Hooked on Fate, Captivated by Heart

The mountain path was rugged, yet my steps never faltered.

For three days, whenever weariness set in, I would lean on my sword and recite the meditative techniques my father had taught me. That very sword, which had accompanied my martial training since childhood for a decade, felt even more dear as my fingers caressed the scabbard left by my father—almost as if he were still by my side.

"A cultivator should let objects reveal his aspirations," my father's words echoed in my ears, "A sword is not meant for slaughter, but for self-improvement; the Dao is not for mere longevity, but for clarifying the heart."

Morning dew dampened the hem of my clothes with its bone-chilling cold. The moss beneath my feet made the path slippery, causing me to stumble countless times along the way. A flock of birds swept across the sky, their wings flapping in the morning light like a cascade of ink-like dots.

The mountain path grew ever steeper, and from the distant mists came the occasional resonant chime—ethereal and lingering, momentarily stilling one's spirit. After an indeterminate amount of time, the spiritual energy in the mountains thickened, and the air filled with an indescribable, crisp fragrance—neither quite floral nor truly pine.

Surpassing a mountain ridge, the view suddenly opened up. At the foot of the mountain lay a small town, its houses closely clustered and cooking smoke drifting in the air. This was Tianyan Town—a place that, throughout the year, welcomed those who came to seek apprenticeship or embark on pilgrimages.

It was said that the area at the foot of Tianyan Sect was once desolate, but because those who failed in their attempts to seek a master harbored lingering discontent and stayed behind, it gradually blossomed into a bustling town.

As I stepped into the town, I found streets lined with numerous shops, tea houses and taverns flaunting their signs, and small temples alive with incense swirling in the air—all accompanied by the constant calls of vendors. Many junior cultivators in Dao robes and ordinary folk moved about; some radiated confidence, while others wore troubled expressions. They were all, undoubtedly, there to seek masters.

Who can say how many will ultimately have their wishes fulfilled, and how many will return disappointed—left waiting for the next chance?

After days of travel and growing weariness, I sought respite at a tea house called "Dengyun Ge." In front of the tea house, an old man with a white beard was vividly recounting the legends of Tianyan Sect: "The nine peaks and twelve courtyards of Tianyan Sect have long been a sacred site for cultivators... Every thousand years, the Taigong casts his line, attracting countless practitioners in pursuit. Those fortunate enough to seize this opportunity are destined to ascend and attain the Dao, enjoying everlasting life..."

"Taigong casting a line?" That phrase rang in my ears once more, like a faint thread drawing my thoughts back to that bloodstained dawn. The words of the man in the black robe still echoed clearly in my mind: "The Taigong's thread is about to be cast once again, and a great transformation shall befall heaven and earth."

Just as I was lost in thought, a clamor suddenly reached my ears from nearby. Frowning, I unsheathed my sword and advanced. Rounding a narrow blue-stone alley, I discovered three burly men cornering a young maiden against a wall. She wore a simple white garment edged in blue, her long jet-black hair loosely pinned with a wooden hairpin, revealing a smooth forehead and delicately chiseled features—her eyes and brows painted like a fine picture, exuding an otherworldly aura. Clutched tightly in her hand was a jade pendant of a verdant hue, and terror was writ all over her face.

Using my spiritual perception, I sensed a subtle, peculiar flow of spiritual energy emanating from that jade pendant.

"Little beauty, don't be afraid—we merely wish to invite you for a cup of tea," the leader said with a cheeky grin, his eyes shamelessly roaming over the maiden. "Judging by your appearance, you must possess some cultivation; why not have a drink with us? Perhaps we can even offer you some guidance."

"Please, let me go! If you come any closer, I'll report you to the authorities!" the maiden pleaded, her voice trembling as she continued to cling tightly to the jade pendant.

"Hahaha, I'd be more than delighted if you reported us," the leader burst into hearty laughter, as if he'd heard a hilarious joke.

Another man mocked, "Tsk tsk, that little face is far more alluring than those mundane mortals lacking spiritual power."

"Please, I beg you—I'm off to seek a master at Tianyan Sect today…" the maiden pleaded, her eyes already brimming with tears.

