The moment Jin Mu-Won emerged from the Lotus Temple, the world felt different.
The wind obeyed his breath. The earth recognized his footsteps. The clouds swirled gently above, as if bowing to the will of the fifth petal now etched onto his back. Yet amid this surge of power, there was silence. A vast stillness that made every heartbeat echo like thunder.
Yu Fei rushed to his side, catching his arm. "You're… glowing," she whispered.
He looked at her, golden light flickering in his irises, and gave a tired smile. "So are you."
Her breath caught.
Lin Xue and Bai Yiran approached, careful, hesitant—as if sensing that the man before them was both the same and not. Hye Rin, ever calm, knelt before him and placed two fingers to the ground.
"The mountain kneels to you now," she said solemnly. "The fifth petal has bloomed."
Jin looked at his hands. Power surged through him like a river breaking through a dam—violent, wild, but oddly serene beneath it all.
"I need to test it," he murmured.
Bai Yiran's eyes lit up. "Finally! You've been hogging the spotlight too long. Let's spar!"
Yu Fei raised an eyebrow. "You want to spar with that?"
Bai grinned. "He needs to learn restraint. I'll help him."
---
They cleared a space at the base of the temple steps, where the ground was flat and encircled by ancient stones that pulsed faintly with Lotus energy. Bai Yiran stepped into the circle, twirling his twin sabers with practiced ease.
"Come at me, chosen one," he teased. "Let's see if you're as divine as you look."
Jin stepped forward, barefoot, no weapon drawn. He simply raised one hand.
Bai lunged.
Blades blurred, a silver storm aimed straight at Jin's chest—but they never touched. Jin sidestepped like a whisper of wind, then flicked his fingers.
A pulse of qi erupted from his hand—soundless, formless—but Bai's body flew backward like a kite cut from the sky.
He crashed into a tree fifty feet away.
"Ow," Bai groaned. "Okay. Divine confirmed."
Lin Xue clapped. "You didn't even move."
Jin lowered his hand. "I didn't mean to hit him that hard."
Yu Fei smiled gently. "Your body's changed. You'll have to learn to live in it again."
Jin nodded. "Then we travel. Down the mountain. Into the world."
---
That night, they camped at the edge of Red Fang Ridge. The fire crackled softly. Jin sat slightly apart, staring at his open palm as golden motes of light danced across his fingers. The Lotus Seal had changed—grown more intricate. More alive.
Hye Rin approached, kneeling beside him.
"You've surpassed mortal limits," she said. "But the world will try to drag you back."
Jin looked up. "Then I'll pull it forward."
She smiled. "That's why we follow you."
Yu Fei sat on his other side, silently offering a rice cake. He accepted it, touched by the small, quiet gesture.
Lin Xue lay on her back, watching stars. "So… what now? Conquer Murim?"
"No," Jin said. "We find the truth behind it."
Bai Yiran muttered from his sleeping roll, "And hopefully not get stabbed along the way."
They laughed.
For a moment, peace reigned.
---
Elsewhere, beyond the borders of the Murim Alliance…
A city burned.
Flags bearing the insignia of the Black Iron Sect fluttered in smoke as dozens of warriors clashed steel against bone, fire against shadow. At the heart of the battlefield stood a single figure, calm amid the chaos.
Ren.
His coat was torn. Blood trickled down his temple. But his eyes gleamed with manic clarity as he drove his blade into the chest of a four-armed demon cultivator.
A lieutenant ran to him, panting. "Master Ren! The west gate—collapsed! We're outnumbered!"
Ren sighed. "Always are."
"Orders?"
He looked west, eyes narrowing. "Hold the gate. Stall them. I'll handle the general."
The lieutenant hesitated. "Alone?"
Ren grinned. "It's just one war god. I've danced with worse."
As the man ran off, Ren looked up at the sky.
"Your move, Jin Mu-Won."
---
Back with Jin, the next morning came with riders.
Messengers from the Heavenly Pavilion, an ancient neutral sect that stood between Murim's great factions, arrived at the mountain base with silk scrolls sealed in golden wax.
Jin unrolled the message carefully.
It was a summons.
"To the bearer of the Lotus Seal — Your emergence has unsettled balance. You are invited to the Summit of Eight Winds, where peace is decided and war begins. You may bring your chosen. Arrive in ten days."
Yu Fei read over his shoulder. "That's a trap."
Hye Rin murmured, "Or a test."
Lin Xue smiled grimly. "Let's go spring it."
---
The journey south was swift.
Jin had unlocked an ability within the fifth petal — Lotus Step, a spatial technique that let him bend distance with each footfall. He couldn't yet teleport, but he could cross leagues in hours, and with training, entire provinces.
On the fifth day, they arrived at the outskirts of Taeyang, one of Murim's four holy cities, built on a plateau surrounded by rivers and skybridges. Banners flapped in every direction—each representing a sect, clan, or faction vying for power.
The Summit of Eight Winds was no peaceful negotiation.
It was a battlefield of diplomacy.
---
Inside the great pavilion, eight thrones lined a crescent dais. Only six were occupied.
The Iron Sage of the Northern Blades.
The Mistress of the Crimson Moon Sect.
The Silver Flame Monk of the Ash Temple.
The Twin Lords of the Eastern Spear.
And the Serpent Prince of the Shadow Market.
Jin's arrival silenced the room.
He walked forward, his companions flanking him.
The Iron Sage leaned forward. "The Lotus Seal lives."
The Serpent Prince chuckled. "And brings a harem."
Jin's gaze was steel. "You summoned me."
The Crimson Mistress stood. "We did. Because the world shakes. The demon clans rise. The old weapons stir. And now—you."
Jin nodded. "Then I'll help you."
Gasps.
"But on my terms," he added. "No games. No leashes."
The Silver Flame Monk smiled. "Then you are no pawn. Good."
The summit continued for hours—talk of war, borders, alliances. Jin said little, listening, learning. By the end, it was clear: the world was splintering. Peace was a thread about to snap.
As they left, a voice called behind them.
"You walk boldly, Lotus Bearer."
Jin turned.
Ren stood beneath a cherry tree, sword on his back, bloodstains on his boots.
Yu Fei hissed, stepping between them. "You again."
Ren raised a hand. "I'm not here to fight."
Jin narrowed his eyes. "Then why?"
"To warn you."
"Of?"
Ren's smile faded. "The Lotus wasn't made to save the world. It was made to replace it."
Silence.
Then he vanished.
---
That night, in the inn they'd taken, Jin sat alone on the rooftop, watching the stars.
Yu Fei climbed up behind him, carrying a bottle of wine.
She poured them each a cup.
He sipped, savoring the warmth.
"You're changing," she said softly.
"So is the world."
"I'm afraid," she admitted.
He turned to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Don't be. I'm still me."
She leaned into him. "Then let me stay."
He pulled her close. "Always."