The evening sky turned crimson as Yuan Jin set foot in the inner courtyard of the Blue Moon Sect. After being officially accepted by Elder Li Sanzhou, he was escorted to his living quarters. It was not just an ordinary room, but a magnificent and serene building known as the Pavilion of Moonlight.
The pavilion stood gracefully on the eastern edge of the sect, facing a small lake that reflected the blue sky. Its pillars were carved from jade stone, shimmering gently under the moonlight, as if they held spirits within. The surrounding garden bloomed with moonflowers—delicate blossoms that only opened at night, releasing a soothing fragrance that calmed the soul.
Yuan Jin took a deep breath. This was where his new journey would begin. As he opened the pavilion doors, a faint but powerful spiritual energy flowed through the room. There was no doubt—this was the perfect place to train and meditate.
After a brief rest, the next day he attended the orientation in the main hall. Alongside dozens of other new disciples, he was introduced to the sect's instructors, training protocols, and rules that every disciple must obey.
But Yuan Jin was not an ordinary disciple.
That afternoon, Elder Li summoned him in private.
"Yuan Jin," Li Sanzhou said, eyes sharp and meaningful. "I know it wasn't mere chance that brought you here. I can sense an extraordinary sword aura from your body, even if you're hiding it."
Yuan Jin bowed respectfully. "Senior sees deeply. I only wished to avoid drawing unnecessary attention."
Li Sanzhou chuckled. "Caution is good. But now, come with me. There's something you need to see."
They walked down a hidden corridor behind the sect's ancient library, descending into an underground chamber bathed in strange blue light. At the end of the corridor was a stone altar marked with a glowing crescent moon. Resting atop it was a scroll—old and silver-blue.
"This is the Legacy of the Blue Light," said Li Sanzhou. "A technique passed only to chosen disciples. For hundreds of years, none have been worthy enough to unlock this scroll."
Yuan Jin stepped forward. As he touched the scroll, a blinding light filled the chamber. The crescent symbol lit up, and Yuan Jin felt his mind being pulled into a quiet void.
In his consciousness, a silhouette appeared—an old man dressed like a celestial emperor, wielding a glowing blue sword.
"I am the Founder of the Blue Moon Sect," the voice echoed in his mind. "If you can master the Moonlight Step Technique and the Three-Phase Sword, you will become the true heir of this sect."
Yuan Jin gave no verbal answer, but his sharp eyes gleamed with resolve.
When he returned to the physical world, Li Sanzhou merely smiled. "You've succeeded."
---
Days passed, and life at the Pavilion of Moonlight became Yuan Jin's new routine. He woke at dawn to meditate under the moon, then trained until midday. At night, he would read ancient scrolls in the library, absorbing sword arts and spiritual knowledge.
A few core disciples grew jealous of him, but none could deny it—Yuan Jin's aura grew stronger each day. He began to attract attention, particularly from Lady Mei, a stern but wise sword technique instructor.
"Your technique isn't perfect," she said one day, "but your heart is as straight as a blade."
Yuan Jin bowed. "I only wish to grow stronger."
But training wasn't the only thing filling his days.
On the twelfth night after his arrival, he was startled by the tolling of the sect's emergency bell. An important artifact in the underground chamber was experiencing unstable resonance. All disciples were forbidden from approaching—except one.
"Yuan Jin, come with me!" Elder Li's voice rang out.
They descended into the chamber of forbidden artifacts, where a Moon Essence Crystal trembled violently, on the verge of explosion. It could only be calmed by someone with high affinity to moon energy.
Yuan Jin closed his eyes and channeled his spiritual flow. Moonlight poured from his body, enveloping the crystal. Within moments, the tremors ceased. Silence fell across the chamber.
All the elders present stood speechless.
"He is truly the foretold heir…"
---
Two weeks later, Yuan Jin began receiving challenges from senior disciples who felt threatened by his rapid rise. But none could match his speed or precision. His Moonlight Step Technique made him nearly untouchable in battle.
Still, he remained humble. Never arrogant. He knew his power was not meant only to defeat, but to protect something… or someone.
Each night, he sat in the garden of the Pavilion of Moonlight, gazing at the full moon above. He remembered the voice of the Sect Founder, the weight of the legacy now resting on his shoulders.
To be continued...