By the end of the grueling training, both Jian and Nansich were utterly wrecked. Their clothes clung to their bodies, soaked in sweat. Jian was collapsed on his back, panting loudly as he gazed up at the cloud-dusted evening sky. His chest heaved with exhaustion, every limb felt like jelly. Just beside him, Nansich was sprawled like a starfish on the grass, groaning dramatically.
"Ughhh, I hate this..." Nansich whined, barely able to lift his arm. "I think I broke my soul... it's floating away from my body…"
Jian gave a breathless laugh, but couldn't even find the strength to turn his head. He blinked up at the soft amber sky when, suddenly, a large shadow fell across him. Something blocked the sunlight.
He blinked again.
Above him stood Xing Yu, silent, composed… and maddeningly beautiful.
