A month later.
In the heart of Eagle Mountain, the Central Hall glowed with golden mist, the air thick with the pressure of countless cultivators gathered in attendance. Yun stepped into the hall's wide expanse, his calm demeanor masking the quiet storm of whispers following him. Word of the serpent's slaying had spread far and wide; no one expected a mere Lower Lord Rank cultivator to return alive, much less with a Spirit Tool of unknown grade.
At the far end of the hall, the Elders of the Nest sat upon their elevated seats, their robes shimmering with spiritual energy. Elder Rex stood among them, a proud but measured smile crossing his face as he addressed the assembly. "Disciple Yun of the Silver Wing Division," he began, his voice echoing through the chamber, "for the successful completion of an Imperial Mission, and for demonstrating valor, skill, and exceptional contribution to the clan, the council has agreed—unanimously—to bestow upon you the title of Leading Disciple of the Eagle Nest."
A murmur ran through the hall. Even Yun's composure faltered for a moment. A Leading Disciple was only one step below the Inner Court's direct line—men and women who had the authority to shape the clan's next generation. Elder Rex continued, "From this day forth, you are granted the right to form your own faction, recruit disciples beneath your banner, and accept missions of high rank. Your group will carry your name and your responsibility."
Yun knelt respectfully, voice steady but reverent. "This disciple accepts with gratitude. I will not bring shame upon the Eagle Nest."
Later that evening, Yun stood at the terrace overlooking the sprawling mountain compound. The weight of the new title pressed against him—not in burden, but in realization. He now held influence, resources, and freedom that few his age could ever dream of. Already, he sensed the ripple it caused—envy in some eyes, admiration in others.
Just as the sun began to set, a messenger in gray robes approached, bowing deeply. "Senior Yun, the Council requests your presence again. They wish to assign your first mission as Leading Disciple. It is… a matter of Imperial significance."
Yun's gaze lingered on the horizon, where crimson clouds gathered like coiling flames. "Then let us not keep them waiting," he said, his voice calm but edged with quiet resolve.
After leaving the Central Hall, Yun walked down the stone path leading toward the outer courtyard. The air was crisp, filled with the faint cries of spirit eagles circling the mountain peaks. Despite his new title, Yun's steps remained unhurried. His thoughts wandered—not toward glory or status—but to the three young cultivators who had followed him into the Scarlet Ravine. Without them, that battle might have unfolded differently.
He found them training at the base of the Silver Wing Pavilion—Albi, Rena, and Tair—each diligently refining their Qi. When they noticed him approaching, they stopped immediately and bowed deeply.
"Senior Yun!" Albi said, surprise brightening his eyes. "We heard about your promotion! The entire Nest is talking about it!"
Yun smiled faintly. "Titles mean little if they're not put to good use," he replied. His gaze softened as he looked at them. "You three showed courage when most would have turned away. I'm forming a faction—the Order of Sel. It will stand for strength earned through discipline, not arrogance. I would have you three join me, if that's your wish."
The three exchanged quick, stunned glances. Rena's voice was the first to break the silence. "Us? You'd really want us in your Order?"
Yun nodded. "I don't choose based on talent or bloodline. I choose based on heart."
Tair grinned widely, bowing again. "Then we'd be honored, Senior Yun! From this day on, we serve under the banner of the Order of Sel!"
A breeze swept through the courtyard as they clasped wrists in agreement. For the first time, Yun allowed himself a small, genuine smile. This wasn't merely the beginning of a faction—it was the birth of something deeper. A brotherhood of purpose, a seed that, with time, could grow into a force the realms would remember.
Just then, a silver-winged messenger bird descended, landing on Yun's arm. It bore the crest of the Council. The summons had come.
Yun looked toward the horizon, where thunderclouds began to form beyond the eastern peaks. "It seems the world won't wait for us to get comfortable," he said quietly. "Order of Sel, prepare yourselves. Our first mission awaits."
