Just My Luck

The Clear Heavens Sect was still buzzing with energy, even as the final day of the Heavenly Convergence drew to a close.

Grand cultivators, young prodigies, and esteemed sect leaders mingled under the towering pagodas.

Their conversations were filled with promises, veiled threats, and occasional burst of laughter. Despite the grandeur surrounding him, Lin Raosheng found himself lost in thought as he finished his sweeping duties for the day.

Whispers followed him everywhere he went. Ever since his embarrassing stumble into Lord Xu Tian—and the unexpected interest the immortal cultivator had shown in him—he had become the talk of the sect.

"Did you hear? The immortal actually spoke to Lin the cleaner!"

"They say Lord Xu Tian gave him a token. What could he possibly want with someone like Lin?"

"Tch. Probably just another fluke. He's still a nobody."

Lin sighed. "Ah, the joys of being famous for all the wrong reasons," he muttered. "At least they're not throwing tomatoes."

Yet, behind the whispered curiosity, he could feel the simmering resentment. The disciples, especially those around his age, weren't exactly thrilled that a lowly servant had gained the attention of such an influential figure.

Lin could sense it in the way they stared at him—eyes filled with envy, lips curled in contempt.

But he didn't have time to dwell on their bitterness. Today was the day. Lord Xu Tian was waiting for him at the guest pavilion, and Lin had no intention of missing his chance to escape the life of sweeping floors for something greater. He patted the token tucked securely in his robe and took a deep breath.

"Alright, let's do this," he muttered and gripped his broom like a sword before striding toward the guest pavilion.

He didn't get far.

Just as he reached the sect's outer courtyard, a group of disciples appeared from behind a nearby pavilion.

They were led by Fang Wei, the same senior disciple who had always delighted in making Lin's life miserable. He stood with his arms crossed, flanked by a few of his lackeys—all dressed in pristine azure robes.

Their smug expressions only promised trouble.

"Well, well," Fang Wei drawled while stepping forward. "Look who's in a hurry. Our famous broom-wielding hero."

Lin's eyes narrowed. "Brother Fang Wei," he greeted dryly. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got important sweeping business to attend to."

Fang Wei smirked before blocking Lin's path. "What's the rush? You think rubbing shoulders with immortals makes you better than us?"

Lin sighed. "I never said that."

"You didn't have to," another disciple sneered. "You're acting all high and mighty just because Lord Xu Tian looked at you twice. It's pathetic."

Lin raised his hands innocently. "Hey, I didn't ask to be famous. I'd gladly go back to sweeping floors in peace."

Fang Wei's eyes darkened, and without warning, he shoved Lin backward. "Yeah? Then why don't you just stay where you belong?"

Lin stumbled, nearly falling. He glanced toward the path leading to the guest pavilion as his heart raced. Lord Xu Tian wouldn't wait forever. If he didn't get there soon, his opportunity would vanish like mist in the wind.

"Alright, guys," Lin forced a smile. "Let's not do this. How about I sweep somewhere else, and you all go back to pretending to be important?"

Their smirks widened as the disciples closed in. "Not happening," Fang Wei said. "You're not going anywhere."

A stocky disciple named Bao, stepped forward and grabbed Lin by the front of his robe before yanking him close. "Listen, cleaner. People like you don't get opportunities like this. You belong down in the servant quarters, not rubbing shoulders with immortals."

Lin's stomach twisted. He wasn't strong enough to fight them, and begging wouldn't get him anywhere. His only hope was—

"Oi! What's going on here?"

A gruff and familiar voice echoed through the courtyard. The group turned to see Old Man Jinhai, one of the sect's oldest cleaners, hobbling toward them with his worn-out broom.

His robes were faded and patched and his face was lined with wrinkles from years of hard work, but his eyes were filled with life.

"Let the boy through," Jinhai barked while resting heavily on his broom. "You lot think you're big shots? Ganging up on a broom-wielding kid like a pack of dogs?"

Fang Wei sneered. "Stay out of this, old man. This doesn't concern you."

Jinhai didn't budge. "Or what?" he spat before poking the broom handle at Bao next. "You gonna fight me, boy? I may be old, but I've been scrubbing these floors longer than you've been alive. Now, clear off before I scrub you into them."

For a moment, it seemed like Fang Wei and his gang might back down. But then, without warning, Bao lunged forward and shoved Jinhai hard. The old man staggered, barely managing to stay on his feet.

Lin's eyes widened in horror. "Hey!" he shouted.

Jinhai coughed and steadied himself. "Hah... that the best you got?" He spat on the ground and raised his broom like a staff. "I've fought off rats tougher than you."

Fang Wei smirked and turned to his lackeys. "Make sure he doesn't get to the pavilion," he ordered. "If the old man gets in the way... teach him a lesson."

Before Lin could react, one of the disciples threw a punch at Jinhai, sending the old man ramming onto the ground.

"Jinhai!" Lin called out with a look of panic.

"Run, boy!" Jinhai coughed while struggling to push himself up. "Don't waste your chance!"

Lin hesitated for a split second, torn between helping Jinhai and saving his own opportunity. Jinhai met his eyes and gritted out, "I'll be fine. Go!"

Lin clenched his fists. "I'll pay you back for this, old man," he muttered before turning and sprinting away.

Fang Wei snarled. "After him!" he barked.

Lin dashed through the winding corridors with his heart pounding loudly.

He could hear their footsteps behind him, closing in fast. He zigzagged through the outer courtyards, leaping over a low stone wall and nearly colliding with a group of servants carrying supplies.

"Sorry!" he yelled after barely dodging a pile of stacked boxes.

His breath turned heavier as he pushed his legs harder. The guest pavilion was just ahead and its grand gates were guarded by two armored disciples. Lin could see the faint shimmer of protective formations around the entrance.

With the last of his strength, he sprinted the final distance and skidded to a halt in front of the guards while panting heavily.

Fang Wei lackeys had to stop their pursuit after seeing that he had arrived at his destination.

"Halt!" one of the guards stepped forward with a frown. "What business do you have here?"

Lin fumbled into his robe and pulled out the identification token Lord Xu Tian had given him. "I—I have this," he wheezed while holding it up.

The guards inspected it, and their eyes widened slightly. Without another word, they stepped aside and let him through.

Lin pushed through the doors as his heart still raced.

But the pavilion was empty.

The accommodation where Lord Xu Tian had stayed during the event was vacant.

The air was still faintly laced with his overwhelming presence but he was undoubtedly gone.

Lin swallowed as the realization settled in like a stone in his gut.

He was too late.

He slumped forward with hands on his knees as he let out a long groan. "Perfect," he muttered. "Just my luck."

A servant nearby approached him cautiously. "You... you were the one Lord Xu Tian was expecting?"

Lin nodded wordlessly.

The servant sighed. "Lord Xu Tian waited, but he had urgent matters to attend to. He left just moments ago."