The morning sun continued its slow rise over Mystic Moon Peak, casting long, warm rays across the quiet courtyard.
Bai Zihan had just finished speaking with Lin Xuan and was thinking about what to do today when a ripple of Qi stirred the air.
Footsteps approached!
He turned casually toward the source.
A young man in the standard azure robes of an Inner Disciple stepped through the courtyard gate, stopping a respectful distance away.
He was thin, sharp-featured, and carried himself with a slight air of superiority, as though he were used to being obeyed.
“Bai Zihan!”
The disciple said, cupping his hands—though his tone lacked sincerity.
Well, knowing who he was speaking to, it would’ve been surprising if the disciple showed any real respect.
“The Head Disciple of Mystic Moon Peak has called for a meeting of all Inner Disciples at the Cloud Pavilion. I am here to inform you and request that you make haste.”
Bai Zihan’s brows lifted slightly.
“Oh?”
Bai Zihan already knew where the Cloud Pavilion was as Chu Ziyan showed it to him yesterday.
As Chu Ziyan had explained, it was the usual place where all Inner Disciples of Mystic Moon Peak gathered—typically used once a month, or when Peak Master Qinglan summoned them.
“It’s standard practice for new Inner Disciples to be properly introduced.”
The disciple explained, seeing that Bai Zihan didn’t know why the sudden meeting happened.
“Head Disciple Fang Jinyan values unity and respect among the disciples, so he has called for a meeting.”
“I see.”
Bai Zihan said, brushing a speck of dust off his sleeve.
He could smell that something was going on—and that the target was likely him. But he didn’t think much of it.
He wanted to see what tricks they had up their sleeves… or was they just wanting to know him which is almost impossible.
But he believed that it must be his enemies scheming behind him and using the so-called Head Disciple.
After all, he hadn’t offended anyone from Mystic Moon Peak yet.
There shouldn’t be any reason for conflict—unless, of course, they simply wanted to keep the new junior in check.
Still, there was a bigger possibility that Fang Jinyan was acting on someone else’s behalf.
Shen Liang, for example, had considerable influence within the sect and obviously wanted his revenge.
It could be others too, like Liu Tian, though his influence was nowhere near Shen Liang’s.
In any case, Bai Zihan wasn’t afraid. After all, none of them were protagonists.
“Lead the way!”
Bai ZIhan commanded.
The disciple paused, a little surprised. He had thought he might need to persuade Bai Zihan more.
But with no objection from him, the disciple turned and led the way up the winding stone path toward the towering structure perched near the cliffside—the Cloud Pavilion.
By the time they arrived, many Inner Disciples had already gathered.
Their attention immediately turned to the newcomer of Mystic Moon Peak—already infamous among the disciples.
Many looked displeased. Some didn’t seem to care.
At the center stood Fang Jinyan, the Head Disciple of Mystic Moon Peak.
He looked the part—handsome, confident, dressed in flowing blue robes with a jade sword at his side.
His smile as Bai Zihan approached was warm… too warm.
“Ah, Junior Brother Bai!”
He greeted, his voice smooth and enthusiastic.
“We were just talking about you.”
“Is that so?”
Bai Zihan replied with a faint, knowing smile.
“You’re quite famous already,” Fang Jinyan continued.
“After all, it’s not often someone joins the Inner Disciples without participating in the standard assessments.”
His tone was polite, but the sarcasm didn’t go unnoticed.
A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, but Bai Zihan didn’t spare them a glance.
“I wasn’t aware that assessments were required when Peak Master Qinglan herself approved me as a disciple of Mystic Moon Peak.”
Bai Zihan repleid.
“Do you want to question Peak Master Qinglan’s decision?”
The jab was casual, but Fang Jinyan’s smile flickered.
“…Of course,” Fang Jinyan replied. “We would never question the Master’s decision.”
He clapped his hands lightly.
“Ahem! Anyway, since Junior Brother Bai has joined Mystic Moon Peak, I thought it best for everyone to get to know each other.”
“Hehe… I don’t think there’s anyone here who doesn’t know who I am.”
Bai Zihan said arrogantly.
The gathered disciples stirred, some scoffing at Bai Zihan’s blatant arrogance.
Others exchanged curious glances, watching Bai Zihan with intrigue.
Fang Jinyan’s smile deepened, though it no longer reached his eyes.
“Indeed,” he said smoothly.
“Your name echoes even beyond the Bai Clan. But hearing about someone is never quite the same as meeting them face to face. There are many disciples who are… curious about you.”
He continued.
“So, how about letting them get to know you?”
Just then, another disciple—Kong Zhanhong, broad-shouldered and loud—stepped forward.
He cupped his fists and smirked.
“Junior Brother Bai, I’ve heard the rumors about you defeating the genius Li Feng. I’d like to see that for myself.”
Kong Zhanhong said it with clear vigor and challenge.
“Are you asking for a spar?”
Kong Zhanhong grinned.
“Nothing serious. Just a friendly—”
“No!”
The refusal came before Kong Zhanhong could even finish his sentence.
Bai Zihan didn’t raise his voice, but the air seemed to still.
Fang Jinyan’s brows twitched faintly.
“Junior Brother, it’s just a friendly exchange. Unless… you’re not confident?”
He said it in a nice tone, but anyone could hear the provocation beneath the surface.
Bai Zihan met his gaze squarely.
Then, in a voice that carried through the entire pavilion, Bai Zihan declared—
“Let me be clear. I don’t care about your little games.”
He stepped forward, eyes sweeping over the gathered disciples.
“You think I came here without knowing what you all think? I don’t care whether you’re acting on personal agendas or someone else’s orders.”
A few disciples bristled. Fang Jinyan’s smile faded slightly.
But Bai Zihan wasn’t done.
“If you want to provoke me, think very carefully.”
His voice dropped, each word ringing like steel against stone.
“Ask yourselves—do your clans want to exist tomorrow? Do your families know who you’re picking a fight with?”
A beat of stunned silence followed.
Then he smirked.
“If you want to play, I’ll play. But don’t cry when the board flips and your pieces get swept away.”
Bai Zihan’s gaze turned cold, and so did his words.
“Remember—when you’re picking a fight with me, you’re not just provoking me. You’re provoking the Bai Clan.”