The dawn mist clung to the mountains like drifting silver veils.
The Blaze Sword Sect's main gates—two towering pillars carved with ancient sword patterns—stood open for the first time in many seasons. Disciples, elders, and supply squads gathered in formation as the final moments before departure approached.
A low murmur swept across the plaza.
"Today's the day…""We head to the Scarlet Gorge…""Three factions together… there will definitely be conflict."
Zu Tian stood at the front of Team Three, hands clasped behind his back, eyes steady.His broken sword—lightless and quiet—hung from his back as though it were an ordinary accessory.
Elder Lei Qingshan stepped forward, his presence washing over the disciples like a heavy tide.The qi around him spiraled in disciplined waves—calm yet overwhelmingly refined.
To a trained eye, his cultivation was unmistakable.
Vein-Carving Realm — 3rd Vein Stage
A realm where cultivators carved pathways of qi through bone, shaping their foundation for future power.
Every breath he took seemed to vibrate with sword rhythm.
Elder Lei had carved out 3 qi veins
The disciples behind him, including Zu Tian were all in the
Ember Pulse Realm
The first major step into true cultivation.A realm split into early, mid, and peak phases.
With each stage, a cultivator's inner qi flickered like a growing ember, gathering strength and discipline.
Bai Kuan was at mid-stage.Li Xueyao at late-stage.Yen Mo at early-stage.
But Zu Tian—
He stood quietly, yet the qi swirling faintly around him was steadier, hotter, deeper.
Zu Tian — Ember Pulse Realm, Peak Stage
One step away from carving the first qi vein.
Departure
Elder Lei Qingshan raised a hand.
"Move out!"
The gates trembled as the procession began.
Disciples marched in formation.Sword peaks reflected the rising sun.The wind carried a quiet tension, like an unspoken omen.
As they descended the mountain path—hundreds deep—Zu Tian lifted his gaze toward the distant north.
Scarlet Gorge.
Even from miles away, he felt the faintest tremor from that direction… like ancient swords whispering in their sleep.
Arrival at the Scarlet Gorge Outpost
By mid-afternoon, the Blaze Sword Sect reached the expedition outpost—a massive stone platform overlooking a valley of crimson rock and jagged cliffs.
Three banners fluttered in the wind:
Blaze Sword Sect (their own) Skyfire Monastery Serpent River Clan Stone Ridge Sword Hall
Each group had already gathered.
And tension was thick.
Elder Lei Qingshan stepped toward the meeting platform, nodding politely to the gathered leaders:
Monk Hongxi of Skyfire Monastery — broad-shouldered, calm eyes like burning coals, golden prayer beads glowing faintly.
Matriarch Serpent Ji of the Serpent River Clan — elegant, silent, her gaze sharp as a dagger hidden in silk.
Sword Elder Hanxu of the Stone Ridge Sword Hall — cold, tall, long white hair tied with a jade clasp.
Behind each leader stood their disciples—elite geniuses, each radiating fierce pride.
As Zu Tian approached with his team, the air suddenly tightened.
A youth in dark silver robes stepped out from the Stone Ridge Sword Hall.Tall, confident.A longsword hung at his waist, its qi sharp enough to make weaker disciples step back.
His presence was unmistakably dominant.
Elder Hanxu introduced him with a faint smile:
"Allow me to present my best disciple—
the strongest Ember Pulse cultivator of Stone Ridge—Wei Yunxiao."
A stir rippled through the Blaze disciples.
"Wei Yunxiao?!""He's rumored to have half a foot into the Vein-Carving Realm already…""A monstrous talent…"
Wei Yunxiao's eyes finally settled on Zu Tian.
"Hmph. Blaze Sword Sect finally arrives."
These two had been rivals for many years.
And during last year's Great Tournament, Zu Tian defeated Wei Yunxiao in a single exchange, shattering not only his pride but his reputation.
Since then, Wei Yunxiao had transformed into a cultivation fanatic—training through rain, night, and blood.
Now, his cultivation had soared.
Ember Pulse Realm… peak?Or… something more?
His eyes chilled the air.
"Zu Tian," Wei Yunxiao said quietly, "I hope you are prepared. The Ancient Trial Grounds will not be as merciful as the tournament."
Zu Tian met his gaze, unflinching.
"Good. I would hate if you disappointed me again."
A vein pulsed in Wei Yunxiao's forehead.
Moments later, elders from all sects climbed onto the raised platform. Their auras surged like storm clouds, each representative a master in the Vein-Carving Realm.
An elderly figure in gold robes — one of the imperial overseers — raised his staff.
"Disciples of Trikur!The Ancient Trial Grounds will open in one hour!Prepare yourselves!"
Excitement rippled through the valley.Disciples checked weapons, circulated qi, whispered final secrets.
Zu Tian simply closed his eyes.
A breeze passed by, brushing against the broken sword at his waist.
Somewhere deep within it…a faint hum stirred.
As if sensing something on the horizon.
Something old.Something waiting.
Yen Mo tugged on his sleeve.
"Senior Brother… do you feel it too?"
Zu Tian opened his eyes.
"Yes."
And far away, at the center of the stone pillars…the ground trembled.