Blossoming Path

A whirlwind of information about the final round left my head spinning. The Crucible of the Five Elements... it sounded daunting, exciting, and a little bit terrifying. My gaze drifted to the ancient storage ring on my finger, a gift from Guowei Wang that held my prize, the Two-Star Pagoda Pill Furnace. It was hard to believe that such a massive tool was now mine.

I'd have to get as familiar with it before the round. There goes my day off, I suppose.

"If I'd known Guowei Wang was so generous," Zhi Ruo grumbled beside me, "I would've gifted him a fine brush to complement that ink pot!"

A chuckle escaped my lips. "I got lucky," I admitted, remembering the near-humiliation of renting a wheelbarrow to transport my unwieldy prize. "Storage rings are a luxury for most, it seems."

Zhi Ruo shot me a wry look. "Tell me about it," he muttered, struggling to maneuver his chosen tool on the small cart provided by the Association. "Maybe an alchemist's salary will finally get me one."

"First thing on the shopping list," I agreed with a grin. "Unless you fancy lugging that contraption around everywhere."

Before he could retort, a voice called out from across the Marble Jade Arena. "Hey, you two!"

Tian Zhu and Fang Xiang stood there, leaning against the wall with uncharacteristic smiles on their faces. They weren't directly antagonistic towards me like Duan Jian, but they were far from friendly before this. My eyebrows furrowed. Their sudden affability felt... suspicious. I nudged Zhi Ruo, exchanging a questioning glance. What could these two want?

"Congratulations on making it this far," Tian Zhu began, his tone almost too friendly. "Especially given your backgrounds."

Fang Xiang nodded in agreement. "It's impressive. Most wouldn't have thought commoners could compete at this level."

I bristled at the word but I kept my expression neutral. "Thanks," I said cautiously. "We've worked hard to get here."

Zhi Ruo nodded beside me, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah, hard work pays off."

Fang Xiang's smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Indeed it does. But hard work alone won't be enough for the final round. The Crucible of the Five Elements is going to be a true test of our abilities."

Tian Zhu leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "We were thinking... after Ma Hualong's explanation, it became clear that the final round will be incredibly challenging. It would be smart to eliminate the biggest threat among us."

I frowned, not liking where this was heading. "What are you trying to say?"

Fang Xiang glanced around, ensuring no one else was listening. "We're suggesting a temporary alliance. Jingyu Lian is the most formidable competitor and the favorite to win it all. If we work together, we can take her out first."

My blood ran cold at the suggestion. "You want us to collude to take out Jingyu Lian?" I asked, my voice rising slightly. "That's..."

Zhi Ruo stood by me, his face set with determination. "I'm not comfortable with this idea at all. We should compete on our merits, not through deceit."

Tian Zhu's smile faded, replaced by a look of irritation. "You two are missing the bigger picture. This is about strategy. If we let her be, it's almost certain she'll win."

Fang Xiang nodded in agreement. "Think about it. She's the only one standing in the way of all of us having a real shot at winning."

I shook my head, my resolve firm. "If you're so weak that you have to gang up on a woman, maybe you should just quit. I'm here to compete, not to conspire."

Tian Zhu's eyes flashed with anger, but he didn't respond. Fang Xiang opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. "I've crossed lines and broken rules before, but I can live with what's in my soul. I won't betray that for a cheap victory. Come on, Feng Wu. We don't need to listen to anymore of this drivel."

I turned away and walked off, they said something as we departed, but I didn't care to listen.

The both of us were walking in silence, the tension from the confrontation still hanging in the air.

"Watch your back," Zhi Ruo said quietly. "They might not take kindly to our refusal."

"I know," I replied. "Be careful on your way home. I don't trust them not to try something underhanded."

He nodded, his expression serious. "What about you? What are you going to do?"

I hesitated, not wanting to reveal my true intentions. "Just need to get something. I'll meet up with you later."

The librarian gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further. "Alright, see you later. Be careful."

With a nod, I turned and retraced my steps, trying to remember the direction Jingyu Lian had taken after leaving the arena. The chilly afternoon air bit at my skin, and I pulled my robe tighter around me. The streets were filled with people dressed in thicker clothing, their breath visible in the cold.

