Master Lei coughed repeatedly as his wife gently patted his back. The doctor Ye Duhua, or Ms. Ye, hurried in with the other helpers, carrying medicinal herbs that they had boiled. They paid their respects before setting down the herbs.
"The boiled herbal medicine is here, please drink this," Ms. Ye said, and she gave Master Lei a cup of the herbal extract.
After Master Lei finished drinking the medicine, he smiled weakly. "The medicine you made is different from the ordinary medicine I've tasted before you returned. The Ye family is indeed skilled in healing."
"Thank you for the praise, Master Lei," Ms. Ye said, bowing.
"Rest now. Your condition is worsening because of your duties in Fengming," his wife said, her tone high but concerned.
"It's just that I was busy without my partners in Fengming," Master Lei joked, thinking of his children.
"That's why your condition is worsening, because you're worried about your children," Ms. Ye said calmly.
Master Lei's wife glared at Ms. Ye, as if to say "who are you to join the conversation?"
Master Lei looked at Ms. Ye and smiled. "You're right. I haven't talked to you since you arrived. How was your vacation?"
"It was fine," Ms. Ye replied.
"How about your brother? Doesn't he plan to visit? I haven't seen him in a long time," Master Lei asked.
"My brother is currently leading the family of healers, so he doesn't have time to visit yet," Ms. Ye replied.
"Ah, I see. You're both very responsible," Master Lei said.
Just then, Madam Yan spoke up quietly, "What about you and my son, Yangguang? How are you both doing?"
Ms. Ye suddenly felt nervous and hesitated before responding. " We're good."
Madam Yan warned, "Don't worry, I won't force you to separate. But I'm warning you, you'll only get hurt."
(In Qinshan Villa)
Master Jian sat facing the child Qin Zhen, who was busy drawing. "Master, when will Papa and Uncle Hao come home?" the child asked.
Master Jian smiled at Qin Zhen. "Your papa and Uncle Hao are still busy, but they'll come home and visit us soon." The child's face lit up with a smile.
After a while, Master Mo Xiang arrived with his wife and child. "Good morning, Master Jian," they greeted, and Master Jian greeted them back.
"Mo Rui!" Qin Zhen called out to Master Mo's child, who was his friend and classmate. Rui immediately ran to Qin Zhen.
"Are you here to visit?" Master Jian asked.
"I sent my wife and child," Mo Xiang replied. "Rui wants me to teach him together with Qin Zhen," An'ran added.
"That's good. It'll be good for Qin Zhen not to get bored here," Master Jian said.
"Ah, Master Jian, we need to talk about something important," Master Mo said. Master Jian looked at Mo and nodded before leaving the room.
(Mo Xiang to An'ran) "I'll leave you for a bit." An'ran smiled in agreement.
(Private Room)
"Have you heard what happened in a place in Yunhai? Many spirits are roaming around, bringing death or illness to those they encounter," Mo Xiang explained.
"I've heard about it," Master Jian replied, walking forward. "They're moving again," he added.
"Some of their soldiers have been seen coming and going to Moya." Mo Xiang said.
"Does Master Lei know about this?" Master Jian asked, and Master Mo nodded. "What did he say?"
"He said to investigate first," Master Mo replied.
"The investigators are still busy, so I'll leave this investigation to Yuxi when they return. It might take some time," Master Jian said.
_Baoli Zhong_
"It's been a few days since school started. Can't we go home yet?" Mei asked, sounding like a child.
"You've just started school and you already want to go home? How will you become smart if you're like that?" Yang said.
"I'm smart even without studying," Mei retorted.
"You're so arrogant!" Yang said.
"Thanks!" Mei replied sarcastically.
"That's enough! You two are so noisy. Just focus on what we're doing today," Ling scolded.
"I thought we weren't going to have a discussion today," Yang said.
"No, today we're going to have a competition on our skills with weapons," Xiao explained.
"Weapons? Does that mean I can join?" Mei asked excitedly. Xiao nodded in response.
_Meanwhile_
The students were in a wide field, standing in front of their teacher. "Today, we'll be having a training session using our weapons, because we can't always rely on our special abilities. And for this training, those in the fourth year are not allowed to participate, they're here just to observe," the teacher began. "To find out who your opponent will be, you'll need to draw from this box. If your name is drawn, it means you can't draw again," the teacher added. Everyone nodded, and the drawing began.
Feng Ling drew Wu Ziyi, a student from a not-so-well-known family and a friend of Bai Linyan. Feng Yang drew a boy from a simple family, Qin Yijun drew Mo Yuming, and Bai Linyan smiled when she saw the name Qin Yuxi on the paper she drew.
Meanwhile, Feng Mei's face scrunched up in distaste when she saw that her opponent was Bai Chengxing.
