Morning in the Clear Sky Sect always began with the sound of wind carrying the scent of damp leaves. A thin mist hung low over the training courtyard, catching the first soft rays of sunlight rising behind the eastern cliffs. New disciples usually gathered when the sun was already up, but Lin Feiyan arrived earlier than anyone else.
He stood at the center of the empty courtyard, breathing slowly in the rhythm of the basic breathing technique. The air was still quiet, broken only by the rustling leaves of the spiritual willow tree growing at the edge of the courtyard. Its drooping branches formed a green curtain that shielded the place from the noise of the world.
Feiyan formed a small circle with his hands, trying to guide the valley's Qi through his breath. Even though the flow still stuttered like yesterday, the clarity of the morning made his chest feel lighter.
"I just need to try… little by little," he muttered.
Soft footsteps approached from behind. Feiyan opened his eyes.
Three senior disciples walked toward him. Their robes were darker, marking their higher status in the sect. Their posture was relaxed, yet something in their eyes felt off—like someone looking at a new toy they wished to play with.
"Ah, you're the new disciple," said the tallest one, his voice polite but sharp at the edges. "Up so early, hm? Trying to catch up?"
Feiyan smiled lightly and bowed. "Good morning, seniors. I just wanted to practice a bit earlier."
The second, broader senior nodded with a thin smile. "Hard work is important, of course. But with talent… what was it? Ordinary class? You'll need to work twice as hard, won't you?"
It sounded like praise, but the mockery underneath was clear. The third—youngest among them—crossed his arms, examining Feiyan from head to toe.
"Ordinary talent," he repeated, amused. "If that's the case, maybe you can do something for us to start the day."
Feiyan raised his head. "Do… something?"
The first senior smiled, showing neat white teeth. "Yes. New disciples usually help seniors prepare water before morning training. The buckets at the back well are full—bring them here."
The tone was polite. No yelling, no force.
But Feiyan understood. That task was not in the sect's rules.
He smiled gently. "Seniors, forgive me… I want to start my training today. If you need help, I can do it after."
The second senior's eyes narrowed. "You're refusing?"
"I'm not refusing," Feiyan said quickly, still smiling. "I just haven't finished training."
The third senior stepped forward. His hand grabbed Feiyan's collar—not hard enough to injure, just enough to shock him.
"You talk back like that already?" he whispered.
Feiyan didn't resist. He simply held his breath, trying to defuse the situation. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to offend."
The first senior opened his mouth to add something when light footsteps sounded from the side of the courtyard.
"What are you doing?"
The voice was soft, not loud, but enough to make all three turn.
Gao Lian approached them. Her pale-blue dress swayed gently with her movements, her long black hair falling neatly down her back. Her clear eyes showed no fear, no anger—only a simple question.
The second senior quickly released Feiyan's collar. "Ah, Lian-shimei. We weren't doing anything. Just talking to the new junior."
Feiyan straightened, lightly touching his wrinkled collar. Lian stood slightly in front of him—only a small step, but enough to stop the seniors from getting closer.
"Talking?" Lian repeated softly.
Her tone was gentle, but her gaze was cold like untouched morning frost.
The first senior smiled stiffly. "Of course. We were only advising him to work hard. Ordinary talent needs more guidance, doesn't it?"
Lian's expression remained unchanged. "Guidance? Or orders?"
They exchanged awkward glances. The third senior forced a small laugh. "Shimei… you misunderstand. We meant no harm."
Lian raised a delicate brow. "Then you won't mind leaving."
The second senior tried to object, but the first raised a hand to stop him. He gave Lian a stiff smile.
"Of course. Since you insist."
Before turning away, they gave Feiyan one last look—not mocking this time, but calculating. Interested.
Not in Feiyan.
In Gao Lian.
Then they left.
Feiyan exhaled slowly, realizing the air felt lighter without them. He bowed to Lian.
"Thank you. Sorry for troubling you."
Lian looked at him. "They shouldn't have bothered you."
Feiyan shook his head. "It's fine. I'm… okay."
"You didn't seem okay," she replied flatly.
Feiyan fell silent, his cheeks warming. "I just didn't want trouble."
"Sometimes," Lian said, watching the willow leaves swaying above them, "being too kind only gets you hurt."
Feiyan looked down. "Maybe."
She studied him for a moment. "Were you hurt?"
"They didn't pull that hard," Feiyan answered honestly. "I was more startled than hurt."
Lian nodded, as if confirming something in her mind. "Good."
A soft silence settled before she asked,
"Do you still want to train?"
Feiyan lifted his head, a small, sincere smile appearing—fragile, but bright.
