The days after the reunion passed like a dream. For once, Haotian was not a sect leader, a cultivator, or a forgemaster. He was simply a husband and a father.
Haotian rose early, as he always had, but instead of beginning with cultivation, he would lift his son from the crib. Tianlan's tiny hands clutched at his father's robes, his dark eyes wide with innocence. Haotian walked the garden paths with him cradled against his chest, pointing out the blossoms, the koi pond, the mountains beyond the estate walls.
"You see that, Tianlan?" he whispered once, holding his son high. "Those peaks? One day, you'll climb higher than them. Higher than me."
Sometimes Tianlan only yawned, sometimes he gurgled with laughter, but every time Haotian's heart clenched with a warmth fiercer than any battlefield flame.
In the afternoons, he spent time with Lianhua. Sometimes they walked hand in hand through the courtyards, Tianlan between them, laughing as he kicked his tiny legs. Other times, Haotian let Lianhua rest while he took the child himself, rocking Tianlan to sleep in his arms.
Once, while Lianhua embroidered by the window, Haotian sat nearby with Tianlan resting on his lap. The boy tugged clumsily at Haotian's finger, his grip surprisingly strong. Haotian chuckled softly.
"Already grasping at the world. He'll be a fighter."
Lianhua glanced up, her violet eyes warm. "Or a dreamer, like his mother."
Haotian only smiled, watching his son with a look that mixed pride and awe.
When the lanterns lit and the household quieted, the three of them would sit beneath the great lantern tree. Tianlan nestled in his mother's arms, giggling at the fireflies that danced around him. Haotian leaned back against the trunk, content simply to watch.
One evening, Tianlan reached up, trying to grasp at the flickering lights. Haotian extended a finger, releasing a small thread of chi that took the shape of a glowing butterfly. Tianlan's eyes widened, and he laughed, clapping his tiny hands.
Lianhua leaned into Haotian's shoulder. "You spoil him already."
Haotian smirked faintly. "Then let me spoil him. The world outside will not be kind. Let him laugh while he can."
A Father's Quiet Vow
These were days of peace, yet beneath his calm exterior, Haotian felt the weight of the future pressing in. Each time he held Tianlan, each time he saw Lianhua's gentle smile, his resolve hardened.
In the quiet of the night, when his family slept, Haotian stood by the crib. Tianlan's small hand rested against his blanket, his breaths steady and soft. Haotian whispered low, his golden eyes firm.
"I will give you time, my son. Time to grow, time to choose your path. No matter what comes, I will hold the storm back… even if it costs me everything."
He adjusted the blanket gently, then turned back to his bed, where Lianhua waited. Sliding in beside her, he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close, the weight of his vow burning in his chest.
And so the days of peace continued, fragile yet beautiful, in the Zhenlong household.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye. The days of warmth with Lianhua and Tianlan had been precious, but Haotian knew peace could not last. Beyond the walls of the household, the world churned with unrest. The Moon Lotus Sect awaited his return, and the greater storms yet to come demanded his strength.
On the morning of his departure, he called Lianhua and Tianlan into the main hall.
From within his sleeve, Haotian withdrew two pendants, each carved from lustrous jade and engraved with intricate runes.
The first he placed gently into Lianhua's hand. Its surface pulsed faintly with golden light."This pendant holds a defensive array," Haotian explained. "If danger approaches, it will shield you for a time. Enough for help to arrive—or enough for me to return."
The second, smaller pendant he held above Tianlan's crib. Softly, reverently, he lowered it onto his son's chest. The jade gleamed with a gentler light, flickers of rainbow chi rippling within."This one… is for Tianlan. It will form a protective barrier like yours, but more importantly, I inscribed a chi gathering array within it. It will nurture his meridians, draw in the world's essence even as he sleeps. By the time he begins cultivation, his foundation will already be unmatched."
Lianhua's eyes glistened, her fingers tightening around her pendant. She whispered, "You think of everything."
Haotian shook his head softly, brushing a strand of her hair aside. "Not everything. Just you. Just him. All else comes after."
He bent down, cradling Tianlan in his arms one last time. The boy stirred, opening his eyes, small fingers clenching weakly against his father's chest. Haotian's throat tightened. He kissed his son's forehead, lingering there, his voice a vow."Grow strong, Tianlan. I will buy you time. I will carve you a path, no matter what stands before me."
