The Nanhong Seven. The Heaven-Sword Sect.

Inside the light-curtain stood a mountain of swords with every edge bared, divine weapons past counting ranked thick across its summit.

Liu Xingshan sat cross-legged at the peak.

He set the Dao token down slowly; and as though some agreement had been reached, he and several other figures within the Heaven-Sword Sect raised their teacups at the same moment, without a word passing between them.

"To heaven and earth."

Keen light showed in Liu Xingshan's eyes, and the whole of him seemed to have become a divine sword whose killing intent rose to the heavens.

Tens of thousands of years sitting idle in the White Jade Capital had very nearly worn their spirit away.

"To our Dao!"

At that low call, Liu Xingshan and the rest raised their cups to their lips together.

And in the instant before they drank—

a familiar voice sounded at their ears.

"Xuanqing of Nanyang, come to call on the Heaven-Sword Sect Master."

The words were as still as an old well, and they went on echoing through the whole of the Heaven-Sword Sect.

Liu Xingshan's hand shook. The cup slipped from his fingers before he knew it and shattered with a crack on the summit of the sword mountain.

He looked out past the light-curtain without meaning to.

Throughout the Heaven-Sword Sect the disciples wore puzzled faces, wondering who would dare call a challenge at their gates.

And open by asking for the Sect Master himself?

But everyone who recognised that name was a cultivator of formidable realm.

They all looked astonished — and then they swarmed like maddened bees toward the gates!

On the fierce, keen-edged Heaven-Sword relief outside, figures gathered thick and fast, personally transmitted disciples among them, every gaze fixed gravely on the distance.

In the one place left empty—

a wooden body with a broken chest stood quietly, hands at its sides.

Having said his piece—

Li Xuanqing held that posture and waited in silence for the Heaven-Sword Sect's answer.

Until eight figures welled out of the light-curtain almost together.

All eight White Jade…