1 Prologue 1 - Dissolution and Departures

Nestled deep within a mist-veiled valley at the base of the heaven piercing Divine Mountain, countless streams converged, merging into four mighty rivers that tumbled from towering cliffs in majestic waterfalls, forming countless small lakes before continuing to flow through the verdant hills. Nine, five and three storied pagodas peeked amongst abundant foliage, their imperial structures bearing witness the every action of innumerable disciples residing in the valley. Everywhere the eye looked, countless disciples traversed gracefully arched bridges spanning the winding waterways, white robes whisking soundlessly over mossy cobblestones.

At the sheltered end of the valley, the four rivers finally wove into one vaster torrent - the mythic River of Convergence - surging between colossal gates guarding the heart of this haven. Beyond the polished vermillion gates towered exotic palaces and temples alive with occult mysteries, hinting at many secrets scarcely whispered beyond these sword-warded walls.

Throughout the misty valley the sounds of alarm gongs, rushing feet and shouted orders filled the cold autumn air. From pavilion to palace, disciples and elders wearing robes in a myriad of colors and insignia followed shouted commands.

The Grand Library of the Myriad Paths Divine Sect inspired awe with the sheer scope of its accumulated wisdom. Towering red lacquered shelves brimmed with countless manuals transcribed on crumbling parchment and bound in fading leather. Priceless jade slips engraved with the sect's secret techniques filled entire halls glowing under ethereal illumination.

Seemingly endless rows of scarlet shelves stretched from polished granite floors towards vaulted ceilings decorated with intricate calligraphy. Harried disciples traversed rapidly through the stacks, balancing teetering piles of manuals and manuscripts under the watchful eyes of sect deacons. Others collected weighty grimoires bound with threads of precious metals that shimmerred under glowing jade lamps, carefully sorting the collection according to the highly detailed lists they had been provided.

"Elder Wen," a young disciple called. "Why are we separating the sword techniques from the saber techniques? Isn't it damaging to our teachings to close off possible paths to learners?"

Deeper in the library, the flustered elder paused her own sorting of documents to look at the confused disciple. Seeing that several other disciples had paused to hear the answer she frowned further. "The Myriad Paths Divine Sect is where thousands of paths converge," she spoke sharply, her frail voice lacking much of it's usual patience. "We are the sea at the end of countless streams and four rivers. Disciples like you who come from the Divine Realms have never had to make your way from the stream to the river and then to the sea. You've never known what it's like to lack for choices in finding your way. Now that we're withdrawing from the Divine Realm, we must create the streams and rivers that will eventually create our sea anew," she explained briskly. "In the Mortal Realms, Sword Sects, Hammer Sects and more are as common as grass. We must create the best of them, but if they are too much better than other mortal sects, they will be destroyed and pillaged by greed and jealosy! These Mortal Sects will need very few of our greatest arts. In the Immortal Realms, streams converge to rivers. Immortal sects will need our greatest arts to survive the challenges and accumulation of other sects in the Immortal realm, but without focus, they will not gain strength quickly enough to thrive. Only when we return to the Divine realms can we reassemble this Grand Library."

"But Elder," another disciple started before being cut off by the elder.

"Enough. The lists have been prepared by Ancestor Qi Yue at the direction of Immortal Empress Mei Lien herself. You are to follow them precisely," the Elder snapped, her sharp tone accepting no debate. "We have time enough to do this right, but not if you question every decision made by the elders. Never forget the price our Empress paid to give you this time and get to work," she commanded fiercely, ancient eyes flashing with the intensity of rarely unleashed power.

"Yes Elder," the disciples intoned, bowing with cupped hands before returning to their tasks, sorting the knowledge of the grand library and packing it away into spacial treasures.

—

Elsewhere, in the great hall of the Sword Pavilion, a hawk nosed Elder called out to the next person in the line that stretched out the doors. "Deacon Ji," he said, gesturing for the next person in line to stand before him. Looking over the wiry deacon with sharp brows and humble grey robes, Elder Han nodded in satisfaction. "Deacon Ji, I understand that you've managed to progress your study of formations to the level of an Immortal Scholar, is that true?"

"Yes Elder Han," replied the deacon, a hint of pride present in his voice. "I know I've been disappointing these past few centuries, but I believe that I may be able to carve open a path for myself at the place where the Path of the Sword meets the Path of Formations."

"Good, good," Elder Han said with a smile. "This will be your opportunity then. This may be the most challenging mission you've ever undertaken for the sect. You'll be headed to the Bright Moons Mortal Realm to establish a branch sect, the Myriad Sword Maze Hall. Please select five hundred outer disciples from the Sword Pavilion and five hundred outer disciples from the Formations Pavilion to serve as the inner disciples of your new sect. You may additionally select fifty inner disciples from each of those pavilions to serve as the core disciples of your new sect. Take this spacial vault with you - it contains a number of sword techniques, formations, and most importantly some guidance on sword formations, as well as a number of mortal treasures that will help you in establishing your sect. Congratulations Sect Master Ji. Though your cultivation will be sealed to the level of a Martial Emperor while you're in a mortal realm, I expect this will give you significant opportunities to improve your understanding of the place your paths meet and will prepare you well for when you can return to the Immortal and Divine realms."