He handed Tianlan back to Lianhua, then turned to her. His hand cupped her cheek, his gaze firm yet filled with unspoken tenderness. He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that carried both love and farewell.
When he finally drew back, his golden eyes burned with resolve."Take care of him. And take care of yourself. When I return, I want to see both of you smiling."
Lianhua nodded, tears slipping free despite her composure. "And you—come back alive. No matter what awaits."
Haotian embraced them both once more, holding wife and son in his arms as though to etch the moment into his soul. Then, with a final kiss on Tianlan's brow and a whispered promise to Lianhua, he straightened, his robes settling like a mantle of authority once more.
He walked from the Zhenlong household without looking back, his steps steady, his figure tall against the morning light.
The household gates closed behind him. His heart remained within—but his path once more led forward, toward the Moon Lotus Sect, and the battles yet to come.
The mountain gates of the Moon Lotus Sect rose in the distance, etched with the familiar lotus carvings. Haotian's chest tightened with a strange calm. Two months had passed since he last set foot here, yet it felt longer — too long.
He stepped closer—
Woooo—!Woooo—!
Alarm horns blared. Banners unfurled from the watchtowers, and the sharp cries of command cut through the air.
"Form ranks!""Enemy approaching!"
Dozens of female disciples poured from the gates in perfect formation, blades already drawn, their qi surging with killing intent. There was no hesitation, no fear — only discipline born of repeated trials.
Haotian raised an eyebrow, then called out loudly before they could strike."Wait! It's me — Haotian! I said I would return, and here I am! Sect Master Yinxue and Elder Ziyue can vouch for me!"
The disciples froze. For a heartbeat, silence hung in the air.
Then—
"Senior Brother Haotian?!""It's him… it's really him!""He came back!"
The rigid formation collapsed instantly into a rush of voices. Swords lowered, tears welled in hardened eyes, and laughter broke out amid the cries. Some disciples clutched their chests as though afraid their hearts might burst. Others nearly dropped their weapons as they surged closer, unable to contain their joy.
"Senior Brother, you're safe!""The sect hasn't been the same without you…""You promised us — and you kept your word!"
Haotian chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Attacking me the moment I arrive, hm? I see the sect has grown sharper in my absence."
The crowd erupted in laughter through tears, relief flooding their expressions. A few younger disciples openly sobbed as they bowed to him, while others just smiled so wide their faces hurt.
From the inner gates, Sect Master Yinxue stepped forward, her robes flowing like moonlight, her cold elegance unmarred by months of burden. Beside her walked Elder Ziyue, steady as ever, though her eyes betrayed a storm of held-back emotion.
Both women stopped at the sight of him.
Yinxue's usual composure wavered. Her lips curved into the faintest smile, rare and fragile, yet radiant in its honesty. "So you truly have returned."
Ziyue's gaze lingered, as though confirming with her own eyes that he was real. She exhaled softly, relief breaking through her stern mask. "You were gone longer than promised, Haotian."
Haotian inclined his head respectfully. "And yet, as I said, I am here now."
The courtyard swelled again with cheers, disciples calling his name, their voices echoing through the mountains.
For that moment — no politics, no looming threats, no burdens of war. Only joy. Only family, reunited at last.
That evening, the halls of the Moon Lotus Sect were quieter than usual. After the uproar of Haotian's return, disciples had finally settled, though their excitement still buzzed faintly in the air.
In the sect master's pavilion, a single lantern burned. The soft fragrance of spirit tea drifted as Yinxue, Ziyue, and Haotian sat together around a low table.
Steam rose between them, curling like silver threads in the lamplight.
For a time, they spoke of simple things — of the disciples' progress, of border patrols, of the steady vigilance that had carried the sect through the past two months. Haotian listened carefully, nodding with quiet satisfaction.
"I am glad," he said finally, a rare smile tugging his lips. "No great calamity struck while I was gone. The sect has endured."
Yinxue's expression softened, her voice as calm as flowing water. "The disciples endured because they held to your promise, Haotian. Your word carried weight, even in absence."
