Chapter 4

The Next Morning

The dawn came too soon.

A thin mist clung to the earth, curling around the feet of early risers who shuffled through the village, speaking in hushed tones. The air smelled of damp soil and distant cooking fires, but the usual morning calm was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a restless energy in the streets—a nervous anticipation that settled in every corner. Today was the day the Azure Sky Sect would leave with their chosen disciples.

At the village center, Master Ren stood with his arms crossed, watching the preparations with a sour expression.

Not far from him, a group of sect disciples worked in smooth coordination, carving out a massive circular array into the dirt with thin streaks of glowing silver. The teleportation formation was a delicate thing, requiring precision. One wrong stroke, and they'd risk sending themselves into the middle of a mountain, or worse, the bottom of the sea.

A few steps away, a man stood with his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, watching the process unfold with mild amusement. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. This was Elder Wei, Master Ren's colleague—an old, silver-haired man with deep-set wrinkles and a knowing gaze that seemed to peel back layers with a single glance.

Unlike Master Ren, who carried himself with stiff authority, Elder Wei exuded an air of curiosity, as if the world was nothing more than an elaborate puzzle meant for his personal entertainment. He yawned, rubbing at his bearded chin, before finally turning toward Master Ren with a bored sigh.

"So?" he drawled lazily. "Anything worth mentioning?"

Master Ren's jaw tightened. His first instinct was to say no. To tell Elder Wei that it had been the same as every other backwater village—useless peasants dreaming of immortality only to walk away in disappointment. But he knew better. Elder Wei was sharp. He would find out eventually, and lying to him was more trouble than it was worth.

Master Ren clicked his tongue in irritation. "There was one success."

Elder Wei's expression didn't change at first. He blinked slowly, as if waiting for more.

Master Ren exhaled sharply, his tone clipped. "A prodigy."

That got his attention. The older man's lazy posture straightened slightly, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward in intrigue.

"A prodigy?" His voice shifted, all traces of boredom vanishing. "You're sure?"

Master Ren scowled. "Yes."

Elder Wei hummed in approval. "Interesting. Where is he?"

Master Ren jerked his head toward the edge of the square, where a boy stood with his family.

Bei Zui.

The young boy was standing stiffly as his mother fussed over his robes, straightening the sleeves with delicate fingers. His father, Bei Jian, stood beside them with a quiet but proud expression, his usually weary eyes shining with an emotion Master Ren couldn't quite place. And then there was that other boy—the loud one.

Jiang Kun.

He was practically bouncing in place, still grinning from ear to ear as he clapped a hand on Bei Zui's shoulder, muttering something with bright-eyed excitement.

Elder Wei followed Master Ren's gaze and stilled.

His lips parted slightly, a flicker of recognition flashing through his gaze. Then, in the next breath, his entire expression shifted. His usually lazy demeanor sharpened into something dangerously focused. His pupils shrank, and his breath hitched just a fraction.

He reached out, gripping Master Ren's forearm tightly.

"His eyes."

Master Ren sighed heavily. He had known this would happen.

"Yes, they're gold," he muttered.

Elder Wei let out a slow exhale before whispering under his breath, almost in reverence—

"The Eyes of Judgment…"

Master Ren frowned. "You recognize them?"

Elder Wei turned to look at him sharply, as if insulted by the question. "Of course, I do! Do you have any idea what this means?"

Master Ren crossed his arms. "He's arrogant."

Elder Wei scoffed. "Most prodigies are. That means nothing in the grand scheme of things."

Master Ren ground his teeth. That wasn't what he meant. There was something about that boy… something that made him uneasy.

It wasn't just the arrogance. It was the way he looked at people—like nothing they said or did mattered. Like he was above all of this.

And perhaps, in a way, he was.

Elder Wei turned his attention fully toward Bei Zui now, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"Call him over," he ordered.

Master Ren stiffened at the command. Elder Wei might have been his senior, but the difference in rank was only one step. Under normal circumstances, he could've brushed it off. But right now, Elder Wei wasn't asking.

With an annoyed huff, Master Ren turned on his heel and strode toward the boy.

The small group fell silent as he approached. Bei Zui's mother quickly dropped her hands from her son's robes, while Bei Jian straightened his back, bowing his head slightly in respect.

Jiang Kun, on the other hand, did not.

His mouth opened—undoubtedly to say something loud and unnecessary—but Bei Zui elbowed him sharply in the ribs before he could speak.

