Water gurgled in the ditches beside the fields, reflecting the sky and clouds. Wildflowers blood along the ridges, white egrets fluttered by, and farrs worked among them, accompanied by the occasional birdsong. It was a picture of tranquility.
This was a world apart from the northern regions of Wuzhou.
Thunder Accumulation Mountain was perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist, as if looking down upon the vast, boundless earth. The mountain’s terrain was treacherous, a landscape of overlapping peaks and cliffs so sheer they seed carved by knife and axe, piercing straight into the heavens.
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed on the mountain year-round; indeed, the na Thunder Accumulation Mountain was born from this display of nature’s might.
Above the mountainside, however, was a world of grotesque, jagged rocks, swirling mist, and biting cold. It felt as if it were cut off from the clamor of the mortal world, a Secret Realm isolated from all else.
After leaving his jujube-red horse with a farr’s family at the foot of the mountain, Xu Yunfan followed the stone steps upward. He ascended through the sprawling forest until he reached the mountainside of Thunder Accumulation Mountain, where the view suddenly opened up before him.
The dark-red mountain rock on the mountainside looked as if it had been split open by a Giant Axe. Seven hundred and thirty stone steps were chiseled into the thousand-fathom cliff face. Each step was stained a dark brown from age, and beside them, one could occasionally see moss-covered, dilapidated Bronze cicada carvings.
As Xu Yunfan’s foot fell upon the last bluestone step, he was greeted by the sight of a torii-style mountain gate. Inscribed above it were the three words "Celestial Cicada Sect," the gilded gold of the characters long faded with the passage of ti.
Xu Yunfan could see clearly that even the mountain gate itself was a patchwork of new and old, obviously rebuilt upon a foundation that had once been broken.
"Halt."
An Iron Thorn suddenly shot out from a crack in the rock. As Xu Yunfan dodged to the side, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, grazed by an ice-cold sword tip.
The one holding the sword was a woman in Cicada Patterned Martial Attire, wielding a longsword as thin as a cicada’s wing. Her left eye was covered by a black silk patch, and a burn scar stretched from her right cheek down to her collarbone.
Xu Yunfan didn’t move, allowing the longsword to remain pressed against the back of his neck.
’This sword has flexibility to spare, but it lacks resilience. It can’t break through my Horizontal Training.’
"I’m here to beco a disciple," Xu Yunfan said.
"Beco a disciple?"
The woman sounded surprised. She didn’t lower her longsword, her gaze sizing up Xu Yunfan.
"You already possess Martial Power and are at least at the realm of a First-Level Martial Artist. Why would you co to the Celestial Cicada Sect to beco a disciple?"
"I have a token from the Celestial Cicada Sect. Liu Tianyun sent ."
Xu Yunfan took a token from his robes and held it out behind him.
"The Blood Cicada Order?"
The tip of her sword lifted the token with impeccable precision, making not a single sound, but her damaged thumb joint revealed an old injury.
After confirming its authenticity, she finally lowered her longsword. A complex expression crossed her face as she fiddled with the token in her hand.
Xu Yunfan turned to face her and saw the woman’s complicated expression quickly return to a neutral calm.
"I am Lin Hanyi. Follow to see our master. He will make the final decision."
Passing through the mountain gate and crossing the Martial Arts Arena, Xu Yunfan saw three young boys sparring. Worn bronze chains were shackled to their ankles, and when they threw a punch, the chains snapped taut like bowstrings.
The skinniest of them was suddenly flung toward a stone pillar, but he curled into a ball at the mont of impact and rolled away. The muscles on his bruised back were gnarled like old tree roots.
’These boys have pretty good aptitude. To have already stepped onto the path of the Martial Dao and activated their Blood Qi at such a young age is impressive.’
After a quick glance, Xu Yunfan paid them no more mind and followed Lin Hanyi across the Martial Arts Arena.
Lin Hanyi suddenly grabbed Xu Yunfan’s wrist. The calluses in the web of her hand scraped painfully against his skin. "When we et First Senior Brother, don’t say much. Just let do the talking."
Xu Yunfan had no objection to that, his attention focused on observing the Celestial Cicada Sect.
Although it was kept tidy, it couldn’t hide an air of dilapidation, poverty, and cold austerity.
’Back at the Profound Mountain Sect on Cangwu Mountain, the gate alone was forged from wrought copper, the plaque was inscribed with gilded characters, and the main doors were painted in vermilion lacquer.’
