Whispers of Relics, Shadows Among Elders

"AAAAHHH!" Han Yujin screamed at the top of his lungs, his eyes wide open, twitching with horror and pain.

"Senior Brother?" Feng Mian stepped back in shock, her posture tense with vigilance.

"Calm down,"

 Zhen Wuji remained indifferent.

Moments later, Han Yujin's screams subsided. His eyes shut tightly as rage, anger, and indignation crossed his face—then he slowly opened them again.

His expression was filled with confusion. "What happened to me?" he asked, glancing at Zhen Wuji, then at Feng Mian who stood a few steps away.

"You were possessed by the will of the Heaven Relic," Zhen Wuji replied calmly.

"What?" Han Yujin was stunned and unable to believe it.

Zhen Wuji's expression turned solemn as he continued,

"When I summoned the Heaven Relic to show you both, its will entered your body. You began to mumble and lost your sense of self."

"I had to act to save you. If you don't believe me, you can ask Feng Mian—who was scared away." At that final remark, a smile curved on his lips as he looked toward Feng Mian.

"Who's scared?! I was just surprised!"

Feng Mian retorted, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Han Yujin lowered his head before Zhen Wuji, his eyes filled with shame and humiliation.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. If not for your help, I would've been completely possessed by the relic's will."

He sighed in deep admiration.

"Even though we're in the same realm of cultivation, Senior Brother, your strength is unrivaled. You suppressed the Heaven Relic without even breaking a sweat."

"Truly, you are the pride of our sect—the number one genius of the continent!"

Feng Mian nodded in agreement.

But Zhen Wuji shook his head.

"This world is filled with geniuses. I am merely one of them."

"As time moves on, more snakes and dragons will rise. Young heroes and talented geniuses will appear and change the tides."

"So what if I was once hailed as the number one genius? More exceptional people will emerge to contend for that title."

"No one in this world can remain number one forever."

Feng Mian wanted to refute him, but she had to admit the truth. Han Yujin also remained silent—he already knew who Zhen Wuji was referring to. That rising star of the demonic path… though twisted in nature, he was hailed as the number one demonic genius.

After a brief silence, Zhen Wuji broke it.

"Alright, we've finally obtained the Heaven Relic, along with three Earth-grade relics from the elders of the Nether Bone Temple—as well as sigils and spiritual pills."

"From that perspective, I suppose we should thank the Nether Bone Temple," Feng Mian smiled, her eyes lighting up at the mention of loot.

"Right. Those old geezers must be clenching their fists waiting for our report, "Han Yujin chuckled.

"We should leave."

Zhen Wuji nodded.

With a flicker of light, their figures soared into the sky, streaking across the heavens like shooting stars. Though they could span mortal nations in mere hours, the cultivation world was vast beyond imagination—its mountains endless and skies unfathomable. Even at their fastest, their journey demanded patience.

Below them, rivers coiled like silver threads. Forests appeared as patches of moss. Mortals resembled ants scurrying through dust. As they rose higher, vanishing into drifting clouds, the world below seemed fragile—small and unaware of the immense powers passing overhead. 

As they flew through the sky, the wind rushing past them, Han Yujin's eyes gleamed with light

"Senior Brother, you're right—there are many geniuses in this world. But don't forget about Shen'er. As his father, I know you must be looking forward to the Awakening Ceremony."

At the mention of his son, a rare smile touched Zhen Wuji's lips. But a moment later, his expression darkened as a troubling thought surfaced.

"Han'er… Feng'er…"His voice dropped, serious and cold.

"This mission—its details were confidential. Only a handful of our elders knew about it. No other sect should've been aware… aside from the Nether Bone Temple."

His words hung heavily in the air.

Han Yujin and Feng Mian stiffened, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"You mean… there's a traitor among the elders?"

"No… that can't be!" Feng Mian protested, her voice shaky.

Zhen Wuji's gaze grew grim, his tone quiet but resolute.

