The once murky waters of Yue Ling's spiritual consciousness had finally cleared. The crimson hue that once stained its surface was gone, replaced by a serene, almost holy whiteness. As the water shimmered in the stillness of the world, Yue Ling stood in the middle of the expansive space. The petals of the Orchid Tears floated on its surface, moving gently with the calm ebb and flow. A tree, still in the process of forming, stood within the center of the water, its base thick with layers of energy, but its branches were sparse, barely growing. It was a symbol of something yet to fully awaken.
In her hand, she still held the ancient pill her ancestor had given her. The pill was warm, glowing faintly with a mystic energy that had flooded her body when she swallowed it. The warmth spread like a calming flame throughout her being, healing the remnants of her exhaustion, her wounds from the previous days of training. It was both a cure and a catalyst. The pill restored her to full strength, but more importantly, it allowed her to tap into a deeper power within herself, a power that had been locked away for so long.
Yue Ling's mind drifted to the voice of her ancestor, echoing in her thoughts: "In the next few days, you'll train here—only relying on your combat energy. Use this time to consolidate your affinity with the elements. I won't be here to guide you, Ling'er. I will enter slumber, and when I wake, I expect progress. Don't disappoint me."
The words were clear, their weight settling on her chest like a boulder. She had no choice but to honor her ancestor's request, no matter how much it tested her endurance. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, focusing on the space around her.
The waters around her swirled in response, as if waiting for her to make the first move. Yet, before she could gather her thoughts, the sound of the ocean in her mind was interrupted by a strange sensation—a shift, a pull toward slumber. She hadn't realized how tired she was until it was too late. The weight of exhaustion took over, and Yue Ling collapsed onto the invisible bed formed by the energy of her surroundings. She let herself drift into sleep, but not before hearing her ancestor's final words.
"I'll be watching... just not now."
Hours passed. The stillness of her dreamworld persisted until, suddenly, a voice rang through her mind.
"Wake up, Ling'er!"
Yue Ling blinked, groggily opening her eyes. Her vision was blurry, and for a moment, she wasn't sure where she was. But then, the familiar face of Princess Mei appeared before her, laughing softly. Yue Ling stared at her, still half-dazed, before sitting up with a yawn.
"Where are you taking a fighting stance? Did you hallucinate a mosquito in your dream?" Mei teased, her voice filled with amusement.
Yue Ling rubbed her eyes, frowning in confusion. "Mosquito? Where?" She squinted, her hand swatting at the air in search of the imaginary insect. "Wait, did you just call me a mosquito?"
Princess Mei burst out laughing, clutching her sides. "You're too funny, Ling'er. I swear, you must've dreamed about mosquitoes. And yes, I did call you a mosquito!"
Yue Ling's cheeks flushed, the playful remark igniting a spark of annoyance. "Never call me a mosquito again, Mei Mei. I'll show you!" she huffed, trying to look offended, though the twinkle in her eye betrayed her.
The two of them broke into a playful tussle, their laughter filling the air. The sounds of their bickering echoed through the cave, carefree and full of life. It had been so long since Yue Ling had felt this free, this unburdened. For a moment, she forgot about the weight of her responsibilities, the fear of what lay ahead. It was just her and Mei, laughing like nothing else mattered.
The noise of their play reached the ears of the others. Butler San, hearing their voices, couldn't help but smile wistfully. "It's been a long time since I've heard this kind of noise. I hope it lasts... longer," he murmured, his voice tinged with both joy and sadness.
Old Man Hu, overhearing them, nodded in agreement. "Ah, I remember when my children used to wake me up like that. Those were the days..." He paused, his expression softening as memories of his own children filled his mind. "I miss those days. Those sounds, that happiness..."
Grandfather Yue stood by the entrance of the room, listening to the laughter echoing from within. His heart stirred with emotions he hadn't felt in years. This... this is what I want. To hear them laughing together, to see them safe, to protect them both at all costs. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. I won't lose them like I lost Ye'er and my wives.
His thoughts were interrupted by his own voice, which came out louder than he intended. "Aren't you two going to prepare for the competition? You're wasting time!"
Mei and Yue Ling froze, staring at Grandfather Yue with exaggerated expressions of mock horror. "Ah, the joykiller speaks," butler San muttered, but there was no malice in his words.
"Prepare for the competition?" Yue Ling echoed, still caught in the wake of their previous playful exchange. "But we're having fun! Who cares about that?"
Grandfather Yue raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with authority. "You care, Ling'er. Now, get ready. Or we go back to the Crescent world realm."
The two girls groaned in unison but quickly began preparing. Yue Ling slipped into her disguise once again, but this time, it was more refined. Her appearance had shifted slightly; her hair was now styled with a pin—a traditional symbol of maturity in her culture, signaling the beginning of womanhood. It was a subtle but significant change, one that was more than just a physical alteration.
Unbeknownst to Yue Ling, the disguise triggered something deep within Grandfather Yue. The sight of her with the pin in her hair stirred an ancient memory—a memory of a time long past. I was the one who placed that pin in her hair... His heart ached as the memories flooded back. The connection between him and her mother was too much for him to bear at that moment, and he quickly turned his thoughts away, focusing instead on the task ahead.
As they approached the arena, the buzz of anticipation filled the air. Spectators lined the pathways, eagerly awaiting the scholar who had presented the finest pill. But when the figure of Yue Ling appeared, her disguise causing her to be unrecognizable, the crowd murmured in confusion.
"Who is this? Male? Female? Is this a joke?" one person called out, frustration beginning to bubble.
Princess Mei smirked, her eyes flashing with understanding. "Thank the ancestors," she said, barely suppressing a laugh. "I already know your gender."
The tension in the air was palpable as the crowd whispered, trying to figure out who this mysterious figure really was. Was this the scholar they'd been waiting for? Or was it someone entirely different? The confusion grew, but Yue Ling stood firm, her disguise complete.