News of Dustwind Sect's impending arrival at the Grand Assembly spread like wildfire across all Murim lands.
Most sects braced themselves.
Others panicked.
And a few were sharpening insults, preparing to humiliate the "weakest sect."
Meanwhile…
Dustwind Sect was polishing the sky.
Literally.
Aurelius stood atop the teleportation platform, sweeping the air with his Sterile Wind technique.
Lin Ruyin gulped.
"Senior Aurelius… did you just sterilize the clouds?"
Aurelius nodded calmly.
"Their shape was uneven."
Jin Haru whispered,
"I think the weather itself fears us…"
Auntie Bao tightened Miyu's cloak.
"Sweetie, tell Grandma if the air feels dirty."
Miyu yawned.
"…The air feels… loud."
Auntie Bao gasped.
LOUD AIR?!
The disciples panicked.
"PREPARE EMERGENCY INCENSE!!!"
---
⭐ 1. The Murim World Reacts (Again)
Envoys from rival sects trembled upon seeing Dustwind's attendants gathered.
⭐ Azure Moon Sect Whisper
"Why do they look so calm?
Aren't they supposed to be weak!?"
⭐ Golden Thunder Hall
"What's with that gatekeeper's stare?!
I feel like my soul got disinfected!"
⭐ Seven Fanged Pavilion
"Look at that grandma elder…
She's smiling… BUT WHY AM I AFRAID?!"
Their fear grew when Elder Orchid began straightening random passersby's posture.
"YOUR SPINE IS AN INSULT TO HEAVEN! FIX IT!"
People ran.
---
⭐ 2. Yin Huani's Suspicion
At the back of the assembly grounds, Yin Huani of the Shadow Serpent Clan observed Dustwind quietly.
Her crimson eyes swept over the formation.
Aurelius — cold and lethal.
Auntie Bao — smiling dangerously.
Elder Orchid — posture tyrant.
Lazy-chan — floating around nervously.
Miyu — hugging her pillow, sleepy, adorable, terrifying.
But something gnawed at her mind.
"Where is she…?"
Her memory flashed back to Dustwind Valley:
The divine girl with the golden broom.
Calm.
Silent.
Who erased her shadow needle without effort.
Solene.
Yin Huani's brows furrowed.
"She was there that day…
But she's not here now."
Her voice lowered to a whisper.
"Did something happen…
or is Dustwind hiding a bigger secret?"
For the first time in years, Yin Huani felt an uneasy chill.
---
⭐ 3. Dustwind Sect's Grand Preparation
Auntie Bao clapped her hands loudly.
"Alright, my sweet disciples! Before we leave for the Assembly—
CHECK YOUR NAILS!"
The disciples hid their hands.
"Noooo—!"
Elder Orchid pounced.
"You! Your thumb is 0.02 millimeters uneven!!
You! Your wrist tilt brings shame upon Heaven!!
And YOU—your breathing rhythm is ASYMMETRICAL!"
They cried as their spines were corrected, nails trimmed, hair aligned, and clothes straightened until they gleamed.
Gu Wenhai sobbed.
"Ancestor… are we preparing for war or a beauty contest?"
Auntie Bao smiled.
"Both."
Aurelius scanned the sect.
"No impurities detected."
Finally.
Everything was ready.
---
⭐ 4. The System Triggers the Main Quest
A soft chime echoed.
DING—
A hologram blinked before Miyu.
> [MAIN QUEST UPDATED]
Attend the Grand Assembly
✦ Objective: Show Dustwind's strength
✦ Objective: Maintain cleanliness
✦ Objective: Punish any contaminants
Reward:
— System Shop Unlocked
— 1x Random Attendant Ticket
— 100,000 Cleanliness Points
Lazy-chan squeaked.
"H-Host! You're unlocking the system shop!!!"
Auntie Bao hugged Miyu tightly.
"My sweet blossom is growing up!!"
Elder Orchid fainted dramatically.
"ONE… HUNDRED… THOUSAND… POINTS…?!"
Aurelius bowed his head.
"I shall purify the surroundings for our Master's glory."
Miyu blinked sleepily.
"…Shop… means snacks?"
Lazy-chan:
"…Oh dear gods."
---
⭐ 5. A Dark Presence Watches
Far beyond the assembly grounds…
Beyond mortal eyes…
Beyond spiritual sense…
A faint ripple slithered through the void.
A voice hissed:
"Her memory seal trembles…
The Heavenly Attendant will return soon…"
Another voice roared:
"STOP HER AT ALL COSTS!
IF SHE RETURNS—THE CLEANLINESS WILL KILL US ALL!!!"
Abyss demons trembled.
Murim had no idea…
Miyu had no idea…
Even Dustwind didn't know…
Something terrifying was coming.
And Solene—
whether bound, sealed, or waiting—
was reaching back.
---