Morning mist clung low to Azure Wind Mountain. It once parted on its own when the ancestor circulated sword intent, but now it lingered stubbornly, thick and damp, like something unwilling to leave.
Lan Qingyun stood outside the inner courtyard where his master rested. The door remained closed. Inside, faint qi fluctuations trembled unevenly with the instability of a collapsing Golden Core, like cracked porcelain holding boiling water. He had seen this pattern before. The core was failing slowly. Not today. Not tomorrow. But soon.
Footsteps approached along the stone path, "I did not expect you to return."
A short laugh answered him.
junior Brother Lu stood there in Verdant Mountain Sect robes of rich green silk, embroidered insignia bright and pristine. Behind him were Senior Sister Mei and one of the twin brothers. They had grown stronger, their auras sharper—high Foundation Establishment nearing Golden Core. Resources made a difference.
Lu clasped his hands politely. "Senior Brother Qingyun",
Sect Master Qingyun technically, but the title went unused.
"You came to visit Master." Lu nodded.
"There are rumors." of course there were rumors, in cultivation regions, news of weakness spread faster than wind.
"Master is resting. "Mei's gaze drifted toward the training grounds below, where fifty disciples practiced with uneven forms and clumsy movements.
"You are still training them like that?"
"They are disciples of Azure Wind." replied Qingyan
"They are mediocre." Mei replied contemptuously
"Yes." Lu sighed.
"The region is changing. Crimson Cloud Sect has allied with Thunder Ridge. Verdant Mountain is negotiating trade with Moon Pavilion. Azure Wind is no longer top five."
"I know You are Mid Golden Core now senior brother Verdant Mountain would still accept you as a guest elder."
Wind moved through the bamboo groves. A wooden sword clattered below when a disciple stumbled.
Lu continued "When Master passes, this mountain will face pressure. You will not be able to protect it alone."
"I will not be alone." Lu's glance at the fifty disciples said enough, Qingyan almost smiled.
Lu questioned him "Senior Brother once believed talent determined destiny."
"I used to i disagree now" replied Qingyan
"Then what determines destiny?"
"Who remains. "Something flickered in Lu's expression but vanished quickly.
"We will see." they entered the courtyard.
Inside, Elder Wei lay propped against cushions, his frame withered but his eyes clear. He smiled faintly when he saw the three who had left.
"We owed you at least this visit."
"You owe me nothing. Choosing strength is not wrong." replied elder wei
His gaze shifted to Qingyun. "Someone must choose responsibility."
Lu's voice tightened. "Azure Wind cannot survive without stronger backing. Verdant Mountain will support you if Qingyun agrees."
Elder Wei lifted a trembling hand. "No." he continued "The mountain will not kneel."
His breathing grew heavier. After a few strained exchanges, the visitors departed quietly.
Only Qingyun remained. "Qingyun you are stubborn."
"Maybe I am." he replied seeing the backs of his departing juniors
"Do you regret staying?" elder Wei questioned
Qingyun considered the missed opportunities, the faster cultivation elsewhere, the easier paths. "No."
"When you first came, you expected something. I saw how often you looked at the sky."
"I thought fate would descend."
"Did it?"
"No."
"Good. If fate never came, then everything you achieved is truly yours."
The words settled heavily.
"Soon. When I am gone, they will test you, you cannot protect everyone. You must choose what to save."
"I understand master." replied Qingyan
"I was not strong enough to restore the sect." said elder Wei his face heavy with loss
"You endured Master at the time when everyone believed that azure wind is doomed."
"Help them grow, even the weak ones."
"Especially the weak ones. "Qingyan replied back
Elder Wei closed his eyes briefly, then inhaled again. Still alive. Still holding on.
That evening, a message arrived from Crimson Cloud Sect. The annual tribute would increase. Shared resource access was revoked. There was an invitation to discuss cooperation, which meant submission. The timing was deliberate.
Fifty disciples knelt in the main hall. "Training will double starting tomorrow."
His tone allowed no argument.
He looked at them one by one. Not geniuses. Not prodigies. Only young cultivators with uncertain futures.
A hundred years, and still nothing from the sky Good.
He would handle this as he always had. Step by step. Without miracles.
That night, he stood alone on the highest terrace, looking at the distant mountains of other sects, their lights brighter and more numerous. Once they had been top five. Now they were barely remembered.
Wind swept across the cliff edge. Behind him, faint coughing echoed from the inner courtyard. Master was still alive, but time was thin.
Lan Qingyun clasped his hands behind his back and looked into the dark horizon.
If no destiny came, then he would carve one himself.