Shadows in the Moonlight

The night was silent, with only the occasional rustling of leaves in the cool breeze. The Moonlight Pavilion, a rarely visited structure at the sect's outskirts, stood bathed in silver moonlight, its wooden beams casting long shadows.

Li Yuan approached cautiously, his steps light as a feather. His instincts told him this could be dangerous, but he also sensed an opportunity—one that might reveal the hidden forces moving within the Four Seasons Sect.

He scanned the area before stepping onto the pavilion. The air smelled faintly of jasmine, the same scent from the silk pouch left at his door.

"You're late," a soft voice came from the shadows.

Li Yuan turned, his eyes locking onto the figure emerging from behind a pillar. His breath caught for a moment.

It was her.

The violet-eyed girl from the arena.

Up close, she was even more breathtaking. Her long, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a deep blue robe embroidered with silver lotus flowers. A soft veil covered the lower half of her face, adding an air of mystery.

"Did you expect me to run here the moment I saw the note?" Li Yuan asked, keeping his voice calm.

She tilted her head slightly. "Most would hesitate longer."

"I'm not most people," he replied.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I know."

The way she said it made Li Yuan even more cautious.

"Who are you?" he asked. "And why did you bring me here?"

Instead of answering directly, she took a slow step forward, her violet eyes studying him. "Li Yuan… You're not like the others."

"You're being awfully vague," he said, watching her movements carefully. "You're not from the outer sect, are you?"

She let out a quiet chuckle. "Of course not. Outer sect disciples don't interest me."

"Then why do I?"

She moved closer, standing just an arm's length away. "Because you're different. You don't belong here, yet you've risen faster than anyone expected. That makes you… interesting."

Li Yuan smirked. "Flattering words, but I doubt you summoned me here just to admire my talent."

Her expression turned serious. "You're in danger, Li Yuan. More than you realize."

He raised an eyebrow. "Because I defeated Zhao Feng?"

"Because you disrupted the balance," she said. "There are people in the sect who don't tolerate wildcards. They will try to control you or destroy you."

Li Yuan crossed his arms. "And you? Which side are you on?"

She was silent for a moment before speaking. "Neither. I have my own reasons for being here. But I hate wasted potential, and I hate watching innocent people get crushed by powers they don't understand."

Her words echoed what Elder Han had told him earlier.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked. "Do you expect me to trust you just because you gave me a warning?"

"I don't expect anything," she said. "I just want you to be prepared. And… perhaps I'd like to see how far you can go."

Li Yuan narrowed his eyes. There was something about her, something hidden beneath her composed exterior.

Before he could say more, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small jade slip.

"Take this," she said, placing it in his palm. "It's a technique that may help you. Consider it a… gesture of goodwill."

He looked down at the jade slip, then back at her. "And what do you get in return?"

She smiled behind her veil. "I get to watch the story unfold."

With that, she turned and walked toward the pavilion's edge.

"Wait," Li Yuan called. "At least tell me your name."

She paused, looking at him over her shoulder.

"Qin Xue."

Then, in a flash, she vanished into the night.

Li Yuan stood there for a moment, holding the jade slip tightly. He had more questions than answers, but one thing was certain—his presence in the Four Seasons Sect had drawn the attention of powerful figures.

And not all of them would be as kind as Qin Xue.

---

Back in his room, Li Yuan sat cross-legged on his bed, the jade slip resting in his palm. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and sent a thread of spiritual sense into it.

Instantly, information flooded his mind.

"Shadow Serpent Steps"

A high-tier movement technique, emphasizing speed, unpredictability, and stealth. The technique allowed the user to move like a phantom, vanishing from an opponent's sight and striking from unexpected angles.

Li Yuan opened his eyes, his pulse quickening. This was no ordinary outer sect technique. Even inner sect disciples would fight over something this valuable.

Why had Qin Xue given it to him? What was her real motive?

He clenched his fist. He didn't know yet, but one thing was clear—he needed to get stronger. If the sect truly had hidden dangers, he wouldn't wait for them to strike first.

He would be ready.

And when the time came, he would decide his own fate.