Chapter 10 – The Wind Before the Storm

A month had passed.

Yueqing ascended the winding path that led to the peak of Mount Yuling. Each step felt heavier than the last, not because of fatigue, but because of the gnawing worry that had plagued her heart for weeks. Her thoughts were not as serene as the mountain air—no, they were stormy, spiraling around a single name.

"Mo Ren…" she murmured to herself. Her voice trembled in the wind, nearly lost to the rustling of leaves. Something wasn't right. She felt it in her bones.

When she reached the summit, Tianhua Realm shimmered far in the distance like a floating dream, glowing with its divine light. But instead of feeling awe or peace, Yueqing felt dread. Her breath hitched.

"I have to find out what happened… He was wounded by something dangerous. I can't ignore this."

Without hesitation, she turned and rushed back down the mountain, her robes trailing behind her like whispers in the wind. She didn't tell Grandfather Ziyan. If she did, he might stop her. But her heart wouldn't let her wait any longer.

---

Upon arriving at the celestial capital of Tianhua Realm, Yueqing was overwhelmed by the grandeur—floating bridges, crystalline towers, and immortal disciples gliding through the air. She cautiously approached a nearby disciple.

"Excuse me—hi, I was wondering if—"

The disciple turned to her with disdain. "Who are you? I don't speak to mountain rats."

He walked off before she could even respond.

Yueqing stood frozen, her face flushed with a mix of humiliation and confusion. Was everyone here like this?

She took a deep breath, suppressing the sting in her chest, and kept walking—until she spotted a familiar face.

Yingluo.

Relieved, she approached with a warm, hopeful smile. "Hi… you're Mo Ren's friend, right? Um… Do you know where he is? Is he okay?"

Yingluo turned slowly, her expression unreadable. But her eyes quickly narrowed.

"Why do you care?"

"I… I just wanted to know how he's doing," Yueqing said softly, fidgeting with her fingers.

Yingluo's lips curled into a bitter smile. "He's being punished. By the elders and gods."

"What?!"

"They suspect him of siding with demons. And you—" her voice rose in venom, "—you're the reason. You and your damned mountain!"

"No, that's not true. I only helped him when he was hurt!"

"Liar!" Yingluo shouted.

Without warning, she shoved Yueqing. The girl stumbled and fell, scraping her elbow on the polished stone. Gasps echoed as disciples gathered around.

Whispers filled the air like thick smoke.

"Who is she?"

"She attacked Yingluo?"

"She's cursed."

Yingluo's face twisted with fury. She unsheathed her silver sword, the blade humming with power.

"This is all your fault! You ruined everything!" she roared.

She lunged toward Yueqing.

Yueqing flinched and raised her arms, her eyes wide in terror. She had no weapon, no training—

Suddenly—

CLANG!

A deafening roar of golden energy exploded around her. A shockwave burst from Yueqing's body, blasting Yingluo backward through the air. She slammed into a stone pillar. Cracks spiderwebbed through the marble. The ground beneath them trembled.

Light flared from Yueqing's hands.

Everyone stared.

"What… was that?"

Yueqing slowly lowered her arms and looked down at her hands in horror. "I… I don't know. That wasn't me…"

Yingluo groaned and got to her feet, her eyes blazing with rage. She raised her sword again.

"You witch!" she screamed. "I'll end you!"

She shot forward—

"STOP!" boomed a voice like thunder.

The main hall doors burst open. Elders stepped out. In the center walked Master Qinliang.

His eyes narrowed. "Girl in white. Who are you?"

Yueqing bowed low. "I am Yueqing. I live on Mount Yuling with Elder Ziyan."

Laughter erupted from the watching immortals.

"Mount Yuling? That's just an old tale."

"A peasant dares stand here?"

Qinliang silenced them with a wave of his hand. He stared into Yueqing's eyes.

"Why have you come?"

"I came to find Mo Ren," she said.

"Mo Ren has been punished," Qinliang said sharply. "But he requested a chance to prove his innocence. He has gone to the Mortal World, tasked with capturing the demon who escaped from Yuling. If he succeeds, he may be forgiven."

Yueqing's breath caught in her throat. "Then he's… alone?"

"Yes. And should he fail, he will be hunted like a traitor."

"Please… send me to the Mortal World as well. Let me help him."

"You dare request that?" Qinliang growled.

"I have no other intentions. I just want to—"

"You are not welcome here," he snapped. "You associate with a traitor. Leave before you disgrace us further!"

Gasps and whispers filled the square again. Yueqing stood frozen, then bowed deeply.

"I understand."

She turned and walked away. Her face betrayed no tears, but her heart cracked with every step.

As she left Tianhua Realm, she whispered under her breath:

"Mo Ren… wait for me. I'll help you. No matter what."