Chapter 39: Six, Violet

Chapter 39: Six, Violet

39

Six, Violet

I

What do you want to know? Lan Yue asked, straightening her back. She didnt seem reserved or guarded, like she had been around him for a while now. Instead, she had her eyes slightly narrowed, a look of uncertainty on her face, as if she wasnt quite sure what to think of him.

Well, Hao Zhen would take confusion over suspicion any day.

Youre already familiar with Du Qing, right? Or youve interacted with him before?

Tian Jin also perked up at that question. This was something Hao Zhen knew the other boy had also been curious about for a while.

Lan Yue knit her brow. You can say that, yes. There was some tightness to her voice. Du Qing, he She trailed off, then shook her head. No, before that, you should know that Bao Yun is my best friend.

Oh. Oh. Hao Zhen widened his eyes. He was fairly certain he knew what was going on, but he remained silent, letting Lan Yue speak while he pondered the implicationsand the possibilities.

Wait, but how do you Tian Jin shot Lan Yue a look of surprise, before cutting himself off. Oh. Youre the sect leaders daughter. You grew up in the Inner Court?

Exactly, Lan Yue said, giving Hao Zhen a brief glance before turning to Tian Jin. Bao Yun, as Elder Baos daughter, was also raised in the Inner Court. None of the other prime elders had daughters our age, and Elder Bao is quite close with my grandfather, so as a child, we often had lessons and played together. We are childhood friends.

But didnt we meet Bao Yun in the Central Light Square? Why didnt she She doesnt know who you really are? Tian Jin asked.

To her, and pretty much everyone that isnt family, Im currently in secluded cultivation, Lan Yue said, shaking her head. It was part of the deal with my father. Bao Yun is pretty good at keeping secrets, but I didnt want to risk it.

That got Hao Zhen thinking back to their encounter with Bao Yun and Du Qing in the Central Light Square. He was pretty sure he could remember Bao Yun glaring hostilely at Lan Yue, probably under the impression that the other girl was a love rival. His lips quirked up a little at that.

Although he was fairly certain that Lan Yue was intended, according to Tian Jins Weave, to be a love interest, she hadnt shown any signs of falling for the other boy so far. Considering Lan Yue was Unweavable, it didnt seem like the Weave could force her into falling in love, either. At the very most, it could only manipulate the surrounding Woven to create situations conducive to her developing feelings for Tian Jin.

Anyway, Lan Yue said, waving her hand. Du Qing is the son of an outer elder of the sect, so we didnt interact much growing up. A couple of years ago, however, he took the sects entrance examinations and ended up catching the eye of Elder Bao, who took him as his first apprentice. It was only after that Du Qing and Bao Yun met, and a few days after that, Bao Yun introduced him to me.

Lan Yues expression darkened. That was three years ago. Bao Yun and I were thirteen at the time, and Du Qing was sixteen. At first, he seemed nice, though I always had a feeling there was something off about him. Then I started noticing the way he looked at Bao Yun and acted around her, and I decided there was definitely more to him than met the eye. I tried to look into him, but I could never find any proof of his wrongdoings. I did try to tell Bao Yun about my suspicions, but she always dismissed them, as she really respects him. And I think he knows Im onto him, because he also started sending sharp, knowing looks my way. But since I had no proof She gritted her teeth.

Hmmm. Hao Zhen tipped his head at Lan Yue. The situation was about what he had imagined, though what Lan Yue had said about Bao Yun not putting any stock in her suspicions concerned him. If that was because of Tian Jins Weave then hed have to reconsider some of the plans he had been thinking of. This was really something hed have to considerjust to which extent they could deviate from the Weave, and whether itd adapt to their actions.

All right, Hao Zhen said. That might come in handy later on. For the time being, regarding the matter with Du Qing Hmmm. He cant track us right now, so he shouldnt be able to send anyone after us. He nodded at Lan Yue. I believe you also said, previously, that theres no way he can come to the Outer Forest himself. Is that right?

Lan Yue nodded her head. Im certain.

Lan Yues entire expression tightened, and Hao Zhens heart skipped a beat. This was definitely where the problem lay. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Tian Jin and saw the other boys expression similarly becoming tense.

Now that he thought about it, he had never asked Tian Jin the origin of his spiritual skill, either. Oh boy. Oh boy. Something was up, no doubt about it.

Lan Yue regarded him silently for a few moments, staring straight into his eyes, before turning her attention to Tian Jin and giving him a similar look. Finally, she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Before, I mentioned that people always overlooked certain oddities about me, right?

Hao Zhen nodded his head.

Theres a pill graysouls can take, Lan Yue said. It allows them to feel their soul, for a few moments, as if they had spiritual awareness. Its mostly used so that children from magical families can get used to sensing their souls before they turn sixteen, so once they start cultivating, theyll have an easier time learning to control their spiritual power. The first time I took that pill I sensed my soul, and I realized that it wasnt empty.

You were born with it? Hao Zhen asked. Again he stole a glance in Tian Jins direction, and sure enough, he was giving Lan Yue his most intense look yet.

Yes, she said. I when I noticed it, I tried to ask my grandfather about it. He It was as if he couldnt hear me. Hed just look at me blankly, then talk about something else. I also tried asking my brother about it, but he had the same reaction. I have no idea why I was born with it, and

An innate skill seed, Tian Jin suddenly said, and they both turned to look at him. Thats what its called. My master told me about it. Its usually something you inherit from your bloodline, but some people are also randomly born with one. He narrowed her eyes at Lan Yue. But theres not just one skill seed inside your soul, is there?

Lan Yue almost jumped, her eyes going wide. How did you

There are six, arent there? Tian Jin said, leaning forward. He seemed absolutely certain of it. There are six skill seeds inside your soul.

Hao Zhen narrowed his eyes at Tian Jin. Could it be

Lan Yue was now wearing a look of utter shock. How What

And their color? Tian Jin pressed on.

Lan Yue closed her mouth.

Tian Jin slowly breathed out. Theyre all violet, arent they? Although he was asking that question, his expression made it clear that he already knew the answer.

That completely snapped Hao Zhen out of his musings, and he gave Tian Jin an incredulous look. All violet? Violet? The highest realm of cultivation, violet? And six of them?

Lan Yue stared blankly at Tian Jin for another few moments, before a look of realization dawned on her. Dont tell me. You also

Tian Jin only nodded his head. Six violet innate skill seeds, he said, plainly.

Hao Zhen swallowed.

It seemed like there was still quite a lot they still needed to discuss.