Lian crouched low in the training courtyard, sweat running down her back as she struggled to steady her breath. Around her, spirit lanterns flickered in their slow orbit, casting halos of blue light over the ground. The mountain wind whistled past, carrying petals and quiet warnings.
She'd been at this for hours.
Focus. Balance. Channel the qi.
Her body obeyed, but her heart—her heart was somewhere else.
Somewhere by the waterfall, where Shengzhi had kissed her fingertips like she was breakable.
"Again," she murmured to herself, bringing her hands together in the lotus stance Shengzhi had shown her.
The lanterns pulsed.
And then—a flicker.
A rush of heat in her chest. Something glowing beneath her skin.
She gasped as the petals around her suddenly lifted off the ground, caught in a whirlwind that spun around her like a silent dance. Her eyes widened as golden sparks erupted from her fingertips, forming a shape—an open lotus, hovering in the air before it vanished.
Then silence.
She stumbled back, dazed.
Behind her, someone clapped.
Lian turned sharply.
Li Fang leaned against the pillar, arms crossed, grinning. "Not bad for a mortal."
"You were watching?" she said, a bit breathless.
"I was walking by. But I had to stop when I saw you glowing again." He raised an eyebrow. "You should really put a warning sign around you."
Lian rolled her eyes. "You really think you're charming, don't you?"
"No," he said. "I know I am."
She sighed, brushing hair from her face. "What do you want?"
Li Fang walked toward her, eyes surprisingly soft. "I want to know why the sect's second heir is risking everything for you."
She froze. "Shengzhi?"
"He's never brought anyone here before," Li Fang said quietly. "Not even a wounded hawk, let alone a girl glowing with celestial qi. You may not know it yet, but you're important. And important people tend to get hurt."
He stepped closer. "Be careful, Lian."
Their eyes locked for a long moment. Then he smiled again—lighter this time. "I'm supposed to escort you to Master Yu."
---
Mount Yunyuan's inner sanctum was quiet, carved directly into the mountain, lit with spirit flames that never burned out. Shengzhi waited there, arms folded, back straight—but his eyes softened when Lian entered.
"You summoned me?" she asked.
He glanced at Li Fang. "Leave us."
Li Fang hesitated. "But—"
"Now."
With a sharp sigh and a mocking bow, Li Fang left. The door slid shut behind him.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Then Shengzhi said softly, "You felt it again, didn't you?"
Lian nodded. "It's getting stronger."
He stepped closer, close enough that she could see the flicker of candlelight in his eyes. "You've always had power. Even before you knew how to use it."
"Before?" she echoed.
His jaw tensed. "Forget I said that."
"I can't," she whispered. "I keep dreaming of places I've never seen. People I've never met. Names I don't remember. It's like something inside me is trying to break out."
He looked away. "I know."
"I want the truth," she said. "Even if it hurts."
Shengzhi's voice was barely audible. "I'm afraid it will destroy you."
And me.
Before she could respond, a tremor shook the ground—just enough to rattle the lanterns.
A disciple burst in. "Elder Shengzhi! Wuqian was spotted near the southern ridge—he's not alone."
Lian's blood turned to ice.
Shengzhi was already moving, his robe billowing as he turned to her. "Stay here."
"No," she said, stepping forward. "I can fight."
"You're not ready."
"But he's after me, isn't he?"
He hesitated. Then… gave a single nod.
"Then I'm going with you."
---
To be continued...