"If everyone has an opponent, let's start the training," the teacher announced.
The battle began, and the first to fight were Feng Ling and Wu Ziyi, both wielding swords. Their eyes locked in a fierce stare as Ziyi made the first move, attacking Ling. However, Ling skillfully defended herself before counterattacking. The two exchanged blows, with Ling noticing that Ziyi was being overly aggressive in her attacks. Yet, Ling remained unfazed, knowing that she would be stronger if her opponent became more aggressive.
In one of Ziyi's miscalculated attacks, Ling blocked the sword and pointed the sharp tip of her sword at Ziyi, precisely as the time ran out.
"The winner is Feng Ling," the teacher announced.
The next match was between Qin Yijun and Mo Yuming. As they faced off, Yuming batted her eyelashes at Yijun, who rolled his eyes good-naturedly.
"Let's see who's the real winner here," Yuming said with a smirk, brandishing her sword.
"Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," Yijun replied, grinning.
Despite their banter, both friends took the fight seriously, their movements swift and precise. Yuming playfully flirted with Yijun during the match, trying to distract him, but Yijun was unfazed.
As the fight concluded, the teacher announced, "Both Qin Yijun and Mo Yuming win this match! Their skills are evenly matched, and they worked well together."
As the teacher's words sank in, Wu Ziyi shot Yuming an envious glance, her eyes lingering on Yijun with a hint of admiration. Meanwhile, Feng Ling rolled her eyes at Yuming's antics, her gaze also drifting to Yijun with a subtle appreciation.
Yijun and Yuming exchanged high-fives, laughing. "Rematch next time?" Yuming asked, winking.
"Anytime," Yijun replied with a smile.
The next, was between Feng Yang and a man from a simple clan. Feng Yang adopted a defensive stance, focusing on blocking his opponent's attacks rather than launching a counterattack. He seemed to be conserving his energy, thinking that his opponent wasn't skilled enough to warrant a full-on assault.
As the match progressed, Feng Yang's defense proved to be solid, and he successfully repelled his opponent's attacks. Despite his opponent's efforts, Feng Yang remained calm and collected, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
In the end, Feng Yang's strategy paid off, and he emerged victorious.
The teacher nodded in approval, "Well done, Feng Yang. Your defensive skills are impressive."
Feng Yang smiled, feeling confident about his abilities.
The next match was between Qin Yuxi and Bai Linyan. As Bai Linyan modestly stepped forward, Yuming watched her with a discerning gaze. Yuming knew that Bai Linyan had feelings for Qin Yuxi.
"Is this a battle with love?" Yuming asked Qin Yijun, frowning. "Maybe," Yijun replied.
When Bai Linyan faced Yuxi, their eyes locked in a long, intense stare. "I'll surrender and not fight," Linyan said to Yuxi.
" Just Fight. " Yuxi said seriously.
As they faced off, their swords clashed in a flurry of steel and sparks. But beneath the surface, their emotions simmered. Yuxi's eyes never left Linyan's, his gaze burning with intensity. Linyan's own eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and vulnerability.
Their movements were precise and calculated, but every touch of their swords sent shivers down their spines. The air was charged with tension, and it was clear that this was more than just a fight.
As they exchanged blows, their breathing synchronized, their hearts beating as one. Yuxi's sword danced around Linyan's, their blades weaving a intricate pattern.
In the end, Yuxi emerged victorious, but it was a hollow win. As he stood over Linyan, his sword pressed against hers, he realized that he didn't want to win at all.
But for now, he simply offered her a hand up, his eyes locked on hers. Linyan's heart skipped a beat as she took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity as their palms touched.
The next match are Feng Mei'yin and Bai Chengxing. Mei walked towards Bai with a frown on her face. "Why can men fight women? Shouldn't they be protecting us instead?" Mei complained to the teacher, sounding like a petulant child.
"You're just scared," Bai Chengxing retorted.
"Huh? Me, scared of you? I wish I was scared, but I'm not," Mei replied with a confident smirk.
"Mei, you're so talkative!" Feng Yang, who was watching, complained. Mei shot him a piercing glance.
"Let's start the match!" the teacher announced. Feng Mei and Bai Chengxing took their positions, swords at the ready.
"I think Mei will win this," Jing said to Xiao.
"How can you be so sure?" Xiao asked.
"Didn't you tell me that Mei loves fighting with any kind of weapon? And she's always been skilled with a sword. I think she'll win because my brother Cheng hasn't shown much skill with a sword before," Jing explained.
Xiao chuckled slightly. "I remember now. You're right, Mei will win. She's never lost a fight before," Xiao said.
