Morning sunlight crept over Azure Sky Sect, painting the peaks gold. Birds chirped, disciples stretched, and a brand-new day promised peace—

until a scream shattered it.

"WHY IS THIS DRESS SO TIGHT?!"

Inside a small side hall, Li Ming wrestled with a frilly pink outfit that seemed forged by demons. He hopped, tugged, and spun in circles, hairpins clattering to the floor.

Bai Guo lounged nearby in human form, sipping tea. "Careful, descendant. That fabric costs more than your dignity."

"I'm losing both!" Li Ming groaned, finally yanking the sash into place. "How do girls breathe in these?"

Bai Guo tapped his chin. "Maybe they don't. It's all spiritual endurance."

Li Ming glared. "I should've failed that trial on purpose…"

---

Lan Yue entered, arms folded, calm as the dawn. Her eyes scanned him once—then twice.

She nodded, serious. "Perfect."

Li Ming blinked. "Perfect? I look like a dumpling in ribbons!"

"You'll blend in," she replied. "The enemy is searching for a male cultivator. A delicate maiden will go unnoticed."

Bai Guo coughed. "Delicate, yes. Maiden… debatable."

"Not helping!" Li Ming snapped.

Lan Yue handed him a small jade badge. "Your cover name is Li Ling. You'll infiltrate the visiting sect's banquet tonight. They're rumored to shelter a spy who stole our formation map."

Li Ming's jaw dropped. "Wait—you want me to spy on a spy while dressed like this?!"

Lan Yue smiled faintly. "Think of it as cultivation… of acting skills."

Bai Guo smirked. "Your new technique: Graceful Chicken Steps!"

Li Ming slumped. "I'm never living this down…"

---

Lan Yue unrolled a parchment. "Here's the layout. You'll enter as a performer. Once inside, locate a man with a black feather emblem. He's our suspect."

Li Ming straightened. Beneath the lace and frills, determination flickered. "Alright. I'll do it."

Lan Yue softened. "Remember, Li Ming—don't rely on accidents. Trust your instincts."

He blinked. "You've been talking to the author again, haven't you?"

She sighed. "Just… try."

Bai Guo chuckled. "Descendant, today you temper your pride—and your fashion sense."

---

By afternoon, the sect courtyard buzzed with whispers.

"Who's that pretty girl?" one disciple murmured.

"She looks familiar…" another said.

"Wait—does she have Li Ming's eyebrows?"

Li Ming forced a smile, voice pitched high. "Hee-hee~ what a lovely day!"

Bai Guo whispered, "Tone down the terror. You sound like a haunted flute."

He cleared his throat, walking with tiny steps. Each bounce of his skirt stabbed his pride.

Still, deep down, he felt something different—resolve. I've fought chickens, brooms, and cabbage demons. I can handle a dress.

At the gate, Lan Yue stopped him. "Li Ling, remember the signal: three claps if you're in danger."

"Got it."

She paused. "And… good luck."

For a moment, Li Ming glimpsed genuine concern in her eyes. It steadied him more than any pill.

He smiled softly. "Thanks, Lan Yue."

Then he stepped beyond the gates.

----

The visiting sect's grand hall shimmered with lanterns and laughter. Dozens of disciples mingled, plates stacked high with delicacies.

Li Ming entered with the troupe, pretending to adjust a fake veil. His heart pounded.

Okay, Li Ming. Act natural. You're a graceful lady. A graceful lady… who wants to punch someone.

A host greeted them. "Ah, the performers! Welcome, fair maidens."

Li Ming curtsied awkwardly. "Th-thank you, kind sir."

"Such a gentle voice!" the man exclaimed.

Bai Guo, hiding in bird form atop a lantern, muttered, "He's buying it. Spirits help us all."

They moved deeper inside. Music played; dancers twirled. Li Ming scanned the crowd for the black feather emblem.

Nothing yet. Just nobles, scholars, and one guy enthusiastically eating dumplings.

He spotted a suspicious figure near the stage—cloak dark, expression sharper than a sword. Maybe him.

Suddenly, a steward clapped his hands. "Time for our special guest performer—Miss Li Ling!"

Li Ming froze. "Wait, what?!"

The crowd applauded.

Bai Guo face-winged. "Descendant, you're the entertainment."

Li Ming's mind blanked. Perform? I don't even know any—

Someone shoved a flute into his hands.

He stepped onto the stage, every eye watching. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Okay. Breathe. You've done worse. You can do this… somehow.

He lifted the flute, closed his eyes—and played whatever came to mind.

