The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Protagonist; Divine | Calm, intelligent, and self-sacrificing.
Miao Miao: Yena's Best Friend | a flower spirit; Medicinal Healer | Emotional, protective, and sharp-tongued.
Qing Yi: Young disciple | a spirit | Proud, powerful, and unraveling.
Jin Yue: Disciple of Zhang Haoran | Loyal, protective, and quietly perceptive.
Shu Lin: Senior disciple | Loyal, calm, and emotionally restrained.
Shen Lei: Senior disciple | Duel Overseer | Supportive and dutiful.
Zhang Haoran: The Headmaster of the Flying Dragon Sect | Wise, observant, and emotionally distant.
Yu Chen: Senior disciple | Outspoken, Observant, and loyal.
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Miao Miao was the first to sense the change in Qing Yi. A strange familiarity stirred within her—a resonance she could not ignore.
["This presence... She's not just a magic-practioner. She's a spirit. Her aura holds a divine essence... but it's dark—almost suffocating."]
As Qing Yi began to transform, violet rays burst forth from her body, illuminating the arena with an eerie glow. Shu Lin rose from his seat, alarmed. He knew this power—knew she had lost control. He called out her name, but his voice was drowned in the oppressive weight of her awakening presence.
Hovering midair with hollow, violet-glowing eyes, Qing Yi nocked an arrow. Before the Headmaster—or anyone—could act, she loosed it toward Miao Miao. Exhaustion overcame her immediately after, and she collapsed. Shu Lin was there in an instant, catching her in his arms before she hit the ground.
Meanwhile, Miao Miao was also overwhelmed. As a fellow spirit, she felt the surge of energy resonate within her—disorienting, nearly paralyzing. Her thoughts clouded. Her instincts screamed. As she closed her eyes, accepting that the arrow would strike her, she suddenly felt herself yanked away by a thin, coiling force.
When she opened her eyes, she saw the aftermath.
On one end, Qing Yi lay unconscious in Shu Lin's arms.
On the other, not far away, Yena stood—blood staining the sleeve of her blue robe, her expression calm as ever. Jin Yue rushed to her side, steadying Miao Miao and guiding her to a seat before turning to examine Yena's wound.
Yena had known. Something about Qing Yi had felt wrong from the beginning. So, the moment Qing Yi loaded her arrow, Yena had acted. She drew her moonstone whip, wrapped it around Miao Miao, and pulled her away from the danger. Then, without hesitation, she stepped into the arena—into the path of the arrow—knowing full well that this was no ordinary magic-spelled arrow.
The arrow had to be stopped before it could harm the others. Yena struck it mid-flight with her spirit weapon, but the backlash of energy tore across her arm. Still, she had protected everyone else.
Miao Miao and the others soon hurried over to Yena, who simply offered them a faint smile. "I'm alright. Just a minor scratch," she said. "Is Qing Yi okay?"
Shu Lin's brows furrowed. His voice was steady but carried an undercurrent of worry. "She will be. Senior Shen has taken her to the infirmary… But you—Yena, that arrow wasn't ordinary. You shouldn't downplay this."
Miao Miao stepped closer, examining her nervously. "Are you really okay? Even if the wound looks small, still it was a fatal blow."
Yena smiled tiredly, her voice soft. "Little Miao Miao, I'm alright. A bit of rest will be enough."
The Headmaster stepped forward then, his gaze lingering on Yena's injury longer than necessary. His expression was unreadable, but something in his eyes had changed—less like the aloof sect master, more like a man who hadn't expected today's outcome.
"Yena," he said gently, "we'll speak of everything later. For now, you must let the healers tend to you."
As they began to walk toward the entrance, Yena's vision suddenly blurred. She tried to regulate her breath, to circulate her qi—but her knees gave out before she could respond.
"Yena!" Shu Lin called, already at her side. He caught her before she could hit the ground, his grip firm but careful. His usually calm face was tight with worry.
She had already fainted. But even in unconsciousness, her expression was serene—as if lost in a quiet dream.
Shu Lin hesitated for only a moment before lifting her into his arms. His eyes briefly met the Headmaster's.
The Headmaster exhaled, almost inaudibly. "I should have stopped the duel earlier... I underestimated the duel's result to be."
Shu Lin gave a small nod, then carried Yena with quiet urgency to the infirmary. There, he laid her gently on the bed, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek before stepping aside to let the healers begin their work.
