Chapter Twenty-Three: Up in the Air?

"Grandfather, who exactly is that man? You made me go to such lengths to find him." Liu Mubai approached after Bai Jingyan had departed and asked.

"Him?"

Liu Fu raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Just think of him as a rising star."

...

"The Chaos Stele?"

The old man nodded. "It is said that the Chaos Stele holds the secret to the twelve thrones, and the Star Feather Sect seems intent on using it to dominate the world."

Bai Jingyan tightened his grip on the Jinghong Sword, a chill flashing in his eyes. "It seems the ambition of the Star Feather Sect is even greater than I imagined."

Bai Jingyan stood in the underground hall of the Jinghong Pavilion, his gaze heavy as he looked at the old man before him. The man was Liu Fengluo, a core member of the Martial Artists Association and one of Liu Fu’s most trusted confidants.

"Elder Liu, where exactly are the fragments of the Chaos Stele?" Bai Jingyan asked in a low voice.

Liu Fengluo pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Young Master, the fragments of the Chaos Stele are scattered across the continent, but the most crucial part lies within the Star Feather Sect itself."

Bai Jingyan frowned. "The Star Feather Sect? How did they come to possess a fragment of the Chaos Stele?"

Liu Fengluo sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness. "They unearthed the fragment from an ancient battlefield. It is said that the Sect Master of the Star Feather Sect, Liu Wuhen, is attempting to decipher the secrets of the Chaos Stele to seize control of the world."

Liu Fengluo nodded and whispered, "Young Master, there is a forbidden area within the Star Feather Sect called the 'Chaos Tower.' That is where Liu Wuhen studies the stele. If you wish to uncover its secrets, you must enter the Chaos Tower."

Bai Jingyan pondered for a moment and asked, "How is the Chaos Tower guarded?"

...

The next morning, as Bai Jingyan was preparing to head to the Star Feather Sect’s library to research, he suddenly heard a crisp voice behind him: "Are you Bai Jingyan?"

He turned to see a little girl, about eight or nine years old, standing nearby with her hands on her hips, head tilted as she scrutinized him. She wore a light green dress, her hair tied into two small braids, and her large eyes held a hint of mischief.

Bai Jingyan was momentarily stunned, then offered a wry smile. "I am Bai Jingyan. Little one, is there something you need?"

The little girl pursed her lips, sounding somewhat dissatisfied. "My grandfather wants to see you. Come with me."

Bai Jingyan felt a headache coming on, muttering to himself, "Why is everyone's grandfather looking for me these past two days? First Liu Fu yesterday, and now who is it today?"

He crouched down, trying to keep his voice gentle. "Little one, who is your grandfather? Why does he want to see me?"

The little girl blinked and said mysteriously, "My grandfather said you’ll only know once you get there. Let’s go, stop dawdling!"

Bai Jingyan shook his head helplessly and had no choice but to follow the girl as she left the Star Feather Sect.

The moment they stepped outside the sect gates, Bai Jingyan felt his body go weightless, and a faint sensation of suffocation gripped his neck. He looked up and realized that the little girl was actually carrying him by the back of his collar through the air... was she flying?

A bold thought arose in his mind.

"Are you a Martial Ancestor?"

Bai Jingyan gripped his own collar, his voice raspy.

When a practitioner reaches the Martial Ancestor realm, they can elevate their physical state, transcending the pull of gravity to achieve flight.

But...

Only a Martial Ancestor could do this. Although there were many flight-based martial arts techniques in the world, the girl appeared to be using none of them.

Could she truly be a Martial Ancestor?

Looking at the girl, who was barely eight or nine, Bai Jingyan found it hard to believe.

An eight-year-old Martial Ancestor—if word of this got out, it would be shocking beyond measure. And here he was, sixteen or seventeen, still merely a sixth-level Martial Disciple...

The girl brought Bai Jingyan down onto a floating island. They passed through a bamboo grove and arrived at a secluded courtyard. The garden was filled with exotic flowers and herbs, the air thick with a faint medicinal scent. In the center of the yard sat a white-haired old man, head bowed as he studied a chessboard.

"Grandfather, I've brought him!" the girl chirped, running over to the old man.

The old man looked up, his gaze deep and gentle. He glanced at Bai Jingyan and smiled slightly. "Bai Jingyan, you have finally come."

Bai Jingyan felt a jolt in his heart. He felt as though he had seen this old man before, yet he couldn't place where. He bowed respectfully. "Senior, may I ask why you have summoned me?"

The old man gestured to the stone stool opposite him, signaling for Bai Jingyan to sit. "Sit first; we shall talk at our leisure."

Bai Jingyan sat as instructed, his gaze falling upon the chessboard. The black and white pieces were intricately arranged, the situation complex, as if hiding some profound mystery.

The old man spoke slowly, "Bai Jingyan, do you know what this chessboard represents?"

Bai Jingyan shook his head. "I am dull-witted, Senior. Please enlighten me."

The old man smiled, his tone carrying deep meaning. "This board represents the current state of the world. The black pieces represent the Star Feather Sect and other hidden factions, while the white pieces represent the Martial Artists Association and you. The most critical move lies in your hands."

Bai Jingyan’s heart raced. "Senior, you mean..."

The old man nodded, his eyes profound. "Bai Jingyan, you bear the heavy responsibility of uncovering the secrets of the Chaos Stele. Only you can break the stalemate of this game."

Bai Jingyan clenched his fists, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "Senior, I will do everything in my power."

The old man smiled faintly, took an ancient jade pendant from his robe, and handed it to Bai Jingyan. "This pendant was left behind by your father. It may help you unlock the secrets of the Chaos Stele."

Bai Jingyan took the pendant, a surge of complex emotions washing over him. He asked in a low voice, "Senior, who exactly are you?"

The old man smiled, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "I am merely an old acquaintance from ten thousand years ago. Bai Jingyan, go now; your journey is still long."

As he left the courtyard, Bai Jingyan looked back at the old man, filled with doubt and reflection. He knew he was standing at a massive turning point in his destiny, and the road ahead was fraught with the unknown and danger.

The little girl skipped along behind him, chirping, "Bai Jingyan, my grandfather says you are an extraordinary person. Don't let him down!"

Bai Jingyan smiled and patted the little girl's head. "Don't worry, I will do my best."

The girl blinked and suddenly pulled a small bell from her pocket, pressing it into Bai Jingyan’s hand. "Take this. If you encounter danger, give it a shake. It might just help you."

Bai Jingyan took the bell, a warmth spreading through his chest. "Thank you, little one."

The girl waved her hand, turned, and ran back into the courtyard.