Twilight's Accord

Chapter1

Deep within the lush forests of the Luan Mountains, in the eastern region of the Yueshui Continent, the morning sun had just risen. Its gentle rays filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled light upon the forest floor. The forest was brimming with life, filled with the constant hum and chirping of countless creatures.

On a sturdy tree branch, two colorful Luan birds perched side by side, cuddling and nuzzling against each other as they basked in the warm sunlight. It was a rather peaceful sight.

Colorful Luan birds were a common sight throughout the Luan Mountains. In fact, the mountains themselves had been named after them.

The colorful Luan bird was a spiritual beast whose bloodline was neither particularly strong nor weak. Its greatest advantage, however, was its extraordinary reproductive ability, which far surpassed that of most other spiritual beasts.

The two Luan birds perched on the branch were both first-level spiritual beasts. Their flesh and blood were considered excellent nourishment for both cultivators and demonic beasts, making them a sought-after delicacy.

Unbeknownst to the two birds, a shadowy hand was slowly creeping toward them.

The birds continued cuddling and chirping merrily, completely unaware of the danger approaching from behind.

Suddenly, the shadowy hand shot forward.

Only then did the birds sense that something was wrong.

But it was already too late.

The two Luan birds looked on helplessly as the shadowy hand twisted and transformed into a gaping maw, its darkness spreading toward them.

Just as the maw was about to swallow them whole, an arrow came rushing through the air.

Whoosh!

The arrow struck the shadowy maw and pinned it firmly against the tree trunk. The maw instantly reverted into the shape of a hand, followed by a sharp shriek that echoed through the forest.

Startled, the two Luan birds immediately spread their wings and fled.

The shadowy hand struggled violently against the arrow, desperately attempting to free itself, but the arrow held firm.

Then, the hand suddenly began to shrink.

Its elongated arm rapidly retracted, dragging a larger shadowy figure from a nearby tree toward the trapped hand. The figure writhed violently as it was pulled closer.

Just as the shadowy figure reached the tree, a talisman suddenly flew through the air and affixed itself to its body.

The struggling figure instantly stiffened.

At that moment, a boisterous laugh rang out across the mountains.

“Hahaha!”

A figure dressed in snow-white robes leisurely strolled into view, a silver-white bow resting casually in his hand.

He was a handsome youth with a pair of peach-blossom eyes that curved teasingly whenever he smiled. His sharp jawline, straight nose, and thin lips gave him an exceptionally striking appearance. At the center of his forehead rested a full-moon insignia, accentuating his handsome features, while a small mole beneath his chin seemed to dance whenever he laughed.

The youth casually waved his hand toward the shadowy figure sealed against the tree.

With a soft whoosh, the figure suddenly shrank and flew into his palm.

The youth lowered his gaze toward the tiny creature writhing and squirming in his hand. A nonchalant smile appeared on his face.

He casually shook his palm.

The creature protested even more violently.

Seeing this, the youth chuckled softly, clearly amused.

He then tossed the tiny creature, still encased within a spherical seal, into a spirit pouch at his waist before humming a carefree tune.

On his wrist was a peculiar round bracelet with a square display on its surface.

The number 999 was displayed on it.

The moment the sealed creature entered the spirit pouch, the number changed.

1000.

The youth glanced at his wrist and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“This should be enough, I think.”

Before he could ponder further, two familiar voices rang out from behind him.

“Senior Brother!”

“Senior Brother!”

Before the group itself appeared, their soft and clear voices had already reached him.

The youth smiled and turned toward the approaching figures.

A group of disciples dressed in the same snow-white robes soon emerged from the forest. They were panting heavily, clearly having hurried to catch up with him.

The youth waved casually at them.

“You're too slow. What will you do in the upcoming Grand Ancient Competition if you can't even keep up with me?”

A series of protests immediately erupted from the group.

“Senior Brother is too fast!”

“We're not slow! Senior Brother is simply too fast!”

“Senior Brother's cultivation is much higher than ours!”

At the head of the group was a young maiden with adorable almond-shaped eyes, fair cheeks, and red lips pursed into a dissatisfied pout.

Within moments, the group finally reached the youth.

He leaned casually against the tree, a faintly amused smile still playing upon his lips as he looked at them.

The group was panting heavily as they tried to catch their breath.

The youth remained where he was, patiently waiting until they had recovered enough to speak. Once their breathing had settled, he straightened up and turned toward the young maiden.

“Lou Ning.”

Lou Ning immediately stood at attention.

“Yes, Senior Brother.”

Li Chunhao smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“How many?”

Though his question lacked any context, Lou Ning immediately understood what he meant. She turned toward the other disciples and called out,

“Fellow disciples, report your numbers.”

She led by example.

“Lou Ning, 701.”

“Tang Gu, 545.”

“Mu Nayu, 500.”

“Si Xing, 455.”

“...”

“...”

One after another, the disciples reported their numbers.

When they finished, they turned toward the figure leaning against the tree in unison.

Li Chunhao was holding the lustrous stone in his left hand, pointing it toward the disciples as they reported their numbers with the seriousness of a group of well-behaved children.

The moment they saw the stone, they all looked at him with exasperation. Almost simultaneously, a single thought echoed through their minds.

'Senior Brother is at his antics again!'

That was a Memory Stone!

Once again, a chorus of voices rang through the forest.

