Morning light filtered softly through the wooden lattice window.
Yue Chen opened his eyes slowly.
For several seconds, he did not move.
He simply lay there, staring at the pale ceiling, listening to the quiet rhythm of his own breathing.
It felt unfamiliar.
Peaceful.
Then the realization struck him.
He had slept.
Not the shallow, guarded rest of a ruler surrounded by enemies. Not the restless half-sleep filled with blood and broken memories.
He had truly slept.
Since the day his parents died, nightmares had followed him every night. Flames. Betrayal. The collapsing border between realms. The moment their aura vanished forever.
He had not known rest.
Yet last night—
There had been no nightmare.
No blood.
No hatred.
Only silence.
'How long has it been… since I slept like this?'
His fingers curled slightly against the wooden bench.
For the first time in years, his heart did not feel heavy when he woke.
The door creaked softly.
Ling Yue stepped in, already dressed in her sect robes, her hair tied loosely with a pale blue ribbon.
"You're awake!" she said cheerfully. "Good. Hurry up."
He turned his head slightly toward her voice.
"I am awake."
She placed folded robes beside him.
"I prepared these for you. Change quickly. Today you officially register. Once your name is recorded, you are truly part of the Moonlight Immortal Sect."
He rose calmly.
The robes were white and light blue, simple yet refined. The fabric was soft, embroidered faintly with silver thread near the sleeves.
When he finished dressing, Ling Yue circled him once.
"Not bad," she nodded approvingly. "You actually look like a proper disciple now."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Was I not before?"
"You looked like a tragic wanderer before," she replied seriously. "Now you look… slightly less tragic."
A faint breath of amusement left him.
Together, they walked toward the Registration Hall.
The Registration Pavilion stood at the edge of the central courtyard. Disciples came and went, some carrying scrolls, others discussing cultivation techniques.
When Ling Yue stepped inside, a few glanced at her before looking away.
She was known.
Not for strength—
But as the Sect Leader's daughter.
A middle-aged disciple behind the registration desk looked up lazily.
"Name?"
"Yue Chen," he answered calmly.
The man dipped his brush into ink.
"Cultivation level?"
"…Qi Gathering First Stage."
The brush paused.
The man slowly looked up.
"First stage?"
A few nearby disciples overheard.
Laughter spread quickly.
"First stage? Even outer disciples are stronger than that."
"And he wants to join?"
"Did the Sixth Branch open a nursery?"
Ling Yue's cheeks flushed red.
"He just recovered from serious injuries," she said sharply. "What's wrong with First Stage?"
The man smirked.
"Nothing is wrong. It's just rare to see someone so… ambitious."
More laughter followed.
Yue Chen remained silent.
But beneath his calm exterior, something cold stirred.
He had once stood at the peak of the Celestial Emperor Realm.
Now, a mere outer disciple mocked him.
How fragile human arrogance was.
Ling Yue took a step forward.
"If you don't want to register him, I'll report this to my father."
Before the man could respond—
A clear voice cut through the room.
"Report what?"
The laughter stopped immediately.
A tall young woman entered the pavilion.
Her aura was sharp, her posture confident. Her cultivation was clearly above those present.
Su Meilin.
Ling Yue's closest friend.
She walked forward slowly, her gaze sweeping across the laughing disciples.
"I heard something amusing," she said mildly. "Repeat it."
No one spoke.
She stopped beside Ling Yue.
"Who is mocking your junior?"
Ling Yue pointed silently.
Su Meilin turned to the registration disciple.
"First Stage?" she repeated. "And?"
He swallowed.
"Nothing, Senior Sister."
Su Meilin smiled faintly.
"Good."
Her spiritual pressure subtly expanded, just enough to remind everyone of her strength.
"If anyone dares bully someone under Ling Yue's protection," she added calmly, "they can compete with me first."
Silence filled the hall.
The registration proceeded immediately.
Brush scratched against parchment.
Name recorded.
Seal pressed.
It was done.
Outside the pavilion, Su Meilin studied Yue Chen briefly.
"Who is he?" she asked Ling Yue.
Ling Yue hesitated.
"He lost his memory. I found him near the Cloud Market outside the western mountain. He had nowhere to go."
Su Meilin's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Cloud Market?" she repeated.
Yue Chen nodded once.
It was a harmless lie.
After a moment, Su Meilin relaxed.
"If he causes trouble, I'll deal with it."
Ling Yue smiled brightly.
"He won't."
Su Meilin turned to Yue Chen.
"You are lucky. Few get such protection on their first day."
He inclined his head slightly.
"I understand."
After Su Meilin returned to the Second Branch courtyard, Ling Yue exhaled in relief.
"She's scary when she's serious," she muttered.
"I noticed," he replied calmly.
Ling Yue then led him toward the Sixth Branch grounds.
Compared to the other branches, it was quieter.
Training fields were smaller. Fewer disciples practiced here.
"This is where we cultivate," she explained. "Morning sword drills at dawn. Spirit circulation at noon. Theory class in the evening."
She pointed toward a modest building.
"That is our branch library. It contains basic cultivation manuals and support techniques."
His attention sharpened slightly.
Library.
That was important.
"And that," she added, pointing toward a larger hall, "is the Sixth Branch Leader's residence. Master Shen is strict but fair."
As they walked further in, Ling Yue slowed her steps.
"Tomorrow, you start classes. Even if your cultivation is low, you must follow the branch schedule."
"Understood."
She glanced at him sideways.
"You're unusually obedient."
"I am merely practical."
She laughed softly.
They reached a wooden dormitory building.
"This is where Sixth Branch disciples stay."
The structure was simple. Shared rooms. Communal courtyard.
Ling Yue turned to him.
"You'll stay here. I have class soon, so you settle in. Tonight, I'll check on you."
He nodded once.
Before leaving, she hesitated.
"If anyone gives you trouble, tell me."
"I will manage," he replied calmly.
She rolled her eyes.
"Still pretending to be mysterious."
Then she left.
Yue Chen stood before the dormitory door.
Voices could be heard inside.
Laughter.
Clashing wood.
He reached forward and pushed the door open.
The moment it moved—
A sharp metallic sound cut through the air.
A sword tip flashed forward.
It stopped an inch from his face.
Cold steel gleamed in the morning light.
A tall disciple inside the room smirked.
"Newcomers must prove themselves," the man said.
Yue Chen did not move.
Did not flinch.
Even without sight—
He knew exactly where the blade rested.
And for a brief, dangerous moment—
The air in the room grew cold.
End of Chapter 4...