Beside a lake where the scenery felt less natural and more spiritual, white water lilies swayed gently on light waves, a sight enchanting in its own right. Swans glided across the crystalline surface. Han Wuang Shi sat by the shore, poised and composed. His eyes were fixed on the reflection of the trees in the water; the lake seemed to mirror his own soul deep, silent, and still.
From a group of swans, one detached itself and paddled toward him. Naturally, Wuang Shi drew a paper envelope from his robes, took out some corn seeds, and offered them on his open palm. While the rest of the flock drifted away, this lone swan began to eat from his hand. Wuang Shi’s gentle eyes watched the bird. It hopped closer and settled into his lap. For a time, he simply looked at it, then began to stroke its soft, feathered back. The swan was perfectly at peace.
But this peace was merely a desperate attempt to hide the turmoil beneath.
The Lanyue Pavilion
Taylin Mountain...
They reached an ancient pavilion where even the walls seemed imbued with wisdom. Built upon pure white sand, the structure looked like a sanctuary on holy ground. Led by the Grandmaster, the students of Fukun Xueyuan arrived at this site of great legacy: The Lanyue Pavilion.
Massive banners hung from every rafter, each inscribed with the laws prepared by the Zhangwu Pillars themselves. At the very summit of the pavilion, a beacon burned a flame so mystical that even the coldest winds could not extinguish it.
As they entered, the students recoiled in instinctive awe. Standing before them were the six Zhangwu Pillars. Clad in long black robes and pointed hats, their eyes were barely visible; even their hands were encased in black gloves. Gu Zong stood with Jun Wan and Zhuang Hue, while Han Wuang Shi stood near Lao Fang. Both stared straight ahead.
Grandmaster Kang Jue stepped forward and bowed to the Pillars, followed by the rest of the students. Gu Zong, too, offered a respectful, silent bow.
Each Zhangwu Pillar held a Hung Staff in their right hand. In perfect unison, they struck the staffs against the ground seven times. On the seventh strike, a dense fog erupted, and within that mist, the Pillars vanished.
Grandmaster Kang Jue understood immediately. This was the beginning of the Cultivation Path. A competition had been initiated through their secret arts, and only the Grandmaster knew what lay ahead. He turned to the students, his voice booming:
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"Your trial begins now. None of you are permitted to return to the Lanyue Pavilion until the band upon your wrist is untied."
Stunned, everyone looked at their wrists.
Indeed, a red silk band was tied around each of them. Gu Zong looked at Jun Wan in confusion as the Grandmaster’s voice echoed again:
"We do not know what the trial will be or where it will lead. You must spread across Taylin Mountain. Whatever hardship or danger you face, you must deal with it yourselves. When you are truly ready to enter the Lanyue Pavilion, the band on your wrist will fall away on its own. Now, go!"
The students stood frozen in disbelief. However, Han Wuang Shi prepared to leave immediately. Jun Wan was lost in a whirlpool of questions. As the students began to disperse, the Grandmaster called out:
"Han Wuang Shi, Gu Zong! Your punishment is not yet over. You two must remain together."
Zhuang Hue, ever the rogue, patted Gu Zong’s shoulder as he walked away toward the path taken by the Mo Princes. "Brother, if life gives us a chance, we shall surely meet again!" He teased.
Jun Wan, however, had no joy in her expression. She looked at Gu Zong’s rigid face and then at the distant Wuang Shi. Without a word, she took Zhuang Hue’s hand and led him away.
The Shadow of the Hunt
Gu Zong moved forward toward Han Wuang Shi but maintained a cold distance. A short while later, Wuang Shi’s steps faltered. Standing before him was Han Juan Hao, accompanied by Han Zaoshi. Like honey spread over something bitter, the Clan Leader spoke:
"Bring glory to our clan's name. Return victorious."
He said nothing more and departed. Gu Zong, standing behind, glared at Han Juan Hao, struggling to contain the storm within him. The rules of the academy had successfully bound him for now. He passed the Clan Leader in silence. Han Juan Hao noticed Gu Zong but feigned total indifference. A massive storm had nearly broken, only to be averted at the last second.
Wuang Shi gave no reaction to his father; he stood like a statue before moving onward into the dense forest.
Suddenly, a rustling sound emerged from the thick, wild vines. As Wuang Shi turned, a terrifying black shadow lunged from the brush, striking directly at him. Simultaneously, a sound echoed on Gu Zong’s path. A similar shadow manifested and rushed toward him at lightning speed.
In a singular heartbeat, both Han Wuang Shi and Gu Zong unsheathed their blades, their steel cutting through the air to strike the shadows. But it was futile. When a blade sliced a shadow, it split into two. Gu Zong now faced two shadows.
Wuang Shi noticed that striking with a physical blade only multiplied the enemy. He pivoted, attempting to restrain the shadow with Mantra Seals instead. But it was useless the more talismans he used, the more the shadow’s size grew. Wuang Shi was baffled. As the shadow lunged, he retreated, only to collide back-to-back with Gu Zong.
Gu Zong whirled around and, in a flash of reflex, delivered a sharp strike toward Wuang Shi. Their blades clashed with a ring of steel. Wuang Shi parried the blow.
Silence fell between them for a split second. But before another word or strike could pass, the three shadows converged upon them. Realizing he needed time to think, Gu Zong decided to retreat. He fled into the woods.
Wuang Shi remained, but when the shadows attacked, he was forced to use his sword. The shadow split once more. Now outnumbered and outmatched by the multiplying darkness, Wuang Shi was forced to run as well.
