led amidst a vast bamboo grove, where golden sunlight filtered through the emerald opy, the Heavenly Radiance Sect stood as a bea hteousness in the cultivation world. Known far and wide for its unyielding pursuit of justice, the sect saw itself as the guiding light in an age of turmoil.

  Founded turies ago by Sage Yun Guang, a cultivator revered for his wisdom and unparalleled mastery of purity-based teiques, the sect followed a strict doe of purity i and as. Their ultimate goal was enlighteo transd mortal desires and asd to divinity through righteous deeds and unwavering discipline.

  To the world, the sect represented order, morality, and honor. Their disciples were trained not only in martial teiques but in philosophy, governance, ahics—for they saw themselves as protectors of the weak and arbiters of justice. However, while they preached righteousness, the sect was not without its fws.

  They viewed evil sects and unorthodox cultivators as threats to be elimiheir version of justice was absolute, often leaving no room for mercy or redemption. Those who opposed their ideals, or simply walked a different path, were deemed heretics, demons, or corrupted souls.

  In the Grand Hall of the Heavenly Radiance Sect, a t chamber of white jade pilrs and golden tapestries, two figures k before an imposing throne.

  Zhao Tianyang and Bai Fu, their robes still stained from battle, kept their heads lowered in shame. Before them sat Shen Zhenhai, the revered Grandmaster of Heavenly Radiance Sect.

  A man of profound experience, Shen Zhenhai had cultivated for decades and was revered as a paragon of virtue. His long silver hair was tied ly behind him, his face lined with the wisdom of years. His pierg gaze burned with righteous fire. Draped in the flowing white and gold robes of his sect, he exuded unshakable fidend authority.

  His voice, when he finally spoke, was calm yet thunderous, filled with the weight of absolute vi.

  “You have failed.”

  Zhao Tianyang gritted his teeth. “Sect Master, the demonic sect had already id cim to the manual before we could intervehey fought fiercely, and…”

  Shen Zhenhai raised a hand, and silence fell.

  “Do you think righteousness requires excuses?” His eyes bore into them, cold and unwavering. “Do you believe the heavens will tolerate failure in the face of evil?”

  Bai Fu swallowed hard. “Sect Master, we—”

  “Enough.”

  Shen Zhenhai’s fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of his seat, his mind already w through his move. He would not allow the Celestial Eclipse Manual to remain in the hands of an evil sect. It was a diviifact, meant to be wielded by those with pure hearts and righteous will.

  His gaze flickered toward an attendant. “Summon Yin Shuang.”

  With a flick of his sleeve, he dismissed the two, senteng them to twenty-four days of meditation and refle—a lesson in discipline.

  After some time, Yin Shuaered the hall.

  A young woman of delicate features and a quiet presence, she her atention nor sought it. Some would sider her pleasing in appearance, yet she cked the dazzling radiance of other beauties. Instead, she exuded a subtle, mencholic air, her expression always calm, detached and unreadable.

  She wore the seiform pinly, without adors, her movements precise and disciplined. Despite her lowly status as a mere outer disciple, there was something trolled about her presence—like a bde that had yet to be uhed.

  She k before Shen Zhenhai. “Disciple Yin Shuang greets the Sect Master.”

  Shen Zhenhai regarded her for a moment. “This is regarding the evil sect Obsidian Peak Sect. Are you aware that they have stolen a sacred artifact—the Celestial Eclipse Manual.”

  “Yes, Sect Master.”

  He tinued, “I am assigning you a mission of great importance.”

  She did not flinch. “I will carry out the sect’s will.”

  Shen Zhenhai allowed himself a small smile. “Good. You will infiltrate the Obsidian Peak Sect. You are unknown to them. Uhers, your presence will not draw suspi.”

  He stood, stepping down from his throne and walking toward her. “Your task is to steal back the Celestial Eclipse Manual. And should you find an opportunity…” His eyes darkened. “Elimiheir so-called sect leader.”

  For the first time, Yin Shuang blinked in slight surprise. “Eliminate?”

  Shen Zhenhai lifted a hand, and an attendant stepped forward, presenting a small wooden box with some intricate meisms.

  He ope, revealing a row of thin, silver needles—each gleaming with a faint, ominous glow.

  “These are the Flying Star Needles. They be cealed within your sleeves and fired with the flick of a wrist.” He gestured for her to observe. “The meism is here—simply press this point, and the needles will release in an instant.”

  Yin Shuang studied the on with quiet precision.

  Shen Zhenhai’s tone grew heavier. “They are coated with a poison that paralyzes upon tact. Evero cultivator will be rendered helpless.”

  He met her gaze. “The sect leader of the Obsidian Peak Sect is an inpetent fool. He cks cultivation and has likely never wielded a bde in his life. Strike when he least expects it, and he will fall like an unworthy pretender.”

  A long pause.

  Then Shen Zhenhai smiled, a benevolent, fatherly smile. “Succeed, and you shall be greatly rewarded.”

  Yin Shuang lowered her head. “I uand.”

  Shen Zhenhai’s voice took on a pious tone, as if delivering divine judgment. “Justice must be carried out. One does not o speak hteousness when dealing with demons.”

  He turned his back to, aurn with the manual.”

  Yin Shuang rose, her expression unged.

  “As you and.”

  With that, she turned ahe grand hall, disappearing into the corridors of the Heavenly Radiance Sect.

  Shen Zhenhai watched her go, eyes gleaming with vi.

  “Righteousness shall prevail.”