The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Protagonist; New disciple in the Flying Dragon Sect | Calm, composed, emotionally guarded.
Jin Yue: Disciple of Zhang Haoran; recently promoted to Third Senior Disciple | Confident, charming, loyal.
Shu Lin: Third Senior disciple | Calm, composed and quietly determined.
Miao Miao: Yena's Best Friend | a flower spirit | Playful, mischievous, observant.
Yu Chen: Second Senior disciple | Responsible, composed, and authoritative.
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As the silence stretched, Jin Yue spoke first, without hesitation. "Then… Yena. I choose Yena."
Yena looked at him, blinking in mild surprise.
"I mean," Jin Yue continued with a faint smile, "if Miao Miao and I end up as senior and junior, disaster is bound to strike. It's safer this way."
Yena chuckled softly. "Perhaps that's for the best. Jin Yue and I share the same spirit weapon type… It would be easier to practice together."
Yu Chen hummed thoughtfully. "And you, Shu Lin? What do you say?"
All eyes turned to Shu Lin.
His gaze drifted from Yena to Miao Miao. "Miao Miao… surely, she doesn't need a master here. What she needs is a reliable practice partner. But…" his eyes settled on Yena, voice calm yet steady, "I believe it would be better if I guide Yena. Her cultivation is lacking compared to the rest—perhaps I can help her improve."
Yu Chen raised a brow, faintly surprised. It was the first time he'd seen Shu Lin speak so directly, even… stubbornly.
Jin Yue's smile faltered slightly. "I can help her too. We're well-matched for sparring and duels. Besides, you already have Qing Yi under your care. Wouldn't that be too much responsibility?"
Shu Lin shook his head, voice composed. "It won't. Qing Yi will be trained personally by Master now. So, I am… free."
A faint tension settled over the group. The subtle undercurrent in their words made the air grow heavy.
Miao Miao leaned closer to Yena, whispering mischievously, "What do you think they're really fighting for, huh?"
Yena sighed inwardly. Her thoughts flickered with caution.
["Shu Lin knows… we're from the Divine World. I don't know if he remembers everything, but… being close to him will make it easier to find out."]
Straightening her posture, Yena spoke calmly. "If it's acceptable… I would prefer Senior Shu Lin to be my direct senior."
The group fell silent, surprised by her words.
Jin Yue was the first to respond, masking his emotions with ease. "As you wish. Miao Miao… what do you say?"
Miao Miao crossed her arms, reluctant. "Whether I like it or not… you're my senior in this sect. It doesn't make any difference if I accept you as my direct senior. I agree."
Yu Chen nodded in approval. "Then it's settled. Apart from your formal classes, you two will train under your respective seniors."
Yena and Miao Miao both nodded.
Yet Miao Miao's thoughts clouded with quiet confusion.["When Shu Lin was in the Divine World… Yena acted as his senior. Now, in Tianlok… how can she willingly become his junior?"]
Her gaze drifted toward Jin Yue, her brows furrowing with frustration.["And now… I have to work under him, be under his supervision… I might just die without drinking water."]
Yu Chen's voice drew them from their thoughts. "Bow to your senior brothers."
Miao Miao and Yena stepped forward, bowing first to their direct seniors, then to both Shu Lin and Jin Yue as a whole. With that, Yu Chen excused himself, leaving the four of them alone.
Shu Lin turned to Yena. "Yena, I have some matters to attend to. I'll meet you in half an hour by the garden near the sword practice hall."
Yena nodded. As she looked back, her eyes caught Jin Yue's retreating figure, heading toward the main garden.
"Where's he going?" she asked Miao Miao.
Miao Miao shrugged. "How would I know? I can't exactly ask my 'senior' where he's going."
Yena sighed. "Alright, I owe you for this. Actually… it's better if I stay close to Shu Lin, in case he remembers anything. I'll handle the situation when it arises."
Miao Miao pouted. "Tch… As if I care. None of them wanted to take me as their junior anyway."
Yena's lips curved in amusement as she shook her head. "That's only because our little Miao Miao doesn't need anyone to teach her. Don't be upset now."
Miao Miao huffed, though a teasing glint returned to her eyes. "Still… I think you should check on Jin Yue. He's probably sulking."
Yena frowned. "Me? What did I do?"
A mischievous glint flashed in Miao Miao's eyes. "He clearly wanted you as his junior… and you rejected him."
Yena sighed. "Then… I suppose I owe him an apology."
