Storm Surge (Part 1)

Guidao Island, Xianru Empire

Three months later…

LUO FAN

I exhaled a deep breath, my chest swelling with both relief and excitement as the island came into view. Its lush greenery stood out vibrantly against the endless blue of the sea, the sort of untouched beauty that could only be found far away from the chaos of empires and the noise of human ambition.

This was it. The end of my journey, or perhaps the beginning of something new. I hoped that within this hidden sanctuary, I would find the answers I sought, and maybe even a home where peace could finally be mine, much like the tranquility I once felt on Frost Mountain.

The boat swayed gently as it approached the shore, and I allowed myself a rare smile. The clean, salty breeze was refreshing, and the sight of the serene island filled me with a sense of hope I hadn't felt in a long time.

When the boatman finally docked, I leapt off onto the warm, soft sand, my legs wobbling slightly after the two-hour ride across the sea. It felt good to be back on solid ground.

I reached into my pouch and paid the boatman twice his fee. His eyes widened with joy, and he bowed repeatedly, his gratitude nearly spilling over.

"Thank you, young master!" he said, beaming as if he'd struck gold.

I waved him off with a polite nod, then asked, "Could you direct me to the temple?"

"Of course, Sir," he replied, pointing inland. "Keep going forward until you see a grove of bamboos. The temple lies just beyond that."

I nodded, thanked him, and watched as he sailed away, still waving back at me as though I'd given him a treasure chest instead of a few extra coins.

The island might have seemed small from a distance, but crossing it on foot was another matter. The trail was uneven and meandering, cutting through thickets of palm trees and shrubs that swayed gently in the sea breeze. Despite my weariness, I pressed on.

After what felt like an eternity, half an hour by my best guess, I finally stumbled upon a tall bamboo grove. It was as the boatman had described, the bamboos standing like silent sentinels, their slender, emerald stalks stretching skyward.

I followed the grove's perimeter until I reached a tall gate constructed from thick, sturdy bamboo. It was a simple yet imposing structure, its craftsmanship more functional than ornamental.

A rope dangled from a small bell perched at the top of the gate. I tugged it, and the resulting chime was startlingly loud, reverberating through the tranquil air like a proclamation.

Almost immediately, I heard the rapid patter of footsteps approaching.

The gate creaked open, revealing a boy of about thirteen or fourteen. His curious eyes met mine as he studied me with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

I folded my hands respectfully and offered him a polite smile. "Greetings, young master. My name is Luo Fan. Is the Sect Master available to entertain an uninvited guest?"

The boy straightened his back and returned the greeting with equal politeness. "I'm Nan Wucheng. Please, come in, Mister Luo." He stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.

I stepped through the gate, my breath catching as I took in the sight before me.

The temple grounds were vast, but apparently, time had not been kind to this place. The main structure, once grand and majestic, was now a shadow of its former self. The stone wall on one side had crumbled, replaced by a makeshift barrier of tied bamboo poles.

The front yard, which I guessed had once been a marble-paved training ground, was a patchwork of missing tiles, cracked stone, and stubborn weeds that had sprouted in the gaps.

Nan Wucheng led me inside the temple itself and gestured for me to sit on a bamboo chair. "Please wait here. I'll fetch Elder Tao," he said, before disappearing down a dimly lit hallway.

Left alone, I allowed myself a closer inspection of my surroundings. The interior was no better than the exterior. Cracks marred the walls, some so deep I feared they might collapse at the slightest tremor. The once-smooth marble floor was chipped and uneven, with missing pieces replaced haphazardly by wooden planks.

Still, despite its shabby state, the temple had a certain charm to it. The furniture, all crafted from bamboo, was sturdy and functional.

I ran my hand over the armrest of my chair, feeling the smooth surface of the bamboo. It was far from luxurious, but it was enough.

Nan Wucheng returned, accompanied by an old man who appeared to be in his sixties. His steps were slow, his posture slightly hunched, and his robes were plain, patched in a few places.

I quickly stood to greet him, though I hesitated for a moment when I noticed his aura—or rather, the lack of one. His cultivation level was barely discernible, and it seemed no higher than mine, a mere second level. Certainly not the aura of a sect leader or even a master.

"Mister Luo," Nan Wucheng began, his voice formal yet tinged with excitement, "Elder Tao has arrived."