Xiao yu

The Azure Cloud Mountains stood beneath a pale morning mist, their countless peaks disappearing into the heavens. Across the mountainside, endless fields of jade-green bamboo swayed gently in the wind, their leaves whispering like distant voices.

At the foot of the mountain lay the Outer Court.

Wooden training platforms were scattered between the bamboo groves, where hundreds of disciples practiced their sword forms beneath the watchful eyes of stern instructors. The sharp ringing of wooden swords filled the air alongside shouted commands, strained breathing, and the occasional groan of an exhausted disciple.

Instructor: "Again! Your stance is disgraceful! If you cannot endure something as simple as this, how do you expect to survive the Promotion Trials?"

Among the countless Outer Disciples was Subaru.

Like everyone else, they were nothing more than another aspiring disciple struggling to climb the sect's unforgiving hierarchy. The Golden Gate stood high above them, separating the Outer Court from the distant Inner Court.

Only one disciple in a hundred ever crossed it.

Far beyond that boundary, atop one of the higher mountain terraces, a lone woman sat beneath an ancient bamboo tree.

Xiao Yu.

Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, delicate silver ornaments catching the morning light whenever the breeze stirred them. Her silver-grey and white robes moved softly around her figure, while her forehead shimmered faintly beneath the sunlight.

She held a cup of freshly brewed tea in one hand, her striking red eyes quietly observing the training grounds far below.

She had no particular reason to be watching.

The Outer Court was simply part of the mountain she happened to overlook.

Her gaze wandered across the hundreds of disciples until it briefly settled upon Subaru, who appeared to be training with noticeably greater determination than some of the others.

Hmm... That little junior seems rather diligent.

But diligence alone is not enough to cross the Golden Gate.

Xiao Yu took another serene sip of tea.

Then—

Outer Disciple: "Hah! Still practicing? You fool, the instructor dismissed us ten minutes ago!"

Another Outer Disciple: "Leave them be. Perhaps they're dreaming of becoming an Inner Disciple."

Laughter echoed across the training grounds.

Xiao Yu's brows lifted slightly.

Xiao Yu: "Oh my..."

Her voice was soft enough that none below could possibly hear it.

How noisy. Though... mocking another disciple for their diligence is hardly admirable.

She lowered her cup.

For a moment, her expression became thoughtful.

I wonder how many of them will still be standing when the Promotion Trials arrive.

The thought passed as quickly as it came.

Xiao Yu rose gracefully from beneath the bamboo tree, her robes settling around her as she turned toward the distant Inner Court.

Xiao Yu: "The morning bell shall soon sound. I ought not tarry."

She took one final glance toward the Outer Court.

Her crimson eyes passed over Subaru once more before she turned away.

Another junior among many.

If they truly possess talent, perhaps fate will allow our paths to cross someday.

But according to sect law, an Inner Disciple had no reason to speak with an Outer Disciple.

Not until they earned the right to cross the Golden Gate.

And for Subaru, that journey had only just begun.

The day of the first Promotion Trial had finally arrived.

Morning mist clung heavily to the lower peaks of the Azure Cloud Mountains, turning the towering bamboo forest into a sea of pale green shadows. Yet there was little serenity in the Outer Court today.

Hundreds of disciples had gathered before an enormous stone cavern carved into the mountainside.

Above its entrance, three ancient characters had been engraved into the stone.

BAMBOO SERPENT PIT

The cavern descended deep beneath the mountain. From somewhere within came the faint scraping of scales against stone.

Hissssss...

The sound alone was enough to make several candidates instinctively step backward.

Elder: "Silence."

The conversations ceased.

An elderly sect elder stood before the entrance, his hands folded behind his back. His expression was utterly indifferent.

Elder: "You have trained for this day. You have endured the Outer Court's trials, competed against your fellow disciples, and earned the right to stand before this gate."

His eyes slowly passed across the assembled candidates.

Elder: "Do not mistake that achievement for strength."

He gestured toward the darkness.

Elder: "Within the Bamboo Serpent Pit dwell hundreds of spirit serpents. Some are harmless. Others are not."

Several disciples swallowed nervously.

Elder: "Your task is simple. Enter the pit. Reach the jade marker at its deepest chamber. Retrieve the bamboo token placed beside it, and return alive."

His voice became colder.

Elder: "There will be no rescue."

Silence.

Elder: "There will be no second attempt."

The massive stone doors groaned open.

Cold air poured from the darkness.

Then came another hiss.

This one was much closer.

---

Far above the trial grounds, beyond the Golden Gate, several Inner Disciples stood upon a white-jade terrace overlooking the candidates.

Among them stood Xiao Yu.

Her long black hair drifted gently behind her in the mountain breeze, silver ornaments glimmering against the dark strands. Her crimson eyes were calm as she looked down upon the Outer Disciples.

She held a cup of tea between her hands.

Inner Disciple: "Senior Sister Xiao Yu, do you recognize any of these candidates?"

Xiao Yu: "Recognize them?"

She tilted her head slightly.

Xiao Yu: "No. They are Outer Disciples. I have little reason to concern myself with their affairs."

Her gaze continued across the crowd.

So many hopeful faces...

And so many shall return disappointed.

