Whispers Beneath the Moonlight

Before the night fully set in, three powerful beasts landed near the royal garden. Their arrival stirred the quiet of the evening, drawing attention from those nearby. Jinnia and several elders stepped forward to welcome the new guests, their robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. As the last golden rays of the setting sun lit the surroundings, three silhouettes dismounted, revealing their identities one by one.First came Wahan Zelen, the formidable leader of the Hundred Wind Sect. Next was Lazzar Benihm, the proud master of the Flame Pavilion. Lastly, Ahanka Velmen, the graceful leader of the Lotus Gene Sect, stepped forward with composed elegance. Each was accompanied by their sect elders, promising young cultivators, and several distinguished guests.The air was filled with power—thick, subtle, and undeniable. Jinnia smiled as she approached, completely unfazed by the overwhelming auras. Her own cultivation was not inferior, and she held her composure with calm dignity. As pleasantries were exchanged, everyone introduced themselves in turn.Lazzar spoke first, his voice filled with pride. “This is my direct disciple, Morlen.” A young man in red robes stepped forward, wearing a confident, almost arrogant expression. His presence was eye-catching and bold.Not to be outdone, Wahan gave a small chuckle. “Impressive, Lazzar. But allow me to introduce someone too.” He gestured, and a figure in blue robes walked forward. Wind seemed to swirl around him, dancing at his feet like loyal servants. “This is Kashant, my direct student.”Ahanka followed the trend, her voice calm and composed. “And here is Humera.” A beautiful girl in lavender robes stepped forward. A strange, serene energy surrounded her—not aggressive, but difficult to ignore.These three disciples were among the finest talents of their respective sects.Jinnia, smiling gently, introduced Elisa next. Though Elisa’s aura was not as eye-catching, there was something refined and disciplined about her. Her presence might have seemed subtle, but it lacked nothing in comparison.High above the royal palace, two shadows observed the gathering from a concealed perch. One of them, Helmen—General of the Knight Soul Academy—watched intently. Standing beside him was an old woman with a calm demeanour and sharp eyes.“So these are the talents that came this year?” Helmen asked.The old woman replied in an unhurried tone, “They’re strong, no doubt. But their Arrogance blinds them.”Her gaze shifted toward a girl standing apart from the crowd—someone who had arrived with the Lotus Gene Sect but didn’t wear their uniform. She wore simple clothes, and no energy radiated from her. Yet something about her presence felt otherworldly—quiet, almost divine.Helmen followed her line of sight and nodded. “That girl… she’s a guest of the Lotus Gene Sect. I couldn’t gather much information, but I think her name is Chiara. She’s not here for the selection. Word is, she’s here because of the dungeon recently discovered in Pulkina.”The old woman smiled faintly. “You won’t find anything useful about her. She’s not ordinary. And these children below—impressive as they are—aren’t the real gems. That gem is not yet here.”Helmen frowned, confused by her words, but nodded slowly before taking his leave.As the old woman’s eyes drifted back to Chiara, she spotted something—barely visible—a faint mark like a glowing star hidden on Chiara’s shoulder. It was subtle, expertly concealed. Not even Helmen had noticed.Her gaze shifted once more, this time toward the forest near the city. A small smile touched her lips, “Let’s see what you’ve got, kid,” she said. “Can you show your talent... in front of a Heavenly Blood?”, and with a soft sigh, she vanished without a trace, as though she had never been there.Meanwhile, deep within the forest outside the city, Sheo moved swiftly from branch to branch. Though his pace was impressive, he was beginning to tire. The city’s outskirts were finally in sight when something pulsed in his storage ring.He paused, landing lightly on a thick branch, and flicked his hand. A communication token hovered into view. As he touched it, his vision blurred—his body remained still, but his mind was pulled into a space of swirling, colored light.A shadow formed ahead. It was Sahawal, his new teacher.For a moment, Sheo panicked, but he quickly composed himself and bowed.