"Sect Master?" the newly promoted deacon stammered. "Elder Han, I'm unworthy of the honor."

"Sect Master Ji," Elder Han said gently, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled. "Our Myriad Paths Divine Sect faces imminent destruction. We aren't sending you to the mortal realms to create a mighty sect or to find the amazing talents of the Bright Moons Mortal Realm, though you may accomplish such things in the centuries to come. We're sending you to the mortal realm to safeguard over a thousand of our youngest and most vulnerable disciples in a place where they are unlikely to be discovered. If you accomplish nothing other than preserving their lives and allowing their cultivations to grow to the limits of the mortal realm, then you've done enough. You do not need to carry the weight of the realm on your shoulders, Sect Master Ji, just the weight of a few thousand youths. Everything beyond that, it's up to you. We're already doing you something of a disservice by not sending anyone to serve as Elders in your sect, you'll have to either promote those from the disciples you take with you or find talented candidates among the people of Bright Moons Mortal Realm to help you shoulder that burden. This, I know you can do - I've seen that while your sword is not the sharpest, it has never failed to strike at the hearts of our enemies and adversity. The Immortal Empress needs you to do so now."

"Yes Elder Han," Sect Master Ji said, cupping his hands and bowing solemnly. "I will not fail the Empress's expectations."

"Good man," the Elder said, turning to the next person at the head of the line. "Deacon Ye Xin, how would you feel about returning to the Mortal Realm of your birth? The Azure Winds Mortal Realm could use a new branch sect in the frozen mountains you once called home…."

—

"Junior Sister Su Xian," a resonant voice called out, its owner sweeping into the moonlit courtyard of the Outer Court with innate confidence. Sharp features surrounded fiercely intelligent eyes that gleamed like polished bronze, set in a face that inspired artists and lovers alike. An immaculate white robe graced broad shoulders that visibly strained the fabric, hinting at stalwart strength beneath. "Junior Sister, do you know where you're going yet?"

The heavenly vision kindled longing in the chestnut-haired beauty it addressed. Lithe fingers fluttered upwards as though to caress that beloved visage before catching themselves barely in time. Dark lashes lowered, veiling inscrutable thoughts, while tension gathered in her swanlike neck. What burdens weighed upon her to elicit such uncharacteristic anxiety?

"Senior Brother Hao," she responded. Her eyes darted around the courtyard to ensure they were alone before rushing forward, flinging herself at the handsome youth who'd come to visit her and pressing close against his powerful chest. "Senior Brother… I'm… I'm going to the Purple Cloud Mortal Realm to be part of the Myriad Shadows Blade Hall."

"Myraid Shadows Blade Hall," he muttered, his voice thick with confusion. "But why? You're neither a sword or darkness cultivator so," his voice broke as realization dawned. "Wait, you aren't…?"

"Mmm," she said softly. "The Myriad Shadows Blade Hall is meant to be a guild of assassins," she whispered softly. "I'm not going as one of the Shadow Disciples of the hall, I'm going as an Alchemist," she explained.

"That's not right!" Senior Brother Hao said, pulling back to look into Su Xian's gentle eyes. "How can they send you to be a Poison Master in an Assassin guild? It doesn't suit you at all. You shouldn't have to stain your hands like that," his voice grew steadily louder, threatening to be heard beyond this small courtyard until Su Xian quieted him with a finger to his lips. "Let me talk to Elder Xiao Li," he pleaded softly. "Maybe you can come with me to the Myriad Lights Immortal Sect in the Pure Heart Immortal Realm. You're so close to becoming an Immortal cultivator yourself, you shouldn't have to…" he stopped as he saw a determined look in her normally gentle eyes.

"I volunteered for this," she said firmly. "The Purple Cloud Mortal Realm is a dangerous place for mortal cultivators. Not all of the disciples who are going are familiar with poisons, deception and the things that an assassin guild may do. There may be accidents while they learn and adjust. A person can't be as skilled as I am at curing toxins without studying the poisons themselves. As an Imperial Scholar, I can help prevent accidents that could be fatal to our disciples."

"But, our promise," he finally said gently. "You said that once you became an Immortal Scholar, you'd let me ask your parents for your hand. How can we be apart when you're so close to breaking through?"

"I know," she whispered, resting her head against his broad chest and listening to his heartbeat. "But Senior Brother, didn't you promise me that we'd spend thousands of years together as immortals? What's a few centuries apart against the future that we'll have when the Immortal Empress returns? We have eternity. This isn't an ending, it's just a delay. Now, put those strong arms of yours to work and help me pack my lab. I want to bring my best cauldrons with me and as many ingredients as possible that may be hard to find in the mortal realm," she said in an attempt to divert his attention away from their approaching separation or the place that she'd be traveling to when they departed.

"Of course. Anything you want," he said softly, following her out of the garden and towards her lab. Deep in his heart, he locked away the fear he couldn't say - when they finally met again, after hundreds of years in such a dark place - would she still be his gentle Su Xian? He didn't know, but he hoped that when they finally met again, she would be.