Gu Sheng City was bathed in soft morning sunlight when Gu Qinghe opened the door to his room.
The air was still cool. His mind was not. Ever since he heard that Gu Yanxue, his elder sister, was waiting for him in front of the Gu Clan Palace, he quickened his movements and prepared himself as carefully as possible.
He put on the gold robe of the Gu Clan that had been neatly laid out and made sure all his equipment was stored inside the bag of holding hanging at his waist.
Every movement was steady and deliberate. He did not want to reveal his nervousness, even though there was a faint pressure tightening in his chest.
Today was not an ordinary day.
And he was fully aware of that.
After everything was ready, Qinghe walked out of his room and passed through the palace corridors lined with massive wooden pillars and small dragon carvings, a signature feature of the Gu Clan branch in Gu Sheng City.
As soon as he stepped into the front courtyard, he immediately saw Gu Yanxue standing upright alongside three clan elders.
Yanxue looked the same as always. Calm, elegant, yet sharp. Her hair was neatly tied with a red ribbon, and her white robe fluttered gently in the breeze.
The three elders stood beside her with serious expressions, releasing a subtle pressure meant to drive away anyone who dared to approach.
That was only natural. The clan leader had ordered them to escort Yanxue. Even so, everyone knew that almost no sane cultivator would ever dare lay a hand on her.
When she noticed her younger brother approaching, Yanxue turned her head.
Her gaze was flat, not cold. It was more like someone who was used to measuring everything quickly, including her own family.
The three elders also looked at Gu Qinghe, though without the warmth Yanxue showed.
Their eyes were filled with indifference, as if they were looking at a useless burden that had somehow been dragged into an important mission.
No one dared to say it outright, but everyone in the Gu Clan knew Qinghe's reputation.
Useless, weak, talentless.
They were probably wondering why the clan leader had chosen to send him at all.
"Are you ready?" Yanxue asked briefly.
Qinghe nodded while steadying his breath. "Yes."
There was no further conversation. Yanxue summoned her flying sword. A thin green glow appeared as her qi activated.
The three elders and Qinghe did the same, and soon they rose into the sky, leaving the clan palace behind.
From above, Gu Sheng City came fully into view. The houses were arranged neatly, the morning market was already lively, and in several corners of the streets, commoners gathered together, whispering, pointing toward the sky, and talking about rumors Qinghe had already heard.
The summoning ritual.
Talk of sacred envoys spread faster than the wind. Even children playing in the plaza were imitating gestures of calling upon the heavens.
"The kingdom is not planning to hide this news?" Qinghe asked.
Yanxue shook her head without turning back.
"No. On the contrary. They want everyone to know. This is proof that the kingdom can summon sacred envoys. That is what they claim."
The faith of the people was easy to shape. Stories about sacred envoys had circulated for a long time.
Some were nothing more than legends, while others were believed to be absolute truth.
The people believed that sacred envoys were different from ordinary humans, purer, stronger, or perhaps truly divine.
"This information is spreading like wildfire," Yanxue continued. "It makes the people place their faith in Song."
Qinghe observed his sister from the corner of his eye. Yanxue's expression remained calm, yet he sensed something else beneath it, a faint, carefully hidden doubt.
"Do you believe they are truly sacred?" Qinghe finally asked.
For a moment, Yanxue did not answer. Her gaze stayed fixed ahead, focused on the flight path.
"I was not alive when those legends were told," she said softly. "My mother told me about them. But whether they are truly sacred, whether they are truly envoys… I am not sure."
"So you doubt it?"
"Yes."
That answer brought Qinghe a strange sense of calm. Perhaps because he knew it was honest. And only time would resolve the doubt in his sister's heart.
The capital of the Song Kingdom finally appeared on the horizon. The city was enormous. Its massive gates were visible even from afar, and the towering walls rose like mountains.
Dozens of cultivators flew through the skies, while thousands of civilians crowded the main streets below.
Song City. The first city I ever visited.
Yanxue accelerated her sword, and the group followed. They entered the city's airspace, moving along with the flow of wind and low flying birds.