“Senior Brother!”

“Alright, alright.”

Li Chunhao raised both hands in surrender, openly admitting his crime.

He then turned the stone toward himself. With a casual smile, he announced,

“Li Chunhao, 1000.”

The moment his words fell, a fresh wave of awed exclamations erupted from the group.

Li Chunhao laughed heartily at their exaggerated expressions.

Teasing these poor juniors was one of his favorite pastimes whenever he had nothing better to do.

Lou Ning puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, making her look remarkably like an angry hamster.

Li Chunhao laughed even harder.

“Stop it, Senior Brother!”

“Alright, alright. I'll stop.”

Although Li Chunhao said that, the corners of his eyes were still crinkled with laughter.

Lou Ning huffed and turned toward the other disciples.

“Everyone, let's keep going.”

She then glanced back at the still-smiling Li Chunhao.

“Senior Brother has already completed his required quota. We need to finish ours quickly too.”

Li Chunhao chimed in, his voice already deep and husky despite his young age.

“Yes. There isn't much time left.”

All the disciples nodded vigorously.

The sight was rather comical.

The quota was important for their participation in the Grand Ancient Competition, an event held once every century.

It was a grand competition between the four continents of Haoming.

To the east lay the Yueshui Continent, a land of tranquil mountains and cool climates.

To the far west stretched the Yanghao Continent, a vast and arid land dominated by scorching deserts.

The northern reaches were occupied by the Xeudo Continent, where snow and ice covered the land throughout the year.

And in the south lay the Haijia Continent, a region of gentle winds and boundless seas.

The four continents each possessed their own unique environments, cultures, sects, and countless geniuses.

Every hundred years, the younger generations of the four continents would gather for the Grand Ancient Competition.

Naturally, only the most outstanding disciples were qualified to participate.

There was only one requirement: they had to complete the required task to obtain the quota.

Unfortunately...

Most of the disciples present were still far from reaching theirs.

Lou Ning looked at the numbers recorded on the bracelet and sighed.

“Everyone, there's still a long way to go. Let's split up and continue searching.”

The disciples nodded solemnly.

Li Chunhao pushed himself away from the tree and stretched lazily.

“Then let's go.”

He looked at the disciples and continued,

“Now, you guys go to the front. I'll bring up the rear.”

Lou Ning narrowed her round eyes suspiciously.

“...Senior Brother?”

“Hmm?”

“Why bring up the rear?”

Li Chunhao smiled innocently.

“I've already finished mine anyway. I have nothing else to do.”

The disciples exchanged glances.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

This was Li Chunhao they were talking about.

He was the kind of person who would refuse to let even the Sect Master lead him. They were self-aware enough to know that they certainly weren't more important than the Sect Master.

Lou Ning might look adorable and timid, but she was actually quite bold and straightforward.

She asked bluntly,

“Senior Brother... what exactly are you planning?”

Li Chunhao tilted his head thoughtfully.

“Nothing much. I simply don't like having others in front of me.”

The disciples stared at him.

“...So, why?”

Li Chunhao's lips curled into a gentle smile.

Seeing that smile, the disciples immediately felt a sense of dread.

Their Senior Brother's smile became gentler the more trouble they were about to get into.

And sure enough, his next words proved their fears right.

“So, you should stay at least ten li away from me and hurry up to complete your tasks.”

The disciples' faces darkened.

That was unreasonable.

Li Chunhao was the Senior Brother for many reasons, but the most indisputable reason was his strength.

The disciples immediately protested.

“Senior Brother, can you be reasonable?”

“Yes! That's nearly impossible at our level!”

“We can't even keep up with you, Senior Brother!”

Li Chunhao was still smiling as he raised both hands, silencing the crowd of complaining children.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Li Chunhao nodded approvingly.

Then, with a profound smile, he said,

“Nothing is impossible in this world.”

The disciples looked at him skeptically.

Li Chunhao raised a hand.

A silver-white bow materialized in his grasp.

The disciples took a synchronized step backward.

“And, as your Senior Brother, it is my duty to help you accomplish it.”

Another synchronized step backward.

Li Chunhao raised an eyebrow.

“Eh? What's wrong?”

The disciples exchanged glances.

Finally, Tang Gu, a stout young man, stepped forward with a flattering smile.

“Hehe, Senior Brother... do you mean you'll help us with that?”

He pointed at the gleaming silver-white bow.

“Of course not.”

Li Chunhao shook his head.

“I am not the type of person who believes in tough love.”

The disciples immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Well...

Except Lou Ning.

She remained suspicious.

And sure enough, her suspicion was proven right once again.

“But I also don't tolerate anyone being in front of me within ten li. And I certainly don't tolerate my juniors failing at tasks

that I can accomplish with ease.”

The disciples' expressions stiffened.

They exchanged glances and tried one last time to persuade their unreasonable Senior Brother.

Unfortunately, their efforts were completely futile.

Li Chunhao merely smiled at them.

He raised his silver-white bow.

Then pointed it toward the forest ahead.

“Start.”

Whoosh!

An arrow shot into the distance.

A moment later—

“AHHHHHHH!”

“Senior Brother, wait!”

“That's not helping!”

“Why are you so fast?!”

“Senior Brother!”

Desperate cries soon echoed throughout the Luan Mountains.

Li Chunhao's laughter followed shortly after.