The laughter in the courtyard slowly faded.
Ling Yue turned and walked toward him, moonlight catching the silver edge of her sword.
"Yue Chen," she called softly, stopping in front of him. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting in the dorm? Or…" She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Did someone bully you already?"
Her tone was light, but there was genuine concern beneath it.
Yue Chen shook his head.
"No. The dorm is… uncomfortable. I wanted to walk around. To understand this place."
Ling Yue blinked, then laughed. "You make it sound like you're inspecting territory."
He remained calm. "Isn't it wise to understand where one lives?"
She crossed her arms. "Hmm. That answer is too serious for someone who lost his memory."
Then she smiled brightly.
"I'm continuing my training now. But tonight—come to the lake we visited yesterday. I'll be free. I'll tell you more about the sect."
He paused for a moment.
He had intended to find her anyway.
"Alright," he replied quietly.
She nodded once and left.
After she disappeared, Yue Chen continued walking alone.
The Sixth Branch grounds were quieter toward the west side.
There stood a modest stone building carved with pale runes.
Above the entrance were engraved characters:
Sixth Branch Scripture Pavilion.
So this was their library.
He stepped forward.
Two disciples stood guard at the entrance.
"Halt."
Yue Chen stopped.
"I wish to enter the Scripture Pavilion."
The guards exchanged looks.
"Only the Branch Master and Top Disciples have access."
"I am a Sixth Branch disciple," Yue Chen replied evenly.
"That doesn't matter," one guard said coldly. "The pavilion contains sword techniques, cultivation manuals, pill formulas. You need Master's approval."
Yue Chen's expression did not change.
"I see."
He turned and left without another word.
Inside the pavilion…
There might be something capable of repairing shattered meridians.
But forcing entry now would expose him.
He would wait.
He always had.
Night descended quietly.
The moon rose high above the sect.
The lake shimmered like a mirror of silver light.
Yue Chen stood beneath the Moonlight Blossom Tree, listening to the soft rustling of petals.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Light.
Deliberate.
Then—
Nothing.
A sudden silence.
Ling Yue held her breath, raising her hands to startle him.
Before she could move—
"You are breathing too loudly," Yue Chen said calmly.
She froze.
Then groaned dramatically.
"You ruined it!"
She walked around to face him. "I was trying to scare you!"
"You failed."
She pouted. "You're no fun."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
They sat by the edge of the lake.
For a while, neither spoke.
The moon reflected between them.
After a moment, Yue Chen asked quietly,
"What is this sect competition everyone mentioned?"
Ling Yue's expression grew serious.
"You mean the Six Veins Ascension Trial."
She picked up a fallen petal and twirled it between her fingers.
"In two weeks, each branch will hold internal martial contests. Single-elimination."
"The top six disciples from each branch and main branch will be selected."
"That makes forty-two."
Yue Chen listened silently.
"After that," she continued, "the forty-two will enter the Radiant Summit Tournament—the main sect competition."
"Disciples from all six branches and even the Main Hall disciples will fight."
"Only six will remain."
"And those six…"
Her eyes lifted toward the moon.
"They earn the right to represent the Moonlight Immortal Sect at the Celestial Radiance Grand Convocation."
Yue Chen's expression remained calm, but inwardly—
He understood the significance.
The Celestial Radiance Grand Convocation was not merely a tournament.
It was a gateway.
Ling Yue continued softly,
"All major sects of the Celestial Radiance Domain send their top disciples."
"The final victor is granted entry into the Celestial Radiance Realm."
"The true Immortal World."
"There… cultivation is different. Teachers are Celestial Kings and above."
Her voice held longing.
Yue Chen asked quietly,
"You wish to enter it?"
She hesitated.
"Yes."
"Why?"
She took a slow breath.
"Two reasons."
"The first…" She smiled faintly. "I want to prove something."
"To my father."
"He thinks I lack talent."
"He never says it directly… but I know."
She lowered her gaze.
"I want to win."
"Not just for pride."
"But to show him I am not weak."
Yue Chen listened carefully.
"And the second reason?"
She was silent for a moment.
"My mother."
Her voice softened.
"She died when I was young."
"She always believed I would become extraordinary."
She smiled gently.
"I want to make her proud."
The wind moved softly across the lake.
Yue Chen spoke quietly.
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head.
"It's alright."
He studied her expression.
Even with her playful personality…
There was loneliness there.
"And the second reason?" he pressed gently.
She blinked.
"That is the second reason."
He tilted his head slightly.
She laughed nervously.
"Alright… maybe there's another."
"But it's a secret."
"One day, I'll tell you."
He did not push further.
Instead, he said something unexpected.
"We will make you strong."
She turned toward him.
"You and I?"
"Yes."
"I will help you become a top disciple."
"And when you stand in the Radiant Summit…"
His voice deepened slightly.
"You will not stand alone."
Ling Yue's heart skipped.
The tone.
The certainty.
For a moment—
He did not sound like a weak First Stage cultivator.
He sounded like someone who commanded destiny.
"You're very confident for someone who can't even enter the library," she teased softly.
He did not respond to the mockery.
Instead—
A petal drifted down from the Moonlight Blossom.
It landed gently in her hair.
Without hesitation—
He reached forward.
His fingers brushed lightly against her temple.
Careful.
Gentle.
He removed the petal.
Their faces were suddenly close.
Too close.
Ling Yue froze.
Her heartbeat quickened.
The moonlight fell between them.
Silver light traced the line of his white lashes.
Even without sight—
He was breathtakingly beautiful.
Cold.
Refined.
Like frost beneath starlight.
She swallowed lightly.
"You—"
But no words came.
The lake shimmered quietly.
Petals fell like slow snow around them.
In that moment—
They did not feel like weak disciples of the Sixth Branch.
They looked like figures painted into the night sky.
Two silhouettes beneath the moon.
Yue Chen withdrew his hand slowly.
"The night is cold," he said calmly.
"You should rest."
Ling Yue nodded, though her face was slightly flushed.
"Y-Yes."
They stood.
Walked back slowly.
Side by side.
Neither spoke again.
But something had shifted.
Subtle.
Irreversible.
Above them—
The moon watched silently.
And fate…
Moved one step closer.
End of Chapter 6...