Yun and his three new followers moved swiftly through the winding corridors of the Nest, their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone floors. As they descended deeper into the mountain, the air grew heavier, filled with an ancient stillness that pressed against their chests. The torches that lined the path burned with bluish flame, casting ghostly reflections along the walls. This was not the usual council hall—its atmosphere was older, sacred even, like the mountain itself was holding its breath. When they reached the final archway, two golden-armored guards opened the great obsidian doors, revealing a vast chamber illuminated by floating orbs of light.
Inside, fourteen thrones hung suspended in the air, arranged in a half-circle that surrounded a raised jade platform at the center. Upon those thrones sat the Elders—each one radiating a pressure so profound that Yun's soul trembled instinctively. These were not ordinary clan leaders; they were the pillars of the Mountain Eagle Clan, cultivators who had long surpassed the limits of mortal existence. Their youthful appearances belied their unimaginable age. The youngest among them was well over a thousand years old, while the eldest—whose hair shimmered like threads of silver light—was rumored to have lived for more than ten millennia. All fourteen bore the unmistakable aura of Qi Princes, their power dense and boundless, making even the air around them hum with restrained might.
Yun instinctively lowered his head to bow, but before he could complete the gesture, a calm yet commanding voice echoed through the hall."There is no need for formalities, child," said Elder Midas, his tone carrying both warmth and authority. The elder rose from his throne with the grace of flowing water, every step measured and filled with quiet strength. His long golden robes shimmered like sunlight on rippling waves, and in his hand, a faintly glowing token pulsed with imperial sigils. "You have already proven your worth," he continued, descending the steps and coming to stand before Yun. With a solemn expression, he extended the token forward. "This is an Imperial Token, a mark of authority few ever earn. Only clans recognized by the Imperial Court itself are granted the right to issue such tokens to their disciples."
Yun accepted the token with both hands, its weight far greater than its size suggested. The faint hum of power within it resonated with his own spiritual core, like a bond forming between him and something vast, unseen. Elder Midas continued, his gaze steady and sharp. "From this moment, you act as an Envoy of the Eagle Mountain Clan, under the watch of the Imperial Court. Your mission is of the highest importance: to bring order to the Avion Region's bird clans. Many have fallen under the sway of rogue cultivation factions seeking to sow chaos within the empire. You will rein them in—by diplomacy if possible, by force if necessary." The hall fell silent again, the weight of his words settling like a mountain upon Yun's shoulders. Even the other elders, whose gazes rarely softened, seemed to regard him with quiet approval and expectation.
Yun tightened his grip around the token, feeling the surge of responsibility course through him like living flame. The task was monumental—an order that could alter the balance of power across the entire Avion Region. Yet, instead of fear, a calm determination rose within him. The whispers of the serpent's soul within his scythe stirred faintly, as though recognizing the weight of the coming storm. To rein in the clans… to face those who defy the empire itself. Yun knew this mission would test more than strength; it would test his wisdom, his leadership, and the hidden potential that the elders seemed to sense in him.
Elder Midas's gaze softened slightly as he continued, "There is no strict deadline for your mission, Yun. The Imperial Court understands that such undertakings require time, discretion, and careful judgment. Begin when you are ready, but ensure progress is evident and your loyalty to the Empire remains beyond question. Other disciples of your rank have been dispatched to different regions, each tasked with similar responsibilities. Coordination is expected only when necessary; otherwise, rely on your judgment."
Yun nodded solemnly, absorbing the gravity of the instructions. The freedom to choose his own timing would allow him to strengthen his faction, prepare resources, and ensure his subordinates were fully capable before facing the rogue elements threatening the bird clans. With a final, respectful bow, he turned and stepped toward the hall's exit. The elders' eyes followed him, observing silently, weighing the promise and potential of this new Leading Disciple. As the massive doors of the chamber closed behind him, Yun's mind already shifted toward the task ahead—assembling the Order of Sel, solidifying its foundation, and preparing for the challenges that awaited across the Avion Region.