The morning sun spilled over the Eastern Cloud Sect, bathing the training grounds in golden light. Birds chirped in the bamboo grove, where Li Tian sat cross-legged on a flat rock, sipping tea. His "training" session was proceeding with its usual intensity — that is, none whatsoever.
A pair of junior disciples walked past, whispering.
"Look, he's meditating in the grove. That's the Bamboo Heart Technique, right?"
"Of course! I heard it can silence a person's thoughts completely."
Li Tian took another sip and flicked away a stray leaf. The whisperers gasped.
"Did you see that? He just dispersed a wood-element spirit!"
Mei Lin emerged from the grove's edge, holding a bamboo practice spear. Her hair was damp from morning drills, and her forehead glistened. She gave Li Tian a puzzled look.
"Why are you sitting here? Again?"
"Practicing," he said without blinking.
She squinted at him, clearly unconvinced. "Practicing what? Laziness?"
Before Li Tian could answer, two elders appeared nearby, pretending to be on a casual stroll. They stopped when they saw the pair.
"Aha," Elder Qin murmured to Elder Han. "The Slacker Sage is passing on his techniques to Mei Lin."
"Her aura's sharper already," Elder Han said with a knowing nod. "A dangerous combination."
Li Tian glanced at them. "I can hear you, you know."
Mei Lin sighed. "Don't mind them. But seriously, you should be sparring. You've got that exhibition duel in three days."
Li Tian leaned back. "I'll win by… existing."
Mei Lin rolled her eyes. "That's not a strategy."
"It's worked so far," he said, taking another sip.
They walked together toward the main courtyard, passing a group of outer sect disciples. One of them nudged the other.
"See? He trains with her personally. No wonder she's untouchable."
The other whispered, "They must be… you know."
Li Tian's brow twitched. He didn't bother correcting them. Mei Lin didn't hear — or pretended not to.
In the courtyard, her Dao partner, Wei Chen, was demonstrating a flowing sword form to a small crowd. His strikes were clean, precise, and almost poetic in motion. Mei Lin's eyes lingered a moment too long. Li Tian noticed, though he said nothing. Instead, he took another sip of tea.
Wei Chen spotted them and grinned. "Mei Lin, ready for our joint practice later?"
She nodded. "Of course." Her voice had that little spark of enthusiasm Li Tian never got from her.
The surrounding disciples exchanged glances. Some smirked. The rumors were already brewing.
During the midday break, Li Tian retreated to his favorite quiet spot — the roof of the library. Mei Lin climbed up after him, holding two steamed buns. She tossed one to him.
"You skipped lunch again."
He caught it easily. "Thanks."
They ate in silence for a while, the hum of distant training filling the air.
Mei Lin suddenly asked, "Do you ever wonder what people think of us?"
Li Tian paused mid-bite. "I try not to."
"Well, you should. They all think we're… close." She said the word like it was a dangerous cliff edge.
"Aren't we?"
"Yes, but…" She hesitated. "Not like that."
Li Tian smirked faintly. "Relax. I'm not proposing."
She punched his arm lightly. "Good." But there was a faint flush on her cheeks — whether from the sun or something else, he couldn't tell.
Later that evening, in the bamboo grove again, Mei Lin met with Wei Chen for sword drills. Li Tian happened to be napping nearby — completely by accident, of course. Through half-lidded eyes, he caught glimpses of their synchronized movements. The way she laughed when Wei Chen corrected her stance. The way his tone softened when speaking to her.
Li Tian closed his eyes again. Whatever this was, it wasn't his business. Still, the grove felt quieter than usual.