The next morning, Tianqi City's unfolded slowly, the sky tinted with a pale gold sheen. Mist still clung to the roofs as all family and clans gathered once more in the plaza. The great jade platform, scrubbed clean after yesterday's tests, gleamed faintly beneath the sun.
Unlike the chaos that followed Su Yan's awakening phenomenon, today was much more quiet . Structured. Children and parents stood in orderly lines as representatives from each sect waited behind long wooden tables engraved with their emblems.
Azure Sky Sect's table was positioned to the east, its banner fluttering gently. Not ostentatious, not austere—simply dignified. The kind of sect that didn't need theatrics because its reputation spoke for itself.
Su Yan slipped into the line, adjusting the small pouch at her waist. Several children glanced at her, but their reactions were normal: curious, slightly admiring,some with ill attentions. The world, thankfully, had regained rationality.
A boy with cropped black hair leaned towards her. "Su Yan, which sect will you choose?"
"Azure Sky," she answered, voice soft.
His eyes widened. "Really? I thought you'd choose Crimson Lotus Palace or Myriad Sword Pavilion. Everyone says their elders paid special attention yesterday."
Su Yan smiled faintly.
Another child—a girl with round cheeks—joined in nervously, "Azure Sky has strong basics training. My brother said they focus on foundation before talent."
"Exactly," Su Yan said. "Solid roots let a tree grow higher."
The girl brightened. "I'll choose Azure Sky too!"
Perfect. A sensible child.
Their turn arrived. The Azure Sky registrar, an elder in deep blue robes, examined each child calmly. When Su Yan stepped forward, he only gave a small nod—polite, respectful, without a hint of flattery or shock bht with good will.
"Su Yan of the Su Clan. Age five. Adequate mental fortitude. Welcome to Azure Sky."
He handed her a sky-blue identity token.
Su Yan bowed, a warmth settling in her chest.
This… this is the kind of beginning I wanted.
Back in the Su Clan estate, servants hurried about preparing bundles for the departing children. Su Yan's courtyard was quiet except for the soft rustle of clothes as her mother, Madam Su, folded a dark-blue cloak.
"Come here, Yan'er."
Su Yan approached. Her mother rarely showed open emotion, but today her eyes carried a deep gentleness tinged with reluctance.
Madam Su knelt to Su Yan's height and drew a small velvet pouch from her sleeve. Inside lay a silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon, polished smooth from years of handling.
"This belongs to you," Madam Su whispered.
Su Yan's breath caught. She recognized it instantly.
The Destiny Thread pendant… the one the heroine stole in the original timeline. The key that led her to the hidden realm first.
"This was given to me when you were born," Madam Su continued, voice steady but soft. "It contains a single Destiny Thread—something that protects its holder during moments of great choice. Keep it safe."
Su Yan closed her fingers around it, the metal warm against her skin.
"Mother… thank you.
Madam Su tied the cord gently around her daughter's neck, smoothing Su Yan's silver-tinted hair with delicate fingers.
Her father arrived then, smelling faintly of sandalwood and morning dew. "Yan'er, Azure Sky is a great sect. Don't push yourself needlessly. Learn, grow, and remember—you always have a home here."
Su Yan nodded, unusually quiet.
In my last world, I had no one except my cousin… and she was all I clung to. This life, I still have family. I won't lose them.
She hugged her parents tightly—her mother's arms warm, her father's palm steady on her back.
For a five-year-old with two lifetimes of memories, it was both a blessing and a burden. She would protect this small warmth with everything she had.
Journey to Azure Sky Sect
Azure Sky's flying boat arrived by midmorning—sleek, sturdy, engraved with low-tier formations for stability. It hummed faintly with spirit energy, carrying about forty children.
Su Yan boarded among them.
The atmosphere was lively, buzzing with nervous chatter. Children compared spirit roots, bragged about how many steps they could climb at home, or speculated about sect training.
"Do you think the ladder tests talent?"
"No, my uncle said it tests determination!"
"You're wrong, the elders are watching for potential elite disciples!"
Su Yan sat quietly near the railing. A girl with a gentle face and twin buns sat beside her.
"Um… I'm Mei Lin. Wood spiritual root." She paused. "Which root do you have?"
"Moon attribute," Su Yan answered simply.
Mei Lin's eyes lit up with admiration. "That sounds beautiful."