"I don't want to believe it either. Those elders have held their positions for over 150 years. Their backgrounds were thoroughly investigated when they were chosen… and each of them swore an oath of loyalty to the sect."

He paused, then spoke with finality—his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

"But if a traitor truly exists… then no matter who it is—he must die."

Radiant Sky Sect

The sect grounds stretched across vast emerald mountain ranges, cloaked in mist and adorned with flower-filled meadows and towering ancient pines that reached toward the heavens. Spirit beasts roamed freely under the sect's protective formations, and faint threads of Qi shimmered through the air like drifting starlight.

The breeze carried the soft fragrance of blooming spiritual herbs, while glowing butterflies—born from condensed Qi—fluttered gently through the valleys, nurtured by centuries of spiritual energy.

Beyond the grand Radiant Sky Hall, beside the tranquil Mirror Lake, stood a modest yet elegant octagonal pavilion —

The Eight-Sided Pavilion. Its jade pillars held an open rooftop, allowing mountain winds and the lake's cool mist to drift lazily within.

This was not a place for court meetings or solemn decrees — it was a haven of leisure. Here, elders gathered in peace, sipping spiritual tea and chatting about minor sect matters, far from the ears of disciples.

At the center of the pavilion sat a square stone table, carved with intricate markings of Heavenly Formation Chess — a game of intellect and foresight favored among cultivators.

At this moment, only four elders remained seated.

The First Elder sat at the northern edge, his robes unmoving like the still surface of a lake. His long white beard drifted slightly in the breeze as he placed a chess piece with silent precision — emotionless and measured.

Across from him, the Second Elder furrowed his brows, eyes narrowed in concentration as he tried to decipher the hidden trap laid before him. He hovered his fingers over the board—then pulled them back.

"…Tch ," he muttered.

To the side, the Third Elder slammed his piece onto the table.

"Damn it, I quit!" He leaned back with a dramatic sigh, arms crossed, glaring at the board like it had insulted his ancestors.

The Fourth Elder — the last challenger — burst into laughter.

"HAHAHA! You think you can beat the First and Second Elders at Heavenly Formation Chess? Dream on!"

He popped a spiritual jujube into his mouth and grinned smugly.

Despite the mockery and banter, the atmosphere was far from tense. If anything, it was lively — a rare moment of peace. For cultivators who spent lifetimes chasing power, moments like this were precious.

"Elder Zhen, don't choke on your arrogance, "The Second Elder finally chuckled, the sternness on his face softening." One good move doesn't guarantee victory."

The First Elder said nothing, simply placing another stone onto the board. His eyes remained calm and deep, like the mirrored lake beside them.

A soft breeze rustled the pavilion. Cranes cried in the distance. The lake rippled gently — as if amused by this quiet clash of old monsters.

This was the Radiant Sky Sect. Even their leisure was a battlefield.

Suddenly, a servant arrived and knelt on the ground.

"Greetings to the elders!"

The First Elder, silent until now, finally spoke.

"You've interrupted our game. I assume it's important?"

His gaze was sharp, cutting like a blade.

The servant trembled under pressure, sweat pouring from his forehead as he mustered his courage.

"Reporting to the First Elder… Core Disciple Lin Xianwu has returned to the sect. He requests an audience with the elders."

A faint glimmer passed through the First Elder's eyes, though his expression remained unchanged.

"Hmm… Very well. Let him enter."

The Second Elder was surprised.

"To think that this junior completed his mission so quickly… As expected of Elder Zhan's disciple."

"You give me too much credit, Lu Tianhao. "The First Elder replied calmly. "The boy is naturally talented. All I did was guide him. His strength and wisdom are the fruit of his own labor."

Moments later, a man stepped into the pavilion and knelt on the stone floor.

"Disciple Lin Xianwu greets the Lord Elders!"

The First Elder willed a gentle, formless force that lifted Lin Xianwu from the ground.

"Speak. What did you find out?"