A squeaky, off-key melody filled the hall.

The audience blinked. A pause… then thunderous applause.

"Such avant-garde music!"

"She's a genius!"

Li Ming exhaled shakily. They liked it?!

From the corner, the cloaked man narrowed his eyes, intrigued.

Bingo.

---

After the performance, Li Ming mingled, sipping tea (carefully—lipstick smudges were deadly evidence).

He drifted near the cloaked man, pretending to admire a painting.

"Beautiful piece, isn't it?" the stranger said.

Li Ming nodded, voice airy. "Yes, very… uh… painty."

The man chuckled. "You have a sharp tongue for a performer."

Inside, Li Ming screamed. He's talking to me! Act natural!

"I-I read a lot," he blurted.

"Hmm." The man sipped wine. A small black feather pin gleamed on his sleeve.

Li Ming's pulse quickened. Target confirmed.

But before he could slip away, the man leaned closer. "Tell me, Miss, have we met before?"

Li Ming forced a giggle. "Oh no, I'm new in town!"

The man's gaze sharpened. "Strange… you remind me of someone."

Bai Guo whispered from above, "Descendant, retreat!"

Li Ming bowed. "Excuse me, I must check on my—uh—flute!"

He spun, skirts flaring, and hurried toward the corridor—heart hammering.

Behind him, the man smiled faintly. "Interesting…"

---

Backstage, Li Ming exhaled, clutching his chest. "That was close…"

Bai Guo fluttered down. "You did well. He suspects, but not enough."

Li Ming nodded. "We need proof. Something that links him to the stolen map."

Bai Guo scanned the room. "Maybe his quarters."

Li Ming grinned. "Stealth mission, then."

"Descendant," Bai Guo warned, "no explosions."

"No promises."

They slipped into the empty hallway, moonlight spilling across jade tiles. Each step echoed softly. For once, Li Ming felt… composed.

This time, no accidents. Just focus.

He peered around a corner—and froze.

Lantern light revealed a set of footprints glowing faintly with qi.

Bai Guo whispered, "Tracking formation residue. He's been here recently."

They followed the trail toward a locked door. Li Ming pressed his ear—voices murmured inside.

He clenched his fists, gathering energy. Alright… this is it.

Slowly, he pushed the door open—

—and gasped.

Inside, a table covered in maps, strange talismans, and a crimson emblem pulsed with light.

Li Ming's eyes widened. "He's planning something big…"

Suddenly, a shadow moved behind him.

A cold voice whispered, "You shouldn't be here."

Li Ming spun—

—and stared straight into the eyes of the cloaked man.

---

The door creaked shut behind Li Ming.

The air turned cold—sharp, like the edge of a sword.

The cloaked man stepped forward, face half-hidden under his hood. "You've got quick feet for a musician," he said softly. "Tell me, little lady… why are you here?"

Li Ming's mind raced. Think, Li Ming, think!

He pressed a trembling hand to his chest. "I-I got lost! I was just looking for the restroom!"

The man chuckled, a low dangerous sound. "The restroom? Behind a sealed door covered in talismans?"

Li Ming froze. "...Uh. Feng shui?"

Bai Guo whispered from above, hidden in shadow, "Descendant, stall him. I'll circle around."

Li Ming nodded subtly, then stepped back, eyes wide. "Please, sir! I swear I didn't see anything!"

"Good," the man murmured. "Then you won't mind forgetting."

A wave of killing intent flooded the room. Papers rustled, candles flickered, and the crimson emblem on the table flared with dark light.

Li Ming clenched his fists. His qi surged, wrapping around him like a thin mist.

He frowned. Lan Yue told me not to rely on accidents. This time… I'll stand my ground!

He inhaled, focusing his energy into his palms. "I don't know who you are, but I won't let you hurt my sect!"

The man tilted his head. "Sect? Interesting choice of words."

He lunged, sleeve flashing. A black feather shot out like a dart.

Li Ming sidestepped, barely avoiding it. The feather embedded into the wall, hissing with corrosive qi.

Li Ming's eyes widened. Poisoned qi?!

He tightened his stance, spirit energy swirling around his hands. "Alright, mysterious villain! You want a fight? Then let's dance!"

The man scoffed. "Dance? You're still in costume, little lady."

Li Ming flushed. "Stop calling me that!"

---

The floor cracked as their energies clashed. Li Ming dashed forward, qi-infused palm striking straight at the man's chest. The cloaked stranger blocked it easily, his strength heavy and stable.