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"There she is," I muttered to myself.

I spotted a familiar hooded robe in the distance. Jingyu Lian's distinctive attire was hard to miss.

I quickened my pace, weaving through the crowd, but just as I was about to reach her, a hand like a steel vice clamped down on my arm. Pain flared through my shoulder as I was yanked backwards and forced to my knees.

A cold voice cut through the din. "And where do you think you're going?"

I looked up, trying to see who had me in their grasp. The figure was cloaked, their face obscured by shadows. The strength in their grip told me they were no ordinary person. I tried to wrench myself free but to no avail.

"Tian Zhan! Let him go!"

Just like that, the pressure disappeared at her command. He drew back, almost gliding towards her but still facing between us in a protective manner. Jingyu Lian gazed at me with an intrigued look.

"Kai Liu? What do you want?"

My arm throbbed from the sudden release, but I pushed the pain aside, focusing on the opportunity to speak with her. "I wanted to talk to you about something important," I began, trying to keep my voice steady.

Her eyebrow arched, a slight frown marring her otherwise serene face. "Here in the middle of the street?"

Heat crept up my neck as I realized we were attracting unwanted attention. "No," I mumbled, my gaze darting around at the curious onlookers. "Somewhere more discreet."

Jingyu Lian nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Follow me."

A curt nod was all she offered before turning on her heel and leading the way. We followed her through a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, the air growing colder with each step. Tian Zhan, silent as a shadow, remained a few paces behind, his watchful gaze never leaving my back.

Before I knew it, we were in a quiet tea shop. The owner greeted her with a deep bow and led us to a private room with sliding doors. The atmosphere was calm and serene, as a musician played the lute outside, just faint enough to hear. She and her escort removed their hoods, revealing their faces fully.

The escort, Tian Zhan, had wild, grey hair and piercing eyes that reminded me of Windy's. Where have I...?

Recognition hit me like a ton of bricks. This was the same person I had seen at Spirited Noodle when I first came to Crescent Bay City.

His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, remained fixed on me with undisguised suspicion. Jingyu Lian, however, seemed more composed. She settled onto a cushion with the grace of a swan, her gaze unwavering. "Well?" she prompted, her voice as smooth as silk. "What did you want to say?"

Taking a deep breath, I started. "Fang Xiang and Tian Zhu approached me and Zhi Ruo. They suggested we work together to eliminate you in the final round."

Her eyes didn't betray anything, and she remained silent. Taking that as a sign, I continued.

"I refused," I said firmly. "I don't believe in ganging up on someone. I just wanted to warn you."

Jingyu Lian went quiet, her gaze piercing through me. The silence stretched, and I felt a knot of nervousness tightening in my stomach. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but demanding. "Why are you doing this? Why go so far to protect a stranger?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "What are you talking about? It's not about protection. I just have integrity. I don't want to cheat."

"Cheating, yes," she echoed, her voice laced with a hint of irony. Her eyes narrowed, a glint of suspicion in their depths. "You seem to have a knack for interfering in other people's affairs, don't you?"

My heart skipped a beat. She knew. I feared the worst, wondering if she realized I had eavesdropped on her and her father at Cloudrift Pavilion. "I... I don't know what you're talking about." I stammered, feeling exposed under her scrutiny.

But her gaze remained unwavering, piercing through my facade like a blade. "Master Lei Ren," she said softly, the name hanging in the air like a challenge. "You were the one who brought him into the Gauntlet, weren't you?"

Shit.

A cold dread washed over me. I had been discovered.

She continued to stare at me, her expression unreadable. I braced myself for accusations, for the icy disdain I was sure would follow.

But instead, her voice was surprisingly soft, almost curious. "Why didn't you leave things be?" she asked. "You could have had an easier path to winning the Gauntlet."

The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. My heart hammered in my chest, but my gaze didn't waver. "Winning by deceit isn't winning at all," I countered, my voice steadier than I felt. "I want to earn my victory, not steal it."

Unless you counted Duan Jian. Or Elder Jun. But they don't count!

A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "You're an unusual one, Kai Liu," she murmured.

