The mountains grew larger as the trio walked deeper into the northern wilderness.
Trees towered over them like the columns of a forgotten palace.
Birds with jade feathers swooped above the treetops.
The sky grew wider—
so wide it felt like they were walking toward the heavens themselves.
Xueyi gasped when the forest finally parted.
"Wuya! Look—!"
Wuya lifted his gaze.
There, carved into the side of a vast mountain range, stood the Clear Sky Sect.
Bridges curved like silver dragons between floating platforms.
Waterfalls fell from impossible heights, turning into mist before touching the ground.
Giant statues of ancient sages stood silently, holding jade scrolls that shimmered in the sunlight.
A massive sky-platform floated above the sect, held by invisible formations.
Translated characters were carved onto it:
清天门 — Clear Sky Sect
Where All Rise to Touch the Blue
Wuya felt something pulse deep in his chest.
Not from awe.
From recognition.
"The Codex…" he whispered.
It pulsed again.
Xueyi looked alarmed.
"Don't tell me you're about to explode again!"
"…No."
"Because last time you glowed like a lantern! I'm not cleaning up if you burst!"
"…I won't."
Tianhai sighed.
"Both of you, behave."
Xueyi straightened.
Wuya nodded slightly.
Then Tianhai looked at the towering gates ahead.
"Wuya. Xueyi. This is where your journey truly begins."
---
ASCENT TO THE GREAT STAIRS
Two disciples in blue robes guarded the entrance.
They were young—maybe eighteen or nineteen.
Arrogant.
Smug.
One held a spear.
The other carried scrolls casually as if showing off.
"State your purpose," the spear one demanded.
Tianhai stepped forward politely.
"These two seek to join Clear Sky Sect."
The disciple scoffed.
"Hmph. We don't accept any street children or mountain villagers."
Xueyi puffed her cheeks.
"EXCUSE ME?!"
Wuya blinked.
"…We are not from a mountain."
"You look like it," the spear disciple snapped.
"So does your attitude," Xueyi muttered.
Wuya nodded.
"…Yes."
The scroll disciple frowned.
"Don't speak unless spoken to."
Wuya's pupils narrowed.
Xueyi grabbed his sleeve.
"Don't kill him, don't kill him—don't kill—"
Wuya blinked slowly.
"…I wasn't planning to."
"Your face says otherwise!"
Tianhai cleared his throat.
"May I speak with your elder?"
"Hah! Ordinary folk don't get to speak with—"
A force cut the disciple's voice.
A wave of Qi—sharp as a blade—
descended from above.
The two guards fell to their knees instantly.
"Elder Yun!!"
Wuya and Xueyi looked up.
Descending from the sky was a woman—
not young, not old—
around twenty-eight or twenty-nine.
She wore simple but elegant robes, the pale blue of dawn clouds.
Her hair flowed like ink through the air.
Her figure was graceful yet powerful.
Her eyes—
Her eyes carried a quiet melancholy, like someone who once lost everything and rebuilt herself from the ashes.
She landed gently.
And Xueyi froze.
"Wuya… she's… she's gorgeous…!"
Wuya blinked.
"She is… strong."
"STRONG? THAT'S ALL YOU NOTICE?!"
"…Yes."
Xueyi facepalmed.
The disciples bowed low.
"E-Elder Yun Feixue!"
The woman raised a hand.
"Enough."
She looked at Tianhai.
"You must be the one who requested entry through the outer channels?"
Tianhai bowed.
"Yes."
She looked at Wuya.
Then at Xueyi.
Her eyes lingered.
"…Your seal."
Xueyi stiffened.
"Y-yes?"
The Moonveil Seal pulsed faintly beneath her clothes.
Elder Yun Feixue's eyes widened ever so slightly.
"…Interesting."
She turned back to Wuya.
"And you."
Her gaze sensed something beneath his skin—
a ripple of danger, of fate, of forbidden existence.
Wuya remained calm.
Elder Yun spoke softly.
"You have three open spirit veins."
Xueyi gasped.
"How did you—?!"
"His body is transparent to my eyes."
She waved her hand.
"He shall enter the sect."
The disciples stared in shock.
"Elder, but—!"
She ignored them.
Then she turned to Tianhai.
"Who will he follow?"
Tianhai bowed.
"If possible—"
She lifted a hand.
"No need to finish."
Her gaze softened.
"He will follow me."
Wuya blinked.
"…You?"
Elder Yun Feixue nodded.
"I will be your master."
Xueyi stared.
"…WHAT?!"
Elder Yun smiled faintly.
"Is that a problem?"
Xueyi squinted at her.
"No…
no problem…
just wondering why the heavens keep stealing beautiful women into Wuya's life."
Wuya blinked.
"…I did nothing."
"THAT'S EXACTLY THE PROBLEM!!"
Elder Yun looked amused.
---
THE PATH OF SELECTION
They walked through the towering gates.
Disciples whispered as Wuya passed:
"Who is that boy?"
"Three veins already?"
