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1. a BIG BANG!

  It was a normal Tuesday morning.

  The Sun had barely crossed the horizon. The dews of mist still lingered on the leaves of the lush green trees.

  While singing their songs, the birds enjoyed the new morning. Their rhythmic chirps enchanted the valleys in the lush green mountains of the Grand Heaven Open Sect.

  At the peak of the tallest mountain stood a gleaming pagoda—the Grand Pavilion, the sect’s crowning glory and a symbol of their legacy.

  Yet, under the shadow of this majestic pavilion, the Grand Heaven Open Sect’s disciples grumbled.

  “Damn it! It’s so cold!”

  “Grrrr… How long do we have to stand in this freezing weather?!”

  “What do they even want this early?”

  Their complaints reached the ears of the seniors, who smirked and said,

  “This? Cold? Just wait for the winter to bloom,” a senior quipped, his voice trembling.

  “Yeah, wait. Then we’ll see who’s crying,” another nodded, puffing his chest, though his teeth chattered. They were putting up a brave act.

  Veins bulged on the juniors’ foreheads. “Acting tough, huh? Hypocrites!”

  Before any argument could erupt, a sharp voice cut through the air.

  “Enough chit-chat!”

  Gu Changgee, the star of the senior disciples, stepped forward. His long hair, tied neatly in a ponytail, swayed as his piercing gaze silenced the crowd.

  “Juniors! Form proper lines. The Grand Elder will be addressing us soon!”

  He turned to his batchmates, his eyes narrowing. “And you people… BEHAVE!”

  “Yes, Senior Gu!” they chorused, straightening their postures.

  Albeit sulky, the disciples followed suit. After all, he was Gu Changgee, the star of the current generation of apprentice martial artists and the best talent the Grand Heaven Open Sect had ever produced.

  His stern and proud expression, combined with his flowing ponytail, made him the face of the sect. Draped in blue robes, he wore a black band on his right arm—a symbol of his authority as head of the senior disciples.

  Anyone who looked at him could tell that this man was special and carried an undeniable charm.

  The junior disciples, dressed in thin white martial arts robes with black collars, straightened their backs and lined up obediently. From afar, it resembled a school assembly—disciples of various age groups chatted while waiting for the morning prayer.

  Some were frustrated, while others wanted to sleep, but the rules of the sect left them no choice. Such discipline was the norm in martial arts sects.

  However, unlike their usual tired faces and harsh remarks, there was a subtle joy in the air today. Even the elders and seniors, despite their scolding, seemed slightly gentler.

  There was yet another group of disciples.

  Unlike the rest, these disciples wore white robes with white collars. They were the newly joined disciples.

  The fresh lambs, ready to be butchered.

  After enduring the hardships of the Open Sect’s selection process and passing the entrance exam, these fresh recruits had recently entered the Grand Heaven Open Sect.

  With nervousness and anticipation, they held their breaths and steadied their heartbeats, their eyes fixed on the group of seniors led by Gu Changgee.

  The seniors’ blue robes with black collars looked dazzling. Amongst everyone present, the new disciples gazed at the dignified and mature seniors with stars in their eyes.

  With prideful and determined expressions, the senior disciples stood tall, their charm leaving the juniors in awe.

  “Wow! Our seniors look so cool!” one whispered.

  “I want to wear the blue robes too!” another said eagerly.

  “I can’t wait for our graduation!” chimed in a third.

  The new and junior disciples of the Grand Heaven Open Sect admired their seniors with bright eyes, their dreams shining in their gazes.

  Meanwhile, the seniors who overheard the murmurs grew visibly smug. Their chests puffed out, and their noses gained an extra inch.

  Today was indeed the best day of their lives.

  After years of relentless effort, they were finally graduating. The old lambs were ready to be served in the fragrant world of the Jianghu.

  Ten years. Exactly ten gruelling years of training, sweat, and perseverance had brought them to this point.

  Their sacrifices were no small matter. Blood, sweat, and even pieces of their sanity had been poured into reaching this milestone. And now, as splendid achievers, they were ready to leave the sect and begin the next chapter of their lives as “Apprentices.”

  But then, if this were merely a graduation ceremony, why had the sect gathered all of its disciples?

  From the newly recruited to the graduating seniors, nearly a thousand disciples stood assembled in front of the Grand Pavilion.

  “Everyone! ATTENTION!”

  TAK—

  As if to answer their unspoken question, the massive doors of the Grand Pavilion swung open. An old man with a long white beard stepped out, his every movement radiating immense authority.

