The next day.
With the affairs at the Sword Profound Sect behind them, a fresh morning broke, pale sunlight spilling across the sky. The Second Elder of the Gui family, barely able to contain his excitement, roused everyone early.
His eagerness to return to Half Moon City and deliver the triumphant news was palpable, and not a second would be wasted.
"Second Elder, why are we up so early?" A Gui family disciple rubbed his eyes sleepily, clearly reluctant to abandon the warmth of his bed. His tone was thick with drowsiness.
The Second Elder's expression shifted from impatience to seriousness, as his eyes hardened with purpose. "It's a long journey back. We cannot afford to delay. The competition in Half Moon City draws near, and if our competitor isn't there in time... none of us will be able to bear the responsibility for it."
They had spent two weeks traveling from Half Moon City to the Sword Profound Sect, but none could say for certain that the return trip would be as swift. A delay—anything unforeseen—would risk far more than their pride. The stakes were too high.
"But Master hasn't risen yet," Gui Yiyi spoke up cautiously, her tone tinged with a touch of hesitation.
Her gaze drifted towards the door of Xuan Yi's room. Since her master hadn't yet stirred, she dared not rush him. The thought of disturbing him filled her with unease.
"Master?" The Second Elder blinked in confusion, his mind slow to catch up with the young disciple's words.
Gui Yiyi's face flushed as she realized her oversight. "Oh… Second Elder, I forgot to tell you. Master will be returning with us to Half Moon City."
"What? Elder Xuan is coming too?" The Second Elder's voice rose in surprise, his expression shifting from shock to palpable excitement.
A cloud of unease had weighed on him during their travels. The thought that the mere reputation of the Sword Profound Sect might not be enough to deter the elder from the Witherwood Gate had gnawed at him. Though the fear seemed unreasonable, the Witherwood Gate's reputation for cruelty had only heightened his anxiety. But now, hearing that Elder Xuan would accompany them—his worries were gone in an instant.
With Elder Xuan at their side, no elder of the Witherwood Gate, let alone the Sect Master, could intimidate them.
"Yes," Gui Yiyi nodded. "Master said so yesterday."
"Good, good, good!" The Second Elder repeated, his grin widening. "In that case, there's no need to rush. We'll wait for Elder Xuan."
But just as he spoke, a calm voice interrupted from the direction of the courtyard. "There's no need to wait. I'm already outside. If everyone is ready, then we can leave."
Startled, they turned to see Xuan Yi standing in the courtyard, looking entirely at ease, as though he had been waiting there all along. His presence was serene and effortless, a quiet strength radiating from him.
With no more preparations necessary, the Gui family gathered in the courtyard. The weight of their anticipation hung in the air, mingling with the gentle rustling of the morning breeze.
Suddenly, Xuan Yi's gaze shifted slightly. His expression subtly changed.
"Ao!" A piercing cry cut through the stillness, causing everyone to look up. The air around them grew heavier, and the sky darkened as a massive figure descended from above—a colossal flying demon beast.
"Hiss!" The Gui family disciples gasped in astonishment, their eyes wide with awe and fear. Only Xuan Yi seemed unperturbed by the arrival.
The Second Elder's heart skipped a beat as the creature landed, its shadow darkening the courtyard. His eyes widened with recognition.
The creature was a Scarlet Flame Sparrow, an extremely rare and powerful species known for its fiery wings and the power it commanded. Few had ever seen one, and fewer still had tamed it.
His mind raced. Scarlet Flame Sparrows were nearly impossible to find, let alone tame. To become a master of one was akin to achieving the impossible. It was a symbol of immense power, a creature coveted by even the most powerful cultivators.
Gui Yiyi's breath caught in her throat as she gazed up at the majestic beast. Its fiery feathers glowed with an intensity that rivaled the sun, its form radiating both grace and overwhelming strength.
"So beautiful…" she murmured, her voice filled with awe.
Xuan Yi, noticing her gaze, smiled softly, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. "Do you like it? If you do, it's yours."
