SCENE 1 – THE CELESTIAL CLOUD SECTEXT. SKY ABOVE THE EASTERN CONTINENT – MORNING
Clouds drift endlessly beneath the clear blue sky.
An enormous white crane glides through the heavens.
Standing upon its back are Qiao Tian and Xuan Dao.
Qiao Tian gazes quietly at the breathtaking view below.
Mountain ranges disappear beneath a sea of clouds.
Countless floating islands drift through the sky.
A majestic palace, glowing with golden spiritual formations, comes into view.
Above its gates are three ancient words...
"CELESTIAL CLOUD SECT."
QIAO TIAN
It's even more magnificent than the rumors.
XUAN DAO
(chuckles)
Jin Tao always enjoyed showing off.
QIAO TIAN
You know the Sect Master well?
XUAN DAO
We've been rivals...
Friends...
And drinking companions for almost thirty years.
QIAO TIAN
(smirking)
So the stories about you stealing his spiritual wine...
XUAN DAO
...are greatly exaggerated.
QIAO TIAN
Meaning they're true.
XUAN DAO
Only twice.
QIAO TIAN
Master.
XUAN DAO
Fine.
Maybe seven times.
Qiao Tian shakes her head helplessly.
EXT. CELESTIAL CLOUD SECT – MAIN GATE
Hundreds of disciples line both sides of the jade bridge.
White banners dance in the wind.
Golden lanterns float through the sky.
Musicians play elegant melodies.
The entire sect is celebrating.
A young disciple notices them.
DISCIPLE
Senior Xuan Dao has arrived!
Instantly...
The gates open.
A cheerful young man wearing elegant white robes runs toward them.
His long silver hair dances behind him.
Bright blue eyes.
A carefree smile.
This is...
YUN ZHAO.
YUN ZHAO
XUAN DAO!!
Without warning...
He throws his arms around Xuan Dao.
XUAN DAO
You're too old to be hugging people like this.
YUN ZHAO
You only visit once every few years.
Let me enjoy it.
XUAN DAO
Get off before people misunderstand.
The surrounding disciples burst into laughter.
Yun Zhao finally notices Qiao Tian.
He studies her from head to toe.
YUN ZHAO
So...
This is your famous disciple?
QIAO TIAN
(bows)
Greetings, Young Master Yun.
YUN ZHAO
No need for formalities.
Anyone Master Xuan brings is family.
He suddenly circles around Qiao Tian.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
QIAO TIAN
...Is something wrong?
YUN ZHAO
No...
I'm just surprised.
QIAO TIAN
By what?
YUN ZHAO
Master Xuan actually managed to raise someone this polite.
XUAN DAO
Watch your mouth.
YUN ZHAO
See?
He's proving my point.
Everyone laughs.
Even Qiao Tian smiles faintly.
INT. CELESTIAL PALACE – GRAND HALL
The hall is filled with nobles.
Sect Masters.
Cultivators.
Musicians.
Beautiful dancers perform gracefully.
The birthday banquet is already underway.
At the center sits...
JIN TAO, the ruler of Celestial Cloud Sect.
Despite his regal appearance, warmth fills his eyes.
JIN TAO
Brother Xuan!
You finally came.
The two old friends embrace warmly.
XUAN DAO
Happy birthday, old man.
You look older.
JIN TAO
At least I still have my hair.
Everyone laughs.
XUAN DAO
Cheap attack.
JIN TAO
Effective though.
Qiao Tian bows respectfully.
QIAO TIAN
Greetings, Sect Master Jin.
Jin Tao smiles kindly.
JIN TAO
So this is Qiao Tian.
I've heard much about you.
QIAO TIAN
The honor is mine.
JIN TAO
No.
The honor belongs to Qingyuan for raising such a remarkable young cultivator.
Qiao Tian bows once again.
YUN ZHAO
Father.
Can we stop talking about politics?
Today's your birthday.
Let's celebrate.
JIN TAO
You're right.
Bring the wine!
Servants begin serving dishes.
Music grows louder.
Laughter echoes through the hall.
MONTAGE Disciples competing in sword dances. Children chasing spirit butterflies. Yun Zhao challenging guests to drinking contests. Xuan Dao defeating everyone effortlessly. Qiao Tian politely refusing wine. Yun Zhao secretly replacing her tea with fruit juice. YUN ZHAO
There.
Now you can't refuse.
QIAO TIAN
...
This isn't wine.
YUN ZHAO
Exactly.
QIAO TIAN
You planned that.
YUN ZHAO
Obviously.
The two exchange amused smiles.
Across the hall...
A graceful young woman walks toward Yun Zhao.
She carries a beautifully wrapped jade box.
Her smile is gentle.
Her eyes filled with affection.
YUN ZHAO
You're here.
WOMAN
Would I miss your birthday?
She hands him the gift.
YUN ZHAO
You didn't have to.
WOMAN
Open it later.
When we're alone.
Qiao Tian politely looks away.
Xuan Dao grins mischievously.
XUAN DAO
Young love...
Disgusting.
YUN ZHAO
Says the man who's been single for decades.
XUAN DAO
Because peace is priceless.
The hall erupts in laughter.
Suddenly...
BOOOOOOM!!
A deafening explosion shakes the palace.
The laughter stops instantly.
A section of the ceiling collapses.
Marble shatters.
Dust fills the hall.
A woman's body crashes through the wall...
Sliding across the polished floor.
She is covered in blood.
Her white robes torn.
Her breathing ragged.
YUN ZHAO
(horrified)
...Lian?!
He sprints toward her.
Falls to his knees.
Supports her trembling body.
YUN ZHAO
Lian!
Look at me!
Who did this?!
She coughs violently.
Blood stains her lips.
Her fingers grip Yun Zhao's sleeve.
LIAN
(weakly)
Yun...
Run...
YUN ZHAO
No!
Tell me what happened!
Tears stream down her face.
LIAN
The...
Heavenly Sword Sect...
The entire hall falls silent.
Every elder's expression changes.
Even Jin Tao slowly rises from his throne.
LIAN
(struggling to breathe)
They...
They've taken them...
All the girls...
Please...
Save them...
She loses consciousness.
The celebration ends in silence.
The festive music has stopped.
Outside...
Dark storm clouds begin gathering above the floating sect.
And somewhere beyond those clouds...
A pair of cold eyes watches from afar.
FADE TO BLACK.