Chapter 60: Stiff Challenges & Softer Moments

Chapter 60: Stiff Challenges & Softer Moments

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Li Na's face was apologetic as she pulled on my arms. I bit my lip, letting out a low hiss of pain as my groin stretched just before the point of tearing.

"Five more seconds!"

Tears formed at the corner of my eyes. Was she pulling me even harder? Hey! HEY! If you keep going, I can't be called a man anymore!

But my mouth laid shut, knowing that letting out a single word while in this position was impossible. All I could let out were intakes of air, hisses so sharp that would leave even Windy proud.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Li Na released my arms. I collapsed forward, feeling like I'd just been in a battle with a particularly stubborn tree root. Instructor Xia Ji gave a nod, a hint of amusement in her stern gaze, and dismissed us from practice.

As I gingerly tried to stand, Li Na chuckled, her tone teasing. "You know, Kai, for someone who wants to be a cultivator, you're pretty stiff."

I shot her a small glare, stretching out my legs which felt like they were made of overcooked noodles. "Well, Li Na, not all of us have had the luxury of years of training to achieve such...elasticity."

Li Nas response was to demonstrate a perfect split, lowering herself effortlessly to the ground. "Actually, I've been able to do this since day one at the sect," she said, her smile widening.

I groaned, half in admiration and half in self-pity. "That's just unfair!" I tried to stand upright, only to wobble and grab onto a nearby tree for support.

I called myself the 'genius of hard work' last night, and here I am, gnashing my teeth at people's natural talent. It truly was a cruel world.

"Come on, Kai, don't be so hard on yourself," Li Na said, helping me up. "You're improving every day. And besides, you have your own strengths."

"Yeah, like being exceptionally good at complaining," I quipped, managing a weak grin. I straightened up, wincing slightly. "But you watch, Li Na. One day, Ill be just as flexible and then we'll see who has the last laugh."

Li Na laughed, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "I'll look forward to that day."

As we walked back, I couldnt help but feel a sense of camaraderie and motivation. Sure, life wasn't always fair with its distribution of talents, but that just meant I had to work a little harder, stretch a little further. And who knows? Maybe one day, Id surprise them all including myself.

As we made our way back from the training ground, Li Na's curiosity seemed piqued. "So, how are your advanced classes going, Kai?" she asked, her tone genuinely interested.

"Oh, the Advanced Herbology class has been a real eye-opener," I began, feeling a surge of enthusiasm as I talked about my passion. "We're learning a lot about handling and growing qi plants. It's fascinating, really, how these plants absorb and store qi. It's like they have their own little cultivation journey. Instructor Xiao-Hu's very knowledgeable."

Li Na nodded, her expression showing that she was following along. Encouraged, I continued, "And then there's my Array Formation class. That one's a bit more... let's say, challenging. It's mostly independent study for me right now since I can't generate arrays like the other second-class disciples yet. But Im getting closer to making a fully functional array. It's all about gaining more delicate control of my qi, which I hope will happen before the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet."

"Sounds like you're making great progress," Li Na complimented, and I could feel my cheeks heat up a bit.

"Yeah, well, you know me the genius of hard work!" I said, puffing up my chest. "I've even got a side project going on. I'm trying to make a hydrosol."

"Hydrosol?" Li Na's curiosity was clearly piqued, and I dove into an explanation.

"Yeah, it's like a distilled essence of plants. I've been learning how to use alchemical stills and making purified water. The idea is to soak gauze in this hydrosol, so it disinfects wounds and promotes healing. Im hoping it'll help us heal faster from conditioning exercises and spars."

As I talked about the technical aspects of creating the hydrosol, I could see Li Na's expression start to glaze over slightly. I was rambling, wasn't I? I chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. "Sorry, I guess I got a bit carried away there. Its just really exciting stuff, you know?"

Li Na smiled, a warm, amused smile that made her eyes crinkle. "It's cute how you get so engrossed when talking about the things you like, Kai."

My heat did a small flip. Was I going through Qi Deviation?

Reaching the guest quarters, I quickly tidied myself up, my thoughts still circling around the possible escort. I glanced at my iron staff, considering whether to bring it along. After a moments deliberation, I decided against it. I don't expect a fight, and most of my training has been focused on hand-to-hand combat anyway. 'The staff wouldnt be of much use.