"Yes," he said. "I still want to try."
For the first time that morning, Lian's expression softened—a brief, delicate smile, like a glimmer of light on water. Enough to warm Feiyan's chest.
Morning wind carried the scent of wildflowers across the courtyard as Feiyan sat again to practice breathing. This time, something in him felt lighter.
And behind him, Gao Lian watched quietly—like someone observing a small flower stubbornly blooming between stones.
The wind moved gently through the training grounds as Feiyan steadied his breath again. Though still flawed, his flow of Qi lasted a few seconds longer than before.
"Better now," Lian said softly.
Feiyan peeked at her. "Really? I feel like there's still so much wrong."
"That's normal," she replied. "You've only just started. But your flow is more stable than it was this morning."
Feiyan smiled awkwardly. "Thanks… for waiting."
"There's nothing to thank," she said, voice calm but gentle. "I just don't want them bothering you again."
Those words lodged warmly in Feiyan's chest.
He tried again, guiding his Qi slowly—like water finding its path. After a few minutes, his breath fell back into steady rhythm.
"That's enough for today," Lian said.
"Enough?" Feiyan blinked. "Already?"
"If you force it, your meridians will bruise. Many new disciples fail because they don't know when to stop." She dusted off her robe. "Good practice isn't harsh—it's consistent."
Feiyan memorized the words.
Before he could say anything, several new disciples entered the courtyard. They spotted him standing close to Gao Lian.
Whispers erupted instantly.
"Is that really Gao Lian…?"
"She's training with a new disciple?"
"Why is she close to him?"
Feiyan flushed at the attention, uncomfortable with their curious stares.
Lian, however, remained unaffected. "Ignore them."
"I'm fine," Feiyan said quickly, though his ears were red.
"If you're fine, then let's go. You need a quieter place."
She walked ahead. Feiyan followed down the stone steps to a small garden hidden between two pavilions. A mossy ancient boulder stood in the center, surrounded by small purple spiritual flowers.
"This place…" Feiyan breathed. "It's beautiful."
"It's my favorite spot," Lian replied. "Hardly anyone comes here."
Feiyan touched a petal. It smelled like morning dew. "You come here alone?"
"Quiet places are more honest than people."
Feiyan didn't fully understand, but didn't ask. He sat on a flat stone by a small pond, watching the ripples.
Lian observed him quietly.
"You didn't fight back," she said suddenly.
"When?"
"This morning. When they mocked you."
Feiyan hesitated. "I don't want trouble."
"That's not a reason," she said—not judging, just curious. "Most new disciples are afraid. But you're not afraid. You're… too gentle."
"I just don't want to hurt anyone."
"Even if they hurt you first?"
He looked at the pond. "If I lash out… that won't be me."
Lian lowered her gaze, hiding something in her expression. "You're strange."
"…Sorry?"
"Not in a bad way," she added. "Just different."
After a quiet moment, Feiyan stood. "Thank you… for helping me."
"You don't need to thank me."
"But if you hadn't come—"
"Feiyan," she interrupted, stepping closer. "You're not alone."
The words pierced him—not painfully, but deeply. He rarely heard such things.
"From now on," she continued, "if anyone bothers you, tell me."
"I don't want to trouble—"
"You don't trouble me," she said softly. "I just don't want to see you treated like that."
There was something in her eyes—warm, deep, unreadable.
Feiyan smiled, gentle and honest. "Thank you."
Lian held his gaze. "Lower your head a little."
"Huh?"
"Just for a moment. Trust me."
Confused, Feiyan obeyed. Lian raised her pale hand, her fingers brushing his temple with feather-light touch. Warmth spread subtly through his mind—like someone soothing a frightened child.
"What is this…?" Feiyan whispered.
"A small healing technique," Lian said. "To help you feel better."
She withdrew her hand.
Feiyan blinked. "I… feel calm."
"Good," she murmured. "Now you'll sleep well tonight."
Feiyan smiled, unaware of the faint, delicate mark that nestled itself deep inside his Qi—a tiny knot that shimmered once before dissolving into his core.
Lian watched him quietly.
Shackled Heart Seal.
Not harmful.
Not forceful.
Just a gentle knot—one that bound the softest emotions, keeping them from fading.
"Feiyan," she called. "Let's go back before the courtyard fills."
Feiyan nodded, warm light still lingering in his chest.
He walked ahead. Lian followed slowly, her gaze resting briefly on his back—thin, fragile, yet persistent.
One knot was placed.
Soft.
Silent.
Painless.
And she knew… this was only the beginning.