Chapter 18: Heated Training and Humbling Defeat

Su Yan lay sprawled on the ground, panting hard. His entire body ached from the sparring match with Jian. Every bone, every muscle screamed in protest. And yet—

"You lasted five minutes longer than I expected," Jian said, standing over him with a hand on her hip. Her tone was both impressed and mocking. "Color me shocked."

"Guhh... I think you dislocated my soul..." he groaned.

She crouched beside him, brushing her fingers along his jaw, almost tenderly. "Still alive though. That’s promising."

Su Yan flinched. “Barely.”

The system popped up with a cheerful ping.

[Mission Complete!]

+2 Agility +1 Reflex Bonus Reward: Jian’s Approval Unlocked

Jian’s ‘approval’ came with a smile that felt more dangerous than her kicks.

“You’ve got potential,” she said, helping him to his feet. “Even if you fight like a squirrel on caffeine.”

“Gee, thanks.”

She threw him a towel and began walking back toward their shared quarters. “Come on. We’ve got work to do.”

Su Yan’s legs wobbled. “What kind of work?”

Jian glanced over her shoulder with a smirk. “The kind that’ll make you wish you stayed unconscious.”

Back at the Room

After a quick shower (and making absolutely sure Jian was not in the bathroom this time), Su Yan collapsed onto the futon. He barely had time to relax before Jian tossed a scroll at his head.

"What's this?" he asked, unrolling it.

"A cultivation technique,” she said, sitting down beside him, her legs crossed. “One reserved for Grand Disciples. Consider it part of your upgrade."

Su Yan blinked. “Wait, I’m a Grand Disciple now?”

Jian gave him a dry look. “You’ve been one since the night you escaped Zhen. The elders made it official. But here’s the kicker—only I know. They didn’t make any public announcement.”

He stared. “So nobody else knows?”

“Nope. As far as everyone else is concerned, you're still some Outer Disciple who got lucky. You get the benefits, but not the fame.”

Su Yan scratched his head. “That... might be the best possible outcome.”

“Exactly. Low profile means less people trying to kill you.”

He scanned the scroll. The technique was called Flowing Ember Veins, a strange fusion between fire and movement arts, meant to increase energy circulation and boost reaction speed. It looked complicated.

And painful.

“Is there a beginner’s version?”

“Nope.”

“...I hate you.”

“You’ll thank me later.”

Jian stood up and stretched, her form casting a shadow across his face. The movement pulled her robe tight across her hips, and Su Yan very quickly redirected his gaze.

“Meet me at the training cliffs at dawn,” she said. “Don’t be late, or I’ll throw you off one.”

Su Yan nodded weakly. “Noted.”

Training Cliffs – The Next Morning

Dawn came too early.

Su Yan dragged himself up the rocky path to the training cliffs, the chilly mountain wind biting at his skin. Jian was already there, her silhouette framed by the rising sun, practicing a form so fluid it looked like dancing.

“About time,” she said, not even turning around. “We’re starting with stance drills.”

“Yay,” Su Yan said flatly.

He mimicked her movements, legs wide, arms extended. The Flowing Ember Veins technique required precise control of breath and posture to ignite the internal flame. Unfortunately, Su Yan’s internal flame felt more like a dying candle.

“Again.”

“I just did it—”

“Wrong. Again.”

Hours passed. He fell. Got up. Fell again. Jian never raised her voice, but each correction was sharp and cutting. Su Yan’s muscles burned. His feet bled. But slowly, surely, something clicked.

He could feel the energy circulating, a warmth that spread from his chest through his limbs like lava through cracks.

When the session ended, Jian handed him a flask. “You didn’t cry. That’s progress.”

“I was too dehydrated to cry,” Su Yan muttered.

That Night – Unwanted Guest

Just as Su Yan was finally starting to relax in their room, a knock sounded on the door.

Jian opened it—and Zhen stepped inside.

Su Yan nearly choked on his tea. “Z-Zhen?!”

She walked in like she owned the place, her gaze cutting straight through him. “You look alive. That’s disappointing.”

“Good to see you too,” he muttered.

Jian smirked. “Came to check on your favorite delinquent?”

Zhen folded her arms. “Actually, I came to discuss the incident at the library. There are… consequences still unresolved.”

Su Yan paled. “I completed the mission!”

“You did,” Zhen said. “But you also shattered a priceless display case, destroyed two stair railings, and traumatized three library guards.”

He winced. “Okay, yeah, that sounds bad when you list it all.”

“So,” Zhen continued, “the elders have issued a final punishment. One you can’t escape.”

Su Yan gulped. “What kind of punishment?”

Zhen smirked.

[New Mission: Sect Service – Disciplinary Duty]

Objective: Assist Zhen and Jian in their next covert mission. As bait.

Reward: Sect Contribution Points, Special Equipment Access

Penalty: Public Sect Lecture on ‘How Not to Be a Dumbass: A Case Study’

Su Yan stared at the mission screen in horror. “Bait?! Why is it always something terrible?!”

Jian leaned on his shoulder, far too amused. “Because you make a perfect distraction, sweetheart.”

Zhen nodded. “You’ll be the center of attention. Literally.”

Su Yan groaned. “You’re both evil.”

“Correct,” they said in unison.

He sighed. “When is this ‘covert’ mission?”

Zhen and Jian exchanged a glance.

“Tonight.”

Of course.

Su Yan looked to the heavens for help.

The heavens did not reply.

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