It was the Year of the Silver Horizon, the dawn of a new age. Fifteen years had passed since the War of the Veiled Sky, and peace had settled across the land like fragile glass — shimmering, yet easy to shatter.

At the Tianlong Sect, banners rippled in the mountain winds. The sect was hosting the Three-Month Discipline Course, a grand assembly of the continent’s young heirs and disciples. The purpose: to temper pride, refine discipline, and build bonds between the clans.
The main courtyard gleamed under the sunlight. One by one, the great clans arrived, each bearing gifts and words of respect to the Sect Master.
First came the Huo Clan.59Please respect copyright.PENANALW0TkFZYYY
A boy with crimson eyes and a faint smirk stepped forward, his tone respectful yet confident.59Please respect copyright.PENANAZXTeEtQqV3
“Disciple Huo Yulian, courtesy name Lan Hao, greets the masters of Tianlong.”59Please respect copyright.PENANAEEXtfuYMIa
His voice carried warmth — and a spark of mischief that never seemed to leave him.
Then came the Feng Clan.59Please respect copyright.PENANAMCB9zZ6HjN
A tall youth with a composed expression and frost-like grace bowed deeply.59Please respect copyright.PENANAwPuNZ67L8e
“Disciple Feng Jinluo, courtesy name Bingyu, greets the masters.”59Please respect copyright.PENANARECfLs3fWY
Behind the calm eyes was a hidden sharpness, like a blade kept beneath silk.
The Long Clan followed next — the twin sons of Long Wenxi.59Please respect copyright.PENANAEcbxh2x9zU
The first, Long Jianxu, courteous and steady, introduced himself with poise.59Please respect copyright.PENANAdXjz4UErfI
“Disciple Long Jianxu, courtesy name Longyu, greets the masters.”59Please respect copyright.PENANAyyTx48fbDP
His twin brother, Long Tianyao, brighter in smile and bolder in tone, followed.59Please respect copyright.PENANA57WJNgOwB0
“Disciple Long Tianyao, courtesy name Zhaoyang, greets the masters.”
Their harmony drew murmurs of approval; they moved like reflection and shadow — one calm as moonlight, one radiant as dawn.
After them came the Yu Clan, the Fu Clan, the Song Clan, the Meng Clan and many others — each presenting their gifts, each observing the etiquette that marked their family’s honor.
The courtyard was nearly done receiving guests when the silence was broken by the sound of hasty footsteps.
![Anime-style wuxia scene. A hush falls over the courtyard as Sheng Kaixuan [15 years old] strides in with arrogant confidence. He wears luxurious silver-black robes, hands casually folded behind his back. His posture dismissive, eyes sharp with disdain, smirking at the gathered clans. Disciples stare in shock; some whisper behind sleeves. Background shows grand Tianlong banners and silent elders looking displeased. Dramatic lighting, tension in the air, crisp wuxia anime style.](https://cdn.leonardo.ai/users/089ef584-88cf-4ed1-b66e-ca1eea1f136b/generations/78fe0bb3-73ee-4623-949b-7821e8589f0e/segments/3:4:1/Lucid_Origin_Animestyle_wuxia_scene_A_hush_falls_over_the_cour_2.jpg)
A young man with an arrogant gait strolled in — Sheng Kaixuan of the Sheng Clan.59Please respect copyright.PENANAHyVnHyJFN2
“Apologies,” he said lazily, without bowing. “Some of us don’t rush for the sake of appearances.”59Please respect copyright.PENANAqCQFmWohi8
His eyes swept the crowd, stopping briefly on the Tianlong banners.59Please respect copyright.PENANA6DBKTas32e
“And I see the mighty Xings haven’t arrived either. Perhaps greatness doesn’t attend classes on time?”59Please respect copyright.PENANAuLoZEEy7Xy
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the disciples. But before anyone could reply, a deep, measured voice echoed from the entrance.
“Due to certain matters, the Xing Clan will arrive tomorrow.”
The crowd turned. Standing there were Xing Lianchen, calm and commanding, and beside him — Xing Liuyue, his presence like still water reflecting lightning.

Yulian’s eyes widened. He immediately turned, scanning the disciples behind Liuyue.59Please respect copyright.PENANARQ3wBCoClK
But the person he sought was not there.
Liuyue caught the glance — and smiled faintly.
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