Misty Sect

The Wind Fate Inn in Heavenwind City stood in the busiest part of the city center, where people streamed to and fro and carriages flowed like water-a lively scene indeed.

Behind the inn stood a small, exquisite Courtyard House.

Upon entering the courtyard, the first sight to greet the eye was a lush expanse of greenery, as though one had stepped into a secluded little garden.

Plants flourished throughout the courtyard, and flowers vied for splendor, forming a natural painting that could not help but enchant the viewer.

Yet this seemingly ordinary courtyard concealed secrets. Its perimeter was covered with various protective formations, including the Anti-Peeping Formation and the Illusion Formation.

These formations interwove seamlessly, creating an impregnable line of defense.

Even a fly trying to cross the courtyard would have to take two slaps.

In the pavilion at the courtyard's center, figures stood packed in layer upon layer.

They stood silently, seemingly waiting for something important to happen.

Seated at ease in the very center of the pavilion was Ying Ming Hao.

He wore a long white robe, looking elegant and imposing.

At that moment, he was unhurriedly savoring a famous local tea, his graceful bearing making it seem as though everything around him had nothing to do with him.

Behind Ying Ming Hao stood a woman of pure, refined beauty named Qing Ying. She said softly:

"Young master, the higher-ups have given orders for this journey of training: you must never casually reveal your true identity, nor abuse your authority to bully others.

"Otherwise, this entire journey will be meaningless!"

Ying Ming Hao smiled faintly, set down his teacup, and said slowly:

"I understand the reasoning perfectly well. You needn't worry."

Standing beside him, Qing Yun gently kneaded Ying Ming Hao's shoulders. Her movements were soft and practiced, as though she were easing her master's weariness from the journey.

"Young master, Qing Ying is absolutely right.

"If you truly wish to temper yourself in the mortal world and venture through the Martial World, you must keep a low profile and immerse yourself among those at the bottom to experience the many facets of life.

"Only then can you truly grasp life's essence and improve both your strength and your state of mind.

"You acted a little too conspicuously this afternoon, young master, drawing some people's attention.

"Fortunately, you handled the situation appropriately and did not cause any other unnecessary trouble.

"This also reminds us that when traveling through the Martial World, we must always stay alert and never let our guard down.

"The background His Majesty has established for you is as follows:

"You come from a small lineage living in seclusion on Heaven Mountain.

"The extent of this lineage's power is unknown to the outside world. Most of its members choose to cultivate in seclusion, far from the turmoil of worldly life.

"However, upon hearing that Misty Sect's main peak would hold its grand, once-in-a-century disciple recruitment,

"the lineage decided to send Ying Ming Hao, a deeply experienced member, out of the mountains to take part in the selection and join the Misty Sect to gain experience.

"Young master, you must remember this background. Whenever and wherever you are, whoever or whatever you encounter, you must respond according to this story and never reveal the slightest flaw.

"There is another extremely important point: all of us were carefully selected by your lineage to serve you on this journey.

"If anyone carelessly reveals something they should not, there will be no need for the young master to punish you personally. You will go to Ten Thousand Snake Valley yourselves to receive punishment.

"Otherwise, when the time comes, don't blame me for turning on you without mercy!"

Qing Yun's face was cold as frost, her gaze sharp as a blade as she stared at every guard and maid present. The chill she exuded made them shudder. Their expressions turned grave, and they answered in unison.

"We swear on our lives to protect the young master unto death and never let any information about him leak out!"

The corners of Ming Hao's mouth lifted into a faint smile, but he said little. He merely pressed his lips together, then slowly turned his head and gave Qing Yun a somewhat helpless glare.

"Just go about your duties as usual. There's no need to be so alarmed."

Ming Hao's voice was calm and gentle, as though this were nothing more than an ordinary training journey.

"Don't make a mountain out of a molehill and create needless worries."

Qing Yun, however, did not seem to agree. She looked at Ming Hao gravely and said anxiously:

"Young master, you mustn't let your guard down! As the saying goes, anticipate the enemy's malice and never be without a guarded heart. We must be cautious!"

An almost imperceptible glint flashed in Ming Hao's eyes, but they quickly became calm again. He fell silent for a moment, then changed the subject and asked:

"All right, enough of that for now. I'm rather interested in the Misty Sect's disciple recruitment. Tell me about it."

Qing Ying and Qing Yun exchanged a glance. Seeing that Ming Hao apparently had no desire to continue the previous discussion, they said no more about it.

Qing Ying cleared her throat and began speaking at length about the Misty Sect's upcoming disciple recruitment.

"Young master, you may not know this, but the Misty Sect's recruitment this time is truly a once-in-a-century event!"

Qing Ying's voice was clear and pleasing to the ear.

"I've heard that not only is this recruitment on a grand scale, but the terms are exceptionally generous, sending shock waves through all the surrounding lands.

"Heaven's Chosen from every region are flocking here like shoals of carp crossing a river, all for a chance to take the trial and join this mysterious, powerful sect!

"..."

The first-floor hall of the Wind Fate Restaurant was filled with young disciples who had come from all over to attend the grand event.

"Have you heard? The Misty Sect's disciple recruitment this time..."

"Yes, yes!"

A burly man hurriedly chimed in.