Tian Zhan seemed to relax, his stern demeanor easing a bit. I breathed a sigh of relief. Having slitted eyes trained on you for several minutes was unnerving, to say the least. "It seems you've found yourself a suitor, Mistress Jingyu," he remarked with a slight smirk.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment. "It's not like that!" I protested, waving my hands in denial. "I just wanted to help."

Tian Zhan chuckled, the sound surprisingly warm and genuine. "I jest," he said, bowing his head slightly. "Kai Liu, is it? I apologize for the earlier... enthusiasm. I owe you a debt of gratitude for looking out for my Junior Sister. Rest assured, we'll take your warning to heart."

Jingyu Lian nodded, a sincere expression on her face. "Thank you, Kai Liu," she said softly, her tone carrying genuine gratitude as she looked into my eyes. "I won't forget this."

Thud-thud!

Her words, so simple yet so powerful, struck a chord within me. My heart pounded erratically in my chest, each beat louder than the last. I couldn't tell if it was the relief that she didn't press further about Master Lei Ren or something else entirely. As she turned to leave, I found myself captivated by the way her presence filled the room.

"...No problem. Just doing what I should."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. Something was wrong with me. Was this the onset of Qi Deviation? The erratic heartbeat and sudden rush of emotions certainly felt like it. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought. Maybe it was just the sheer relief of not being exposed.

Lost in my thoughts, I stood there for a moment as they left the private room, then groaned.

Feng Wu was going to kill me for pulling another stunt like this.

SCENE BREAK

I knelt on the cold floor of the Jade Harmony Inn, my forehead pressed against the wooden boards. I truly lived up to my moniker as Kowtow Kai with this one. "I'm sorry, Feng Wu! I'm really sorry! I just thought it was the right thing to do," I pleaded, my voice shaking with fear.

Feng Wu stood in front of me, his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was unreadable, a mix of contemplation and irritation. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken disappointment, and I braced myself for the inevitable scolding.

"Get up, Kai," he said with a sigh, his tone surprisingly gentle. "You're not in trouble for antagonizing Fang Xiang and Tian Zhu."

I lifted my head, blinking in confusion. "I'm not?" I asked, hesitantly rising to my feet.

Feng Wu shook his head. "No. In fact, you might have just earned yourself a powerful ally in the process, far more powerful than those two combined."

I stared at him, baffled. "Jingyu Lian? Why would her favour be so important?"

I could see how her affiliations with the Whispering Wind sect was crucial, but that didn't seem as big of a benefit he was making it out to be.

Feng Wu's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. "Not just her. Tian Zhan is no ordinary disciple. The Howling Wind. He's their number one genius and the one rumoured to be next in line to inherit their Sect Leader's position."

My jaw dropped. "There's no way..."

"Did he have grey hair and sharp eyes?" Feng Wu asked, his tone calm.

I nodded, still reeling from the revelation. "Yeah, he did. But... that was him?"

He nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "When we ran into him at the Spirited Noodle that one time, I had an inkling it was Tian Zhan, based on his strength and appearance. I didn't think he was acting as a personal escort for Jingyu Lian, however."

I was in shock, my mind racing to process everything. The tension that had been gripping me eased slightly as I realized I wasn't in as much trouble as I thought. I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.

Feng Wu's smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression. "Don't get too comfortable," he warned, his voice taking on a chilly edge. "You are in trouble. Just not for the reason you think."

My heart sank. "But... you said..."

"You're in trouble for not listening to me and avoiding fights," Feng Wu interrupted, his voice as cold as the winter air outside. "I specifically told you to stay out of this political mess between the other clans and families. And what did you do? You jumped right into the middle of it."

His shadow seemed to loom over me, and I felt a chill run down my spine. "Feng Wu, wait! You can't hurt me! Are you really going to injure me before the finals? Hey, I'm not even an official disciple! You can't do this to a guest!" I babbled, desperation creeping into my voice.

Feng Wu's eyes were closed as he stepped closer. The temperature seemed to drop by several degrees. "Are you ready for your punishment, Kai?"

I looked over to my familiars in a panic, looking for support. Windy was resting peacefully, ignoring the trouble, and Tianyi seemed unwilling to make eye-contact with me. Those no-good familiars! Ignoring me when I'm in peril!

My screams were heard throughout the Jade Harmony Inn, and far beyond.