"He looks too calm…"
"Why is Elder Yun taking him?"
"Is he a hidden genius?"
"Or… a burden?"
Wuya ignored them.
He only looked at the stone steps ahead—
99,999 steps leading to the inner sect.
Xueyi poked him.
"Wuya… are you nervous?"
"No."
"Are you excited?"
"No."
"Are you feeling ANYTHING?"
"…Hungry."
"THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO BE HUNGRY—!"
Tianhai chuckled.
"Good. Wuya, hunger is natural. Fear is not in your blood."
Wuya nodded.
"…I know."
Elder Yun stopped suddenly.
"The Sect Master wishes to see him."
Wuya blinked.
"Me?"
"Yes."
Xueyi grabbed his sleeve.
"I'm going too!"
"No," Elder Yun said.
"You stay."
Xueyi clung tighter.
"I AM GOING."
Wuya thought.
"…Let her come."
Elder Yun sighed.
"Fine."
Tianhai smiled.
"Both of you behave."
---
THE SECT MASTER
At the top of the stairs stood a simple wooden hall.
No grand decorations.
No extravagant pillars.
Only a single incense bowl.
Inside sat the Sect Master.
A thin man with grey hair and ancient eyes.
He looked fragile—
but the air around him was heavier than mountains.
When his gaze fell upon Wuya—
The incense flame flickered.
The sky dimmed.
Time slowed.
Xueyi grabbed Wuya's hand in fear.
The Sect Master whispered:
"…So this is the child Heaven fears."
Wuya's heartbeat skipped.
Xueyi froze.
"…Heaven… fears him?"
The Sect Master nodded.
"Your existence bends fate. Your path is not on the earth, nor the sky… but above both."
He inhaled deeply.
"…I must warn you."
His eyes sharpened.
"You must never reveal your true power. Not now. Not later. Not until you touch a realm far beyond mortal understanding."
Wuya nodded silently.
"Yes."
Elder Yun stepped beside the Sect Master.
"I will guide him."
The Sect Master nodded.
"Good."
Then—
He looked at Wuya.
"Child."
"Yes."
His voice deepened.
"Your arrival… changes the sect's destiny."
He placed a hand on Wuya's head.
Wuya felt something seep into him—
calm, gentle, familiar.
A blessing.
"Welcome to Clear Sky Sect."
And at that exact moment—
The Codex pulsed violently.
---
THE THIRD SIGN-IN
Wuya staggered.
Xueyi grabbed him.
"Wuya?!"
His vision blurred.
But he heard it clearly:
[Third Sign-In Location Reached]
[Commencing…]
Elder Yun and the Sect Master felt nothing.
The Codex moved quietly—
invisible to all but Wuya.
Golden lines formed in the air behind his eyes.
The whisper returned:
[Reward: Meridian Cleansing Thread]
[Effect: Vein Purification +8%]
[Effect: Body Strength +5%]
[Effect: Hidden Potential Stabilized]
[Minor Dao Sense: Activated]
Wuya gasped softly.
Xueyi hugged his arm.
"What happened? What happened?!"
"…I received something."
"What something?!"
"…Something good."
"That tells me NOTHING—!"
Wuya looked at his hands.
Warmth flowed through him—
Not strong.
Not bright.
Not overwhelming.
Just enough.
Enough to begin.
The Sect Master's eyes narrowed.
"…His aura changed."
Elder Yun nodded.
"He will grow quickly."
Wuya exhaled.
"Master."
Elder Yun smiled softly.
"Yes?"
"…Please guide me."
Her expression softened.
"Yes, Wuya.
I will."
Xueyi pouted.
"Don't forget me!"
Elder Yun chuckled.
"I wouldn't dare."
---
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
That night, Wuya stood at the edge of the sect, overlooking the mountains.
Xueyi sat beside him.
"You're really starting cultivation," she whispered.
"Yes."
"I'll stay with you no matter what."
"…I know."
"You better never leave me behind."
"…I won't."
She leaned against his shoulder.
"You're strange, you know that?"
"…Yes."
"But you're my strange."
Wuya blinked.
"…If you say so."
She slapped him lightly.
"It means I'm not letting anyone steal you!"
"…Why would they?"
"Because you're handsome! Tough! Quiet! Mysterious! And every strong girl LOVES that!"
"…Is that so?"
"Yes!"
Wuya looked at the stars.
"Xueyi."
"Yes?"
"…Thank you."
She froze.
Then her face turned so red she nearly fainted.
Tianhai watched them from afar.
Elder Yun stood behind Tianhai.
"He is steady," she said softly.
Tianhai nodded.
"He is Aotian's son. But he is also his own person."
Elder Yun's robes fluttered in the breeze.
"…The heavens will come for him again."
"Yes."
"And beasts."
"Yes."
"And cultivators."
"Yes."
"And fate."
"Yes."
Elder Yun looked at Wuya.
"He will endure. I can feel it."
Tianhai closed his eyes.
"He must."