The Demonic Cursed Sword

In the grand hall of the Li San Sect, Li Hong stood near a window, the sunlight casting long shadows on the floor. He held a letter in his hand, his sharp eyes scanning the words once more. The message spoke of the demonic disruption spreading across the land, its tone urgent.

Li Hong let out a quiet laugh, one filled with cold amusement. "They think I don't know what's happening," he muttered to himself, folding the letter with care. Turning to one of his trusted disciples, he gave a curt nod. "The He Sect is recruiting new disciples in large numbers. You will go there, hide your identity, and join them. Observe everything—leave nothing unnoticed."

The disciple bowed low, accepting the task without question, and left the room silently. Li Hong stared at the folded letter in his hand, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, in the Bai Sect, the elders gathered in their meeting hall, the air thick with tension. Bai Xuanlu stood at the center, her voice steady as she addressed the group. "The corruption is growing stronger, and we cannot wait any longer. We must come up with a solution before it's too late."

Bai Huang nodded gravely. "If we delay any further, the consequences will be dire—not just for the Bai Sect, but for all sects."

As the elders debated strategies, the weight of the looming threat pressed down on them all, their minds racing to find a way forward before the darkness consumed everything.

The courtyard of the Li San Sect was quiet, save for the murmur of disciples gathered in small groups. Under the shade of a blossoming plum tree, a few young disciples sat together, their voices low and cautious.

"Have you ever wondered why we're never allowed to leave the north?" one of them asked, glancing around to make sure no elder was nearby.

Another disciple frowned, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course I have. Every sect travels to trade, train, or form alliances, but we're always confined here. It's as if the outside world doesn't exist for us."

A third disciple, older and seemingly more knowledgeable, leaned in. "I've heard rumors," he said, his tone heavy with caution. "It has something to do with the sealing of Mo Jixue."

The others stiffened, the name sending a chill through the air.

"Mo Jixue?" the first disciple whispered. "The demon sealed long ago?"

The older one nodded. "Yes. During the sealing, there were... disagreements with other sects. What exactly happened, I don't know, but ever since then, our sect has been isolated. We're not even allowed to contact others, let alone leave the north."

"But why?" the second disciple pressed. "The sealing is ancient history now. Why do we still follow these rules?"

The older disciple shook his head. "Who can say? The elders won't talk about it, and anyone who dares ask is silenced. All I know is that the Li San Sect keeps to itself because of those events, and we are forbidden from interfering with the affairs of others."

The group fell into an uneasy silence, their curiosity tempered by the weight of what they had heard. Above them, the cold northern wind whispered through the branches, carrying secrets that no one dared to speak aloud.

The He Sect's main courtyard buzzed with activity as potential disciples gathered from across the region. The recruitment ceremony was in full swing, and the air was thick with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy.

At the center of the courtyard stood a row of He Sect elders, their robes pristine and their gazes sharp as they assessed the candidates. A large wooden platform had been erected, where hopeful disciples demonstrated their skills, from martial techniques to control over spiritual energy.

Song An stood near the platform, observing the crowd with a critical eye. He had returned to assist his sect during the recruitment, knowing full well how crucial this process was, especially with the looming threat of the demonic corruption.

"The He Sect will always value talent, but heart and dedication matter most," Elder Wu announced to the crowd, his deep voice commanding attention. "We are not merely building warriors—we are building protectors."

Candidates stepped forward one by one, displaying their potential under the watchful eyes of the elders. Some performed flawlessly, earning murmurs of approval, while others faltered, their nerves betraying them.

In one corner of the courtyard, whispers traveled among the recruits. "Have you heard? The He Sect is recruiting more than usual this year. They must be preparing for something big."

"Of course," another recruit replied. "They wouldn't be gathering this many new disciples unless trouble was brewing."

Song An's gaze flickered to the murmuring group, but he said nothing, his thoughts heavy. Among the hopeful recruits, he knew there might be spies or those with ulterior motives. Yet, the He Sect needed numbers now more than ever.

As the sun climbed higher, the ceremony continued, a mix of triumphs and failures shaping the future of the sect. For Song An and the elders, the stakes of this recruitment went far beyond the usual—they were laying the foundation for the battles yet to come.

The courtyard of the He Sect was alive with the sound of clashing swords as two participants took the stage for a sparring match. One of them, a man in a black robe with his face partially obscured by a hood, moved with a calculated grace. His sword glinted in the sunlight, every strike precise and unrelenting.

Opposite him stood another participant—a strikingly handsome man with sharp features and an air of confidence. His movements were fluid, his swordplay equally skilled, each parry and counterattack executed with elegance and precision.

The crowd watched in awe as their blades danced in the air, the clash of steel growing sharper and faster with each exchange. But as the fight continued, the atmosphere shifted. What had started as a sparring match began to feel more like a duel to the death.

Song An, standing among the elders, narrowed his eyes. He noticed the tension in their movements, the sharpness of their strikes, and the dangerous intent behind their eyes. These two weren't merely testing their skills—they were fighting for something deeper, something personal.

"Enough!" Song An's voice boomed across the courtyard, cutting through the clash of steel. He stepped onto the platform, his presence commanding immediate attention. "This is not a battlefield. You are new disciples of the He Sect. Show respect for the rules of this place!"

The two men froze, their swords mid-strike, before slowly lowering their weapons. The man in the black robe bowed first, his face hidden in the shadow of his hood. The handsome swordsman followed, his expression unreadable but respectful.

The crowd murmured in confusion, their excitement dampened. The elders exchanged puzzled glances, sensing that something about the two was unusual, but none voiced their concerns.

Song An scanned the two men, his expression firm but calm. "You both show great talent, but remember—you are here to grow stronger together, not to destroy each other."

The two bowed once more before stepping back into the crowd. As the murmurs subsided and the next match was called, the elders remained silent, though unease lingered in their eyes. Song An, too, couldn't shake the feeling that the two participants had more secrets than they were letting on.

After the disciple recruitment concluded, the elders of the He Sect convened in the main hall, with Song An seated among them. Elder Wu leaned forward, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Song An," he began, "those two participants today—what can you tell us about them?"

Song An hesitated briefly before responding. "One of them seemed familiar," he admitted.

Elder Chen raised an eyebrow. "Familiar? In what way?"

Before Song An could elaborate, the sect leader, He Juan, lifted a hand to interject. "Investigate this matter thoroughly," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Report back once you have uncovered the truth."

Understanding the directive, Song An rose, bowed respectfully, and exited the hall to commence his inquiry.

Once he had departed, Elder Wu turned to He Juan, a hint of concern in his voice. "Sect Leader, why entrust this task solely to him?"

He Juan's gaze followed Song An's departure before he replied. "As the future leader of the He Sect, Song An must learn to navigate such challenges independently. This experience will be invaluable for his growth."

The elders exchanged thoughtful glances, acknowledging the wisdom in the leader's decision, and the meeting proceeded with a renewed focus on the sect's future.