Li Ming grimaced. Too strong… but not unbeatable.

He twisted midair, spinning gracefully—well, as gracefully as someone in a frilly dress could—and launched a glowing strike.

The man slid back a step, surprised. "You're not ordinary."

"Ordinary? I'm Li—"

He stopped himself. "—Ling! Li Ling!"

"Really?" The man smirked. "Because your qi feels… familiar."

Li Ming's heart skipped. He's noticing!

He pointed at the man dramatically. "You're under arrest for… suspicious map stuff!"

"Suspicious map stuff?"

"It's a serious crime!"

The man sighed. "Enough talk."

He waved his sleeve. The talismans on the table burst into flames, maps curling into ash.

"No!" Li Ming shouted. He charged, but the man vanished in a blur of shadow, reappearing behind him.

A cold blade touched his throat. "You're not ready for this game, little hero."

Li Ming froze. Sweat dripped down his neck.

Then—

"NOT SO FAST!"

A burst of feathers exploded through the window. Bai Guo, in chicken form, crashed in, kicking the man square in the face.

The blade flew from his hand, embedding into the floor.

Li Ming gawked. "Bai Guo! You kicked him?!"

The chicken flapped proudly. "Of course! My technique—Heavenly Peck of Justice!"

The man stumbled back, cloak torn. A mark glowed faintly on his forehead—an insignia shaped like a crescent moon.

Li Ming gasped. "That's… the symbol of the Shadow Valley Sect!"

The man growled, clutching his mask. "You've seen too much."

Before they could strike again, a smoke bomb hit the floor.

BOOM!

Smoke filled the room. Li Ming coughed, waving his sleeves. "Bai Guo! Where'd he go?!"

"He's gone!"

When the smoke cleared, only a single black feather remained, pinned to the door.

Li Ming picked it up, face serious. "He escaped… but at least now we know who's behind this."

Bai Guo fluttered onto his shoulder. "You did well, descendant. You stood your ground."

Li Ming sighed in relief. "For once, I didn't explode something by accident."

Then he looked down—and realized half his skirt was burnt, hairpin missing, makeup smeared like war paint.

Bai Guo tilted his head. "Well… mostly."

Li Ming groaned. "Lan Yue's going to kill me."

---

Later that night, Li Ming trudged through the gates, still dressed like a disaster princess.

Lan Yue stood waiting, arms crossed. "You're late."

"Got ambushed by a spy!" he said quickly. "Also, maybe burned a building. But small one!"

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Show me the evidence."

He handed her the black feather.

Her eyes narrowed. "Shadow Valley Sect… I suspected as much."

Bai Guo puffed up. "We also discovered he's planning something big!"

Li Ming nodded. "There was a crimson emblem on his desk—it pulsed with strange qi. He destroyed it before we could take it."

Lan Yue frowned. "So he's covering his tracks. We'll investigate further."

Li Ming sank onto a bench, exhausted. "Lan Yue… today was hard. Not just the fighting. The pretending."

She looked at him, her expression softening. "You did what you had to. You adapted, faced danger, and didn't rely on luck."

Li Ming blinked. "That… actually sounds like a compliment."

"It is," she said simply. "You've grown."

He smiled faintly. "Guess I'm really moving past the 'accidental hero' phase."

Bai Guo hopped beside him. "Don't worry. You'll still trip over destiny sometimes."

Li Ming groaned, but chuckled. "I'm fine with that."

Lan Yue straightened. "Rest for now. Tomorrow, we begin preparing for the next stage. If the Shadow Valley Sect is involved, we're stepping into dangerous waters."

Li Ming's eyes widened. "Wait—next stage?!"

Lan Yue nodded. "We're heading to the borderlands. Reports say their disciples are gathering there. We'll need to move fast."

Li Ming swallowed. "Borderlands… sounds like trouble."

Bai Guo stretched his wings. "Trouble is your middle name."

"Actually, it's Ming," he muttered.

Lan Yue turned away, cloak fluttering. "Get ready. At dawn, we leave."

As her figure disappeared into the night, Li Ming looked up at the stars.

The air felt heavier, the wind colder. For the first time, he sensed something stirring far beyond his reach—a storm that wouldn't be solved with buns or broom fights.

But he smiled anyway. "Bring it on. I'm Li Ming. I've survived worse."

Bai Guo nodded. "Indeed. Remember the cabbage demon?"

"...Don't remind me."

[Next Chapter: "Journey to the Borderlands"

New enemies, ancient secrets, and a path that could change Li Ming's destiny forever…]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.