The words came so casually, as though he were offering her a trinket instead of one of the most coveted creatures in the world. The Scarlet Flame Sparrow—fully grown and at the peak of the Soul Condensation Realm—was worth more than the entire Gui family's fortune combined. It had power far surpassing even their current patriarch, Gui Tiancheng, whose cultivation was only at the peak of the fifth level.
Gui Yiyi froze, her heart racing. "Ah?" she stammered, her mind struggling to grasp what had just been offered.
Not just her—every disciple of the Gui family was stunned. Even the Second Elder's jaw had dropped. This was the Scarlet Flame Sparrow! It was beyond their wildest imaginations that such a beast would be given away so freely.
The Second Elder's eyes turned a bright shade of green with envy. If only they were Elder Xuan's disciples. Then, perhaps such blessings would be within their reach as well.
Gui Yiyi, flustered and overwhelmed, quickly shook her head. "No, no, no, Master! This is too precious… I can't accept it!" Her words came in a rush, but her heart was pounding in her chest.
Xuan Yi chuckled, clearly amused by her reaction. He lifted a finger and gently tapped her forehead. A flash of sealing light shot from his fingertip, connecting with her forehead in a brief, glowing touch.
"Master!" Gui Yiyi's face turned bright crimson, and she immediately realized what had just occurred—her master had bonded the Scarlet Flame Sparrow to her.
It wasn't a matter of choice anymore.
Xuan Yi simply smiled, clearly entertained by her embarrassment. "Let's go. No more delays."
With a graceful leap, Xuan Yi landed on the back of the Scarlet Flame Sparrow, settling comfortably as if the creature had always been his mount. The bird, massive enough to carry dozens, was more than capable of accommodating the small group of Gui family members.
The Scarlet Flame Sparrow let out a sharp cry, its wings unfurling to their full extent, creating gusts of wind that ruffled their clothes. In one fluid motion, it took to the sky, soaring upwards with incredible speed.
But just as the beast ascended, Xuan Yi's mind tingled with the sudden presence of another voice.
It was Sect Master Jian Nantian.
"Elder Xuan, are you heading out?" came the voice in Xuan Yi's mind.
"Yes. Is there something you need, Sect Master?" Xuan Yi responded mentally, his attention divided but calm.
"I have some news. The Purple Moon Secret Realm is about to open."
Xuan Yi's brows furrowed slightly. "The Purple Moon Secret Realm."
His thoughts sharpened at the mention of it. This was no ordinary event.
The Purple Moon Secret Realm was the largest and most coveted of all secret realms in Zhennan Province, even among the three great realms in the Heavenly Wind Kingdom. It had a long and storied history, tied to the legendary Zi Yue, whose genius had once humbled even the imperial family. After her death, the realm had become a place of both mystery and allure.
Xuan Yi had heard the legends—of Zi Yue's incredible rise and fall, and the potential inheritance left behind in that forbidden realm. Even many peak Nascent Soul experts, after scouring the realm, had found only fragments of what had been left behind. Still, the lure of her legacy remained, strong and unyielding.
"When will it open?" Xuan Yi asked, his mind now fully focused on the conversation.
"Soon," replied Jian Nantian. "We are seeing early signs, but it has not fully manifested yet."
"I see," Xuan Yi said, a quiet resolve settling in his voice. "I will finish my business in Half Moon City first, then make my way there."
There was a brief silence before Xuan Yi added, "When Lin Zhiyin and Wang Hu return from their training, bring Lin Zhiyin with you, if you have not already left."
Jian Nantian hesitated. "Lin Zhiyin is fine, but Wang Hu… his cultivation is too low."
Xuan Yi understood the concern. The dangers within the Purple Moon Secret Realm were not to be underestimated, and it was common for sects to restrict weaker disciples from entering. "Bring only Lin Zhiyin," he agreed after a moment of thought. "Wang Hu's growth will take more time."
After ending his communication with Jian Nantian, Xuan Yi looked ahead once more, his eyes steady.
With the Gui family settled atop the Scarlet Flame Sparrow, he gave the signal, and the magnificent beast soared into the skies.