"I hope so.." Lei Jun answered, his expression almost proud.
Then...
"You two—what are you doing here at this dusk hour?" Fei Luan questioned, his voice strict. Then he added, "Young Master Lei Jun, are you not supposed to be in charge here?"
"My apologies master Luanzi" Lei Jun bowed, his voice apologizing
"And you Zhizi. Why are you here with young master Lei Jun?" Fen Lian looked at Zhizi serious.
"Ah… my apologies, Master. I am here only to convey something important to the Young Master." Zhizi responded as the air flowed with the breeze, and the leaves of the trees began to fall.
"Okay then, two of you get back in your sects." Fei Luan's face was serious, his voice so cold that it sent a chill down Zhizi's spine.
"As you wish, Master. We will take our leave now." Lei Jun responded and held Zhizi's wrist, leading him toward his sect.
"AH! wait master Lei Jun, you're gripping too hard. Your making me cry here you know that?" Zhizi said with a hint of humor.
"Stop talking and mind your own business," he said.
"What suddenly happened to you-.. Ouch" he pauses then added "You were just talking to me like a friend earlier, and then suddenly you changed because of Master Fen Lian—does he have a special talent for ruining everyone's mood?"
Lei Jun sighed. "Fine, you're right." He released Zhizi's wrist.
"I should be going now. Since you've arrived at your sect, your sister Meilin must be worried—and I'll be dead if she finds out I told you useless stories."
"Don't worry, I won't say anything to her." He said to Lei Jun smiling
"Okay then bye.." Lei Jun turned around and went back to his sect, His footsteps disappearing.
Meanwhile, Zhizi returned to his sect, a quiet stillness greeting him as he stepped inside. The halls felt a little heavier than usual, making him slow his pace. As he walked further in, he finally spotted her—his sister, sitting calmly as she waited for him, as if she had known all along that he would come back at this moment.
"Master Yun Zhi Lan.. What is going on right here" She crossed her arms, her voice echoing through the halls. The change in her aura was unmistakable—he could feel it.
"Uh..." he swallowed nervously.