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Chapter 10: Blossoms Beneath the Moonlight
The training grounds were in an uproar.
Word had already begun to spread—Xiao Tian, the unknown handyman disciple, had emerged from the Broken Sword Trial alive.
And with a High Spiritual Rank weapon.
No one knew the details. Only that the ancient formation had trembled, and Elder Mo himself had emerged with a strange expression.
Rumors whispered of a 'sword inheritance' and 'Crimson-grade Sword Will.'
But Xiao Tian remained silent.
He stood atop a stone cliff just outside the inner sect, eyes closed, meditating with Starfall Edge across his knees. The silvery light of the moon reflected from the blade's edge like rippling water.
His thoughts weren't on the competition.
They were on Mu Yuyan.
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That night—
Xiao Tian left the outer disciple zone and walked toward the Violet Moon Pavilion.
It was forbidden territory for low-ranking disciples, but that didn't matter anymore. With his current status—recognized by the Sword God's legacy—he could walk freely where few dared.
A soft rustle broke the silence.
Standing beneath a flowering moonlight tree was Mu Yuyan, dressed in plain inner sect robes, her hair cascading like black silk, her gaze like cold stars.
"You shouldn't be here," she said softly.
Xiao Tian didn't reply immediately.
Instead, he bowed.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For saving me once. Three months ago, when I collapsed from backlash during foundation forging. You left a soul-nourishing pill near my quarters. I never forgot."
Mu Yuyan's eyes rippled slightly.
"I didn't think you'd remember."
Silence.
The petals of the moonlight blossoms drifted between them. Her eyes, usually indifferent, now held a hint of curiosity.
"I saw your name on the Fate List," she finally said. "Xiao Tian. Crimson-grade Sword Will. You must have obtained the Star Sword God's recognition."
Xiao Tian did not confirm it, nor deny it.
But she already knew.
"I won't stop you," she said. "You've entered my vision now. I want to see how far you'll go in the Evergreen Secret Realm ranking."
Then, something unexpected.
Mu Yuyan took out a jade slip and handed it to him.
"This is a movement technique I created, based on sword-dodge footwork. It's incomplete, but it helped me reach the top ten last time. Consider it… encouragement."
Xiao Tian looked at her seriously.
"Why help me?"
Mu Yuyan turned, her voice gentle but firm.
"Because I want to see a storm shake the heavens. And maybe… I want to see if the little handyman can climb over even me."
She vanished like wind.
And Xiao Tian's heart beat quietly, not with love—but with purpose.
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Competition Countdown: 5 Days
> Disciple Rankings – Evergreen Secret Realm Qualifier
Top 100 Disciple Entry Qualification
Top 10: Quasi Holy Son/Inner Elders Direct Inheritor Candidates
Notable Names:
1. Holy Son Zhao Feng (True Martial 8th Stage – Flame Dao Physique)
2. Mu Yuyan (True Martial 7th Stage – Ice Lotus Body)
3. Lin Chen (True Martial 7th Stage – Luck Child)
4. Qing Shui (True Martial 6th Stage – Phantom Body)
5. Xiao Tian (?) – Record Unknown
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> MC PANEL (Updated)
Name: Xiao Tian
Cultivation: Mortal Martial Realm – Completion Stage
Sword Intent: Crimson Grade (Initial Comprehension – 17%)
Physique: Nine-Star Supreme Sword Body (1-Star Complete – Sword Bone)
Weapon: Starfall Edge (High Spiritual Rank – Growth Type)
Movement Art: [Moonshadow Sword Step] (Mu Yuyan's Custom Incomplete Technique)
Opportunity Queue:
– Evergreen Secret Realm Top Rank Reward (Unknown Red Fate)
– Lin Chen's Star Sword Inheritance (Golden Fate Opportunity)
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