The morning sun pierced through the mist, casting golden light across the Whispering Sword Sect. The courtyard disciples were already training—some with fierce cries, others in silent meditation. Yet amidst the familiar rhythm of the sect, something hung heavy in the air.
An unspoken tension.
Rumors had already begun to spread. Of Jiang Chen's duel. Of the mirror shattered. Of the sect's elders convening in secrecy. And now—of something far more dangerous than any internal trial.
The Outer Domain Invitation had arrived.
---
Sect Leader's Hall
The atmosphere was quiet, heavy with incense and pressure.
Jiang Chen stood before three elders—Bai Yunchen, Su Meiren, and Liu Qingfeng. Their gazes were not unkind, but weighed with consideration.
On the table before them was a scroll, unsealed. The ink on it still shimmered with faint spiritual light.
Outer Domain Assembly – Thirty-Third Year of the Crimson Cycle
Invitation Extended to the Whispering Sword Sect
Participants: Three disciples under the age of twenty-five.
Location: Nine Heavens Wild Expanse
Su Meiren's voice was the first to break the silence.
"We are not simply sending you to compete."
"This is a gathering of power, politics, and hidden daggers."
Jiang Chen nodded once.
Liu Qingfeng tapped the scroll. "Each sect will send their most promising. Some for glory. Some to make statements. Some to test enemies."
Bai Yunchen finally spoke, his tone solemn. "Jiang Chen. We wish to send you as our lead disciple."
Jiang Chen's brows lifted only slightly.
"Why me?"
Su Meiren's lips curved faintly. "You broke a mirror meant to reflect your own destruction. That alone has caught the eyes of many."
Liu Qingfeng added, "You've already drawn blood from the surface of the hidden world. Now, deeper currents will test your footing."
Jiang Chen stepped forward and gave a short bow.
"Then I will go."
---
Outer Courtyard – Disciples Gather
Word of the Outer Domain Trials spread like wildfire.
Whispers swirled between disciples. Some were eager, others fearful. Among them, two names were repeated again and again:
Jiang Chen. Lin Shaoyu.
Both were selected.
And the third?
Xu Rushan.
Her reaction, as always, was both modest and mischievous.
"Looks like I'll get a proper look at how many ways people can cheat in the name of honor."
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. "You planning to cheat back?"
"Please," she grinned, "I plan to cheat better."
---
Secret Briefing – Night Before Departure
The trio stood in a secluded hall. The Elders gathered one final time.
Su Meiren handed Jiang Chen a jade slip. "This contains profiles of several disciples expected to appear. Not just from the Central Plains, but from the Border Sects, Eastern Shadow Alliance, and Cloud Ocean Domain."
Jiang Chen held it.
Liu Qingfeng stepped forward, expression sharper than usual.
"You must assume that at least two factions will be targeting you deliberately."
"The Hallowed Mirror Sect has not spoken since the duel. That silence is loud."
"And the Black Lotus…" he trailed off.
Bai Yunchen continued. "They may not strike during the trials. But they will be watching. And waiting. Perhaps testing your choices."
Jiang Chen looked at all three elders.
"You trained me to stand against storms. This is only the wind rising."
---
Nine Heavens Wild Expanse – Day One of Arrival
The wild expanse was no simple arena—it was a place where ancient sects once fought to extinction. Now, it had been converted into a proving ground carved from broken palaces and floating sword peaks. A realm of trial and tradition.
Disciples from dozens of sects arrived on spirit beasts, cloud boats, and flying arks.
Jiang Chen stepped down from the Whispering Sword Sect's glider ship, eyes narrowing at the horizon of tents, pavilions, and illusionary barriers.
Already, rival sects watched them.
Some with open disdain.
Others with calculated curiosity.
Xu Rushan nudged him.
"Smell that?"
"What?"
"Blood. Ego. And about seven different poisons hidden in the tea."
Jiang Chen gave a dry chuckle.
"We're going to get along just fine."
---
The Welcoming Ceremony – Hidden Stage, Blunt Words
All disciples were gathered on a levitating platform above a broken temple basin. Elders and envoys of various factions stood in circles, their symbols glowing faintly.
A booming voice echoed:
"This is the Outer Domain."
"Leave your titles. Leave your histories. What you bring with your fists will determine your value."
The speaker was an old man from the Ninefold Thunder Sect, cloaked in lightning qi. His eyes swept over the gathered disciples like a hawk choosing which chick to eat first.
"Matches will be decided by fate stones. Trials by domain gate. Deaths…" he paused.
"…are your own responsibility."
No one laughed.
---
Jiang Chen's First Encounter – The Crimson Saber Sect
As Jiang Chen and the others passed through one of the open arenas set for early duels, a disciple stepped into their path.
He wore red armor edged with black leather. A massive saber rested across his back.
"You. Jiang Chen."
The boy was tall, broad-shouldered, older by maybe two years. His eyes glowed faintly crimson—evidence of demonic bloodline refinement.
"I'm Chao Wufeng of the Crimson Saber Sect. The Mirror Duel… that was a lovely show."
Jiang Chen paused, measuring the man.
"And?"
Chao Wufeng smiled, but it was sharp.
"I want to see if that sword of yours still sings without an audience."
Lin Shaoyu stepped up beside Jiang Chen, tone cold.
"Then you'll be disappointed to know we don't perform on demand."
Chao's gaze flicked to Shaoyu.
"Ah. The famous Cloud Blade Heir. Maybe I'll test you too, once I'm bored with him."
Xu Rushan rolled her eyes.
"Men really get stupid when they're surrounded by too much testosterone."
Chao Wufeng only laughed and walked away.
But his message was clear.
---
Nightfall – The First Test Awaits
In their temporary lodgings carved into the side of a spirit mountain, Jiang Chen sat alone, reading the jade slip Su Meiren had given him.
He studied names. Fighting styles. Known sect grudges.
One stuck out:
Ye Suyin – Black Lotus Affiliate, Rank Unverified. Technique: Ghost Petal Dance. Confirmed Kills: 8
And another:
Fang Renshu – Independent. Exiled from three sects. Dual-path cultivator (Blade & Illusion).
Jiang Chen closed the jade slip and stood.
Outside, the stars flickered above the Nine Heavens Wild Expanse.
He whispered to himself.
"Let them come."
"Let the world test my blade."
"I didn't climb this far to kneel when it matters."
His sword hummed in response.
---
End of Chapter 17