  His mere presence brought a wave of pressure over the disciples. Each step he took made their breaths hitch.

  Even the elders, seasoned and powerful, stiffened in his presence. Draped in pristine white robes, the old man emanated an aura of greatness, as though a deity had descended.

  His robe, embroidered with golden laces, flowed gracefully to the ground yet never touched it, as if the earth itself feared to sully it. On his chest, an emblem of a mystical black dragon with a coiled tail seemed alive, roaring silently.

  The disciples couldn’t help but shiver under the Grand Elder’s gaze, yet the soft smile that bloomed on his wrinkled face carried an unexpected warmth.

  “The dear disciples of the Grand Heaven Open Sect, I greet you all.”

  With a slight nod, the Grand Elder paid his respects to his disciples, adhering to the virtues of a true martial artist, yet not bending in front of anyone. Despite being a first-rate Martial Master, he carried no air of arrogance.

  His voice resonated across the valley, echoing against the mountains of the Shanxi province. It was deep and commanding, yet kind.

  For a man of his age, he looked no older than fifty—a testament to the wonders of cultivation.

  As he spoke, a strong white Qi radiated around him, causing the entire hall to vibrate. Who could believe this monster was more than a century old? His appearance exuded pride and dignity, yet the warmth he emanated was that of a benevolent grandparent.

  “Disciples! Greet the Grand Elder and Sect Leader!”

  Gu Changgee’s command brought the disciples to action. In unison, they bowed deeply to the two figures at the center of the pavilion. The Sect Leader, following after the Grand Elder, nodded approvingly.

  With a smile, the Grand Elder stepped forward and began his address.

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  “Our Grand Heaven Open Sect has turned fifteen this year.”

  Every word he spoke carried weight, resonating deeply with the gathered crowd.

  “For many generations, we have produced scholars and genius martial artists who have left their marks on this world. And after our sect became an Open Sect…”

  He paused for a moment, his expression turning reflective.

  The Grand Heaven Open Sect was more than a century old, but it had only opened its doors to all walks of life fifteen years ago. This monumental change came at great cost and was born from the flames of revolution.

  “Exactly fifteen years ago, our sect had gained its freedom… Freedom from an oppressive Emperor and an entire lineage of tyrannical rulers.”

  The Grand Elder, who had witnessed this era of strife, could only hope these young disciples would never endure such atrocities.

  He sighed lightly, his voice tinged with emotion.

  “It was thanks to one man—the Heavenly Jade Dragon. From the cruel grip of the Descendants of the Sun, he delivered us. And it is through his grace that we stand here today.”

  The disciples listened intently as the Grand Elder spoke of their saviour, the one who had brought an end to the tyranny of the Sun lineage. His words were both a history lesson and a call to honor their forebears’ sacrifices.

  “On this auspicious occasion, you, my disciples—the future of this free nation—have the chance to witness the glory of the Heavenly Jade Dragon!”

  With those words, atop the pagoda, a red cloth slipped, revealing a magnificent statue of a golden dragon.

  --Gasp!

  The students, especially the newcomers, gasped in awe. The dragon statue was intricately detailed, not to mention its jade eyes. It was both wonderful and terrifying at the same time.

  “Pay respect to our new Lord!”

  At the Grand Elder’s words, everyone bowed their heads.

  And so, the ceremony began…

  ***

  Some hours later…

  “It is your duty to carry forth the legacy of those who came before you…”

  *Yawn*

  A faint but unmistakable yawn escaped from the ranks of the juniors.

  The Grand Elder’s speech, though inspiring, was boring. Too lengthy for the sleep-deprived youngsters.

  *Stare*

  Gu Changgee’s sharp glare turned the culprit into stone. Those who had also felt the urge to yawn quickly suppressed it, their backs straightening as if held up by invisible strings.

  The Grand Elder, unaware of the cold war, continued.

  “...You will stand proud, side by side with the rest of the world. This is all thanks to the Right to Learn Martial Arts, granted by the great Heavenly Jade Dragon.”

  The disciples stood at attention, trying to maintain composure. But it was difficult. Way more than getting beaten up by their seniors. At least that had some action.

  The Grand Elder’s voice continued to resonate, yet for many, thoughts of returning to their warm blankets remained a tantalizing distraction.

  *Flap*

  “Hey… Did the Grand Elder just—” A disciple felt something odd at the sound of someone turning a page over, and whispered.

