Su Yang stood on a stone path that twisted through a lush bamboo forest, its silver leaves gently swaying in the breeze. The Valley of Harmonious Flames was tranquil, yet it pulsed with quiet strength. Birds sang in harmony, and the air smelled faintly of burning herbs, giving it an ancient, sacred feeling.
As Su Yang admired the terrain, absorbing the natural spiritual energy, a familiar voice echoed from behind him.
"Su Yang," said a calm and gentle tone.
He turned to see the elder who had first guided him to the valley—Elder Lin, a sharp-eyed man with long gray robes and a faint aura of fire lingering around him. But something was different today. Elder Lin's posture was straighter, and his expression more serious.
"The Valley Master has arrived," Elder Lin said.
Su Yang raised an eyebrow. "The Valley Master?"
"Yes. She wishes to meet you," Elder Lin nodded respectfully. "You should consider this an honor. She rarely calls for outer disciples or newly joined cultivators. Come."
Su Yang fell silent for a moment. Valley Master? That was someone near the top of this sect's hierarchy. He thought he might have years before meeting someone of such status. For her to summon him now—what did it mean?
But he didn't ask. He simply nodded and followed Elder Lin through a winding corridor of flame-engraved stones, their steps light and without echo. They passed several formation posts humming softly—security layers Su Yang couldn't even begin to understand.
Soon, they arrived before a small mountain platform suspended by glowing runes. Elder Lin stepped onto it, and Su Yang followed. The runes flickered, and in an instant, they were transported to the upper levels of the Seven Valley Sect—an area Su Yang had never even imagined.
The platform overlooked the entire sect. From here, he could see every valley, from the Ice Orchid Ravine to the Thunder Gale Cliffs. But the scenery didn't hold his attention for long.
A few steps away stood two figures.
One was a middle-aged woman in a simple white robe embroidered with red fire lotuses, her long hair tied in a loose bun. She stood with her hands folded behind her back, looking into the distance.
Beside her stood an old man in green robes, silent and motionless. Even though he was the one who had brought him to the valley, Su Yang now felt something vastly different about him.
What shocked Su Yang the most, however, was this: he could not sense either of their cultivations. Not the fluctuations of qi, not the rhythm of their breath, not even their spiritual presence.
It was like they weren't there—and yet, they clearly were.
Su Yang felt cold sweat bead at the back of his neck. Are they using some advanced technique to hide their cultivation? Or... is it that I am just too weak to perceive it at all?
The thought struck him like lightning.
He clenched his fists slightly. I can sense the aura of Foundation Establishment cultivators from a distance, and even Core Formation ones carry a distinct pressure. But these two... they're like clouds in the sky. I can't even see how high they go.
It was then that the woman turned her head slightly, her gaze falling upon Su Yang.
"Su Yang," she said, her voice calm but clear. "Step forward."
He did so, trying to control his breath, standing with a straight back.
"I am Mei Yuling," she said. "The Master of the Valley of Harmonious Flames."
Su Yang bowed deeply. "Greetings, Valley Master."
"You have a rare fate," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Most who enter the sect join through recommendation, family status, or after years of preparation. Yet you walked into the sect through the Sect Exchange Trial... and caused quite a ripple."
Her gaze briefly lingered on his chest, as if she could see his dantian and fire root. Su Yang didn't dare to move.
"I've seen your records. You passed all three tests. In the Seven Heavens Illusion Array, you resisted the seventh illusion longer than any other participant. And..." Her tone sharpened. "You possess a unique type of fire constitution."
Su Yang felt a tremor in his heart but tried to keep his face neutral.
The Valley Master smiled slightly. "Don't be alarmed. I do not know its full nature... not yet. But I can tell it is not ordinary spiritual fire."