With everything ready, I made my way to the stable where Elder Wen's horses were kept. The stable hands greeted me warmly, helping me get the cart and horses ready. Their efficiency and helpfulness made the task much easier, and soon, I was leading the cart toward the sect's entrance.

"Hope you're doing well there. It's not too stuffy, is it?" I asked the pair. They whinnied in response. Unfortunately, I couldn't understand them like I did with Tianyi, so I had to assume it was a yes.

As I approached the entrance to the sect, a familiar silhouette became visible, leaning casually by the entrance. My heart skipped a beat, curiosity piqued. Who could it be? The silhouette was too far to make out clearly, but there was something about the way they stood, an air of familiarity that tugged at my memory.

'Could it be Li Na? Or Han Wei? Or someone I haven't interacted with before?' I wondered, the possibilities sending a wave of anticipation through me. Whoever it was, Elder Zhu had his reasons for choosing them, and I trusted his judgment.

The person from far away turned. It was clearly a male, his broad shoulders showing through the green and white robes synonymous with second-class disciples.

As I drew closer, the details of the figure standing by the entrance became clearer. The unmistakable ponytail, a few stray strands of hair falling rebelliously, caught my attention immediately. A smile tugged at my lips. It was none other than my friend, Feng Wu.

They never told me he was back!

However, something was slightly off. Feng Wus usual relaxed smile, with his eyes often merrily shut, was there but with a subtle undercurrent of frostiness. His posture was the same, yet the air around him felt different less welcoming, more reserved. It was a slight shift, but noticeable enough to pique my curiosity.

Shrugging off the slight unease, I quickened my pace, my eagerness to greet my friend overriding any lingering doubts. Feng Wu! I called out, a wide grin spreading across my face as I closed the distance between us.

Feng Wu inclined his head towards me, his expression unchanging, that same upturned smile with eyes closed. Yet, the frostiness lingered, like a thin veil masking his usual warmth. It was an odd sight, seeing him so... unchanged.

Hey, Feng Wu, its been a while! I exclaimed, reaching him with an enthusiasm that contrasted sharply with his reserved demeanor. I didnt expect you to be my escort. How was your mission?

He opened his eyes slowly, the frostiness in his expression melting into a more familiar warmth, but it wasnt as radiant as it used to be. My mission went well, he replied, his tone clipped. "Elder Zhu's orders, as you may already know. Just got back and here I am, playing your chaperone to Crescent Bay City.

The change in Feng Wu's demeanor was subtle yet distinct, like a familiar tune played in a different key. As we began walking towards the sect's entrance, the atmosphere between us felt oddly strained, a far cry from our usual easy camaraderie.

"Haha," I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my head. "Sorry about that, you didn't even get the chance to rest at all."

"it's okay, I don't mind catching up. Are you ready to go?"

There was an awkward silence for a few moments as we walked out of the Verdant Lotus sect. I was unsure what to say. But before I could speak, he turned to me once more.

His gaze locked onto mine, piercing and inscrutable. "Kai," Feng Wu began slowly, his tone casual yet laced with something unreadable. "It seems a lot has happened at the sect while I was away."

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Was he referring to the Silent Moon incident? My pulse quickened as I tried to gauge his thoughts behind those half-closed eyes. The way he studied me, it felt like he was sifting through my very soul.

"Yeah, you know, just the usual stuff," I stammered, attempting to sound nonchalant, but my voice betrayed a hint of nervousness. My palms felt clammy, and I resisted the urge to wipe them on my robes. "Training, and what not."

Feng Wu's smile lingered, but there was an edge to it now, a sharpness that wasn't there before. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, reducing the distance between us. "The usual stuff, huh?" he echoed, his voice low and teasing, yet something in his tone sent a shiver down my spine.

"So, Kai," he finally said, his voice smooth as silk yet with an underlying tone that made my stomach knot, "about you picking a fight with the Silent Moon sect?" His words hung in the air like a guillotine, ready to drop.

With Feng Wu's question hanging in the air, unanswered, a sense of dread settled in the pit of my stomach. My eyes darted back to look at him, and there was still a pleasant expression fixed on his face, but it didn't feel that way to me at all. The smile brought shivers down my spine.

As the realization set in, I could only think one thing.

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