“This is space-time telepathy,” Sahawal said calmly. “I can’t hold it for long. You’ve reached low Acyral and are at Nemesis Pinnacle… but—” Sahawal’s eyes narrowed for a moment. Something flickered across his face, a look of surprise that vanished just as quickly.Sheo didn't noticed it.“I want you to come to the capital city of Ruqio,” Sahawal continued.Sheo’s eyes widened. Ruqio—the place Jinnia had warned him to avoid.“Teacher, when should I leave?”“Now. This place is unstable, but you’ll need two months to prepare. It’ll take you four to five months on foot. Don’t use a beast. This map includes the path and dangerous areas to avoid. This journey is also part of your training. I’ll resume your guidance once you arrive.”Sheo nodded slowly.“Is there anything you want to tell me?”Sheo explained everything that had happened, including his discovery of the technique Parth’s False Star.“Ah… that’s a powerful one. Master it well. As for the Knight Soul Magic Academy selection—take part. They’ll help you build a solid foundation. After 1.5 years of training, they hold a final selection. Tell them you’ll reach it on your own.”Sheo agreed.“Try to reach Half-Saint level and high Acylar Sword Class on this path. Register as an adventurer to claim benefits properly. We’ll meet again soon.”As his teacher’s figure faded, the world around Sheo shattered like glass, and he returned to reality, still on the branch.He exhaled slowly, thinking about the encounter. The space-time telepathy had amazed him—it was unlike anything he’d ever seen or heard of. But for now, he needed rest. He closed his eyes and began regaining his energy.Thousands of kilometers away, atop a ruined mountain, a lone figure sat with an ordinary sword in hand.“So another Sword God Intent is born… This trip wasn’t a waste.”Dark clouds gathered ominously. Below, civilians and sects alike trembled as a monstrous hand descended from the heavens, ready to strike.A female cultivator rose to stop it, but her strength was far from enough. As she braced for the end, a sword light tore through space itself.A voice, filled with rage and darkness, echoed: “How dare you, Do you know who I am? A Titled Monarch of Hell Belver!”Another voice answered from afar—calm and commanding. “Your master hides well. If not, Hell Belver would have been erased long ago.”A second sword light split the sky, piercing through that shadow. His eyes widened. “Y-You… you’re the Thou..”Before he could finish, the third and final sword strike ended him.The people below watched in stunned silence. Under the moonlight, the mysterious figure radiated power and authority. No one could see his face, he vanished without a trace. But a whisper remained among the crowd: Was he the same swordsman who saved our capital once before?Back in Qunming, most people had settled down. A few wandered the palace grounds to enjoy the festival night. Chiara, too, stepped out to explore.During her introduction earlier, many young cultivators had been mesmerized by her beauty, though most understood they stood no chance. Not all gave up. Morlen and Kashant both tried to win her attention, but she remained cold and indifferent.She preferred solitude. Her past and harsh training had shaped her that way. Emotions like affection, empathy, and love were foreign to her.As the sun rose, she walked past a sparring ground where young kids were training. Nothing unusual—until she noticed a little girl watching the fight, eyes wide with admiration.The girl turned to Chiara. “Sister, isn’t that amazing?”Chiara said nothing but noticed that the sparring session was becoming dangerous. A fireball was flying toward the girl.But chiara didn’t cared, that’s what she told herself. But just before she stepped forward, the little girl vanished. A shadow appeared beside Chiara, holding the girl.The boy scolded her playfully. “Rubika, how many times have I told you to be careful outside the orphanage?”The girl’s expression lit up with joy. “Brother! You’re finally back!”The boy sighed, giving in to her childlike charm. It was Sheo.As the sunlight revealed his face, he looked at Chiara and said, “Thanks for your concern. She gets into trouble sometimes. Sorry