Master Ren rolled his eyes. "Come. The elder wants to see you."

Bei Zui's golden eyes flickered with something unreadable.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then, finally—

"…Alright."

He stepped forward, his movements smooth and composed, as if he were already accustomed to the weight of countless eyes on him. There was no hesitation in his steps, no nervous glances, no wide-eyed wonder. Only quiet acceptance.

It irritated Master Ren to no end.

By the time they reached Elder Wei, the old man was already waiting with barely concealed excitement.

Up close, his gaze burned with curiosity as he looked the boy up and down, lingering on his strange golden irises. Bei Zui met his stare without flinching.

A slow smile spread across Elder Wei's face.

"Good. Very good."

Bei Zui frowned. "What is?"

Elder Wei chuckled. "Your eyes."

Bei Zui's expression remained unreadable. "What about them?"

Elder Wei stroked his beard, amusement dancing in his eyes. "They are a gift. A rare one."

The boy tilted his head slightly, unimpressed. "A gift or a curse?"

Elder Wei's grin widened. "Depends on how you use them."

Master Ren resisted the urge to sigh. Of course, the boy would speak like this. Always with that sharp tongue. Always with that lack of awe.

Elder Wei, however, seemed unbothered. He only laughed, shaking his head. "You'll do well."

Bei Zui raised a brow. "That's yet to be seen."

Elder Wei's laughter boomed through the square. "Yes. Yes, it is."

Master Ren pinched the bridge of his nose. He had a headache already.

Elder Wei turned toward the growing crowd of selected disciples, clapping his hands together. "Enough talking! The array is ready. It's time to go."

A murmur rippled through the villagers. Some were filled with pride, others with sorrow. Families clung to their children, whispering last-minute words of encouragement, while the chosen few stood stiffly, trying to mask their nerves.

Bei Zui turned back to his parents. His mother, Mingzhu, pulled him into a tight hug, stroking his hair with trembling fingers.

"You'll do great things," she whispered. "I know it."

Bei Jian, his father, placed a firm hand on his shoulder, nodding. "Make us proud."

Jiang Kun, standing off to the side, grinned despite the sadness in his eyes. "Don't forget us when you become some all-powerful immortal, alright?"

Bei Zui smirked. "I'll think about it."

Jiang Kun punched his shoulder.

And then—

The teleportation array flared to life.

Light engulfed the group.

The last thing Bei Zui saw before the world disappeared was his mother's tearful smile.

And then—they were gone.

_______

Here's the fully expanded scene with richer details, dialogue, and added layers of conflict and intrigue:

---

The teleportation was a blur—light swallowing them whole, the sensation of weightlessness pressing against their chests, then suddenly, solid ground beneath their feet again.

Bei Zui opened his eyes, and the world before him had transformed.

The Azure Sky Sect was massive. Towering peaks stretched into the heavens, their tips hidden by wisps of cloud. Waterfalls cascaded down jagged cliffs, their mist catching the sunlight like shattered glass. The sect itself was a kingdom carved into the mountains—stone pathways wound through sprawling courtyards, where disciples dressed in blue and silver robes moved with practiced grace. Ancient temples and training halls stood like monuments to power, their walls adorned with golden inscriptions that whispered of forgotten legends.

The air here was different—crisp, electric. It hummed with cultivation energy, so thick that even the lowest disciple could feel it thrumming beneath their skin.

But it was the people who made the strongest impression.

Whispers stirred like rustling leaves as the newcomers stepped onto the sect grounds.

"That must be them—the new disciples."

"I heard there was a prodigy among them this time."

"Which one is he?"

Bei Zui ignored the murmurs, his golden eyes scanning his new surroundings with cold curiosity.

The group that had arrived with him—the other village-born recruits—shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny. They were ragged, their plain robes and wary eyes marking them as outsiders. Compared to the polished, well-bred sect disciples, they might as well have been beggars wandering into a palace.

And some did not welcome them.

A group of older disciples stood a short distance away, watching the newcomers with clear disdain. One of them, a sharp-faced young man with a jade talisman hanging from his belt, scoffed.

"Another batch of useless country folk," he muttered to his companion. "They let anyone in these days."

His friend—taller, with a sword strapped to his back—grinned. "Not just anyone, apparently. There's supposed to be a prodigy among them." His tone dripped with sarcasm. "Let's see which one looks arrogant enough to fit the title."

Before they could speculate further, Elder Wei stepped forward.