Their destination was clear, the front courtyard of the Song Dragon Palace.
However, as they approached, someone stopped them. A cultivator in red robes appeared and gave a respectful salute.
"Lady Gu Yanxue," he greeted.
"Greetings," Yanxue replied briefly.
"The other representatives have already arrived. Please follow me."
They flew in after him. Qinghe lowered his head slightly, observing the palace architecture.
Dominant shades of red, dragon statues at every corner, and massive pillars coated in gold. It was the style of a kingdom eager to display its power.
Not long after, they were instructed to land and proceed on foot. At the end of the long corridor before them, the grand hall of the summoning ritual awaited.
"I will escort you only this far," the palace elder said.
"Thank you, senior," Yanxue replied.
The man left, and the Gu Clan group continued forward. Yanxue's steps were calm and commanding.
Everyone they passed offered respectful bows. The presence of a daughter from a major clan still carried weight, even if it was only a branch clan.
"Mind your behavior," Yanxue whispered without turning her head. "Do not provoke anyone."
"I understand," Qinghe replied quickly.
Upon entering the grand hall, they were greeted by a magnificent sight. Cultivators from major sects filled the space. Dozens of guest balconies surrounded the ritual grounds.
A palace attendant arrived and guided them to the Gu Clan's private room.
As soon as they entered, food and drinks were served, along with a balcony that directly overlooked the ritual field.
Their steps halted when someone called out.
"I did not expect the Gu Clan to send Lady Yanxue."
Yanxue turned around. A man in dark green robes approached. The three elders immediately stepped in front of her, keeping their distance.
"Young Master Bai Shan," one elder said, "please focus on the event."
Bai Shan raised his hands and smiled arrogantly. "Of course. My apologies for the interruption."
Qinghe held his breath.
Bai Shan. In my previous life… I was the one who killed him.
"Be careful of the Bai Clan," Yanxue whispered as they entered the room. "They have two faces."
"I know."
Yanxue looked at him. "You know?"
Qinghe quickly covered it up. "From his attitude earlier. I could tell."
Yanxue nodded. "Good. It seems you are smarter than I thought."
Their balcony room was spacious. From there, Qinghe could see the entire hall. Twenty five guest rooms surrounded the ritual area. Eighteen were already occupied.
This is where everything begins.
I never thought I would return to this point… but not as myself.
"What is it, Qinghe?" Yanxue asked.
"Tell me… can we recruit those with potential?"
"The talented ones will be taken by the major sects. We have no chance."
Huh… from this angle, it really feels like an open slave market.
Yanxue let out a light sigh. "Do not tell me you want to take in concubines."
"That would be… a pity," Qinghe replied flatly.
Time passed. Eventually, the Song Emperor entered the hall. A wave of qi shook the entire space, his Half step Immortal aura impossible to conceal.
Yanxue stood beside Qinghe. "It seems he has already broken through the mortal limits."
Qinghe nodded.
"If he crosses the Mortal Domain, he must serve the Heavenly Dao," Yanxue continued.
"That is a difficult choice."
That was why so many stopped at Half step Immortal. Worldly power or a long life. One could not have both.
Their conversation was interrupted as the ritual began.
Twelve sect representatives formed a formation. Their qi surged into the sky, black clouds gathered, and lightning struck down.
The formation roared as runes trembled, struggling to endure.
"The Twelve Star Formation," Qinghe murmured.
Yanxue glanced at him. "How do you know that?"
"Library books."
Yanxue fell silent again. Something had changed about her younger brother, and she knew it.
Soon after, a blue light exploded at the center of the field. Everyone stood up, bowed, or stared intently.
The light slowly faded, revealing thirty three young people wearing school uniforms.
The hall erupted.
"The ritual succeeded. Those are the sacred envoys," Yanxue said.
She stopped when she noticed Qinghe stood silent.
Qinghe's blood turned cold. His eyes widened, and his heart sank instantly. Among dozens of familiar faces, there was one face that made his entire body tremble.
"What is wrong?" Yanxue asked softly.
Qinghe did not answer. His eyes did not blink.
That is… Yun Tian.