In the match, Cheng was all offense, while Mei dodged and weaved. Mei moved faster than Cheng, and her agility gave her an edge. But Cheng's frustration grew as he couldn't land a hit on Mei. In a fit of rage, he unleashed a powerful attack using his power.
Mei and the others were shocked, as using special abilities was against the rules. Mei quickly dodged the attack, but her eyes widened in surprise.
Xiao jumped up, worried about Mei's safety.
Feng Ling's eyes flashed with anger as she glared at Cheng.
"You're cheating, Cheng!" Yang shouted from the sidelines.
Mei's sudden dodge sent her flying into the air, and she landed with a surprised look on her face. Her siblings were shocked, as Mei had never shown any ability to control the wind like her siblings did.
But Cheng wasn't satisfied yet. He launched another attack at Mei.
"You're despicable, Bai Cheng!" Ling shouted, furious.
Mei didn't know how to dodge the attack, as this was her first time flying through the air. Just as all hope seemed lost, Yang intervened, using his own power to block Cheng's attack.
In the chaos, Mei lost her balance and stumbled. Before she could fall to the ground, Qin Yuxi swiftly flew towards her and caught her in mid-air, saving her from hitting the ground.
The crowd gasped in shock, and Mei's eyes met Yuxi's, filled with gratitude and surprise.
As they landed on the ground, Mei's face showed signs of weakness. "Qin Yuxi," she whispered, her voice barely audible, before fainting.
Mei's siblings, Yijun, and Mo Yuming rushed to their side, concern etched on their faces.
"How is she?" Xiao asked, her voice laced with worry.
"She fainted," Yuxi replied.
"What?! Why?!" Xiao asked, panic rising in her voice.
"Mei, wake up! Do you feel any pain?" Yang asked, his eyes filled with concern.
Yuxi noticed the blood on his hand and looked down.
Ling saw it too and exclaimed, "There's blood! She might be injured!" Ling's voice was filled with anger and worry.
Xiao quickly examined Mei's head and found a long scratch. The siblings were filled with anger and immediately charged at Cheng. "Please stop them, Yijun," Xiao requested, her voice firm.
Yijun held Ling back as he was about to attack Cheng . "Let me go!" Ling struggled, her face twisted in rage.
Yang also charged at Cheng but was restrained by Jing, the teacher, and others. "Get out of our way! We won't let him get away with this!" Yang shouted, his voice echoing with fury.
"Calm down, please," Jing pleaded, his voice calm and soothing.
"Calm down? Our sister was hurt because of his recklessness, and you're telling us to calm down?" Ling retorted, her voice rising in anger.
"My brother lost control of himself," Bai Linyan said, trying to apologize for Cheng's actions.
"Is he out of his mind? Losing his senses like that?" Yang snapped, his anger boiling over.
"You should be grateful that's all that happened to her," Cheng said, his voice cold and callous, infuriating the siblings and others. "Shut up, Bai Chengxing!" Bai Jing scolded, his voice sharp.
"You're such an idiot!" Yang added, his anger and frustration evident.
Xiao and Yuxi saw the commotion and turned to look, their faces set in concern.
Xiao stood up, her face twisted in anger. "Can you take Mei to the infirmary, please?" She asked Yuxi, her voice firm. Yuxi nodded and carried Mei away with Yuming.
Xiao walk towards them, her anger and calmness intertwined, and faced Bai Chengxing. "Repeat what you said," Xiao demanded, her voice low and menacing. Everyone felt a sense of fear because they had never seen Xiao angry before.
"I'll talk to him, please calm down," Jing said, trying to intervene.
"Be quiet!" Xiao snapped, her eyes fixed on Cheng. "Repeat what you said!"
Before Cheng could finish, Xiao slapped him hard, the sound echoing through the air. "I don't know what Mei did to you, but insults and humiliation, I am still trying to tolerate. But hurting her... I don't know what I'll do to you," Xiao warned, her voice dripping with anger and menace.
"If my sister wakes up, you'll apologize to her," Xiao added, her voice firm.
"Calm down, Xiao, I'll talk to him," Jing pleaded.
Xiao turned to Jing and said, "If this becomes a reason for our wedding to not push through, don't blame me," Xiao threatened, her voice cold and detached. "Let's go," Xiao called out to Yang and Ling, her voice commanding.
Jing sighed and faced his brother.
"If you're going to scold me or talk to me, don't waste your words. I'm not listening," Cheng said before walking away, his back stiff with defiance.
"Bai Cheng, come back! you idiot!" Bai Jing shouted, her voice filled with frustration.
"Brother, let him be. No matter what you say, he won't listen," Bai Linyan said, trying to calm her brother down.
"He shouldn't get used to behaving like that," Jing said, his voice laced with disappointment and concern.