Naked Sword Art

No one was expecting to see Xiao Fang walk into class that day.

To his surprise, his return didn't stir much attention. The murmurs, the stares—his usual trail of whispers—were absent. It was as if his notoriety had finally faded. Part of him was relieved; this quiet was what he had wanted all along. But another part couldn't help but feel… out of place. Forgotten, even.

"Today marks the final day of environmental illusory training," announced Teacher Su Lingxi as she packed up her scrolls. "Starting next class, we'll be moving on to the final method of illusory training. Rest well. Come prepared."

Groans echoed across the room.

Xiao Fang took a seat near the back, still half-lost in thought as he observed the reactions of his classmates. Since this was his first year in the Inner Court, much of the Phoenix-Class curriculum still remained unfamiliar to him.

From what he'd gathered so far, the program was structured like this:

The first month covered fundamental combat training.

The second focused entirely on Illusory Clone manipulation.

This third month had been about shaping illusions in the environment.

He also knew there would be two months of review, followed by three months of seclusive training at the end of the year.

That left four more months unaccounted for.

'Are we really going to spend four whole months on one method?' he wondered, brow furrowing.

Just then, someone nudged his arm from the side.

"Didn't expect to see you here," said Bai Fan, raising a brow.

Xiao Fang gave a quiet smirk. "Didn't expect to come."

Zhao Pan, seated two rows ahead, turned slightly at the sound of his voice but didn't speak. She had dark circles under her eyes—signs of fatigue, but it wasn't just from training, it came from going on team missions without Xiao Fang. Bai Fan was in the same situation, but she seemed to be recovering well.

Before he could say anything else, Su Lingxi's voice cut through the murmurs.

"This next method will not be easy," she warned, her tone sharp and unwavering. "Most of you may never fully grasp it. Fortunately, it's not required to advance to Dragon-Class… but those who do master it will step into the realm of true deception."

She paced slowly across the front of the room.

"Illusions of the body are mere tricks. Environmental illusions can be useful in the right hands. But illusions of the mind… they are something else entirely. One day, when you seek to learn a Profound Realm… or maybe even a Divine Realm illusory technique, mastery of this method will become essential for your success."

Silence settled over the room like a cold mist.

"Rest up," she said finally, gathering her things. "The next few months will not be kind."

Chairs scraped as disciples rose and filed out. Xiao Fang remained seated, thoughtful.

'Mind illusions…' Xiao Fang thought.

He had never encountered such a concept before, but if what she said was true—that it was essential for mastering Profound Realm techniques—then this was exactly what he needed.

If the curriculum was headed where he suspected, then the next four months were going to be more valuable to him than every lesson he'd had so far.

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.

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Meanwhile, in the Core Court – Black Paradise Sect Pavilion, Matriarch's Garden…

The air was still, disturbed only by the soft chimes of windbells and the rhythmic crack of Li Lian's whip striking a training dummy in the distance.

Matriarch Shi Lan sat at her stone table, gracefully pouring herself a cup of tea just as Supreme Elder Yao Wu stormed into the courtyard with heavy steps and a deep scowl.

"Shi Lan, I need a word," Yao Wu said flatly.

Without lifting her gaze, Shi Lan responded calmly, "You always do when you storm in like that. Tea?"

"I'm not here for pleasantries." Yao Wu crossed her arms. "It's about Long Wang. I've just learned he's been skipping classes and team missions for over a month now. Don't you think it's time we do something about that?"

The rhythmic sound of Li Lian's whip training stopped abruptly. She turned her head slightly, just enough to listen more closely at the mention of Xiao Fang's alias.

"Why has he been skipping?" Shi Lan asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Seclusion, apparently. Word is he's been training non-stop. No formal appearances, no missions."

Shi Lan gave a slow nod, her eyes narrowing with thought. "He could have done that during the designated seclusion period. This isn't the time for him to go missing."

She exhaled lightly as she set the teacup down.

"The girl—Yu Qiuyan," Yao Wu continued, her tone sharpening. "She's been going on missions with only 2 underlings. If this continues, she might file for reassignment. Or worse—leave the sect altogether."

Matriarch Shi Lan's lips tightened.

Li Lian tilted her head, finally stepping forward. "Yu Qiuyan? The noble from the royal court?"

Yao Wu gave a brief glance in her direction. "That's the one. She's from the Yu Family Clan—one of the founding families of the current imperial court."

"And she's assigned to Long Wang?" Li Lian asked. Understanding the kind of man Xiao Fang was, she frowned slightly. "That seems… risky."

Shi Lan gave her a measured look. "Perhaps. But her family's contributions to our sect are not insignificant. Pills, artifacts, cultivation materials—the kind of resources we'd be foolish to reject. All that continues only so long as she remains satisfied with her placement here."

Li Lian glanced to the side, thinking. "So if she leaves…"

Shi Lan nodded. "We lose far more than just a disciple."

A brief silence hung in the air before Shi Lan turned to Yao Wu then said, "Find him. Tell him he must at least attend his team missions. Do what you must. We can't afford to lose her over his whims."

Yao Wu raised an eyebrow. "And if he refuses?"

Shi Lan didn't answer immediately.

"If I may, Matriarch," Li Lian interjected as she approached the table, wiping the sweat from her brow. "Let me talk to him. He'll listen."

Truthfully, Li Lian just wanted an excuse to see him again.

Shi Lan studied her for a moment. Calm, steady, certain. That quiet assurance made Shi Lan uneasy. She had long tried to keep distance between Li Lian and Xiao Fang—knowing all too well the consequences if those two grew too close.

But this wasn't a matter she could ignore.

"…Very well," she said at last. "When you're ready, go with Elder Yao Wu. And don't let him wriggle out of this. Not this time."

Li Lian bowed her head. "Yes, Matriarch. I'll change out of my training clothes first," she replied before turning to leave and prepare herself.