"Hahaha, Tianyan Sect? With you?" the leader laughed boisterously, reaching out to stroke the maiden's face. "Tianyan Sect accepts only a dozen or so disciples each time, yet thousands come seeking apprenticeship. You, little beauty, had better come with us obediently—let us treat you well, which is far better than signing your death warrant."

I gripped the sword at my waist and strode forward. Perhaps it was my father's teachings, or perhaps a deep-seated sense of injustice—though I was steeped in thoughts of revenge, I could not ignore the bullying unfolding before my eyes.

"Stop," I commanded, my voice as cold as ice.

The three men turned to look at me; at first, they were taken aback, then a strange glint flashed in their eyes. Meanwhile, many onlookers had gathered along both sides of the alley, casting curious glances yet daring not to intervene. An old man with gray hair shook his head and sighed, murmuring to his companion, "It's always these thugs—these three may only have rudimentary cultivation, but with a higher cultivator backing them, who would dare pick a fight on an ordinary day?"

Among the crowd, someone recognized the ruffians: "The leader is known as 'Iron Fist' Xue Er, said to have practiced Heng Lian Gong for three years; the tall, slender fellow beside him is 'Flying Dagger' Xue Si, reputed never to miss a throw; and the short, stout one is Xue Wu—he bears no nickname, but his temper is notoriously volatile."

"Oh, here comes another little beauty—and she's even carrying a sword," the leader, Xue Er, leered at me. "Today is indeed your lucky day; we've got two such exquisite maidens all at once."

The tall, slender Xue Si sneered lecherously, "This one is even more enticing—both beautiful and fierce; just look at that gaze, tsk tsk. I just love a beauty with an edge."

The onlookers murmured soft chuckles; some even pointed and whispered, "This maiden is surely going to get hurt." Others wore worried expressions, yet no one stepped forward to help.

"Little beauty, don't be so headstrong," Xue Er advanced a step toward me. "If you play it smart, we can have a little fun, and no one will get hurt…"

"Who knows, if you manage to please me, I might even recommend you—and you could secure a spot at Tianyan Sect."

Before he could finish speaking, I unsheathed my sword. In a flash of cold light, the tip of my sword was already pressed against his throat, exuding an icy chill. This maneuver—"Rising with the Wind"—was the most basic opening move of the Jieling Sword Technique my father had taught me; swift and fierce, it often subdued an enemy in an instant.

The crowd gasped in unison, and the previous clamor vanished in an instant, replaced by a deathly silence. Everyone stared in astonishment, clearly not expecting such swift action. Someone whispered in awe, "What a fast sword!" Even those who had just been reveling in misfortune fell silent, their eyes filled with shock.

"Let me say it again—stop," I said, fixing my gaze upon him, my heart unusually calm.

In days of training with my father, he had taught me, "When the sword is in hand, let your heart be as calm as water; in both offense and defense, let your intent follow the sword, and the sword follow your heart." Only now, engaged in real combat, did I begin to understand the depth of those words.

Xue Er's face changed instantly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. The other two, witnessing this, dared not make any hasty moves.

"Miss, we were only joking… Do you know who my big brother is? If you so much as lay a finger on us, my big brother certainly won't let you off lightly," Xue Er said. The levity in his eyes shifted to fear, though he still tried to maintain composure as he hurriedly spoke.

With a thought, the tip of my sword grazed his neck, leaving behind a thin trail of blood. This was the "Fleeting Glimpse" of the Jieling Sword Technique—a mere touch that injured without being fatal, yet enough to let the adversary feel the threat of death.

"Scram," I said coldly. Though my voice was not raised, it struck the silence like a stone thrown into a quiet valley, echoing in ripples.

The three exchanged glances and then slunk away, stealing several backward glances at me—eyes filled with both fear and resentment. Xue Er even muttered as he left, "You wait; I won't forget you."

The onlookers erupted into a commotion. Some applauded, while others exclaimed, "What a valiant young lady!" The gray-haired elder, who had been chatting earlier, now wore an expression of admiration, remarking, "This lady's swordsmanship clearly comes from a distinguished lineage." There were even murmurs speculating, "Could she be a disciple of Tianyan Sect who has descended from the mountains?"

