So I just got busted breaking out of prison by the Crown Prince. Life couldn't get any worse.
"Your Highness, I can explain."
He looks at me and shakes his head.
"Don't even bother. Just don't make it worse."
I dip my head, shoulders slumping. I am so ashamed that I got caught.
"Follow me."
I do as told this time. To my surprise, we walk past the cell.
"Aren't you going to put me back in prison?"
"If I do, a lot of people are going to get in trouble."
Interesting. Is he just trying to avoid paperwork? If I were him, I would do the same, and avoid paperwork at all costs.
"Um, where are we going?"
"Back to my chamber. There are matters I would like to discuss with you in private."
Given the tone he's using at the moment, I think it's wise for me to stay quiet for now. I did cause a mountain to disappear.
I keep up with his brisk pace as we head to his chamber, a few steps behind him. After all, he split the cherry blossom tree in half with his bare hands, so I don't want to experience his wrath.
In the royal chamber, Long Fei is sitting at the guest table, sipping tea.
"Master, you're back! Did you find the mountain? Oh, and I met Long Yan."
"Long Fei, you wouldn't believe where I found this rascal?"
Uh-oh. I withdraw my neck like a turtle in a shell.
"Your Highness, based on her guilty look, probably not in her cell."
I can feel his stern gaze boring into me.
"I should discipline my prison guards. How can they let her escape like that? She doesn't even have her elemental powers. How did you escape, by the way?"
"By magic, of course." I laugh nervously.
The Crown Prince eyes me suspiciously, then sighs as he slumps into his chair and picks up a teacup. He glances over at his friend.
"Well done in finding the mountain. And thank you for providing me with a map of its location."
"It was my fault for not training her properly. I'm just glad the mountain was still intact and just relocated."
Phew! That means I didn't accrue more debt. That would be devastating.
"Ling Yue, do you have something to say?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, Your Highness, for all the trouble I've caused you. I swear by the sea that I will be more careful from now on."
"I'm hesitant to let her evolve so that she can learn her lesson."
No, His Highness can't do that. Can he?
My master rests a finger on his chin. Is he considering such an absurd suggestion?
"But I'm so close. Don't you want me out of this form? So that I can be more useful?"
"I don't know if we can contain your chaos. You're causing more damage than I thought was possible. Useful? Try to be harmless first."
"Ling Yue, I hope you haven't forgotten that you owe His Highness a new jade teacup."
Oh right, the one that shattered when I said I used the Golem's Blade to extract the Lunar Jade shard.
"But I didn't even touch the teacup. He dropped it out of shock. That was his fault."
My master stares at me, eyes narrowing and nose flaring, a silent warning that I've overstepped.
"Okay, where do I, or how do I replace your jade teacup, Your Highness?"
"I'm glad you asked. Both of you should head there together. Here you go."
The Crown Prince raising his brow, hands his friend a map.
"Long Fei, do you want to release her elemental powers or me? It's dangerous where I got the teacup from."
Yes. I'm getting my powers back and why would getting a teacup be dangerous?
"She's my guardian. I'll do it. Thank you."
He lets out a sigh and shakes his head.
"Ling Yue, I hope we don't have to do this again."
Before I even get a chance to brace myself, he snaps his fingers. A tidal wave of energy floods through the acupressures on my neck and spine. I feel alive again as air and water elemental powers flow through my meridians. So all this time he didn't even need to touch me? These two immortals are terrifying.
I'm beginning to see that being older, stranger things happen and people treat you differently.
These two were so gentle to me when I was younger. Now I have to face consequences.
He used to warn me when he took my power away or gave it back. Now it's a snap of his fingers.
How strong are they seriously? All this time they were hiding their strength from me?
I'm glad I'm training under them, and not their foe.
I crack my knuckles and neck, roll my shoulders, and bounce on my feet. I need a good stretch soon. Being in prison, and getting powers unsealed, takes a toll on the body.
The two friends give each other a knowing nod.
Long Fei unfurls the map, glimpses over it, rolls it back up, and tucks it in his sleeve.
"Try to keep up."
Then he dashes out. I run after him. He hooks his arms behind his back and flies to the sky. I fly as fast as possible but am straggling behind him. He twirls through the sea of clouds, effortlessly weaving past other immortals. No wonder others stop and gape to admire him, it's captivating to watch. I crash into a couple of spectators along the way. There's no time to waste. At his pace, I'll lose sight of him soon. I have to either bowl others over or flip over them. I wonder when I can fly as gracefully as he does.
Then he descends toward a lush, overgrown mountain. He touches down as gracefully as a swan gliding across the water, his flowing sleeves billowing to a gentle halt. I couldn't slow down in time and tumble to the ground. I pick myself up and brush the dust off. This is the reason why I never wear white.
In the forest lies an ancient ruin.
"So, are we going to play hide and seek for old time's sake?"
"If that's what you wish, so be it. I'll see you in the middle."
Then, like a gentle breeze, he vanishes.
Me and my big mouth.
I charge through the forest, the branches reach out for me and grab my clothes. My brute strength snaps the branches off. Oh no, clingy trees. I hate being bogged down by clingy things. I pummel my way through to the Ancient Ruin.
To my surprise, I'm not greeted by eerie howls or the smell of damp moss. The ancient ruin is filled with beautiful fragrant flora. The plants slowly face me and sniff me. One tries to swallow me. Okay, these are animal-eating flora. I better run now. I don't want to end up as plant food.
I use an air tendril to slice off the plant that's sucking on my shoulder. Other plants and flora stick their tongue out, licking their lips as they approach me. This is so disgusting. I don't like this hide-and-seek game anymore.
I'm flinging my air tendril around branches as leverage to swing through this sea of monstrosity. It's so gross! I spot a door ahead arched with runes. Given my race against the Dragon of Air, I'm assuming these runes would need some air elemental. I channel air magic into it and it all lights up, opening the door. I slide through the door, and it slams shut, slicing some small flower heads off as it tries to latch onto me.
Long Fei is waiting in the middle of this room, standing beside a glowing floating artifact. Yes, I am going to evolve. This glowing artifact looks like a jade tea cup.
As I approach the artifact, the glow transfers onto me. Warmth prickles my body as I float. I gaze down at him and he gazes back, eyes shimmering. A bright ethereal light engulfs me. I feel my body change. I grow taller, my limbs grow longer, and the light gently puts me on my feet again. I'm not a whale this time. I'm still in my human-like guise.
Long Fei hands me the Jade Teacup.
"You should give this to His Highness. This is what you owe him."
That's just a small item. I still have plenty of outstanding quests to pay for my enormous bill.
I gently accept the Jade Teacup, placing it on a shelf inside my mystical satchel. Then pluck my scroll of quests out. To my surprise, it's not just one line that's glowing, it's a few now. I have choices.
"Look, Master, I've got options now of the quests I can do."
A smile tugs at his lips.
"Of course. You've leveled up. And with that, new doors open."