Arc focus: Lying low and awakening. Mo Chen endures a stifling life in the Zhengyang Sect as his demonic bone gradually awakens. He uncovers the truth about Elder Qingxu’s cauldron and ultimately fights back, kills his way out, and escapes the sect.
Core conflict: Mo Chen versus the Zhengyang Sect’s system, represented by Elder Qingxu.
The Zhengyang Sect, above a sea of clouds.
Seventy-two main peaks thrust skyward like swords. Clouds roil through the mountains like waves, with immortal cranes soaring among them. The sect’s grand hall hangs at the highest point, its plaque bearing the words “Zhengyang” in dazzling golden light, as if inscribed by the Heavenly Dao itself: illuminating the righteous path and suppressing all evil.
Beneath this boundless radiance, outer disciple Mo Chen carried a bundle of firewood taller than he was, climbing the stone steps one at a time.
The sixteen-year-old wore a plain robe washed pale, its cuffs frayed. A strip of coarse cloth was wrapped around his left arm, the standard issue for outer disciples, and very cheap. His black hair was tied up with a wooden hairpin, with a few strands falling across his forehead and obscuring half his face.
He walked steadily.
On both sides of the stone steps were training grounds for inner disciples, where sword qi crisscrossed and specks of spiritual light flickered. Now and then, someone glanced at him as if he were a pebble by the roadside, not worth another moment’s attention.
“Well, well, Mo Chen.”
The voice came from above, carrying its usual arrogance.
Mo Chen did not stop.
Zhao Heng led two inner disciples down the steps. His moon-white robes were spotless, and the jade pendant at his waist chimed softly with each step. He stopped in front of Mo Chen and looked down at the outer disciple, who was half a head shorter than him, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Hauling firewood again? It’s been three years, hasn’t it?” Zhao Heng patted the bundle on Mo Chen’s shoulder. “You’re more diligent at doing an outer disciple’s work than anyone else.”
Mo Chen lowered his head and said nothing.
🥰🥰[Admiration]