Steam billowed into the small room as the bathroom door slid open. Ying Xia emerged, a faint, clean scent of soap and herbs trailing behind her.

  The usual grime from the training yard was gone, replaced by skin that seemed to glow with a soft, healthy vitality in the morning light.

  Her pink hair, now free of dust, was neatly brushed, and her simple robes were immaculate.

  Catching her reflection in a small, silver-backed mirror, a wide, satisfied grin spread across her face.

  "Hmm, I look so good!" she exclaimed, striking a small pose.

  From the floor, a low groan was followed by a jaw-cracking yawn. "Took you long enough."

  Ying Xia’s eyes twitched. She turned to find Bi Kan still sitting on his plush blue mattress, his own robes creased and his dark hair a tangled mess.

  He looked as if he had just crawled out of an alchemy furnace.

  "Bi Kan, what kind of get-up is that?" she demanded, planting her hands on her hips. "We're going to a little girl's birthday party, not a back-alley brawl!"

  He let out a weary sigh, the sound carrying the weight of sleepless nights. He slowly rose from the mattress, stretching the stiffness from his back.

  "So? All that matters is that I'm there."

  WHOOSH!

  A ripple in the air heralded the appearance of her golden spear.

  A faint blue light, the product of her ever-improving Qi control, caressed the weapon for a split second before she swung it in a vicious, horizontal arc.

  "Hey!" Bi Kan yelled, instinctively dropping back. The razor-sharp Dragon-Fang head whistled past his ear, the displaced air ruffling his messy hair.

  "Are you trying to insult Lin on her birthday by showing up looking like a corpse someone forgot to bury?!" Her voice, sharp and piercing, rang through the small dorm.

  Bi Kan winced, his hands flying up to cover his ears. "You better dress up properly, you klutz! Your robes are as disheveled as your hair! At least try to look presentable!"

  "Alright, alright! Gods, you're loud!" He scrambled over to a small wooden chest and pulled out a pair of freshly washed grey-green robes, quickly shrugging them on. He ran his fingers through his hair a few times in a half-hearted attempt to comb it.

  He turned around, showing off his form with a flat, unenthusiastic expression. "So, how does it look?"

  Ying Xia squinted, tapping a finger against her chin as she walked a slow circle around him, inspecting him like a general reviewing a new recruit.

  "Granted, the black pits under your eyes make you look like you haven't slept in a month, and your hair is definitely getting too long but..."

  She paused, stopping directly in front of him, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "That's the best you've ever looked since I met you!"

  She burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.

  A vein throbbed in Bi Kan's temple. His hands, hidden in the sleeves of his new robes, clenched into tight fists.

  "Oh, really..?" he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous murmur.

  "It's the first time I've seen you so clean as well. I almost didn't recognize you without the layer of dirt."

  Her laughter choked in her throat. She gritted her teeth, her green eyes flashing. "What the hell did you just say?!"

  Thud!

  Their foreheads slammed together, both of them leaning in with furious intensity. Sparks seemed to fly from their glares.

  "You wanna go at it?!" they yelled in perfect, angry unison.

  Outside, a passing Outer Disciple slowed as he heard the commotion. "Huh? What kind of noise is—" He glanced at the dorm number, and his face instantly turned a shade of beet red.

  "R-Right! That battle-maniac Xia is living with another disciple!" He folded his arms, a knowing smirk on his face, before turning and fleeing.

  "Better not disturb their 'morning training'!"

  Back inside, their fight had escalated. Ying Xia’s spear was now held with deadly stillness, its point resting a mere inch from Bi Kan's throat.

  "I've got you now," she hissed.

  Just then, her eyes darted to the window, catching the angle of the sun through the paper screen.

  A flicker of panic crossed her face.

  "Shit! I think we're going to be late at this point!"

  Bi Kan shook his head, not taking his eyes off hers. "Calm down, We can still make it."

  The two disciples stepped out of their dorm, the crisp morning air a stark contrast to the lingering tension of their earlier squabble.

