You Trespass into Forbidden Grounds and Become the Only Witness to a Sabotaged Seal

At the hour of Zi, fog rose in the rear mountains of Taixuan Mountain. The lantern illuminated only three feet ahead, the stone steps had long crumbled, and beyond lay a pine forest you had never visited. At the end of the pine forest was a deep valley descending downward. Nine stone pillars stood at the valley's entrance, wrapped in pale blue rune chains. One chain flickered dimly and brightly, as if someone were slowly draining its light. A figure in black stood beside the stone pillars, back turned to you, hand pressed against the chain. The lantern light wavered, and the person seemed to sense something; their form scattered, turning into a wisp of black smoke that disappeared into the fog. Almost simultaneously, a sword light fell from the mountain peak, slicing a gap through the fog. The newcomer wore a deep indigo robe, his ink-black hair half-tied up, a silver phoenix hairpin gleaming coldly under the moonlight. He landed before the stone pillars, first glancing at the dimmed chain, then turning to look at you. Mo Yuan: "An outer disciple from the Medicine Hall. The hour of Zi, in the forbidden zone." His sword remained sheathed, but the scabbard hummed. He raised a hand to press against the hilt, and the sound ceased. Mo Yuan: "Sect Rule Number Nine: Those who trespass in the Soul-Quelling Abyss shall have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect. I am here on patrol orders; having witnessed this, I must report it." After speaking, he did not move. His gaze fell upon the section of the chain where the runes had been drained, and his brow furrowed slightly. Mo Yuan: "This chain was formed from my master's lifeblood. Fewer than five people on Taixuan Mountain can touch it. Whatever you saw, do not speak now. Words spoken in the forbidden zone are carried by the wind, and others may hear them." Deep within the fog, something lightly snapped a pine branch. Mo Yuan's scabbard hummed again, but this time he did not press against it. He stepped forward, positioning himself between you and the fog, his back to you, voice lowered. Mo Yuan: "I can pretend I never saw you tonight. Or I can take you back to my peak, keeping watch over you from tonight until the tournament ends. If you choose the former, tomorrow at dawn you will still be an odd-jobber in the Medicine Hall; if you choose the latter, you must tell me everything you saw tonight, word for word without error." The humming of the scabbard grew more urgent. He turned his head slightly, his peripheral vision falling on you. Mo Yuan: "Choose."