His deep voice carried across the courtyard with ease.

"Welcome to your new home."

The new disciples stood stiffly, their gazes flickering between Elder Wei and the murmuring crowd. Bei Zui, however, remained still, unmoved, his expression unreadable.

Elder Wei turned toward the watching disciples, his gaze sweeping over them.

"Today, our sect welcomes new talent. You will all train together, grow together, and contribute to the legacy of the Azure Sky Sect."

A pause.

"Among our new arrivals, we have an exceptional case."

The courtyard fell into silence.

All eyes turned to Elder Wei as he gestured toward Bei Zui.

"This boy is a prodigy. One that will now settle among you as your fellow disciple."

The shift in atmosphere was immediate.

Some disciples looked intrigued, their eyes narrowing as they assessed Bei Zui with newfound interest. A few of the younger female disciples whispered excitedly amongst themselves, their gazes lingering on him.

"He's quite good-looking, isn't he?" one girl murmured behind her sleeve.

"So cold, though," another giggled. "I wonder if he ever smiles."

"Maybe we should help him feel more... welcome."

Bei Zui caught the whispers but ignored them entirely, his gaze fixed on Elder Wei.

Not everyone was so entertained.

A group of male disciples, particularly those with some standing within the sect, were noticeably less pleased.

The sharp-faced young man from before folded his arms, his lip curling in contempt. "A prodigy? Because Elder Wei says so?"

Another disciple snorted. "Look at him. He already thinks he's better than us."

"Tch. Another arrogant brat."

"Did he even go through the proper trials, or did they just pick him up from the streets?"

The growing murmurs weren't lost on Elder Wei. If anything, they amused him.

He turned his sharp gaze toward the whispering disciples.

"You'll all have plenty of chances to test your strength against him in due time," he said smoothly. "I suggest you don't embarrass yourselves when that time comes."

A few of them stiffened at the veiled challenge, while others looked away, unwilling to meet the elder's gaze.

Satisfied, Elder Wei turned back to Bei Zui.

"Come," he said. "I must inform the Sect Leader of your arrival."

---

The main hall of the Azure Sky Sect was nothing short of breathtaking.

Massive pillars of white jade lined the grand chamber, their surfaces engraved with the stories of past sect heroes. A golden brazier burned at the center of the hall, its flames flickering with an unnatural light, casting shifting shadows against the carved walls.

At the far end of the hall, seated upon a raised platform, was Sect Leader Liang.

An imposing man, with a presence as deep as the ocean. His long silver robes pooled around him like waves, and though his face was lined with age, his eyes were as sharp as a sword's edge.

As Elder Wei approached, the sect leader lifted his gaze.

"You have returned."

Elder Wei bowed slightly. "With good news, Sect Leader."

Sect Leader Liang's gaze flickered to Bei Zui.

"This is the boy?"

"Yes. Bei Zui of Qinghe Village." Elder Wei's voice held a note of satisfaction. "And more importantly... he possesses the rumored Eyes of Judgment."

At that, the sect leader's expression shifted.

The hall grew silent.

For a long moment, Sect Leader Liang simply studied Bei Zui.

Then, he spoke.

"Show me."

Bei Zui did not hesitate.

He met the Sect Leader's gaze head-on, allowing the golden hue of his irises to catch the brazier's light.

Something stirred in the air.

It was subtle—like the whisper of an ancient force waking from slumber.

The sect leader's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his seat.

"Interesting."

Elder Wei leaned forward slightly. "Could it truly be?"

Sect Leader Liang did not answer immediately.

"The Eyes of Judgment…" he murmured. "A relic of an age long past. Some say they were a myth. Others believe they were a gift from the heavens… or a curse from the underworld."

Elder Wei nodded. "But we have no way to confirm if the legends are true, do we?"

"No," the sect leader admitted. "Not yet."

His gaze flickered back to Bei Zui.

"But if the eyes are real… then this boy is either destined for greatness… or ruin."

A heavy pause settled between them.

Then, the sect leader leaned back in his seat, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Let's find out which."

---

And so it began…

As Bei Zui left the main hall, the whispers followed him.

Among the disciples, his arrival had already begun to stir divisions. Some were intrigued. Others were jealous. And a few, hidden among the crowd, were watching him closely—for reasons neither noble nor kind.

But Bei Zui didn't care.

He walked with the same quiet certainty as before, his golden eyes reflecting nothing but the cold, unshaken confidence of a boy who had never feared the expectations of others.