Everyone waited patiently as the healers examined Yena. After a short while, one of them stepped forward and said, "The injury is minor. She's simply exhausted from a sudden surge of power."
A collective breath of relief followed.
Seeing that there was no longer a need for everyone to crowd around the infirmary—and that doing so was both inconvenient for the nurses and awkward for the patient—the group slowly dispersed. All except Shu Lin, who insisted on staying. "I'll stay here," he said calmly. "When she wakes, I'll inform the rest."
It was evening by the time Yena finally stirred. The nurse tending to her immediately stepped out to summon the others. Not long after, Miao Miao and Jin Yue arrived in a hurry, their footsteps quick with concern. Shu Lin entered soon after, visibly relieved, a quiet thankfulness in his expression as he saw her conscious and safe.
Yena's gaze drifted to him. Shu Lin scratched the back of his head, a bit sheepish. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, his voice almost guilty.
Yena gave him a faint smile. "I am. What about Qing Yi? Is she alright?"
Shu Lin nodded. "Yes, she's stable... Actually, she—"
Miao Miao cut in sharply. "She's sorry, isn't she?" Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Shu Lin. "That's not new for her. She's done this before."
Yena reached out and gently tugged Miao Miao's sleeve, a silent request for calm.
Shu Lin's expression darkened with guilt. "You're right. Her actions can't be justified." He then turned to Yena, his voice sincere. "But… I hope you'll allow us the chance to explain. The Headmaster and I will be waiting for you, once you've regained your strength."
He bowed respectfully to all of them. "Rest well. Call me if you need anything." With that, he quietly took his leave.
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The next day, the Headmaster and others visited Yena and her friends in their quarters.
"It's good to see you well," he said. Seeing him, all three rose from their seats and bowed respectfully.
Jin Yue said, "Master, you're here."
Zhang Haoran nodded. "Mmm. First, I'd like to apologize to you, Yena. It's due to my neglect and lack of foresight that you were injured."
Yena quickly shook her head. "Please, Master, don't say that. It's not your fault. I was fully aware of the consequences when I entered the arena. No one else is responsible for what happened."
Shen Lei added, "Thank you for your understanding, Yena. But we are truly sorry. This all happened because of our failure to guide Qing Yi properly."
Yena replied, "You don't have to apologize. Truly, I'm alright… But Qing Yi—how is she?"
The disciples exchanged glances with their master, causing Yena and her friends to grow tense.
Yena asked again, "Master, is Qing Yi alright?"
Zhang Haoran said gently, "She will be. She hasn't regained consciousness yet, but we're hopeful she will by the end of today."
Yena and the others looked even more concerned.
Zhang Haoran continued, "Before you begin drawing any conclusions, there's something I feel you deserve to know." Their full attention turned to him. "This is not something we speak of openly, as it concerns the safety of one of our own. But you, Yena, are owed an explanation."
Yena didn't speak. She had a feeling what was coming, though she hadn't expected the Headmaster to speak so openly.
Zhang Haoran said, "Qing Yi... is not a magic commoner. She is a spirit."
Jin Yue exclaimed, "A SPIRIT?!"
Shen Lei confirmed, "Yes. We've protected her all these years and kept her true identity hidden from the world—for her own safety."
Miao Miao frowned. "A spirit here? That's… strange."
Shu Lin responded, "Not as strange as it may seem. There are spirits in Tianlok too. But they rarely leave the Mystical Forest, for fear of being harmed or used for their powers."
Yena added, "Still, it's unusual. How did she end up here?"
Yu Chen said, "It's a long story, how we came to know her. But she's family to us now. We've treated her with care—like a younger sister. Even when she errs, it's our responsibility to guide her."
Shu Lin stepped forward. "So if you wish to punish anyone for what happened, let it be me. I'm her direct senior."
Miao Miao's thoughts: ["Tch. Forever the knight in shining silk."]
Yena said calmly, "That's not what we want." She turned to the Headmaster. "If you permit it, I would like Miao Miao to examine Qing Yi. She's an excellent medic."
Zhang Haoran looked thoughtful. "You believe she can help? We've asked our best medics, but none understand her condition. Spirits are… unique beings."
Jin Yue chimed in, "Please believe me, Master. Miao Miao is incredibly knowledgeable. She might see something the others missed."
Zhang Haoran smiled faintly. "It's not that I doubt her. Very well."He turned to Miao Miao. "Will you help us this time?"
Miao Miao bowed deeply. "Of course, Master. I'll see what I can do for her."
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