  As they made their way towards the main path, they found their way blocked. A single disciple stood before the Outer Dormitories, radiating an aura of such cold authority that other disciples gave him a wide berth, their footsteps hastening as if walking on thin ice.

  A stylized crest depicting a blazing sun—the sigil of the Ra Family—was embroidered on his chest.

  His eyes, which had been closed in quiet contemplation, snapped open, locking onto Bi Kan and Ying Xia with a piercing intensity.

  "You must be Bi Kan," the disciple stated, his voice laced with arrogance. His gaze swept over Bi Kan from head to toe, a sneer forming on his lips.

  "The description was spot on. A pathetic, insomniac-looking bastard."

  Bi Kan’s eyes narrowed to slits. He kept his voice level, a placid lake over a churning volcano.

  "And who might this senior brother be?" Beneath the calm facade, his blood began to boil, a faint, invisible steam threatening to escape his clenched fists.

  The Ra Disciple let out a smug breath, folding his arms. "I, Direct Disciple Ra Jian, have come on behalf of the Ra Family to thank Bi Kan for his service."

  The words were so contrary to the insult that Bi Kan took an involuntary step back. He had braced himself for another round of humiliation, another Si Gun looking for trouble.

  But this… this was something else. "Service...? Do you mean…"

  Damn it, he thought, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes, that brawny idiot Dong Kai actually kept his word!

  "I've heard of your contribution," Ra Jian continued, his posture straightening into one of formal respect.

  The sneer was gone, replaced by a genuine, if still arrogant, smile.

  "You were the one whose intelligence made it possible for the Viper Extermination Team to locate the bandit empire's main fortress. You have helped liberate many from their suffering, and I have come to personally reward you."

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  Ying Xia crossed her arms, tapping her foot against the stone path. "Hoh? Another reward!" she chirped, a grin spreading across her face.

  Bi Kan quickly recovered, scratching the back of his head before folding his hands in a formal bow.

  "T-This Junior Brother thanks the Senior for his praise, but I am undeserving. I—"

  Ra Jian’s eyes narrowed, cutting him off mid-sentence.

  "No. If I say you have contributed, you have."

  Bi Kan's eye twitched. "I-I see…"

  The Direct Disciple then held up his hand, displaying a simple but elegant spatial ring.

  "I have noticed you've been fighting your duels with only your fists lately. Therefore, I shall bestow upon you a weapon. A refined blade, forged by the finest blacksmith of the Ra Family."

  His ring flashed. A sword materialized in his hand with a soft pop. It had a dark, polished hilt intricately wrapped with what looked like crimson veins.

  The blade itself was flawless, its surface so perfectly polished it shone like a mirror.

  "This blade can even let you see the flaws on your face," Ra Jian declared. He held the flat of the blade up, inspecting his own reflection with a critical eye.

  A moment later, he nodded in satisfaction. "Splendid. It works perfectly." He raised his arm, striking a dramatic pose.

  "Just as I expected. No flaws."

  Ying Xia snorted, snatching the blade from his hand before Bi Kan could react.

  "Hey, that's not yours! It was rewarded to me," Bi Kan exclaimed, trying to grab it back.

  "Hey!" she shot back, holding it out of his reach.

  "We both contributed during the bandit mission! Hell, I was even braver! I was just a mortal who hadn't even joined the sect, and I still fought! Hmph!"

  She then pointed to her upper arm, pulling her sleeve aside slightly. "See? This scar is proof!" She indicated the faint, silvery line left by Hao Xua's blade.

  At the sight of it, Bi Kan’s face instantly dimmed.

  The air went out of him, and his breath hitched. A familiar wave of guilt, cold and heavy, washed over his heart.

  Right...

  Ying Xia tilted her head, her playful mood vanishing as she saw his expression. "Hey, you alright?"

  He was too lost in the memory, his head drooping.

  A light but firm punch landed on his shoulder, the impact jarring him back to the present.

  "Didn't I already tell you to drop that?" Her voice, surprisingly soft, cut through the fog of his self-reproach.

