Morning light spread across Starfall Immortal Sect like a silent decree from the heavens.
But the mountain was no longer calm.
Whispers filled every courtyard.
Nine Divine Rank disciples.
One Perfect Divine Rank.
An infant born awakened.
For ten thousand years, Starfall Immortal Sect had never witnessed such an omen.
From the highest pavilion of the main peak, Sect Master Shen Tianyang watched the rising sun with narrowed eyes.
He was a tall man with streaks of silver at his temples, his aura deep and unfathomable — a cultivator at the Half-Step Soul Transformation Realm.
Beside him stood the three Grand Elders of the sect:
Grand Elder Han Qingsong — master of formations, sharp-minded and cautious.
Grand Elder Luo Mingyuan — master of sword law, stern and prideful.
Grand Elder Wei Lanfeng — master of alchemy and spiritual veins, calm but calculating.
"They restrained themselves," Han Qingsong said quietly.
"Which is precisely why they are dangerous," Luo Mingyuan replied.
Wei Lanfeng's gaze drifted toward the Heavenly Vein Courtyard.
"And the child?"
Sect Master Shen Tianyang's eyes darkened.
"The child is the true variable."
Heavenly Vein Courtyard
Spiritual mist flowed like water around nine women seated beneath an ancient spirit tree.
They were no longer anonymous.
Their names had begun circulating throughout the sect.
Long ago in the lower world, they were rulers.
Here, they wore disciple robes.
But power does not vanish with clothing.
Mu Xueqing — White Heaven Snow Empress. Perfect Divine Rank. Calm, calculating, the emotional axis of the group.
Long Yuerong — Azure Dragon Sovereign. Cold, disciplined, natural leader in battle.
Feng Lingxi — Vermilion Phoenix Empress. Fiery but perceptive.
Bai Yuehan — White Tiger War Saint. Direct, fearless, battle-hungry.
Xuan Meilin — Black Tortoise Guardian. Defensive genius, patient and unreadable.
Hu Lianyi — Nine-Tailed Illusion Fox. Playful on the surface, terrifyingly intelligent.
Jin Tianrui — Golden Roc Sky Queen. Proud, strategic, visionary.
She Yaoqing — Abyssal Serpent Matriarch. Quiet, venomous when crossed.
Tu Shan Ruyu — Jade Moon Rabbit Saintess. Gentle in appearance, precise and lethal.
At the center of them all —
The child.
His name had not been announced publicly.
Within their circle, they called him Xing Chen.
Star Child.
He sat quietly in Mu Xueqing's lap, observing drifting spiritual threads with eyes far too clear for an infant.
Inner Disciple Assembly Hall
The hall filled early.
Everyone sensed something would unfold.
At the front stood Liang Tian.
King Rank talent.
Peak Nascent Soul.
For decades, he had embodied the future of Starfall.
Today, that future felt unstable.
When the nine entered, silence descended instantly.
Liang Tian's gaze fixed on Mu Xueqing.
Not hatred.
Not yet.
But wounded pride.
"The sect is built upon order," Liang Tian said, voice steady. "New disciples must understand hierarchy."
Long Yuerong's expression did not change.
Hu Lianyi smiled faintly.
Mu Xueqing inclined her head slightly.
"Naturally, Senior Brother."
Her composure unsettled him more than arrogance would have.
Liang Tian stepped forward.
"A simple exchange. To clarify standings."
Grand Elder Luo Mingyuan observed from above but did not interfere.
He wanted to see.
Everyone did.
The floating arena activated.
This time, Mu Xueqing handed Xing Chen to Feng Lingxi.
A deliberate gesture.
Respect.
Not fear.
The signal flashed.
Liang Tian moved instantly.
Lightning Sword Art.
Three arcs of condensed thunder qi slashed forward.
Mu Xueqing shifted lightly.
Not retreating.
Not countering.
Just adjusting.
The blade passed within inches of her sleeve.
No panic.
No strain.
Liang Tian increased power.
Nascent Soul pressure surged.
The arena floor fractured.
Rows of disciples stepped backward under the force.
Mu Xueqing finally released a sliver of her aura.
The air thickened.
Not overwhelming.
Measured.
Controlled.
Perfectly matched to his level.
Liang Tian felt it immediately.
She was not suppressing him.
She was calibrating to him.
That realization shook him deeper than defeat would have.
He attacked again.
Mu Xueqing stepped inside his range.
Two fingers touched the flat of his blade.
Spiritual energy dispersed.
Not shattered.
Neutralized.
She stood within arm's reach.
"If this concerns position," she said quietly so only he could hear, "we have no intention of taking yours."
Her eyes were calm.
Ancient.
"We came for stability."
She stepped back.
Raised her voice.
"Senior Brother Liang's foundation is solid. The sect's future remains steady."
Public dignity returned.
Grand Elder Luo Mingyuan exhaled slowly.
Sect Master Shen Tianyang's gaze sharpened.
This was not arrogance.
This was restraint.
And restraint implied far greater power behind it.
The duel ended without declared victor.
But everyone understood.
Liang Tian had encountered a mountain far taller than himself.
That night
In the Heavenly Vein Courtyard, Xing Chen reached upward.
Spiritual qi spiraled subtly toward him again.
Xuan Meilin's eyes narrowed.
"He absorbs unconsciously."
She Yaoqing spoke softly.
"The Upper World accelerates him."
Long Yuerong crossed her arms.
"We cannot hide him forever."
Mu Xueqing watched the stars above.
Far beyond Starfall Mountain—
An ancient resonance trembled faintly in a forgotten ruin.
Grand Elder Han Qingsong, monitoring the sect's grand formation, frowned.
"There was a fluctuation," he muttered.
Sect Master Shen Tianyang stood behind him.
"From outside?"
Han Qingsong hesitated.
"…No. From within."
Shen Tianyang's gaze turned toward the Heavenly Vein Courtyard.
The nine Divine Beast mothers had entered his sect like falling stars.
But he was beginning to understand something unsettling.
They were not seeking shelter.
They were waiting.
And whatever they were waiting for—
Would decide the fate of Starfall Immortal Sect.