  “Don’t say it!” The other tried to stop him.

  “I saw it too!” Chimed in another.

  “The Grand Elder is just reading a speech! What a bumme—”

  *Stare*

  However, their whispered died faster than it started.

  Time passed and the Grand Elder kept emphasizing on the propaganda of Heavenly Jade dragon.

  The disciples were tired but because of a certain someone’s glare, they kept their complete attention.

  “And so now, the ceremony which you all were excited about. We will now start with the graduation felicitation and letters of recommendation—”

  However, the peace did not last long.

  Dum. Dum.

  A strange sound reverberated through the valley. Subtle at first, it grew louder with each passing moment.

  “What’s that noise?” a disciple whispered nervously.

  The elders exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from confusion to alarm and to realization in an instant. They had forgotten something crucial: the reason everything had been so quiet for so long—the person who wasn’t here. Until NOW.

  Even the Sect Leader’s face turned pale at such a bad premonition.

  Within seconds, the noise escalated into rhythmic tremors, shaking the wooden pavilion ever so slightly.

  “STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPP!” a distant cry echoed across the mountains.

  “YOU LITTLE BASTARD! GET BACK HERE!!! I DON’T WANT TO LOOSE MY JOOOOBBBBBB! STOP RUNNING!!! YOU’RE SCARING THE NEW KIDS!!!”

  The shout belonged to an elder, his voice trembling with both anger and desperation. He had clearly been chasing someone for a while and was now on the verge of collapse.

  “THE MOUNTAIN IS SHAKING!!!! STOP IT!!!!!FOR GOD’S SAKE!!!!”

  Gu Changgee, who looked like a star not long ago, suddenly started sweating buckets.

  “I-I-I CAN’T!!! I-I’M LATE FOR MY GRADUATION!!! I WAS TOLD IT WAS TOMORROW!!! PLEASE STOP FOLLOWING ME!!! YOU ARE SCARING MEEEEEEE!!!”

  What followed was a childish yet panicked voice, causing every head in the assembly to turn toward the commotion.

  The Sect Leader, standing proudly moments ago, visibly paled. Even Gu Changgee, the unflappable star disciple, seemed to lose his composure.

  “What in the world is…” the Grand Elder muttered, his lips trembling as he struggled to process the unfolding chaos.

  That moment, the Sect Leader looked at other Elders who averted his gaze. Then he realized something… a certain someone was missing in the senior disciples. The final piece of puzzle, the reason of his high blood pressure, hair fall, anxiety, and stress…

  That certain someone was…

  “FLUFFYYYYYYYYY!”

  The sound of tremors grew louder.

  Dum. Dum. Dum.

  Each step seemed to shake the pavilion, sending vibrations through the floor.

  “DISCIPLES! GUARD THE GRAND ELDER!” the Sect Leader who saw the future, bellowed, snapping out of his stupor.

  Gu Changgee wasted no time at the call of the Sect leader. “Senior disciples! Protect the juniors!” he commanded, his voice cutting through the growing panic.

  Within moments, the senior disciples moved to shield the younger ones, while the elders positioned themselves protectively around the Grand Elder.

  The tremors intensified, accompanied by the faint outline of a large, speeding figure hurtling toward the assembly.

  “WATCH OUT! A FAT MAN IS HITTING THE GROUND!”

  A little boy pointed to the sky, his panicked cry cutting through the air, grabbed everyone’s attention.

  Everyone looked up to see a massive shadow blotting out the sunlight. The figure soared through the air like a meteor, its trajectory aimed directly at the Grand Pavilion.

  Time seemed to freeze, each second stretching endlessly. A suffocating fear gripped everyone, leaving them unable to breathe.

  “STOP RIGHT THERE, YOU LITTLE SHITE!”

  The Sect Leader’s voice thundered, desperation laced in his words. For a figure that large, “little” was far from an appropriate term.

  “FLUFFYYYYYYYYY!”

  BOOOOM!

  The ground shook violently as the figure landed, sending a massive cloud of dust looking like a giant mushroom into the air. Winds whipped through the assembly, pushing the smaller disciples back.

  Pebbles tore through the air like a relentless storm, pelting the disciples with the force of a rainstorm. The fierce wind howled, whipping against everyone without mercy.

  *Silence*

  After a while, when the dust finally settled, the culprit of this chaos stood at the center of the devastation.