’Disciples moved in bustling groups, calling out to one another.’
Seeing Xu Yunfan looking around, a flicker of discomfort crossed Lin Hanyi’s face. "My Celestial Cicada Sect doesn’t focus on appearances," she said. "Practicality is what matters."
They passed through the main hall and into a rear courtyard, where a rather pleasant lotus pond ca into view. A man in green robes by the pond’s edge heard their approach and turned around. The Jade Pendant at his waist and the scroll in his hand made for a cultured scene.
"First Senior Brother!"
Lin Hanyi stepped forward to bow, then explained Xu Yunfan’s presence and handed the token to the First Senior Brother.
"This is First Senior Brother, Ning Wuque."
Xu Yunfan followed her lead, clasping his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "Greetings, First Senior Brother."
Ning Wuque smiled, exuding the warmth of a fine piece of dark jade as he rubbed the token in his hand.
"So, you’ve co to be a disciple on Junior Martial Uncle Liu’s recomndation. I haven’t seen him in many years. I wonder how he’s faring."
"He’s doing quite well," Xu Yunfan replied.
Ning Wuque nodded slightly and smiled. "That’s good to hear. As it happens, our master is currently in ditation. It will likely be another quarter-hour or so. Why don’t you have a seat while you wait?"
Xu Yunfan glanced at Lin Hanyi, who remained silent for a mont before nodding in agreent.
’Sothing about the atmosphere in this Celestial Cicada Sect feels... off.’
"Youngest Junior Sister, bring our guest so tea."
As Ning Wuque turned to call out, a Silver Chain on his wrist jingled softly. A figure in a goose-yellow dress erged from behind a tree. As she walked, her skirt shifted, revealing a dagger strapped to her calf.
Chu Xuan approached with a bright smile, holding a ceramic bowl. As her fingertip brushed along the rim, a pinch of powder the size of half a fingernail dissolved into the tea.
She tilted her head, her almond-shaped eyes glistening as she blinked. "My senior brothers work so hard at their training, so I added so special Astragalus Root. You should have so too, guest."
Lin Hanyi suddenly snatched the tea bowl and drained it in a single gulp. Her throat bobbed, and veins stood out on the side of her neck.
The porcelain bowl shattered on the flagstones. Her single eye stared fixedly at the small powder packet that had just fallen from her junior sister’s sleeve.
"That’s the fifth ti."
"But I didn’t an to..."
On the verge of tears, Chu Xuan tugged at Ning Wuque’s sleeve. Her left hand, hidden behind her back, made a throat-slitting gesture at Xu Yunfan.
Xu Yunfan’s expression didn’t change in the slightest. ’This girl’s hostility is completely baffling,’ he thought.
Ning Wuque gave a helpless smile. "Junior Sister is our master’s daughter. She’s been a bit spoiled growing up, but her heart’s in the right place. Please don’t take offense, Brother Xu."
"Senior Brother~"
Chu Xuan whined, giving Ning Wuque’s shoulder a petulant shove. Out of Ning Wuque’s line of sight, she lifted her chin slightly, shooting a triumphant look at the grim-faced Lin Hanyi and the expressionless Xu Yunfan.
’So two-faced.’
"..."
The ti it took to drink a cup of tea passed in a flash. Ning Wuque did most of the talking, with Lin Hanyi occasionally chiming in. Chu Xuan’s words were laced with barbs, all clearly aid at Xu Yunfan.
Lin Hanyi, who had been keeping track of the ti, finally spoke. "First Senior Brother, shouldn’t it be about ti?"
Ning Wuque nodded slightly and handed the token back to her. "You may take him."
Lin Hanyi nodded. Without another word, she led Xu Yunfan straight past the other two and through a covered walkway.
Watching Xu Yunfan’s departing back, Ning Wuque slowly rose to his feet. An unreadable glint flashed in his eyes, and the smile that had been fixed on his face vanished, replaced by a calm stillness.
"Senior Brother, that guy certainly picked an interesting ti to show up."
"We have to find a way to get rid of him," Chu Xuan said, annoyed.
"He was recomnded by Junior Martial Uncle Liu. Say no more about it."
"..."
After passing through the walkway, in the rear hall of the Celestial Cicada Sect, Xu Yunfan finally ca face to face with Chen Tiangang, the current Sect Leader. He stood before a hanging portrait of the sect’s Ancestral Master.
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