if she disturbed you.”Rubika also turned to Chiara and thanked her sweetly.Chiara replied softly, “I didn’t do anything.”Sheo smiled. “You were about to. That was enough.”Rubika jumped between them and grabbed their hands. “Come! I found something nearby!”Chiara could have pulled away. But—for reasons even she didn’t for some reason.Under the soft glow of the full moon, Rubika quietly led them near the outer borders of Qingming, not far from the orphanage. A tranquil lake lay hidden there, far from the brilliant lights of the ongoing Moon Festival. Despite its distance from the festivities, the lake shimmered, bathed in moonlight, its still waters perfectly reflecting the sky above. Amidst the reflection, a faint shadowy figure danced upon the surface.Chiara narrowed her eyes, puzzled by the sight. "What is that...?" she murmured softly, unable to discern its nature. But Sheo remained still, his expression unmoved. He knew. He recognized it instantly."A Moon Grace," he whispered under his breath.Rubika turned, a quiet smile on her face. "Isn’t it beautiful, Brother?"He simply nodded.A Moon Grace—an exceedingly rare phenomenon. It appeared only during the Moon Festival and never in the same place twice. Legends said it was a fragment of the Moon Goddess’ essence, visible only to the pure and the qualified. To see it was rare. To use it, rarer still.Sheo glanced at Chiara. Their eyes met for a brief moment. She gave a subtle nod, emotionless, disinterested in what was before them. She had no desire for it. No longing. No awe.Turning to Rubika, Sheo asked softly, "So, do you want that beautiful thing?"Her eyes lit up, a sparkle of wonder glowing deep within them.Sheo knew she wasn’t ready. Rubika was only at Closis Level 1. Not nearly strong enough to survive the Moon Grace's trial. But he also knew the truth: the Moon Grace, if absorbed by the right person, could reshape a body—especially that of a young, talented girl like her.He smiled gently. "Go on. Take it. I’ll handle the rest."Rubika hesitated, then nodded. She trusted Sheo more than anyone. With slow, cautious steps, she approached the lake. As her foot touched the water, she didn't sink. Instead, she stood firmly atop its surface. A clear sign. She was pure. She was worthy.Sheo exhaled, unsheathing his sword. It was an ordinary blade—dull in appearance—but the moment it met his grip, it hummed softly, as if awakened by his presence.Chiara watched him from the side, her gaze analyzing every movement. There was something... different about him. He wasn’t like the others. Most boys tried to win her attention. But Sheo didn’t. He stayed distant, focused. Independent. She admired that—even if she couldn’t say it.She looked toward Rubika, toward the girl she had come to care for. A rare warmth flickered in her chest. She didn’t want her to get hurt.Sheo's eyes narrowed, locking onto a fixed point in the air.Rubika reached out and touched the Moon Grace. The light swirled around her fingertips before entering her body. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she collapsed gently onto the water’s surface, unconscious. A beam of light descended from the sky, surrounding her body, wrapping her in ethereal brilliance.Then Chiara felt it.A shift.From four directions, sharp pulses of energy surged toward Rubika. Four invisible trials, each one meant to test her soul, body, and mind. Her fragile strength wouldn’t survive it.Chiara prepared to move.But before she could, a low crackle echoed.**Lightning.**In a flash, all four incoming attacks were annihilated.Sheo stood alone beneath the moonlight, sword raised. The gentle silver hue of the moon washed over him, his hair fluttering slightly in the breeze. In that moment, he looked almost divine.Chiara blinked.A swordsman of unmatched grace.She had seen many, but never like this.Her heart remained guarded—but her mind acknowledged him.The attacks didn’t stop. From different directions, the lake shimmered with threats. But Sheo was faster. Not a single strike reached Rubika.As the celestial light around her faded, Rubika stirred. Her eyes opened slowly, and a radiant swirl of energy erupted around her. Sheo, standing calmly on a nearby tree branch, smiled."Not bad. You’ve reached the pinnacle of Closis Level 3."He continued, "This