"It's… manageable," Su Yan replied with a small smile.
Beauty is nice. But stability is survival.
The flying boat ascended, drifting through misty clouds, until the Azure Sky Sect appeared below—nine peaks arranged like ascending steps, with rivers of spirit energy flowing between them.
A sight grand enough to quiet the children's chatter.
All new disciples gathered before a staircase carved into the mountain itself, vanishing into a curtain of pale fog.
"The Immortal Ladder," a senior disciple explained. "Climb at your own pace. Each step applies a different type of pressure—intended to test determination and clarity of heart."
Elders stood to the side, conversing quietly among themselves.
"The Lu boy has strong mental endurance."
"Mm. The Yan child stepped too quickly—he may falter at mid steps."
"No one exceptional yet."
They watched with calm, expert eyes—not desperate scouts, but teachers evaluating seedlings.
Su Yan placed her foot on the first step.
A pressure washed over her—not heavy, not suffocating, just… present. Like a hand gently pushing her chest.
Alright, manageable. I've had harder days trying to open my school locker in my old world.
Children moved at different speeds. Some climbed eagerly, some slowly, some trembling between steps.
By the 300th step, several had sat down to rest.
By the 600th, a few had turned pale.
At the 799th step, the mist thickened—and suddenly Su Yan was alone.
No elders.
No children.
No mountain.
A familiar apartment corridor stretched before her—narrow, dimly lit, smelling faintly of instant noodles and paint.
Her breath hitched.
My past world…?
At the end of the corridor stood the one person she had left behind: her cousin, the only family she'd ever had.
The girl smiled, the same tired but warm smile she always wore. "Yan… take care of yourself, okay?"
Su Yan froze.
This illusion wasn't malicious. It wasn't meant to break her. It was meant to measure her ability to let go.
Her throat tightened.
"I already miss you," she whispered, voice trembling.
Her cousin's figure flickered gently. "You've found a new life, Yan. Live it well."
Su Yan lowered her head.
"…Thank you. For everything."
The illusion dissolved like smoke.
When her vision cleared, she stood at step 800, hand still reaching forward.
She inhaled deeply.
This is my world now. My family. My path.
She continued upward.
On the 999th step, pressure peaked, forcing her knees to soften—but she endured, placing her foot firmly on the final platform.
Several elders raised their brows in quiet approval.
"Strong heart-state."
"And excellent mental resilience for her age."
"No arrogance either. A stable seedling."
It was simple recognition—not worship, not fear. Exactly what she preferred.
Main Hall Orientation
New disciples were guided into the Azure Sky Main Hall—a high-ceiling chamber with sky-blue pillars and orderly rows of jade seats. Everything felt clean, balanced, structured.
An elder stepped forward.
"Azure Sky Sect welcomes you. As tradition dictates—every new disciple begins as Outer Sect disciples."
No child objected.
"After one year, a competition will be held. Based on your performance, you may advance to:
• Direct Disciples
• Inner Disciples
• Outer Disciples, ranked"
He paused.
"Those who fail to reach minimal standards will become Menial Disciples under observation. After one more year—if you fail again—you will be expelled from the sect."
Silence settled, heavy but fair.
"This is Azure Sky's way: merit, not background, determines your path."
Su Yan nodded.
Simple system. Clear progression. Exactly what a sect should have.
Azure Sky Outer Court
The children were escorted toward the outer court—rows of modest wooden houses surrounded by spirit herb gardens and stone paths.
"Room assignments are written on your tokens," a senior disciple explained.
Su Yan's token glowed with the number 37.
Inside House 37, a girl with shoulder-length auburn hair was unpacking. When she noticed Su Yan, her warm amber eyes brightened.
"You must be my roommate. I'm Xin Yue—Fire and Wood dual root."
"Su Yan," she replied with a small bow.
Xin Yue grinned. "Let's get along. Also… your hair is really pretty."
Su Yan blinked, then smiled. "Yours too."
They unpacked together—Xin Yue talkative but not overbearing, Su Yan listening quietly.
Outside, the sky darkened into a soft twilight. There was no chaos, no conspiracies, no immediate danger.
Just the beginning of a new life.
Su Yan touched the pendant under her collar.
This path… this time… it belongs to me.
The moon rose, silver light spilling into their room like a quiet blessing.
And thus, Su Yan's journey in Azure Sky truly began.