Haotian lowered his gaze briefly, then spoke again — more serious this time. "But peace never lasts forever. The seal at the Sea Bridge… I plan to anchor it with a grand formation. A killing array so vast, it can hold even what lurks beyond."
Yinxue's eyes widened faintly, though her composure remained. "A grand formation? On that scale…"
Ziyue, however, leaned forward, her dark eyes locked on him. "You mean to say you will use a formation not merely to reinforce, but to suppress entirely?"
Haotian nodded. "The miniature version already exists — the Nine Divine Flying Dragons Array. But what I prepare for the Sea Bridge will be far greater."
Silence stretched for a moment. Yinxue recovered first, her lips curving in astonishment. "Only you would dare such a thing. And only you might succeed."
Ziyue's gaze lingered on him as he continued explaining, her attention wholly captured. She drank in his every word, her expression unreadable but her eyes bright, as though the longer she listened, the deeper she fell into the rhythm of his voice.
When Haotian finally paused, he set down his cup and added almost casually:"Ah — and there is something else. I have brought back a gift. For the entire sect."
Yinxue raised a brow, intrigued. Ziyue tilted her head slightly. "A gift?"
Haotian's lips curved faintly. "In exchange for refining eleven million pills for the Azure Dragon Sky Sect, I was allowed to bring it back."
The two women froze, their calm shattering in unison.
"Eleven million pills?!" Yinxue's usually serene voice cracked in disbelief.Ziyue's eyes widened, her composure breaking. "That… that number is impossible. For anyone else…"
Then both fell silent, realization dawning. They looked at him again — and this time, they no longer doubted.
"For anyone else," Yinxue repeated softly, almost to herself. "But not for you."
Ziyue let out a breath, still staring at him. "…What is it then? What gift did you bring?"
Haotian chuckled quietly, shaking his head. "Patience. Assemble the sect tomorrow. I will present it then."
Yinxue's lips curved into a rare smile, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Very well. Tomorrow it is. I confess — I look forward to being surprised."
She stood gracefully, her authority returning. "But for tonight, enough. Rest. Tomorrow will bring much to do."
Haotian inclined his head. "As you command."
Ziyue lingered a moment longer, her gaze still on him, before finally rising to follow her sect master.
The lantern flickered low, shadows stretching across the pavilion. Outside, the moon rose high, bathing the sect in silver. Tomorrow would mark another turning point for the Moon Lotus Sect — but tonight ended in calm, with tea, trust, and the quiet warmth of reunion.
The first light of dawn bathed the peaks of the Moon Lotus Sect in pale gold. By command of Sect Master Yinxue, every disciple, elder, and attendant had assembled in the grand courtyard. Robes rippled in the mountain breeze, and anticipation surged like a current through the crowd.
The night before, whispers had spread like wildfire:Senior Brother Haotian has returned — and he brought a gift for all of us.
Now, the sect waited.
Haotian strode to the dais, black robes neat, golden eyes calm as still fire. He looked across the faces of his sect sisters — their expressions tense with expectation, their eyes fixed on him, the only male cultivator among them yet also their strongest shield.
He clasped his hands behind his back, his voice carrying across the courtyard.
"When I departed, I said I would return. I also said I would not return empty-handed. Today, I fulfill that promise."
A flick of his sleeve, and dozens of storage rings rose into the air, circling above him like stars. With a wave of his hand, brilliant silver light burst forth.
Hundreds of swords poured out, their edges glowing like frozen moonlight.
The Yuehua Jian.
They hovered behind him, each blade flawless, each inscribed with runes that shimmered faintly in the morning light. Their resonance intertwined, releasing a soft hum that made the courtyard itself tremble.
Gasps broke from the disciples.
"Blades… so many blades…""They're Jian swords!""No, not ordinary Jian — they're alive with qi!"
Haotian lifted one of the swords into the air. Its silver surface caught the sunlight and sent it spilling across the courtyard, dazzling in its radiance.
"This is the Yuehua Jian," Haotian declared. "Forged for the disciples of the Moon Lotus Sect. Each one holds formations that compress chi, store force, and release hidden bursts of cutting power. With it, your cultivation will grow swifter, your techniques sharper, your battles stronger."