  The wooden floor of the pavilion creaked ominously, and cracks spiderwebbed across its surface. Standing amidst the damage was a massive figure, his blue robe visibly strained against his large frame.

  “Huff… huff… I made it… on time!” the figure wheezed, collapsing onto his back with an audible thud.

  Everyone watched the storm finally calm with a heavy sigh of relive. But their happiness was short lived.

  “ARGHHHH!”

  A pained scream broke through the stunned silence. Beneath the massive figure lay the crushed body of an unfortunate Elder.

  “HELP! HELP ME!!!I AM DYING!!!! MY KIDS WILL BE FATHERLESS!!! ARGHHHHHH!” the Elder wailed, his voice filled with despair.

  The new disciples, already shaken by the tremors and dust cloud, began to cry hysterically.

  “MURDER!!!! THE EDLER BROKE!!!!”

  “The pagoda is going to fall!”

  “MOM! I WANT TO GO HOME!”

  Chaos erupted as the young disciples panicked.

  ***

  It took the seniors a while to scramble and restore order, but their efforts were in vain.

  Meanwhile, the Sect Leader stood frozen, his mouth agape as he surveyed the destruction. His gaze shifted to the massive figure lying on the floor with a happy smile—Fluffy. He kept mumbling something to himself, but the Sect Leader paid no heed.

  The Sect Leader's body trembled as he surveyed the aftermath. The wooden stage was scraped and scarred, several disciples lay unconscious with minor injuries, and to make matters worse, the doors of the Grand Pavilion had been shattered by the relentless winds.

  Soon, his eyes turned the dark shade of crimson. But before his vocal chords could erupt, someone cried out loud—

  “WATCH OUT!!! The jade dragon is shaking!”

  Once again, those still conscious looked up and saw the magnificent Jade Dragon monument, the pride of the Grand Heaven Open Sect trembling violently.

  The shaking grew so intense that, before anyone could react, the monument began to topple.

  They were late… too late.

  *Crash*

  ***

  [Infirmary, Grand Heaven Open Sect]

  “How many times do I have to tell you NOT to run and jump on the mountain paths, FLUFFY?! YOU BASTARD!!!”

  The broken Elder, now wrapped in bandages from head to toe, lay on a bed, his voice hoarse from yelling.

  “We pray for the Elder’s speedy recovery,” someone muttered, though the sincerity in their tone was questionable.

  All attention soon turned to the source of the chaos. Fluffy, sitting on the floor with an extremely guilty expression, bowed repeatedly. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to cause trouble!”

  “Boy-oh-boy, that was some entrance, don’t you think, Fluffy?”

  Standing next to the physician, Baek Cho, a fellow disciple, chuckled. His calm demeanor remained intact as he helped treat the broken Elder’s wounds.

  Baek Cho’s long, dark hair and lean frame gave him an air of effortless grace, a stark contrast to Fluffy’s clumsiness.

  However, just like the blemishes on the moon, there was an issue with Baek Cho. He limped as he approached Fluffy, his prosthetic leg failing to function smoothly. Yet there was no trace of remorse on Baek Cho’s face. Instead, he checked Fluffy for any remaining injuries.

  “I am sorry Beak Cho, your prosthetic broke because of me--” Just as Fluffy was apologizing, Baek Cho brushed him off.

  “It was old, anyway.” He put some bandages on Fluffy.

  “Still, it’s been a while since the infirmary was this lively,” Baek Cho joked. “Also, you’d better brace yourself.” He pointed at the entrance and said, “The Sect Leader WILL be coming.”

  Fluffy groaned, clutching his head. “I was told that the graduation ceremony was postponed for tomorrow. Luckily, I found this old lady while training that I got here on time. Sigh… Why does everything go wrong with me EVERYTIME?”

  Baek Cho sighed. “Who told you that, Fluffy? Why did you believe them in the first place?”

  “It was…” Fluffy hesitated, his voice trailing off. He looked down, unable to meet Baek Cho’s eyes. “It was Gu—”

  But before he could finish, a distant shout cut through the air, sending chills down his spine.

  “WHERE IS FLUFFY?! THAT BASTARD!!!”

  The voice, brimming with fury, belonged to none other than the Sect Leader of the Grand Heaven Open Sect. His hair had a few strands loose, and his eyes glistened as though they had just shed tears of blood. The Old Man had lost it.

  Following the calamity close behind was a group of Elders, with Gu Changgee leading the charge.

  At that moment, looking at Gu Changgee’s smirk, Fluffy knew…

  He was done for.

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