Many cast their eyes upon me with a mix of awe—three parts admiration and seven parts fear. The same elder shook his head and sighed, "A young calf fearlessly facing a tiger—this maiden is surely courting trouble. Provoking these fellows could lead to dire consequences."

Once the three had completely vanished around the street corner, the gathered crowd slowly dispersed—leaving behind only a few children who excitedly mimicked my sword moves, their mouths making swift "whoosh" sounds.

The maiden exhaled in relief, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes like pear blossoms in the rain. Clasping her fists, she said to me, "Thank you for saving me, miss. My name is Su Li—may I ask your name?"

"Wei Lingwei," I replied briefly as I sheathed my sword.

"Miss Wei, are you also off to seek apprenticeship at Tianyan Sect?" Su Li's eyes shimmered with both gratitude and curiosity.

I nodded without further comment. Yet, looking into her sincere eyes, I couldn't help but ask, "Is that jade pendant your token of spiritual root?"

Su Li paused in surprise, then managed a wry smile, "Miss, you truly have an eye for detail. This indeed is the keepsake left by my mother—a token of my cultivation. But…" she sighed, "I have been frail since childhood, and this apprenticeship is nothing more than a desperate gamble—a last-ditch attempt."

Her candid and unreserved confession about the jade pendant made my guard ease just a bit. Su Li, it seemed, was a person of genuine, unpretentious nature.

"In that case, why don't we travel together?" I proposed, somewhat surprised by my own impulse. I had always journeyed alone since childhood, seemingly accustomed to solitude. Yet now, to actively invite someone to accompany me even startled me. Perhaps Su Li's innocent demeanor reminded me of my younger self—perhaps I was more weary of loneliness than I had ever imagined.

Su Li's eyes lit up. "Really? With Miss Wei by my side, I won't be afraid of running into those ruffians again."

At that moment, Su Li's stomach began to rumble; her face flushed bright red as she looked at me sheepishly.

Although cultivators feed on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, a novice has not yet reached the stage of complete fasting—so, for now, it merely delays hunger somewhat.

I smiled knowingly and invited her to a nearby tavern for a meal.

Not far away stood a tavern called "Yunxiao Ge," its facade graced by an exquisite wooden plaque bearing three bold characters. It was said that this establishment boasted a history of several hundred years and was the most renowned spot in Tianyan Town—a frequent resting place for cultivators.

Upon entering, I found the interior adorned with intricately carved beams and painted rafters, steeped in antiquity. In the main hall on the first floor, many diners were already seated—mostly merchants or young individuals there to seek a master. We chose a window seat, and Su Li curiously surveyed our surroundings.

"What would you two ladies like to have?" asked a waiter with a beaming smile, "We offer lingzhi stewed chicken, cloud-steamed fish, and freshly arrived mountain wild vegetables—each a delight."

"Lingzhi stewed chicken, wild mountain vegetables, a few bowls of steamed rice, and a pot of clear tea," I ordered simply.

Before long, the dishes were served. The lingzhi stewed chicken filled the air with a tantalizing aroma—the broth was amber-hued, the chicken tender, and the lingzhi soft and subtly sweet. The wild mountain vegetable steamed rice carried the freshness of the forest, each grain glistening as though encircled by a faint aura of spiritual energy.

Su Li nibbled delicately, her eyes brimming with delight. "This lingzhi stewed chicken is truly delicious—far better than what we have in our town," she remarked, as she helped another piece of chicken to her mouth.

Watching her savor the meal so blissfully, a warmth stirred within me. In these past days, the chill in my heart seemed to melt ever so slightly—thanks to this meal and to the maiden named Su Li.

During the meal, Su Li confided that she hailed from a small town in the south; orphaned from a young age, she had been raised by her elderly grandmother. Before her passing, her grandmother had urged her to live strong and had advised her to seek apprenticeship at a nearby sect.