  The morning breeze caught her pink hair, making it flow around her face. For a fleeting moment, she looked less like a rowdy hunter and more like a refined beauty from a painting.

  "I've already forgiven you, haven't I? Besides, I never blamed you for what happened. I understood your reasons."

  Bi Kan’s eyes widened. A strange, unfamiliar sensation swelled in his chest. It was a tightening, a pressure, but it didn't hurt like an injury. It hurt… differently.

  Ying Xia tossed the sword to him. "Woah!" he yelped, fumbling with it for a moment before gripping it securely with both hands. The weight was perfect, the balance exquisite.

  "The quality… it really is…"

  Ra Jian nodded, his duty fulfilled.

  "I'm glad you like it. You deserve more for your service. Even if you think your role was minuscule, to me, and to my friends who were enslaved by those bandits, it meant the world."

  Bi Kan watched the Direct Disciple's fading back, his gaze eventually returning to the magnificent blade in his hands.

  "Maybe not all privileged disciples are bad," he murmured under his breath.

  Ying Xia held out her open palm. "Give it here. I've got a spatial ring now, so let me store it for you."

  A short walk later, they arrived at the sect's Butcher and Hunting Section.

  The usual scent of raw meat and tanning hides was overpowered by the delicious aroma of roasting boar and sizzling spices.

  The area, normally a place of pragmatic work, was alive with chatter and laughter.

  "Oi! If it isn't our Founder, Bi Kan!" a booming voice cut through the noise.

  Dai, his large frame draped in a simple leather apron, laughed heartily, clapping Bi Kan on the back with enough force to make him stumble.

  Bi Kan steadied himself, a dry look on his face. "Founder? Dai, that's a bit much. I just pointed you in the right direction."

  Dai waved a dismissive hand, his grin never leaving his face. "Enough of that humble nonsense! You're the reason we're living so well these days!"

  He gestured with his thumb towards a group of children huddled in a corner. "Look at the young'uns! They're so awestruck by you, they've started to imitate you!"

  Bi Kan followed his gaze. A group of kids had deliberately messed up their hair to look overgrown and unkempt.

  They had even smudged dirt under their eyes to mimic his chronic exhaustion.

  "Do I look as exhausted and pathetic as our Founder?" one of the boys asked, striking a slouching pose.

  Lin, standing among them with her arms crossed, gave a single, solemn nod. "Yes. You match his profile from when we first saved him."

  Bi Kan gritted his teeth, a vein throbbing on his forehead. He ignored the snickering from Ying Xia and waved awkwardly at the birthday girl. "Happy Birthday, Lin."

  The party was in full swing, with long tables laden with roasted meats and simple vegetable dishes.

  Ying Xia tore into a boar rib with gusto, her cheeks shining with grease.

  "This is delicious! Reminds me of the feasts back in the village!" she yelled over the noise. "Gosh, I miss those guys. I wonder how they're doing."

  Bi Kan bit into a piece of fried chicken, its savory flavor exploding in his mouth.

  "Well, the sect did a lot of paperwork to establish your village as part of its territory. Maybe we can pay them a visit in the future."

  Ying Xia’s eyes brimmed with excitement. "I can't wait to tell them all about my adventures in the sect!"

  "You mean fighting duels all the time?" Bi Kan shook his head, tossing a clean chicken bone onto a discard pile.

  "You've practically never gone out on a real assignment. You need to accept Sect Missions."

  She rubbed the back of her head, a sheepish look on her face. "R-Right."

  Amidst the celebration, Lin moved like a ghost.

  She walked around the periphery, her gaze unfocused, her pupils darting left, right, up, and down.

  "Lin, stop that. We're supposed to be celebrating," Dai said, lifting her up with a chuckle. Yet even in his arms, her eyes continued their relentless, invisible tracking.

  "Do you think she'll be able to sense Qi soon?" A teenage girl of about fifteen, her brown hair tied back with a simple yellow hairpin, came to stand beside Bi Kan.

  He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the determined little girl. "I don't know. But if she can't... I'll just have to make it possible for her."