He lowered the sword, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"These are not treasures to be locked away. They are not ornaments for display. They are blades for your hands, for your hearts, for your paths forward. Each one belongs to you. And with them, the Moon Lotus Sect will stand unbroken, no matter the storm to come."
The silence shattered. The disciples erupted into cheers, their voices rising like a tidal wave.
"Senior Brother Haotian!""Yuehua Jian!""Moon Lotus Sect!"
Laughter, tears, shouts — discipline gave way to raw emotion as the women of the sect beheld the gift forged for them alone. Some cried openly, others gripped one another's hands in disbelief, their spirits surging higher than they had in years.
The courtyard thundered with cheers, disciples crying Haotian's name, their spirits surging like never before.
On the dais, Sect Master Yinxue's expression softened, rare pride gleaming in her eyes.
Beside her, Elder Ziyue stood in silence, though her gaze never left Haotian. The moonlight of the swords reflected in her eyes, but it was not the blades she saw — it was him. The steadiness in his stance, the unshakable strength in his voice, the way the disciples looked at him as if he were their anchor.
Haotian felt her eyes on him. He had long known of Ziyue's feelings — quiet, restrained, but unyielding. And though he respected her deeply, his heart did not waver.
His gaze lingered on her for only a breath before turning back to the disciples, his voice ringing out:"Take these swords. Train with them. With the Yuehua Jian in your hands, the Moon Lotus Sect will never falter."
The mountain shook with cheers once more.
Ziyue lowered her gaze, her face calm, her emotions buried — as always. But within, the fire still burned, one-sided and unspoken.
Haotian let the noise wash over him, but his thoughts were already drifting westward. Toward the woman and the child waiting for him. Toward the family that was his true anchor, no matter how brightly the sect shone before him.
The cheers still echoed across the mountains as Haotian lowered his hand. With a sweep of his sleeve, the hundreds of Yuehua Jian descended slowly, guided by his qi. Each sword drifted into the waiting hands of the disciples, their silver edges gleaming with moonlight.
Gasps and cries followed as every woman felt the resonance of her blade — a subtle hum linking sword to wielder, a surge of energy responding to their touch. The courtyard swelled with emotion once more.
Haotian's gaze remained steady. "Each of you now holds a Yuehua Jian. Train with it, grow with it, and let it become an extension of your heart."
He gestured, and the remaining swords — dozens still hovering in the air — gathered together in neat formation. With another motion, they flew toward the rear of the courtyard, where sect attendants hurried to receive them.
"The surplus will be stored in the sect armory," Haotian declared. "If blades are lost in battle, or when new sisters are recruited, they too will wield the Yuehua Jian."
The disciples bowed deeply, voices raised as one. "Yes, Senior Brother!"
For a moment, silence returned. Haotian let it linger before he spoke again, his voice lower but sharper, every word cutting through the morning air.
"Now — return to your duties. This was not only a gift. It is a responsibility. We have little time left to waste."
A ripple of unease spread through the courtyard. Whispers broke out before Sect Master Yinxue raised her hand, restoring order.
Haotian's golden eyes darkened. "The reports are clear. In three years, the seal will break. When it does, the demons will come."
The courtyard stilled. Faces paled. Breath caught in the throats of the younger disciples. Even the elders exchanged grave glances.
Haotian's voice rose, iron-hard."Three years. That is all the time we have. In that time, I will refine, I will forge, I will carve arrays and prepare until this sect can stand unshaken before the storm. And in that time, all of you will rise as well. Together, we will elevate the Moon Lotus Sect to greater heights than ever before. Together, we will weather what comes."
The words struck like thunder. Fear lingered, yes — but it was drowned quickly by the blaze of conviction his tone carried.
A chorus of voices answered him, steadier this time."Yes, Senior Brother!"
Haotian gave a final nod, his expression unreadable. Then he dismissed them with a sweep of his hand. "Return to your training. Beginning today, the Moon Lotus Sect's true preparations begin."
The disciples bowed and filed out in disciplined ranks, each clutching her Yuehua Jian, the weight of both gift and responsibility settling on their shoulders.
On the dais, Yinxue and Ziyue remained, watching as Haotian turned to leave. His figure was tall against the light, his stride resolute.
From this moment on, there would be no more peace. Only preparation.
And in three years, the storm would come.