Morning arrived like it usually did at the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect: with Daniu's off-key singing, Tian Feng sobbing over abacus errors, and Su Jian testing alchemical recipes far too close to the kitchen.
And then a flying carriage descended from the sky, pulled by two smug-looking spirit hawks.
It landed directly on the training grounds.
"I don't like this already," Ziyan muttered, cracking her knuckles.
The carriage door burst open and out stepped a young man dressed in gold-threaded robes, a jade fan in one hand and arrogance in the other.
"Behold!" he declared. "I, Young Master Bai Yuntian of the Crystal Phoenix Sect, have arrived!"
Everyone stared.
Tian Feng whispered, "Is he wearing… makeup?"
"He's glowing," said Yanyu. "Is that normal?"
"No," Li Qingyu said. "But it is fabulous."
---
Bai Yuntian struck a pose. "Word has spread that a newly registered sect has risen here. I, being a benevolent cultivator of peerless talent, have come to offer a duel—so your disciples may understand the true standards of excellence."
Silence.
Then:
Ziyan: "He's one of those."
Su Jian: "The kind who narrates his own attacks?"
Daniu: "Can I punch him?"
Li Qingyu gave them a placid smile.
"Young Master Bai," he said, "we humbly accept your challenge. Please choose your opponent."
Bai swept his fan. "I shall defeat… your strongest disciple!"
"Me!" Daniu raised his hand.
"Denied," Li Qingyu said immediately.
Bai pointed to Ziyan. "You! With the stern expression and violently positive energy. I choose you!"
Ziyan cracked her neck. "Finally."
---
Duel Guidelines:
Location: Main courtyard.
Rules: No lethal force. First one down or unconscious loses.
Wagers: If Bai wins, the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect must publicly acknowledge the superiority of Crystal Phoenix Sect.
If Ziyan wins…
"You'll sweep our outhouse for a week," Li Qingyu declared.
"WHAT?!" Bai sputtered.
"You challenged us. We're poor but proud."
---
The duel began.
Bai floated into the air, conjuring a flurry of glittering phoenix-shaped spirit fire. "Behold my Phoenix Blooming Across Ten Thousand Miles technique!"
Ziyan waited.
He launched the phoenixes with a dramatic spin.
Ziyan sidestepped.
Then punched the ground.
A shockwave exploded upward, slamming into Bai's technique, dispersing it in a shower of glitter and confusion.
"I call that move Ground Makes Fist," she muttered.
Bai reeled. "Y-you brute!"
He flew higher. "Then taste my ultimate technique—Heavenly Fan Cyclone of Graceful Retribution!"
He spun his fan in wide arcs, conjuring a massive cyclone.
It whirled toward Ziyan.
"Is that... wind perfume?" Yanyu sniffed.
"Yes," Tian Feng said. "Peach blossom scent."
Ziyan rolled her eyes and jumped straight into the cyclone.
There was a moment of shocked silence.
Then:
BOOM.
The cyclone burst apart as Ziyan shot through like a cannonball, elbow first.
She collided with Bai Yuntian mid-air.
The young master plummeted like a glamorous meteor.
---
He hit the courtyard with a puff of pink smoke and a whimper.
Ziyan landed beside him, dusting off her sleeves. "Done."
Daniu cheered. "I had a mop ready in case he exploded!"
Su Jian tossed a healing pill onto Bai's chest. "That should fix his pride. Maybe."
Bai groaned. "I was not… prepared for this…"
"You challenged us," Li Qingyu reminded him, smiling. "We're an unpredictable sect. Very trendy."
---
[Ding! Public Duel Won – Sect Reputation +10]
[New Title Unlocked: 'Bringers of Unexpected Violence']
[Item Gained: Crystal Phoenix Brooch (Refined Decorative Artifact – +1 Charisma)]
Bai lay defeated, fanning himself weakly.
"So…" Li Qingyu crouched beside him. "About that outhouse duty."
"You are all insane," Bai moaned.
"Yes," Li Qingyu agreed. "Welcome to our home."
---
Later That Day…
Bai Yuntian was begrudgingly mopping the latrine floors, still wearing silk robes and muttering poetic insults.
Meanwhile, Ziyan was basking in the satisfaction of not holding back for once.
Tian Feng tallied the bets they'd won from the nearby watching cultivators. "We might be able to buy actual furniture!"
Yanyu taught Daniu how to sweep without punching the broom.
And Su Jian invented a new pill that allegedly enhanced "punching focus." Ziyan immediately requested a dozen.
Li Qingyu stood on the training hall roof, sipping tea, eyes scanning the horizon.
A rogue young master had fallen. More would come.
But the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect?
They were just getting started.
---