A cold breeze swept across the Moonlit Steppes, stirring silver grass beneath the towering cliffs. The broken stone bridge groaned under ancient strain, worn down by centuries of wind and Qi corrosion.
Rael stood still, facing Yue Qingshi.
Behind him, Wei Lin trembled, caught between hope and fear. But Yue Qingshi's attention was solely on him.
"Let's see if your blood matches your arrogance," she had said.
Now, she stepped forward, her moon-white robe shifting like water. Her staff—gilded in silver and etched with crescent runes—hummed softly.
Rael didn't flinch.
"You want proof?"
"No," she said, smiling faintly. "I want amusement."
With a flick of her staff, a small talisman hovered between them. It spun once, glowing faintly.
"This token detects resonance. If you carry the Lunar Mark, it will respond. If you've lied… well, it'll burn you clean."
Rael said nothing. He reached forward and pressed his fingers to the talisman.
For a moment, there was nothing.
Then—
A pulse.
A faint silver ripple passed through the air, like a breath exhaled from a dream. The talisman didn't shatter. It flickered… then floated back to Yue Qingshi, calm and satisfied.
Her eyes narrowed.
"So it's true. You carry it."
"You gave it to me," Rael replied evenly. "In the Dreamwalk Realm."
"I give many things I don't expect to see returned."
"Then stop expecting."
That made her pause.
Then, to Rael's quiet surprise, she laughed.
"You're better than the last one. He cried."
She turned on her heel.
"Follow me. You've been given entry, but you're still trespassing. The elders will want to know why."
Rael exchanged a glance with Wei Lin. The girl gave a nervous nod.
They followed.
The path beyond the bridge was winding and smooth, carved into the cliffside with elegant curves. Faint lights drifted along the air—natural spirit wisps, harmless unless agitated. Strange crescent stones lined the trail, each inscribed with flowing runes older than the empire.
Rael felt them brushing against his spirit sense. Not hostile, but... observant.
They watch more than they speak, he thought.
This sect guards its secrets tightly.
Wei Lin stared at the landscape in awe. "Is this where the Moonlight Court lives?"
Yue Qingshi didn't look back.
"This is the outer domain. The actual court lies further in, built atop the Sacred Lunar Well. Only disciples or those summoned may pass."
Rael frowned slightly.
"Then where are we going?"
Yue glanced over her shoulder, her silver eyes gleaming under the moonlight.
"To see if you're worth summoning."
They passed through another archway, where thin sheets of moonlight acted like veils. Upon crossing, Rael felt his inner Qi tighten.
Not in rejection, but… scrutiny.
System Notification: Passive Scan Initiated by Sect Formation
Analysis Type: Soul Temperament, Cultivation Level, Intent
Result: [Unorthodox. Instability Detected. Threat Potential: Moderate]
Response Level: Observation Only
He clenched his fists inside his cloak. The system hadn't lied. His Qi was still chaotic—half Void, half fractured Yin from the corrupted region they'd passed.
"Keep calm," he whispered inwardly. "Let them look. But give them nothing."
At the end of the path stood a crescent pavilion built of lunar stone, suspended over a waterfall that poured downward into a mist-filled abyss. Spirit cranes nested among the rocks, their eyes glowing like pearls.
Here, several figures awaited.
Elders.
Rael knew them at once—not from recognition, but presence.
Their robes shimmered faintly. Their eyes were old, calm, and unyielding.
Yue Qingshi stepped aside and gestured toward him.
"He bears the Lunar Mark. I've confirmed it."
One of the elders, a tall man with a beard like flowing snow, stepped forward.
"You are not of the Moonlight lineage. You carry no known name within our records. How did you obtain the mark?"
Rael met his gaze.
"In the Dreamwalk Realm. It was given to me by her—" He tilted his head toward Yue. "—and a beast I killed."
That drew murmurs from the others.
"The beast?" another elder asked.
Rael raised his hand and summoned the mark. It pulsed once—silver and void-black, shaped like a scythe crossing a moon.
The elder's expression sharpened.
"That is not just the Lunar Mark. That is an Heir Fragment."
Even Yue Qingshi flinched slightly.
"Heir Fragment?" Wei Lin whispered.
Yue folded her arms.
"There are seven fragments scattered across realms, bound to the ancient Moon Goddess' legacy. Each carries a portion of her will."
One of the elders stepped forward, drawing a narrow blade from her sleeve.
"Let us test if it truly belongs to him."
She slashed the air—
A blade of moonlight shot forward, spiraling.
Rael's eyes narrowed.
He didn't move.
The blade struck his chest—
—and vanished.
No wound. No pain.
Only a silver ripple.
System Alert: Lunar Will Recognized – Passive Defense Activated
Soul Bound Fragment Confirmed
Access Level: Preliminary
Trait Temporarily Gained: [Moonveil Guard]
Duration: 1 hour
The elder withdrew.
"Confirmed," she murmured. "The mark accepts him."
The bearded elder exhaled deeply.
"Very well. We shall not imprison him."
Wei Lin blinked. "That was an option!?"
Yue Qingshi turned.
"Everything's an option. Especially with outsiders."
Rael didn't flinch.
"So what now?"
The bearded elder regarded him gravely.
"You may rest in the Outer Pavilion. Your presence here will be recorded, and if you cause disruption, you will be exiled—or worse. But… if you wish to understand the power you've been given, you must train under our laws."
Rael inclined his head.
"I'll train. On one condition."
The elders arched their brows.
"Speak."
"The girl stays safe. No interference. She's under my protection."
Yue Qingshi raised a brow.
"You're bargaining now?"
"I'm not bargaining," Rael said calmly. "I'm stating fact."
There was a moment of tension.
Then, slowly, the elder nodded.
"Very well."
Yue turned, flicking her wrist. A small jade medallion flew toward Rael.
He caught it.
"That'll let you access the disciple quarters. Don't lose it."
"What if I do?"
She smiled sweetly.
"Then you'll sleep in the stables."
That night, Rael stood alone on the stone balcony of his assigned quarters, gazing at the enormous moon above.
Its light felt heavy.
Not peaceful—watchful.
Like something ancient waited behind that silver curtain.
"Why me?" he murmured.
No answer.
But deep inside, the mark pulsed again… as if waiting for the question to be asked properly.