Her eyes eventually settled upon Subaru.

There was no recognition in her expression.

To her, Subaru was simply another Outer Disciple among dozens standing before the pit.

That one seems rather composed.

Whether that composure is courage or foolishness shall soon be revealed.

Beside her, another Inner Disciple gave a quiet laugh.

Inner Disciple: "You seem interested in that one."

Xiao Yu blinked.

Xiao Yu: "Interested?"

She smiled softly and shook her head.

Xiao Yu: "Do not tease me, Junior. I merely observe the candidates as we are required to do."

Her eyes returned to the cavern entrance.

Xiao Yu: "Besides, the Trial of the Body cares little for one's confidence."

Her expression became slightly more serious.

Xiao Yu: "The serpents care even less."

---

Below, the first group of candidates was called forward.

Elder: "Enter."

One by one, the disciples stepped into the cavern.

Some walked confidently.

Others trembled.

Then a scream echoed from within.

Outer Disciple: "AH—!"

The crowd immediately fell silent.

Moments later, a bloodied disciple stumbled back out of the entrance, clutching his arm.

Elder: "Next."

No sympathy.

No hesitation.

The trial continued.

Eventually, the elder's gaze reached Subaru.

Elder: "You."

He pointed toward the cavern.

Elder: "Step forward."

The enormous entrance yawned before Subaru.

Inside, something moved.

The sound of scales sliding across stone grew louder.

Hissssssss...

From the darkness, two faint golden eyes slowly appeared.

Above the Golden Gate, Xiao Yu watched in silence.

Let us see, little junior...

Will you retreat when fear bares its fangs?

She raised her teacup to her lips.

Xiao Yu: "May the heavens grant you wisdom."

The stone doors remained open.

The Bamboo Serpent Pit awaited.

The Golden Gate stood before Subaru.

After surviving the Bamboo Serpent Pit and enduring the illusions of the Misty River, they had finally reached the final trial.

The Golden Gate was enormous.

Two pillars of pale jade rose into the heavens, carved with ancient bamboo patterns and guarded by golden dragons whose eyes seemed to follow every disciple who approached. Beyond it lay the Inner Court—the sacred domain of the sect's elite.

Only a few steps separated the Outer Court from the Inner Court.

Yet those few steps represented everything Subaru had spent years pursuing.

The Trial of the Sword.

The final test.

The surrounding mountain terrace was unnaturally quiet. Dozens of elders and Inner Disciples had gathered to witness the examination. Among them stood Xiao Yu.

She had changed from her usual training robes into the formal silver-grey robes of an Inner Disciple, her long black hair decorated with delicate silver ornaments.

Her crimson eyes rested upon the lone candidate standing before the Golden Gate.

Subaru.

For the first time, Xiao Yu had seen the same Outer Disciple repeatedly appear before her.

She remembered seeing them during the Body Trial.

She had later heard their name mentioned among the survivors of the Misty River.

And now they stood here.

At the final gate.

So... that little junior survived both trials.

Perhaps there is more to them than I first thought.

An elder stepped forward.

Elder: "The Trial of the Sword shall now begin."

He raised one hand.

The ground trembled.

From the stone platform before the Golden Gate, spiritual energy began to gather.

It condensed.

Slowly.

Piece by piece.

Until a towering figure emerged.

An armored guardian spirit stood before Subaru, nearly twice the height of an ordinary man. An ancient sword rested in its hands, its blade radiating a pressure powerful enough to make the surrounding bamboo bend away from it.

Several watching disciples exchanged nervous glances.

Inner Disciple: "That guardian is stronger than last year's."

Elder: "The trial adapts to the candidate."

The guardian spirit raised its sword.

BOOM.

Spiritual pressure crashed across the terrace.

Xiao Yu's robes fluttered in the sudden wind.

Her expression remained composed, though her eyes narrowed slightly.

Xiao Yu: "A guardian suited to their current cultivation..."

She watched Subaru carefully.

Xiao Yu: "Then there shall be no excuses."

Do not underestimate it, little junior.

The first two trials tested whether you could endure.

This one shall reveal whether you can truly fight.

The guardian lowered itself into a stance.

The tip of its sword touched the stone.

CRACK.

A thin fracture spread beneath its feet.

Elder: "The rules are simple."

Elder: "Defeat the guardian spirit."

Elder: "If you surrender, you fail."

Elder: "If you are unable to continue, you fail."

Elder: "If you die..."

The elder paused.

Elder: "...you die."

No one laughed.

No one spoke.

Xiao Yu's gaze remained fixed upon Subaru.

She did not know them.

She had never spoken to them.

There was no bond between them, no promise, and no special destiny.

To Xiao Yu, they were still merely an Outer Disciple.

But if they succeeded today...

They would no longer be.

If they cross this gate...

Then they will become my junior.

For the first time, a faint smile touched Xiao Yu's lips.

Xiao Yu: "How curious."

The guardian spirit suddenly moved.

Its sword flashed.

The Trial of the Sword had begun.

And behind Subaru, the Golden Gate waited.

Beyond it stood the Inner Court.

Beyond that... the path toward the people Subaru had only ever been able to admire from afar.

Including Senior Sister Xiao Yu.

But first, they had to survive.