The quiet murmur of the sect's courtyard buzzed with the usual sound of rustling robes, passing disciples, and distant clashing of swords.
But within the shaded confines of the Inner Court's meditation pavilion, a whisper was brewing—one that was about to take root and stir trouble.
Lian Yu, a young serving girl dressed in the sect's sky-blue attendant robes, stood near one of the open corridors where a cluster of inner court disciples were lounging in relaxed conversation.
Her eyes darted about, ensuring Elder Mo wasn't within earshot, nor any of the senior stewards, before she leaned closer with a slightly smug expression curling her lips.
"You won't believe what I've been seeing for the past few days," she began in a hushed but deliberate tone—loud enough to draw attention but soft enough to feel like a secret.
A few of the disciples glanced at her, more out of curiosity than genuine interest.
