CHAPTER 5 THE MOONLIT ENCOUNTER
978 Words
The afternoon sun blazed over the Rizz Clan.
Everywhere Raizen looked, disciples were training harder than ever.
The Clan Assessment was only three days away.
No one wanted to be left behind.
Raizen made his way toward the clan library.
Although he had little access to advanced cultivation manuals, the library contained records about Spirit Herbs, Spirit Beasts, and the history of the Human Realm.
Knowledge...
Was also a form of strength.
As he reached the entrance, an elderly librarian barely looked up.
"You again?"
Raizen nodded respectfully.
"I'd like to borrow another history scroll."
The old man sighed.
"Most disciples come looking for cultivation techniques."
"You..."
"...Always ask for history books."
Raizen smiled faintly.
"If I don't understand the world..."
"How can I find my place in it?"
The old man paused.
A trace of surprise flashed across his aged face.
Without another word, he handed Raizen an old bamboo scroll.
"Return it before sunset."
"Thank you, Elder."
The library was unusually quiet.
Raizen sat beside a window overlooking the clan gardens.
Dust floated through the warm sunlight as he carefully unrolled the scroll.
It spoke of ancient kingdoms.
Forgotten sects.
And mysterious ruins hidden throughout the Human Realm.
One particular sentence caught his attention.
"Before the birth of the present realms, there existed a land said to be the origin of all cultivation. Its name has been erased from history."
Raizen frowned.
"Erased?"
Before he could continue reading...
The familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Keyword detected."
"Information locked."
He sighed.
"Again?"
The Origin System remained silent.
Hours passed unnoticed.
When Raizen finally left the library...
The sky had already turned orange.
A cool breeze swept through the gardens.
The winding stone path was almost empty.
He welcomed the peace.
After walking for several minutes...
He suddenly heard the gentle sound of flowing water.
Curious, he followed it.
Hidden behind a grove of flowering trees lay a quiet lake.
The water reflected the golden sky like polished jade.
It was beautiful.
And completely silent.
Or so he thought.
Someone was already there.
A young woman stood at the edge of the lake.
Her pale-blue robes fluttered gently in the breeze.
Her long black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall beneath the evening light.
She quietly scattered small pieces of food into the lake.
Colorful spirit fish swam happily around her.
Raizen immediately recognized her.
Su Ziling.
Hearing his footsteps, she slowly turned.
Their eyes met once again.
Neither spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
It was... peaceful.
After a few moments...
Su Ziling broke it.
"You like quiet places too?"
Raizen nodded.
"They help me think."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I thought I was the only one."
She looked back at the lake.
"The others prefer noisy training grounds."
Raizen walked closer, stopping several steps away.
"They're more interested in becoming stronger."
"And you aren't?"
She asked without looking at him.
"I am."
He answered honestly.
"But strength isn't everything."
Su Ziling finally turned toward him.
Her clear eyes studied his face.
"You really are different from the rumors."
Raizen laughed softly.
"The rumors probably aren't very kind."
"They aren't."
She admitted.
"They call you the clan's greatest disappointment."
Raizen looked toward the rippling water.
"I've heard worse."
There was no bitterness in his voice.
Only acceptance.
For some reason...
That made Su Ziling feel slightly uncomfortable.
Most people in his position would complain.
Or grow angry.
Yet Raizen simply accepted reality while continuing to move forward.
"You train every day."
She suddenly said.
"I've seen you."
Raizen blinked.
"You have?"
She nodded.
"Every morning."
"You always arrive before sunrise."
"And you're always the last to leave."
Raizen smiled awkwardly.
"I didn't realize anyone noticed."
"I notice more than people think."
A gentle breeze swept across the lake.
Cherry blossom petals floated between them.
Neither spoke.
Yet the silence felt comfortable.
At that moment...
A tiny silver butterfly landed on Su Ziling's fingertip.
Raizen stared in amazement.
"It isn't afraid of you."
She looked at the butterfly.
"My grandmother used to say..."
"Spirit creatures can sense a person's heart."
She gently released it into the air.
The butterfly circled around them before disappearing into the trees.
Without warning...
The Origin System spoke.
"Observation complete."
"Moon Origin Physique detected."
Raizen's eyes widened slightly.
He quickly hid his surprise.
Moon Origin Physique?
What did that mean?
He wanted to ask the System.
But he knew it wouldn't answer.
Not yet.
Su Ziling tilted her head.
"Is something wrong?"
Raizen quickly shook his head.
"No."
"I was just thinking."
She smiled faintly.
"You think a lot."
"I have many questions."
"So do I."
For the first time...
They both laughed.
The distance between them seemed a little smaller.
As the sun disappeared beyond the mountains...
Su Ziling took a step back.
"I should return."
"The elders don't like me wandering outside after dark."
Raizen nodded.
"So should I."
She hesitated for a brief moment.
Then she spoke.
"Good luck in the Clan Assessment."
Raizen smiled.
"You too."
She turned gracefully and walked away.
Her figure slowly disappeared among the flowering trees.
Raizen watched until she was completely out of sight.
Then...
He looked down at the calm lake.
A faint smile remained on his face.
Deep within his mind, the Origin System's voice echoed once more.
"Bond established."
"Compatibility: High."
"Future synchronization potential detected."
Raizen rubbed his forehead.
"I don't even know what that means anymore."
The System gave no explanation.
Far away...
Hidden in the shadows of an ancient forest outside Emerald Wind City...
A man dressed in black robes slowly opened his eyes.
A crimson emblem shaped like a crescent eclipse glowed on his chest.
He smiled coldly.
"So..."
"The successor has finally begun moving."
His figure vanished into the darkness.
The first piece of the Eclipse Court had entered the Human Realm.
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