Miao Miao nodded decisively. "Good. You go to him. Tell him I'll be waiting in the sparring hall for practice."
Yena tilted her head. "Aren't you coming with me?"
Miao Miao replied sweetly, "I want to eat first. I haven't even had water. So, you go talk. I'll go… attend to food."
And with that, she dashed off toward the kitchen area.
Yena exhaled slowly, steadying herself. "Alright then… Let's go and talk, Yena."
She followed the path Jin Yue had taken. After walking for a minute, she spotted him near a quiet lake, his head bowed.
Yena took a steadying breath as she approached. From behind, it almost looked like he was upset—perhaps even crying. But as she reached him and lightly tapped his shoulder, she froze.
Jin Yue wasn't sulking—he was adjusting his hair, using the lake's reflection as a mirror.
For a moment, Yena was utterly speechless. Then, a quiet laugh escaped her lips as she turned her face away.
Jin Yue blinked, about to stand, but she stopped him.
"Don't stand now," she said, sitting beside him. "I thought you were—" she paused, unable to help her soft laugh.
Jin Yue arched a brow. "I was what?"
"Forget it," Yena replied. "What are you doing here?"
"I..." Jin Yue hesitated, clearly unsure how to answer.
Seeing his reluctance, Yena spoke first. "Let me explain something… I didn't mean to turn you down. But you see, we're all new here. You and Miao Miao already have good cultivation levels. I didn't want you wasting your time training me, that's why I thought it was better to have Shu Lin as my direct senior."
Jin Yue's gaze softened, his voice low. "But you don't burden me, Yena. Being with you doesn't waste my time..." He paused, then spoke more firmly, "You don't have to worry about that. I'm more than willing to help you."
Yena sighed. "That's exactly the problem. You'll focus so much on helping me—but what about yourself? It's your first time joining a sect. That alone takes effort. I don't want you exhausting yourself worrying about me."
Jin Yue opened his mouth to argue, but Yena raised a hand. "No more discussion. I just wanted to tell you—i thought it's the best choice for everyone."
Jin Yue exhaled in resignation, leaning back slightly. "As you say, ma'am."
Yena narrowed her eyes playfully. "Are you being sarcastic now?"
"I'm being respectful," he replied, a teasing smile curling his lips.
They shared a quiet laugh, the tension between them easing.
After a moment, Jin Yue's expression shifted, his tone more curious. "Yena… did you know him? Shu Lin?"
Yena's breath caught for half a second, her usual composure faltering. Of course, her expression told him there was something there. Not wanting to lie entirely, she answered with measured calm."Hmm…"
Jin Yue didn't interrupt, patiently waiting for her to continue.
"I did know him… but he doesn't seem to recall. Not that I want him to, honestly. It was… a short encounter." She shot him a playful glance. "And don't you go spreading that around. You see, it's awkward enough that he doesn't remember, and here I am, explaining myself to you."
Jin Yue chuckled softly. He hadn't expected her to be so honest. "I never said you chose him as your senior because of that." He scratched the back of his head. "Then… I'm relieved."
After processing what he'd just said, it sounded like he blurted, "Huh!"
Yena blinked. "Huh?"
Realizing how silly he sounded, Jin Yue laughed lightly, stumbling over his words. "I mean… I'm relieved your mind isn't wandering here and there."
Yena snorted, her eyes sparkling. "Oh… thank you for your concern, sir. But my mind is perfectly sound. I can't say the same for your brain though."
Jin Yue laughed under his breath, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer. "Are you free right now? We could explore the sect together…"
Yena blinked, his words finally sinking in. "Ah… right, my mind." She said. "Thanks for reminding me— I completely forgot I have to meet Shu Lin in the garden."
Jin Yue muttered under his breath, "Hmph… practice in a garden, huh? How convenient."
Yena blinked. "What was that?"
Jin Yue straightened. "Nothing. You should probably go. I'll wait."
Yena smirked. "Tch… Senior Jin Yue, you're forgetting your junior disciple is waiting for you in the sparring hall. You should hurry, unless you want Miao Miao to devour you whole."
Jin Yue stood abruptly. "You're right. If I'm late, she'll eat me alive."
Yena chuckled. "Who fears their junior?"
Jin Yue placed a hand on his chest solemnly. "Me."
She shook her head with a smile, rising to her feet. "Alright then, let's meet in the evening."
"Sure," Jin Yue replied, his usual charm returning.
With that, they parted ways, heading off toward their separate destinations.
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