Burning Sun Peak… Outer Court…
The twin moons were glowing brightly in red in the sky. Everyone was peacefully sleeping on their beds—except for one.
Mo Han, instead of sleeping, sat beneath the only Aura-Tree in the outer court. He was in a lotus position, and in his hands, the Sun Piercing Sword manual was glowing.
Mo Han had taken it as a challenge to master the first three moves of the Sun Piercing Sword within three days, as challenged by Elder Ping.
Thankfully, he had read many basic manuals about cultivation the previous day, and now he was able to channel the aura into his Dantian according to the meridian routes mentioned in the manual.
At first, Mo Han felt excited—he could sense the movement of aura inside his body, and he could control it like any other body part, making it move as he wished.
Inside the manual, there were several diagrams depicting the meridian flow and the path of the aura required to activate the Sun Piercing Sword technique.
As the aura moved inside Mo Han's body, he felt his right side grow hot—just as the manual had described.
After successfully executing the first move of the Sun Piercing Sword, a fire would appear in the cultivator's palm. Then the cultivator would let the flames pass along the sword. A single move from the flame-covered sword would release a flame arrow with each slash.
Even after many attempts, Mo Han failed to generate the fire. But after reading the manual many times and clearly understanding the basic requirements for the first move of the Sun Piercing Sword, Mo Han stood up and held his cursed red sword in his right hand.
After hours of practice, a flame lit up on his right hand, and the surroundings glowed red from the intensity of the fire.
"Wahhhh…!" Mo Han almost cried out in surprise. This was the first time he had experienced the effects of cultivation and seen magic happen before his own eyes.
Even though he had entered the cultivation world, until now, he hadn't witnessed a single-grade fight between two cultivators. But now, after experiencing it directly, his eyes lit up like a small child learning to walk or ride a bicycle.
Soon, the flames vanished. But Mo Han was not disappointed in the least. He was extremely happy that he had achieved the first move of the Sun Piercing Sword without any backlash.
Many had mocked him, saying he would burn himself with the flames. But he had done it easily, without any difficulty.
With greater enthusiasm and excitement, he continued practicing in the darkness, completely forgetting about sleep.
Meanwhile, a figure hidden in the shadows was watching him carefully. A smile crept across the shadow's face upon witnessing Mo Han's success. The figure silently left without causing any disturbance.
The morning sun rose earlier than expected, lighting up Burning Sun Peak.
Many disciples swarmed around the Aura Tree and began frenzied cultivation, pushing and crowding under it.
Both Lambu and Mo Han were already ready and waiting under the Seven Pillars Hall to receive their duties from the elder.
The bald elder, who was in charge of the Outer Court, finally stepped out from his residence.
Just as he stepped out, the two servant ladies respectfully bowed before him.
As the elder walked, the two ladies began explaining what had happened at the library and the punishment Mo Han received from Elder Ping.
The bald elder listened patiently, but his expression turned troubled when he heard that Elder Ping was involved.
"So, you say the Han family kid offended Elder Ping?" the bald elder asked in a surprised tone.
"Yes, Elder. That fellow was caught staring at women inside the library. An inner sect disciple reported him to the elder. Then Elder Ping personally punished Mo Han by handing him the Sun Piercing Sword manual," the tall lady Mei responded in a concerned voice.
As servant Lady Mei winked, the other servant girl, Lan, stepped forward and said, "Even the Han family is known to exile their strong children. Perhaps Mo Han was cast out for this very reason. A little discipline might correct his arrogance."
The bald elder furrowed his brows. Elder Ping, an eccentric figure, was not someone to offend lightly. That's why the bald elder now felt tense—Elder Ping might blame him for sending a new disciple like Mo Han to the sect library.
"For a few days, make Mo Han do some dirty work. It's better he learns humility before arrogance blinds him."
The two servant ladies smiled at each other after hearing the elder's instructions.
Soon they reached the Seven Pillars Hall, and the morning bell rang louder and longer.
Disciples began stepping forward one by one to receive their duty assignments. Some were sent to clean the gardens, others to guard the gates, some to cut flora, etc.
Soon, the turn came for Mo Han and Lambu.
The two stepped forward with happy faces, and Lambu bowed to the bald elder, who was casually sipping wine in the distance.
Servant Mei, holding a brush, announced with a falsely sweet smile, "You are assigned to clean the latrine pits behind the Outer Court gates and wash the clothes of the Inner Court members."
A few heads in the crowd turned in surprise, and whispers spread like wildfire.
Lambu's mouth opened wide in shock. He was completely stunned by the announcement.
He pinched his skin to make sure it wasn't a dream—it was indeed reality.
Mo Han's eyes narrowed slightly, but his face soon turned calm. He had seen countless dirty politics back on Earth, and these small surprises didn't affect him much. With a few thoughts, he could clearly guess what must have happened behind his back.
"Wait, what? There must be a mistake! Elder!" Lambu ran forward and knelt before the bald elder.
"Respected Elder, please show mercy. Brother Han has to practice the Sun Piercing Sword technique. He needs more time to master it within three days. Please do something! Mo Han belongs to the great Han family," Lambu said desperately and earnestly. "If you permit, I will do both our duties. Please let Brother Han off! At least for three days!"
Fatty Lambu begged the bald elder, completely ignoring his pride in front of all the disciples.
The elder's face darkened as he stood up in anger. He slammed his palm down on the wooden chair.
"Silence! Who the hell are you to challenge the sect's arrangements? No one gets special treatment. Mo Han is not someone chosen by the heavens. This is Burning Sun Peak—not the Han family's house!" the bald elder shouted loudly with an angry face.
"But… but Elder…" Lambu tried to plead again.
"But what?! You both need to learn humility. From today, both of you will clean twice the area for a full moon cycle! And do not speak back again!" the elder declared, staring coldly at Mo Han.
Mo Han calmly stepped forward and said, "We accept, respected Elder."
Lambu turned to him in shock. "Brother Han!"
"Fatty, let's go," Mo Han said, turning around.
Fatty Lambu followed in a desperate state. He never expected the world to turn upside down in a single day.
As they turned to leave, laughter erupted from the crowd. Mo Han didn't even glance back.
But a beautiful figure was watching them from a distance.