The members of the Gui family had been temporarily placed in a quiet, secluded courtyard within the Profound Sword Sect. At first glance, the courtyard appeared unremarkable—nothing more than a simple garden surrounded by tall walls. However, once one stepped inside, the difference became immediately clear. The air was thick with spiritual energy, dense, pure, and abundant in a way that could not be found in the outside world. It radiated from the very ground, suffusing the atmosphere with a serene power.
"I swear, a single day of cultivation here must be worth two or three days of practice anywhere else," murmured one of the young disciples of the Gui family, his voice full of awe as he closed his eyes to soak in the energy. His tone was laced with yearning, as if this single experience had already made him reluctant to leave.
"Don't even think about it," another elder clan member said with a deep sigh, shaking his head. "The rest of us will never get this chance. It's only for the young miss."
They knew the truth—this opportunity was not meant for them. The luxury of such spiritual resources was reserved for the chosen, those with the right status, like Gui Yiyi, who had already become a disciple of Elder Xuan of the Profound Sword Sect.
The Second Elder of the Gui family stood to the side, watching the younger generation lament the fleeting chance. He smiled, a soft, wistful expression on his face. While the younger ones fixated on the immediate benefits, he, as an elder, was thinking of the future.
Gui Yiyi's status as Elder Xuan's personal disciple was a stroke of fortune that promised limitless potential. Even though reaching the Nascent Soul Realm seemed distant, achieving a high-level Soul Condensation Realm was all but guaranteed. And with that, the path to becoming an elder of the Profound Sword Sect, or perhaps even more, was within her reach.
Though these possibilities didn't directly affect the rest of the Gui family, they could not ignore the fact that her rise would elevate the entire family's standing. The title of "Elder Xuan's personal disciple" alone would protect them, making the Gui family a force no one in Half Moon City would dare to challenge. Even the Wang family, who currently held the advantage in strength, would have to show deference when dealing with them.
The Second Elder's thoughts turned to the family's recent crisis. The situation had been dire, but now, with the unexpected backing of a Nascent Soul expert, their future looked brighter than ever. His heart swelled with excitement, eager to return to Half Moon City and share this life-changing news with the patriarch.
Yet, even as he looked forward to returning home, a bitter thought crossed his mind. He sighed, his gaze lingering on the horizon, where his hopes of flying were dashed. He was a Soul Condensation Realm cultivator—flight was reserved for those of the King Realm and beyond, and such a privilege was beyond his reach.
As his thoughts turned to the patriarch, his expression softened. Gui Tiancheng, the patriarch of the Gui family, had been through an exhausting struggle ever since they learned that Duan Li of the Duan family had become a disciple of an elder from the Witherwood Gate. This news had taken a heavy toll on the patriarch, physically and emotionally. In just a short time, Gui Tiancheng had aged visibly, his hair turning white faster with each failed attempt to find a solution. The entire family had witnessed his desperation, his pleas for help from all corners of the world.
———
Far away, in Half Moon City, the main hall of the Gui family was filled with a thick, almost suffocating tension. The elders were gathered, their faces clouded with worry, each one feeling the weight of an impending disaster. It seemed as though the centuries-old legacy of the Gui family, once proud and unshakable, was now teetering on the brink of collapse. An indescribable bitterness lingered in the air, gnawing at their hearts.
The murmur of anxious voices abruptly fell silent as a figure entered the hall. Gui Tiancheng, the patriarch, stepped inside. His presence was commanding, though his shoulders were heavy with the weight of his failures. As he entered, every eye in the room turned toward him, filled with anxious anticipation. Perhaps, they thought, there was good news after all.
"Patriarch, what did they say? The Liao family… have they agreed to help?" the First Elder asked, his voice thick with both hope and desperation.
Gui Tiancheng's gaze swept over the assembled elders before he sighed deeply, his voice low and heavy. "They agreed… but only to speak on our behalf. They won't intervene directly."
The room froze. The words hung in the air, their impact sinking in slowly.
Flying Feathers City, one of the southern region's top ten cities, was much larger and stronger than Half Moon City. At its helm was the Liao family, whose patriarch was a peak eighth-level Soul Condensation Realm cultivator. The Liao family's connection to the Gui family ran deep, dating back to a time when the Gui family's ancestor had saved the life of the Liao ancestor, forging a bond of gratitude and friendship.
But that bond, like all things, had grown distant with time. The current generation had not maintained the relationship, and it was only through Gui Tiancheng's desperate appeal that the Liao family had agreed to help—though in the most minimal way possible. They had promised to speak on the Gui family's behalf, nothing more.
The shock was palpable. A few moments ago, the elders had dared to hope that the Liao family would offer more substantial support. But now, the crushing reality of their refusal settled over them like a cold shadow.
"A promise to speak?" a Gui family member exclaimed bitterly, his voice shaking with frustration. "What use is that? If our ancestor hadn't saved their ancestor's life, would the Liao family even be here today?"
A mere statement of goodwill—what could it possibly do to help them against the Witherwood Gate? The Liao family's patriarch and Duan Li's master were both powerful, but the Witherwood Gate was a far larger threat, supported by Nascent Soul experts. What difference would words from the Liao family make in the face of such power?
The Great Elder let out a long, disappointed breath. "Forget it. Even if the Liao family is powerful, they're nothing compared to the Witherwood Gate. They're unwilling to offend such a behemoth for our sake… and honestly, I can't blame them."
His voice held no bitterness, just the cold, hard truth. No one in their right mind would take such a risk.
Silence fell over the hall once more, heavier than before.
Gui Tiancheng's heart sank further. He had exhausted every possibility, appealed to every ally, and yet, no one was willing to stand with the Gui family. A crushing sense of despair settled in, pressing down on his chest.
Finally, the Third Elder closed his eyes and spoke in a voice that held the faintest trace of hope. "Right now, all we can do is place our hopes on Lan'er's side."
The mention of "Lan'er" brought a flicker of renewed hope to the elders' eyes. Lan'er—Gui Lan—was the Gui family's most promising young talent. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was still a chance.
The Great Elder, however, shook his head, a sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm afraid… it's unlikely. The Profound Sword Sect is a lofty existence, even more powerful than the Witherwood Gate. It's not easy to enter their ranks. Without powerful recommendations or unimaginable talent, it's just a dream."
He looked around the room, his voice heavy with finality. "Perhaps… this is the end of the Gui family."
His words struck deep into the hearts of the clan members. Once, the Gui family had stood proudly among the top families of Half Moon City. If not for this crisis, they would have soon surpassed the Duan family and become second only to the city's rulers. But fate, indifferent and unyielding, cared little for their hopes and dreams.
There was no "if" anymore—only the stark, painful reality that awaited them.