  His eyes fell to the palm of his own hand, tracing the calluses there.

  If Xia Jinyan could forge a path for mortals to awaken, why can't I? I won't let Lin's future rely on chance. I'll craft a pill for it.

  His intense train of thought was shattered as a massive slice of honey cake was shoved under his nose.

  "This cake, Bi Kan, it's really sweet! You should try it!" Ying Xia grinned, her face smeared with frosting.

  A long sigh escaped his lips. The weight of his ambitions felt heavier than a mountain, but for now...

  I should just enjoy myself. For a little while.

  The party continued in its lively rhythm.

  Lin, oblivious to the festivities, forced herself to see the unseeable. Ying Xia, a whirlwind of noise and energy, became the life of the party.

  And Bi Kan, for once, simply sat back and observed, a quiet pillar in the storm of their found family.

  The bright sun cascaded over a hidden, flowing waterfall, its mist kissing the air and feeding the lush greenery of the secluded grotto.

  A beautiful pond, clear as glass, reflected the sky. All around, rare spiritual herbs grew wild, glowing with a faint inner light that spoke of the rich Qi in the area.

  "Don't go running off, Lin. I made sure this area is as secluded as can be."

  Lin gave a solemn nod, her serious eyes scanning the clearing before she found a smooth, mossy rock to sit on.

  Bi Kan's own gaze shifted towards the dense forest encircling them.

  A bead of cold sweat, born of ingrained paranoia, threatened to fall from his forehead before he shook his head, forcing the tension from his shoulders. No. It's not hostile. This place is clean.

  He turned back towards Lin, who was already sitting in a lotus position. Her eyes were squeezed shut, her little forehead wrinkled in fierce concentration as she tried to feel the world's energy.

  "Don't force yourself too much, Lin," he said softly.

  After a few minutes of quiet observation, Bi Kan took a position a short distance away. He let out a long, slow exhale, and a thin veil of steam began to rise from his skin.

  "Hah..."

  Sweat beaded on his brow and trickled down his temples.

  He looked up, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin, but it soon felt less like a gentle warmth and more like a blacksmith's forge.

  A violent tremor started in his feet and shot up through his entire body.

  "Bare it..." he whispered, a plume of steam escaping his lips with the words.

  His body finally collapsed, his legs giving out from under him.

  He slammed onto the ground, his fingers digging into the rich soil as if to anchor himself against the waves of agony.

  "A little more... longer...!"

  Suddenly, the bushes behind Lin rustled. Her eyes snapped open, her training forgotten.

  In a single, fluid motion born of a hunter's instinct, her small hand flew to the haft of the hand axe tucked at her waist.

  Within the vast, silent ocean of Bi Kan's soul, the Celestial Wolf looked down upon his struggling spiritual form.

  The Sea itself seemed to vibrate with the sheer force of his torment.

  "If you do not bear with it, you will never cross the threshold," the ancient, arrogant voice echoed in the vastness of his mind. "Your body's foundation is far too weak."

  His spiritual form pushed its head against the floor of the Soul Sea, creating small ripples that mirrored his physical body grinding into the dirt.

  "Temper your body and mind. Do not sway. Do not hesitate. Last beyond your limits, and only then will you finally be able to cross it."

  Bi Kan’s eyes slowly fluttered open, the world a blurry haze of pain. "Just... a little more longer... I've got... to hol—"

  His words died in his throat. A sudden, bone-deep chill that had nothing to do with his training washed over him.

  The hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stood on end. His hands began to shiver, not from pain, but from pure, unadulterated dread.

  What the...

  Slowly, fighting through the fire in his muscles, he turned his head.

  Lin was standing frozen before a hulking, rhino-like beast that had emerged from the foliage.

  Its skin was like polished obsidian plates, and from its snout grew not one, but a trio of jagged horns that crackled with a faint, contained lightning.

  Its eyes, glowing with a malevolent blue light, were fixed solely on the small girl before it.

  Bi Kan's palm opened, and with a flash of light, the newly gifted sword with the dark hilt appeared in his trembling hand.

  "Lin!"