Su Baijun

A month had passed.

A thin mist blanketed the Kunjia Mountains in the early morning. Dew dampened the pavilion roofs, and sunlight filtered through the clouds, reflecting off the jade stone path that led to the sect's main courtyard. At the gate of the underground prison, the loud creaking of the iron door rang out, signaling the end of a disciple's imprisonment.

Lu Xian was finally free.

He stepped out of the shadow of the cold prison walls with a sigh of relief. His eyes squinted in the sunlight he hadn't seen in a long time. "Finally... after more than a month of being locked up in prison, I can see the outside world again," he said softly, as if the words were directed not only to himself but also to the vast sky above him.

Several sect disciples stood in the distance, watching with mixed expressions—some awe, some scorn. One of the figures approaching was Qin Chang'er, standing gracefully in a pristine white robe, but... she wasn't alone.

Beside her stood a tall man with a handsome but arrogant face, his arm around Qin Chang'er's shoulder as if to show their closeness. His gaze was sharp, not hiding his dislike for Lu Xian.

Lu Xian simply smiled faintly, ignoring the situation. He knew what was more important right now—cultivating and strengthening himself.

Upon arriving at the sect disciples' quarters, Lu Xian immediately lay down on his jade bed. His breathing was steady, but his body felt exhausted. The fresh morning air brought a strange, yet pleasant sensation.

However, the peace was short-lived.

Knock knock knock...

Lu Xian opened the door. Qin Chang'er stood there, smiling, but the man who had been with her earlier was now grinning sarcastically behind her.

"Lu Xian, you're finally free. Now you can cultivate in peace without having to worry about other things," Qin Chang'er said.

Lu Xian laughed softly. "Haha... I'm so happy. Now I've learned from my mistakes."

"Alright, now you go get some rest. You must be very tired," Qin Chang'er said before taking her leave.

But the man—Su Baijun—didn't follow him out.

His gaze was sharp, as if cutting.

"A lowly brat like you doesn't deserve Miss Qin's attention," he said coldly.

"What do you mean? Who are you?" Lu Xian retorted calmly. "You've been close to her for a long time, is that it?"

"I used to be just an ordinary student. But because I was obsessed with Miss Qin's beauty, I trained hard until I became a core disciple. As for you? What right do you have to approach her?"

Lu Xian glared at him. "And what right do you have to stop me? Do you already have her heart?"

Su Baijun raised his hand, intending to strike, but before his hand could reach Lu Xian's face—

"Stop!" Qin Chang'er entered in a high-pitched voice.

"Ah, this is just a misunderstanding…" Su Baijun argued.

But as he left, he whispered something into Lu Xian's ear. "Remember! Our business isn't finished yet."

After the man left, Qin Chang'er approached. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Luckily, Senior is here," Lu Xian replied.

Outside the room, Su Baijun gritted his teeth. He clutched the dirt until it crumbled in his hands.

"Just you wait... sooner or later, you'll die."

---

That afternoon, Lu Xian went to the sect library—a quiet place filled with thousands of ancient scrolls and dao books. He wanted to deepen his understanding of the Heavenly Dao. The air inside was calm and smelled of old wood and ink.

But just as he reached the top shelf, a strong push slammed into his back.

THUD!

Lu Xian fell.

It was Su Baijun again.

"This is what happens when you mess with me!" he said with a satisfied laugh.

"What exactly do you want from me? Do you want us to fight?"

Su Baijun narrowed his eyes. "You want to fight? That's not appropriate. A core disciple like me against a lowly disciple like you?"

"A fight isn't determined by social standing, but by true strength," Lu Xian retorted sharply.

"Arrogant brat! Fine, we'll settle this in the sect's training grounds. If you don't come, I'll call you a loser. And you're not allowed to approach Miss Qin!"

"I accept your challenge," Lu Xian replied calmly. "But if you lose… you'll have to kneel and kiss my feet five times."

"YOU DARE!"

"We'll see. Prove that your words aren't just empty talk."

Su Baijun nodded angrily. "I'll invite Miss Qin and the other disciples as witnesses. Prepare to be humiliated."

Lu Xian glared at his back.

After that, Lu Xian retrieved the book he had been searching for. He sat down at a small table by the window and opened the first page.

"The Heavenly Dao is supreme. Those who understand the Heavenly Dao will pave the way to heaven's will."

Lu Xian's eyes reflected the light from the ink writing on the page.

"The Heavenly Dao…" he muttered. "It's not just about strength... but the harmony between will, action, and destiny."

He continued reading. Paragraph after paragraph sank into his consciousness. The spiritual energy around him even began to vibrate slightly.

"The Heavenly Dao will open the way for those who walk the righteous path, and close the way for those who act arbitrarily."

A smile appeared on Lu Xian's face.

"The Heavenly Dao is a blessing, but also a test. Only those with truly strong hearts and souls can be illuminated by its blessings."

On the last page he read, it read:

"The Heavenly Dao is supreme. Like a god, it bestows blessings upon every cultivator."