The Mischievous Spirit

The bustling noise of the Courtyard of Gathering faded into an eerie silence as Lord Xu Tian's golden gaze bore into Lin Raosheng. The towering immortal cultivator had dismissed the gathered disciples and elders with a single wave of his hand, leaving Lin alone in his presence.

The grand pavilion stood silent behind them as the intricate silken drapes swayed gently in the wind.

Lin scratched the back of his head while shifting uncomfortably under Xu Tian's piercing stare. "So, uh… about the spirit. She's still here, by the way."

Lord Xu Tian's expression remained stoic, though his eyes flickered with something Lin couldn't quite place—hope, perhaps? Or something heavier.

Lin cleared his throat and pointed subtly toward the mischievous spirit girl hovering beside Xu Tian with a playful smirk gracing her enchanting features. "She's right there. You really can't see her, huh?"

Xu Tian shook his head. "No," he responded with a voice filled with an uncharacteristic softness. "Tell me... what is she doing right now?"

Lin studied the spirit for a moment as his brow furrowed. "She just let loose her hair right now, but I'm guessing she doesn't care much about appearances." He smirked. "And I'm not sure if I mentioned earlier but she's wearing red robes... kinda bold but, hey, it suits her. She's... well, how do I put this nicely? Hot."

Xu Tian's lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "And her expression?"

Lin tilted his head, watching as Xiao Lan floated lazily around Xu Tian with mirth and mischief. "She's got this... teasing look, like she knows all your secrets and enjoys watching you squirm. She's definitely playful, but there's something... sad underneath it all."

Xu Tian's usually impassive face faltered slightly as his golden eyes darkened.

Lin sighed and turned toward the spirit girl. "Hey, Xiao Lan, got anything to say? Lord Xu here seems pretty interested."

Xiao Lan twirled in midair as her red robes fluttered, before resting her chin on her hands. Her eyes dreamy darted around and her soft voice tinged with melancholy. "He always had that serious face, even when I teased him. I told him he should smile more. He never listened."

Lin blinked. "Uh... she said you should smile more. Apparently, you never listened."

Xu Tian's eyes widened slightly. He took a slow breath, and for the first time, Lin saw a crack in the immortal cultivator's seemingly unshakable composure. "That does sound like her," he murmured with a distant tone.

Xiao Lan hovered closer to Xu Tian.

Her gaze was filled with something Lin could only describe as longing. "Tell him I never left," she whispered. "I'm always watching."

Lin hesitated, then relayed her words. "She says... she never left. She's been watching you."

For a moment, Xu Tian stood completely still.

Then, after what felt like an eternity, he exhaled softly. "It's really her..." His voice, though calm, carried a thousand years of loss.

Lin shifted awkwardly. "So... who exactly was she to you?"

Xu Tian's gaze turned to the horizon. "She was... an old cultivation sister. One of the few people I trusted completely. She died over a thousand years ago." A pause. "And I never thought I'd see or hear from her again."

Lin looked at the spirit, who was now playfully twirling Xu Tian's hair even though it wasn't affecting the physical realm. "Well, she's definitely still here," he said. "And I don't think she's going anywhere."

Xu Tian's gaze softened—just a little—before he turned to Lin with renewed interest. "Your ability... it is rare. No ordinary mortal could see the dead, let alone communicate with them so clearly."

Lin shrugged. "Yeah, I get that a lot. It's either a gift or some cosmic joke."

Xu Tian considered him for a moment before reaching into his robes and pulling out a small, ornate token. It shimmered faintly with spiritual energy and its surface was etched with ancient symbols.

"Take this," Xu Tian handed it to Lin. "This identification token will allow you access to my circle. Come find me after the Heavenly Convergence is over."

Lin stared at the token in disbelief while flipping it over in his hands. "Uh, you sure you got the right guy? I mean, I'm just the broom guy, remember?"

Xu Tian's lips curled into the faintest of smiles. "Potential often hides in the most unexpected places." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lin standing alone in the now-empty courtyard.

Lin glanced at Xiao Lan. "Well, that happened."

The spirit giggled while floating beside him. "You're more interesting than you think, broom boy."

---

The Heavenly Convergence began in full splendor, transforming the Clear Heavens Sect into a lively center of cultivation and diplomacy. Over the next three days, cultivators from across the continent arrived in waves,

Grand elders from rival sects exchanged pleasantries with barely concealed hostility.

Their eyes constantly measured one another's power. Famous young geniuses with pride that was as sharp as their swords, strutted across the sect grounds, all hoping to leave a lasting impression.

Even members of the imperial court made their appearances, dressed in golden robes adorned with intricate dragon patterns.

Lin did his best to stay out of the way, blending into the background with his broom as his shield. After his disastrous encounter with Xu Tian, he vowed not to tempt fate again. Every time an important figure passed by, he would quickly avert his gaze and sweep in the opposite direction.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

On the second day, as Lin was diligently cleaning the entrance of the sect's grand hall, a pair of sharp eyes landed on him. "You there, cleaner," came a cool, commanding voice.

Lin looked up to see a tall woman clad in deep purple robes, embroidered with silver phoenixes. Her hair was styled into an intricate crown, and her eyes held the sharpness of a blade.

Sect disciples whispered in hushed awe—she was Lady Bai Xiyue, a renowned formation master whose skills were said to rival even some immortals.

Lin bowed quickly. "Yes, esteemed lady. How can I serve you?"

She studied him for a moment before raising a delicate brow. "You look familiar. Were you the one who embarrassed yourself before Lord Xu Tian?"

Lin resisted the urge to groan. "That would be someone who looks remarkably like me but is, in fact, a completely different person."

To his surprise, Bai Xiyue chuckled lightly. "Honest and amusing. I suppose even cleaners have their moments." She waved him off and continued walking, leaving Lin wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.

'Wait, that worked? ~phew~ lucky me,' Lin thanked his stars internally.

As the days progressed, Lin encountered more influential figures. A gruff elder from the Iron Claw Sect eyed him suspiciously, a well-known alchemist in crimson robes nearly tripped over his broom, and a haughty young genius from the Azure Sky Sect nearly turned him into a cultivation dummy when he accidentally kicked dust onto his pristine boots.

By the end of the event, Lin felt as though he had dodged more disasters than he had swept floors.

As the final day drew to a close, Lin stood at the edge of the sect grounds, gazing at the departing figures.

He twirled Lord Xu Tian's token in his fingers wondering why the famous immortal cultivator had asked to come find him.

"Guess I'll find out soon enough," he murmured, before turning back to his duties.

Once he was done sweeping, he'd go find Lord Xu Tian.