The sword stopped one inch from his face.
Cold steel hovered before his nose, close enough for him to feel the faint vibration of the blade.
Yue Chen did not move.
He had sensed it the moment he pushed the door open.
A shift in air.
A restrained breath.
The subtle tension of muscles prepared to strike.
He could have stepped aside.
Could have disarmed the attacker in a single movement.
Instead—
He walked straight into it.
Because he needed to remain unseen.
Weak.
Harmless.
The sword did not advance.
From inside the room came a slow clap.
"Interesting."
A young man sat casually on the inner bed, one leg crossed over the other. His black robes were embroidered with faint silver patterns — higher quality than ordinary Sixth Branch attire.
His aura was steady.
Foundation Establishment Peak.
Near Core Formation.
His eyes were sharp, amused.
The disciple holding the sword slowly withdrew it.
The seated young man stood.
"My name is Luo Han," he said calmly. "Top disciple of the Sixth Branch."
He walked closer, studying Yue Chen carefully.
"In this branch, I test every newcomer personally."
He tilted his head.
"Most tremble. Some kneel. A few attempt to run."
His lips curved faintly.
"You did none of those."
Yue Chen's expression remained calm.
"I had no reason to."
The room grew slightly quieter.
Luo Han's gaze sharpened.
"You are only at Qi Gathering First Stage."
"And blind."
"Yet you did not show fear."
Yue Chen replied evenly, "Fear does not improve one's situation."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Luo Han laughed.
"Good."
He waved the other disciples away.
"From today, you share this room with me."
Several nearby disciples exchanged surprised looks.
"Senior Brother, you—"
"Enough."
They fell silent immediately.
Luo Han looked back at Yue Chen.
"Everyone who stayed here before you lasted less than a week."
"They were afraid."
He folded his arms.
"I do not like weak people. But I dislike cowards more."
Yue Chen inclined his head slightly.
"My eyesight is temporarily lost. It will return in a few days."
Luo Han raised a brow.
"You speak calmly for someone who can't see."
Yue Chen did not answer.
After a moment, Luo Han smirked.
"You are my roommate now. That makes you my responsibility."
"If anyone bullies you, tell me."
He paused, then added casually—
"Unless you deserve it."
A faint breath of amusement escaped Yue Chen.
"I will remember that."
Luo Han picked up his sword.
"I have no class today. Sixth Branch top disciples cultivate independently."
"Only those below Foundation Establishment attend lectures."
He glanced at Yue Chen.
"You may attend. Or not."
He turned toward the door.
"Oh."
"If you survive a week here, I might tell you something interesting."
Then he left.
The room fell silent.
Yue Chen closed the door gently.
Now alone.
He sat on the bed.
Slowly.
Carefully.
He closed his eyes.
His consciousness sank inward.
Into his spiritual sea.
Darkness.
Cracks.
Fragments.
His once vast ocean of demonic power was shattered beyond recognition. Meridians were broken channels. His cultivation core was fractured.
When he attempted to circulate even a thread of qi—
Pain exploded through him.
Backlash.
He immediately stopped.
Forceful restoration was impossible.
He needed method.
Technique.
Knowledge.
The sect library.
He opened his eyes again.
For now—
Patience.
Meanwhile, far beyond the Celestial Radiance Realm—
Within the Shadow Abyss Palace—
The throne hall stood silent.
The Demon Emperor was gone.
And in his place—
Elder Gu Cang now sat upon the obsidian throne.
His expression was composed.
But his eyes betrayed ambition.
Before him stood two figures dressed in black.
Their faces were no longer hidden.
One was a young man with deep brown hair and sharp golden eyes.
The other, a woman with long blue hair cascading over her shoulders like flowing frost.
They were members of the Eight Calamities of the Netherfall Sect.
"Storm Calamity, Lei Sha."
"Ice Calamity, Lan Xue."
Gu Cang inclined his head slightly.
"You have fulfilled your master's task."
Lei Sha smiled faintly.
"For now."
Lan Xue stepped forward calmly.
"Our master allowed you to ascend the throne."
"But do not misunderstand."
She looked directly at him.
"You are not king."
"You are a piece."
Lei Sha added softly,
"And now it is your turn."
"We want the Abyssal Heart Relic."
Gu Cang's expression stiffened for a fraction of a second.
The Abyssal Heart Relic—
The core treasure of Shadow Abyss Palace.
A fragment of ancient origin power.
He forced a smile.
"I have not forgotten your master's kindness."
Lei Sha's eyes narrowed.
"Good."
"If you do…"
Lan Xue's gaze turned icy.
"You will follow your former emperor."
The two turned and disappeared into shadows.
Silence returned.
Elder Yan Luo stepped closer to Gu Cang.
"You truly believe you are different from Mo Xuan?" Yan Luo asked quietly.
Gu Cang's expression darkened.
"He is dead."
"I rule now."
"All will obey me."
Yan Luo's eyes flickered.
"But you serve another."
Gu Cang's gaze turned sharp.
"Enough."
He leaned back against the throne.
And laughed softly.
Back within the Moonlight Immortal Sect—
Ling Yue practiced beneath a tall tree in the Sixth Branch courtyard.
Her sword — Silver Petal Blade — cut through the air in smooth arcs.
Though her cultivation was modest, her movements were precise.
Focused.
Yue Chen stood quietly nearby.
He did not approach.
He simply listened.
He could sense the flow of her life aura as she moved.
Suddenly—
Two Sixth Branch disciples nearby began whispering.
"She only leads because she's the Sect Leader's daughter."
"Her cultivation is weaker than mine."
"The martial competition is next month."
"I'll challenge her."
"She should step down."
They laughed.
Yue Chen's expression did not change.
But a faint thread of qi moved from his fingertips.
Across the courtyard—
A bucket of cleaning water tilted suddenly.
Splash.
The two whispering disciples were drenched instantly.
Laughter erupted around them.
"Clumsy!"
They shouted angrily, looking around.
Yue Chen stood still.
As if unaware.
Ling Yue turned toward the commotion.
Her gaze found him.
For a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
The air shifted subtly.
Something unspoken passed between them.
End of Chapter 5...