"I've heard that Tianyan Sect is extremely strict in its selection of disciples," Su Li said anxiously, "With qualifications like mine, I fear I might not even be allowed past the threshold."

"Everything happens as fate wills," I briefly reassured her, though inwardly the words of the man in the black robe resurfaced. His summoning me to Tianyan Sect must hold a deep meaning. And what did he mean by "the Taigong's thread is about to be cast once again?"

After the meal, we set off along the mountain path toward Tianyan Sect. Along the way, Su Li chattered incessantly about the legends of Tianyan Sect—of its nine peaks and twelve courtyards, of how the mountain gate opened only once every ten years, and that those who reached the stage of Huashen could ascend to immortality… Meanwhile, I remained silent, lost in a myriad of thoughts.

"Lingwei, do you think there's any chance I might be accepted as a disciple?" Su Li asked anxiously once more.

"Anything is possible," I replied softly, gazing into the distant mists, "In the path of cultivation, a sincere heart brings true spirit." This was a phrase my father often repeated. Now, I can't help but wonder—how did he ever leave Tianyan Sect, and why did he never speak of it?

After half a day's trek, we finally arrived at the foot of Tianyan Sect. Looking up, amidst swirling mists, a majestic mountain gate stood atop an eighteen-step stone staircase, with golden sunlight cascading over the ancient steps—as if a ladder of gold led straight up to the clouds.

The mountain gate was unadorned yet dignified, its carved beams and painted rafters exuding the weight of time. On either side, stone pillars were entwined with dragons and phoenixes in majestic display. The eighteen stone steps leading up bore mysterious runes on each step, said to be a test of an aspirant's aptitude. At the foot of the staircase, numerous young hopefuls had gathered—some anxious, some confident, and others standing with an air of defiant pride.

Su Li and I stood at the edge of the crowd, silently observing this grand spectacle.

"Lingwei, I'm a little scared," Su Li whispered, clutching the jade pendant so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. "If I fail to pass even the first stage, won't I have let down my grandmother's expectations?"

"Don't worry," I reassured her briefly, "just do your best." Yet in my heart, I couldn't help but recall the man in the black robe's words: "Tianyan Sect…"

The crowd around us gradually grew noisy; many gathered in small clusters, exchanging insights on cultivation or inquiring about the secrets of Tianyan Sect. I noticed among them a few youths dressed in fine attire, surrounded by attendants—clearly cultivators from prominent families. Their conversation carried an air of arrogance, and from time to time, they cast disdainful glances.

"I've heard that this year, Tianyan Sect will only accept eighteen disciples," a young man in brocade declared loudly, "and my family's connections guarantee me a place."

"Hmph, what's so difficult? My third uncle is an inner disciple of Tianyan Sect and has specifically recommended me this time," another girl in purple retorted, her eyes brimming with self-satisfaction.

"But it's not guaranteed one can conquer all eighteen stone steps," someone whispered, "I heard that last year, a young master from a marquis' household came with a belt full of spirit stones to seek apprenticeship, yet couldn't even climb to the third step and ended up returning in defeat."

"Of course, for the eighteen stone steps were set by the progenitor of Tianyan Sect; it is said that each step harbors a unique Dao method, testing an aspirant's innate talent, comprehension, and even the purity of their heart. If one's heart is not righteous, they simply cannot ascend the steps."

Hearing this, Su Li's face grew even paler, yet she bit her lip and a determined glint shone in her eyes. "No matter what, I must give it a try. Miss Wei, you saved my life—if fate allows us to study under the same master, I will surely repay your kindness."

I shook my head, "It was nothing—merely a small favor; there's no need for gratitude."

Though I said so, for the first time since my father's passing, I felt a strange stirring within—a heart that had long been as stagnant as still water now warmed ever so slightly at the thought of someone genuinely wishing to be close.

Just as I was lost in thought, a cry like that of a crane suddenly echoed from the distant mountain gate, and a beam of golden light illuminated the eighteen stone steps, shooting straight up into the clouds.

"It has begun!" exclamations erupted from the crowd.

Thus commenced the once-in-a-decade disciple selection test of Tianyan Sect.