The path into the Hawk Eye Sword Sect wound through well-maintained courtyards and orderly buildings. Though the sect was smaller in size compared to the great temples and palaces of empires, there was a sense of discipline and sharpness that stood out imdiately.
"Please follow ," the disciple said with a respectful tone, his posture straight and footsteps steady.
As they walked deeper, ng Bai continued to look around with awe. The road beneath their feet was not ordinary stone—it had fine sword-shaped patterns engraved into it. Every few ters, the carvings changed shape, forming long patterns like flowing calligraphy.
"These roads are sword training paths," the disciple explained, catching ng Bai's curiosity. "Every disciple in the sect walks them daily. They help develop footwork, rhythm, and sword intent awareness."
"Sword intent through walking?" ng Bai blinked. "That's new."
"Everything here is about the sword," Lin Mu comnted with a faint smile. "Even the air here has traces of intent."
"Indeed, Senior," the disciple said. "The founder of our sect was obsessed with the sword and built everything here to aid in comprehending it. From the formation layout to the cultivation techniques, everything channels and reinforces sword comprehension."
As they passed through the outer sect area, they saw dozens of disciples training with their swords. So practiced stances under waterfalls, others perford footwork drills in the open courtyards. Several used wooden training swords, while others had real blades that glead under the afternoon sun.
The energy was vibrant and youthful, filled with ambition and determination. Even ng Bai felt stirred by the atmosphere, his hand subconsciously reaching toward his own sheathed weapon.
"How many disciples does the sect have?" Lin Mu asked.
"Roughly four thousand in the Outer Sect, one thousand in the Inner Sect, and about three hundred in the Core Sect," the disciple replied. "Though small in number, each mber is selected with great care. Our sect does not believe in mass recruitnt."
"Quality over quantity, I see," Lin Mu noted.
"Yes, Senior. Even our elders are few. There are sixty in total. Elder Dugu Ciu is the fifth most senior among them, just under our current High Elders and Sect Patriarch," the disciple said proudly.
'He's of a higher position than I thought.' Lin Mu hadn't expected to et such a person in the city casually.
They soon reached the Inner Sect region. Here, the architecture changed subtly. The buildings were taller and more refined. Elegant sword motifs ran along the pillars, and tallic wind chis shaped like miniature blades hung from the eaves, ringing with every breeze.
A statue stood at the center of the inner courtyard—a tall, imposing figure holding a sword in reverse, its tip pressed into the ground. The sculpted eyes were keen and sharp, almost seeming to follow them as they passed.
"That's the founder?" ng Bai asked, tilting his head.
"Yes," the disciple answered. "Grandmaster Qian Jue. He was said to have achieved Sword Heart and split a mountain with a single slash during his final tribulation."
Lin Mu gave the statue a short nod. "I can feel so remnants of intent in it still."
"You're perceptive, Senior," the disciple smiled. "The statue was forged with materials imbued with Sword Essence. It's one of the teaching aids for advanced disciples."
They continued further, arriving at a large, peaceful pavilion surrounded by a shallow reflective pond. Stone lanterns glowed softly despite the daylight, and plum blossoms drifted gently from nearby trees.
"This is Elder Dugu's personal pavilion," the disciple announced. "He's waiting inside."
Before Lin Mu could respond, the paper doors of the pavilion slid open, and Elder Dugu Ciu stepped out, dressed in modest blue robes with a silver sword token at his waist.
"Daoist Lin," he greeted with a warm smile. "I was not sure you'd accept the invitation so soon."
"I was in the region and thought it fitting to visit," Lin Mu replied. "Thank you for the invitation."
"You honor us," Dugu Ciu said, giving a small bow before turning to ng Bai. "And this must be your disciple?"
"I'm ng Bai!" the boy said cheerfully. "Nice to et you, Elder Dugu."
"A sharp spirit," Dugu Ciu noted with amusent. "Co, let us talk inside."
They entered the pavilion, which was cozy and filled with scrolls, training manuals, and old swords hanging from walls. The room had a humble, lived-in feel, with cushions arranged around a low table already set with tea.
After they were seated, tea was poured and pleasantries exchanged. Dugu Ciu leaned forward slightly, a glimr of seriousness entering his tone.
"I'm glad you ca, Daoist Lin. I hope your journey was pleasant." The elder spoke.
but then he saw the complex expression Lin Mu and ng Bai's face.
"Did you face any trouble?" The man asked.
"A little conflict with so strange cultivators." Lin Mu replied.
SIGH
"Looks like you encountered them too." The man muttered. "Then, there's sothing I believe we must discuss. Sothing... troubling."
Lin Mu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Related to the won from the city?"
Dugu Ciu gave a grim nod. "Yes. Though we don't know the full details, several disappearances have occurred in nearby regions. Young male cultivators—lured by beauty, flattery, or pleas for help—vanish without a trace. The signs point to a shadowy group operating in the borderlands."
ng Bai frowned. "So it's not just us who got targeted."
"I suspected it wasn't an isolated case," Lin Mu said. "There was a mark—a thorned eye."
At those words, Dugu Ciu's expression darkened further.
"That matches the rumors. We've been calling them the Thorned Eye Faction for now, as their real na is unknown. But they're cunning and dangerous. Even our patrol disciples have had trouble tracking them."
Lin Mu sipped his tea slowly. "I'd like to help. If their trail passes through your region, perhaps we can find out more about them out."
"I'd be grateful," Dugu Ciu said sincerely. "We can use any help we can get. But be cautious—so of their mbers are experts in disguise and ntal manipulation."
"We've experienced that firsthand," Lin Mu murmured.
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