"I even heard from my distant cousin's wife that this time, not only are the various imperial dynasties, lineages, and other powers sending their outstanding juniors to participate,

"even some hidden powers couldn't sit still and have sent disciples of suitable age to take part..."

The youths listening closely to the various tidbits of information all cast contemptuous looks at the man who had just spoken, mixed with a few lewd expressions that said, I know what you're up to...

An upstairs private room was elegantly furnished, its tables and chairs arranged with tasteful care.

Six or seven young men and women sat or stood inside. Some whispered among themselves, while others quietly listened to the voices drifting up from below.

Suddenly, a chuckle broke the room's quiet. One of the young men had been unable to hold back his laughter.

"The Misty Sect's disciple recruitment gathering really is lively this time!"

An overweight youth with a face covered in pimples frowned and spoke gravely.

"Who knows how many people are flocking to this opportunity? I'm afraid the competition will be incredibly fierce."

By the window, a young woman in a long blue-green dress nodded slightly and parted her crimson lips.

"I heard that several hundred exceptionally gifted Heaven's Chosen, along with the young masters and ladies of the major powers,

"have already been selected for admission through the Mountain Gate, becoming Inner Disciples directly without having to undergo the trials and assessments. It really makes one envious!"

Upon hearing this, the youth in an ornate robe seated in the place of honor darkened. Clenching his fists, he declared loudly:

"In this entrance assessment, I will place among the best and show them that I, Chen Dong, am the true Heavenly Prodigy!"

His voice rang out forcefully, carrying an air of utter arrogance.

Before his words had faded, a chorus of agreement rose in the room. The other youths expressed their support for Chen Dong, and the atmosphere soon grew heated.

Meanwhile, out on the street, in front of a bread stall,

a skinny little girl clung tightly to the arm of an even thinner boy.

The girl's clothes were tattered, making her poverty plain. Her eyes brimmed with longing as she swallowed at the sight of the steaming buns on the stall.

The boy's face flushed scarlet. He looked at his younger sister with guilt in his eyes, his voice so low that only the two of them seemed able to hear it:

"Once I join the Misty Sect, I'll work hard at cultivation. In the future, I'll make sure you never go hungry or cold again.

"Then we'll be able to eat buns every day-eat one and throw one away..."

Before he could finish, however, the stallholder cut him off impatiently:

"Shoo, shoo! Are you buying or not? If not, stop getting in the way of my business!"

The stallholder drove them off with a look of disgust, apparently feeling that the siblings would hurt his business.

The boy's face instantly went from red to livid. Holding his sister's hand tightly, he strode away, his eyes filled with an unprecedented resolve.

In an out-of-the-way commoner's home, an exceptionally handsome young man was addressing the ring on his finger with wild boasts:

"Master, with your disciple's outstanding aptitude and talent, not to mention this handsome face, getting into the Misty Sect will be a breeze!

"Once I'm there, I'll surely show my prowess in the sect, trample all those so-called Heaven's Chosen underfoot, and have every kind of fairy maiden throwing herself into my arms..."

The more he spoke, the more excited he became, a lecherous grin creeping onto his face as he fantasized.

Yet just as he was getting carried away, a faint sigh suddenly came from within the ring, as though expressing disdain and mockery for his words.

Meanwhile, along a trail through a primeval mountain forest, a young lady and her two servants hurried onward, travel-worn and dusty.

Leading the way was a beautiful young lady whose steps were somewhat hurried, as though she were fleeing something.

"Young miss, with us sneaking out like this, the Family Head must be frantic.

"By now, the Family Head must have sent a large force in pursuit, chasing close behind us..."

The girl with an oval face looked deeply troubled, her brows tightly knit as though a thousand-pound burden weighed on her heart.

As she walked briskly, she kept glancing back, seemingly afraid that their pursuers would suddenly appear behind them.

Lin Qinqin, who walked ahead, was still young, but already a budding beauty.

Her skin was white as snow and smooth as silk. Her large eyes shone like stars, and her long lashes curled slightly upward, making it seem as though stars twinkled whenever she blinked.

At that moment, however, anger and stubbornness clouded her beautiful face.

"I won't go back, even if they beat me to death!"

Lin Qinqin suddenly stopped, turned around, and spoke indignantly to the girl behind her.

"We'll go to the Misty Sect and join it. Then we'll have a reason not to return."

Before her words had faded, Lin Qinqin turned and continued onward, her steps growing faster and faster, as though she wanted to shake off their pursuers and her troubles as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, high in the sky, an enormous flying ship pierced the clouds at astonishing speed, racing eastward like a shooting star.

The ship's hull was immense and magnificent, crowded with young disciples wearing all manner of expressions.

Some chatted excitedly, some gazed quietly into the distance, and others looked rather nervous and uneasy.

On the uppermost level of the ship's tower, more than a dozen finely dressed men and women leaned by the mast.

Every one of them carried themselves with imposing confidence and arrogant expressions, their words brimming with conceit.

These people seemed to think that their participation in the disciple recruitment was an honor for the Misty Sect, as though the sect had stumbled upon treasure.

As far as the eye could see, the surrounding sky was packed with flying ships of every kind. They flew all manner of banners, each vessel filled with young disciples from various powers and lineages.

Like countless stars, these flying ships formed a magnificent sight.