By dark-kingxu
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Moonlight Town—a place nestled at the edge of the wilderness, bathed in an ethereal silver hue every full moon night. Ancient legends whispered that the first cultivator who settled here attained enlightenment under the moon's glow, his sword slicing through the heavens, illuminating the night sky. Since then, the town had earned its name and reverence, serving as a place where the fate of many young cultivators quietly shifted.
Xu Ming walked through its bustling main street, the scent of incense, spirit herbs, roasted beast meat, and dust blending into a strange harmony. He kept his hood low. The assassin's sword was wrapped and slung across his back, but he had no intention of keeping it.
Before long, he arrived before a towering structure with golden characters etched into a plaque: Royal Spirit Pavilion. The building stood three stories high, guarded by twin lion statues whose eyes seemed to glow faintly with formation energy. The Pavilion dealt in all things—weapons, pills, materials, artifacts. It was also infamous for unknowingly selling treasures that even its elders couldn't recognize.
Inside, he walked up to the counter, where a hunched old man sat dozing off behind a jade tablet.
"You want to sell?" the old man asked without looking up.
Xu Ming laid out the contents of the storage rings he'd looted—mundane swords, a broken formation flag, some beast cores, talismans, and armor pieces. "These. I want spirit stones and body tempering pills in return."
The old man raised a brow slightly but said nothing. After five minutes of inspection, he nodded. "Seventy low-grade spirit stones and two middle-tier body tempering pills. That's generous."
"Deal."
Xu Ming accepted the trade. The moment the old man turned to record the sale, Xu Ming's eyes wandered to a display shelf behind the counter. Among shimmering sabers and crystalline spears, a rusty, unassuming longsword rested alone. Unlike the others, no inscriptions glowed on its surface.
He pointed. "That sword. How much?"
The old man glanced at it, scoffed, and waved his hand. "Ten low-grade spirit stones. It's just scrap. We only keep it for aesthetics."
Xu Ming silently placed the stones on the table. When he lifted the sword, it pulsed faintly in his hand, as if acknowledging him.
He tucked it away.
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After purchasing new dark-gray robes and a durable cloak, Xu Ming stepped into a nearby inn, Silver Lantern Hall, and found a quiet corner. The place buzzed with excitement. Young cultivators filled the tables, talking over hot soup and wine.
"Did you hear? The Four Great Sects are hosting a tournament in Moonlight Town!"
"It starts in three days! Entry is open to anyone below the Foundation Establishment Realm!"
"The prizes are crazy—spirit-grade weapons, rare techniques, even a personal audience with sect elders!"
Xu Ming listened quietly as two loud cultivators nearby continued.
"The sects are: Crimson Cloud Sect, Jade River Sect, Thunder Heart Pavilion, and Frozen Moon Palace. They're recruiting the top talents directly."
"I heard Liang Fei of Liang Clan is participating. That guy's already at Peak of stage seven Qi Manifestation realm and uses lightning Qi. He's a monster."
"And don't forget Rong Yixuan from Rong Clan. Her water arts are unmatched in our realm."
Just then, a cultivator in light armor walked up and sat beside Xu Ming without asking.
"First time here?" the boy asked, grinning. He had sharp green eyes, an easy demeanor, and a saber at his hip.
Xu Ming gave a small nod.
"Name's Lin Feng. I saw you buying that rusty sword at Royal Spirit. Most people wouldn't even spit on it."
"I liked it," Xu Ming replied simply.
Lin Feng laughed. "Good enough. I'm joining the tournament too. Maybe we'll fight each other. Or become brothers. Who knows?"
Xu Ming found himself smiling faintly. It was the first time someone spoke to him like a peer. A strange warmth stirred in his chest—a feeling unfamiliar yet not unwelcome.
He extended his hand. "Xu Ming."
They clasped hands.
Authors note:
The storm was coming, and now, Xu Ming would face it with a sword reborn in mystery, body tempered by fire, and perhaps, for the first time, with a friend beside him.
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