The return journey from the Azure Vault was short, yet it felt like the world had subtly shifted.
Ling Tianxiao walked calmly down the mountain path leading back to the Azure Sky Sect, his steps measured, composed. Each step, however, carried a faint echo of something… ancient. Something powerful. The sword at his hip, freshly acquired from the trial, pulsed faintly with spiritual energy.
Above his shoulder floated Liu Li, the sword spirit now bound to him. She kicked her legs playfully in the air, humming an unfamiliar tune. Her long silvery hair trailed behind her like moonlight threads.
"Master~ I want fruit when we get back. The red ones! Juicy and sweet!"
Tianxiao glanced at her sideways. "You've been sealed for a thousand years, and the first thing you want is fruit?"
"Well duh!" she said proudly, arms crossed. "I missed the sunlight, the fresh air, and cute girls!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Cute girls?"
"Like that big sister who blushed earlier!" Liu Li grinned. "She has a good aura. You should marry her."
"…You talk too much."
"Nooope. You like me."
He didn't respond, but the slight upward curve at the corner of his lips gave him away.
As they neared the outer gates of Azure Sky Sect, disciples patrolling the area suddenly turned to look. One of them, recognizing Tianxiao, blinked and bowed quickly.
"Senior Ling! You've returned!"
Soon, word spread like wildfire. Inner disciples gathered along the stone pathways, whispering excitedly. The inner sect had been buzzing ever since Tianxiao entered the Vault. No one had expected him to walk out so casually… with a floating spirit beside him.
A few bolder disciples tried to peer at Liu Li, but her glare sent shivers down their spines. One unlucky disciple tried to flirt.
"Senior Ling, your daughter is adorable. She looks just like yo—"
Before he could finish, Liu Li pointed at him. A tiny spark of sword intent struck the ground before the disciple's feet, cracking the stone.
"Call me his daughter again and I'll chop your eyebrows off!"
The poor disciple nearly fainted.
"Still want to keep her visible?" Tianxiao asked.
"She's so cute though," said Liu Li innocently.
Just then, a familiar presence approached from the main peak. Saintess Xue Linglong descended from the air, her white robes fluttering like snow as she landed gracefully before him. Her cold beauty hadn't changed, but her eyes flickered briefly with warmth upon seeing him return.
"You're back," she said softly. "I sensed your aura shift."
He gave a short nod. "The Vault was fruitful."
Her gaze shifted to Liu Li. "And this is?"
"I'm Liu Li! Master's number one sword spirit, undefeated and adorable!"
Xue Linglong blinked. "…Sword spirit?"
Tianxiao unsheathed the Heaven's Crying Edge briefly. The blade gleamed with a pale blue light, resonating with his qi. The Saintess's pupils contracted slightly.
"A living artifact…"
She looked at him again, her gaze complicated. "You're full of surprises."
"You'll get used to it," he replied calmly, walking past her.
She caught up, walking beside him. "She's attached to you."
"Unfortunately."
Liu Li stuck out her tongue.
As they reached the central plaza, they were met by several elders, including the Sect Master himself, Elder Yun Tianhai, who stood at the forefront. His eyes, ancient and shrewd, studied Tianxiao and the blade at his hip.
"You passed the Vault Trial," Yun Tianhai said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Even claimed its spirit."
Tianxiao bowed slightly. "The Vault accepted me."
"Hm. Very few ever pass the second trial. You… completed all three." His gaze flicked to Liu Li. "You've grown far beyond what an 'inner disciple' should be."
Behind him, several elders murmured in agreement. Some concealed awe. Others—envy.
The Sect Master gave a slight nod. "The sect will recognize your merit. Elder Ye has recommended an elevation to Core Disciple."
Tianxiao waved it off. "No need. I'm just a guest."
The refusal caused a ripple of surprise among the elders.
"You're still so detached," Xue Linglong said softly, as they walked toward the inner courtyard. "Even after all this."
"I have no intention of joining power struggles within the sect."
She glanced at him. "But the moment you showed your blade, even the Elders' hearts trembled."
"They'll learn to restrain themselves."
Suddenly, Liu Li floated beside Xue Linglong, placing her hands on her hips. "Hey pretty sister, are you and Master going to get married? I can be the flower girl!"
The Saintess actually stumbled.
"I-I… w-what are you saying…?"
Liu Li giggled, flying in circles around her. "You already follow him everywhere. Just get a veil and it's done!"
Tianxiao cleared his throat. "Liu Li."
"Fiiine," the spirit pouted, floating lazily above his shoulder again.
As they approached the inner sanctum, the atmosphere subtly shifted again. Tianxiao's presence was like a growing sun—warm to allies, but searing to enemies.
Everyone felt it.
And somewhere deep within the sect, behind thick prison walls, Ye Tian suddenly snapped his eyes open as a heavy pressure pressed against his soul.
He clenched his fists in the darkness.
"…He's back."