will make a strong foundation. You couldn’t absorb all the energy, though. That leftover power might come in handy later."Rubika looked at him, emotion welling in her chest.When she had come to the orphanage, she had nothing. No talent. No confidence. But Sheo had believed in her. Even when others mocked him for lacking energy, he never stopped supporting her.Now, seeing him like this, she couldn’t hold back.She bowed deeply. "Thank you... truly."Sheo chuckled. "You don’t need to thank me. And don’t be so serious. I like my childish little sister better."Then he turned. "Come on. The festival’s about to start."Chiara offered a faint smile. It looked forced, but she still congratulated Rubika sincerely.They walked slowly through the quiet streets.When they reached the orphanage, Sheo paused. "Get ready. The festival proper starts in an hour."He and Chiara continued on, walking through roads adorned with colorful decorations, leading toward the royal palace.An awkward silence followed them.Then, Sheo spoke. "When you smiled earlier... it looked forced."Chiara didn’t respond immediately.Sheo continued, voice calm. "Why are you forcing emotions?"Her voice came cold. "I don’t feel any."He replied, eyes still forward, "You don’t feel emotion... or you don’t want to feel emotion? The fact that you pretend to smile means you understand what emotions are."Chiara's breath caught. That was what her teacher once told her. Word for word.Sheo turned slightly. "Someone told me... no one can become truly strong if they keep carrying the weight of their own emotions."As the words left his mouth, his figure vanished into the shadows.A faint whisper lingered. "Don’t bother with my words. Just enjoy the festival."Chiara stood alone for a moment. Silent. Reflecting.She hadn’t even learned his name.She turned and walked toward the main hall.There, she reunited with Ahanka, who was busy organizing members of the Lotus Gene Sect. The festival competition was beginning.Ahanka smiled. "Do you want to participate? It’ll be a great experience."Chiara hesitated. "But I’m not a member of your sect.""That doesn’t matter," Ahanka replied. "They allow anyone to join."Humera also stepped in. "Come with me. It’ll be fun."Seeing their encouragement, Chiara simply nodded.At the heart of Qingming, a grand statue of the Moon Goddess stood tall. The area was arranged like a massive stadium, with VIP sections, decorations, and hundreds of spectators. Everyone was dressed in their finest robes.An announcer stepped forward, his voice carried across the city with energy projection."Today, we gather to celebrate the Moon Festival! A night of worship, celebration, and talent! Let us begin!"From one gate, a burst of flame exploded outward. Two silhouettes appeared amid the fire."Morlen and Ryler from the Flame Pavilion Sect!" the announcer cried.Then, a swirling tornado of wind and sparkling energy erupted, revealing two more figures."Kashant and Sunica from the Thousand Wind Sect!"Next came a wave of floral light. Two elegant shadows emerged, bathed in beauty."Humera and Chiara from the Lotus Gene Sect!"The audience roared. Their beauty, their rare light-based energy, captivated the crowd.In the VIP section, Jinnia of the Xenic Moon Sect exchanged glances with Shuna. They sighed.Rubika had mentioned Sheo was in the city... but he hadn’t appeared. Perhaps Elisa would stand alone.Suddenly, water bloomed like flowers across the stadium. A silhouette formed in the mist.Elisa.The announcer stepped forward—but before he could speak, lightning descended from the sky, piercing the clouds and striking the lake flowers with divine precision.The mist cleared.Two figures stood in the midst of a garden of water and lightning.The crowd was stunned.Jinnia smiled. "Not bad."Elsewhere in the VIP section, an old woman beside Helmen whispered, "A mastered Tier One Space Heart and a seeded Flame Core... definitely a genius."Elisa blinked, looking beside her. "You sure know how to make an entrance."Sheo smiled. "Hope I’m not too late."The announcer’s voice boomed. "Elisa and Sheo from the Xenic Moon Sect!"Chiara, watching from a distance, looked toward Sheo, now dressed in flowing white. Then, her gaze shifted forward again.Quietly, she whispered to herself:"Sheo, huh... Let’s see what you’ve got."