The morning air felt heavy when Yun Zhen stepped out of his room. The courtyard was quiet, but the silence wasn't peaceful. It was the kind that hid whispers behind doors and eyes behind windows. He walked forward with slow breaths and kept his shoulders relaxed even though his ribs still complained from yesterday's fights.
A few disciples near the well stopped talking once he passed. One of them muttered too loudly, "He's still alive?"
Another replied with a snicker, "Of course he is, trash can survives anything."
Their voices didn't bother him. He'd heard worse in two lifetimes. The small silver fox resting on his shoulder flicked her tail against his neck.
"They're all ugly," Mei Ling whispered in a small voice only he could hear.
"You say that about everyone," Yun Zhen said softly.
"That's because everyone but you is ugly," she said, lifting her head with a smug little expression.
Yun Zhen sighed, but he didn't push her off. She curled closer, pretending to sleep again.
He walked toward the training courtyard. He didn't make it far before someone stepped into his path. A familiar frost scent touched his skin.
Yun Xue stood there, arms crossed, her posture straight and sharp like she was carved out of winter itself. Her black hair was tied high, swaying behind her like a banner. Her eyes flicked from him to the fox on his shoulder, then back to him.
"You," she said, tapping her foot once. "Come here."
Before he could react, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward with surprising force. He let her drag him toward the corner of the courtyard. Mei Ling dug her claws lightly into his shoulder in protest.
"Be careful," he muttered.
Mei Ling whispered, "This girl is rude."
Yun Xue stopped once they were out of earshot of others and released his wrist. The moment she did, her Frost Yin leaked a soft wave of cold that brushed against his skin. It felt like icy silk sliding over his hand.
He suddenly felt the system.
[Lewd Quest: "Increasing Physical Proximity"]
[Task Completed: Accidental intimate contact with compatible partner]
[Reward: Minor Meridian Nourishment + 8 LP]
He grunted quietly at the small but noticeable warmth that traveled through his meridians. Yun Xue watched his face closely.
"Why did you make that sound?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Because of pain," he answered.
"Liar."
Mei Ling jumped from his shoulder and landed on his chest with a soft thump. Her tiny claws held his robe as she glared at Yun Xue.
"Stop glaring at me," Yun Xue snapped.
"You stop first," the fox growled softly.
"I'm not arguing with a beast," Yun Xue said, turning her head away.
Mei Ling hissed, her tail flicking with annoyance.
Yun Zhen put a hand on the fox's back. "Enough."
Both girls went silent, though neither looked happy about it. Yun Zhen stepped aside and stretched his arms, moving his sore ribs. He walked toward the open training ground and let out a breath as he began working through slow movements.
Yun Xue watched him for a moment before muttering, "You're really training already? You just came back yesterday."
"Healing is easier in motion," he said.
"That's not how bodies work," she argued.
"It works for mine."
Mei Ling snorted from his shoulder. "It only works because he's stubborn."
Yun Zue ignored the banter and focused on the flow of his breath. He stepped into a basic movement pattern, one he remembered from his old life—a low-level footwork form that even beginners learned. His body accepted the movements instantly. His legs shifted lightly, his balance perfect.
Yun Xue watched from the fence with a puzzled look. "Why… does that look perfect? I thought you just learned that two days ago."
He didn't answer. He moved into a twisting step, then another, letting his body remember the rhythm even though his meridians lagged behind the flow of qi. Each time he extended his arm, his ribs ached. He ignored the pain and continued.
The system chimed inside him.
[System Gift: Minor Meridian Reinforcement +2%]
Warmth moved through his chest, and the stabbing pain eased a little.
'Better', he thought.
He didn't stop until he felt another presence in front of him. Mei Ling had shifted to her humanoid form at some point and stood in front of him, hands on her hips, fox ears perked forward.
"Training without inviting me?" she asked, stepping close and poking his chest. "That hurts my feelings."
"I didn't know you wanted to train," Yun Zhen said.
"I didn't," she answered, flicking his robe with her tail. "I just want to watch." She circled him slowly, touching his shoulder, then his arm, then pressing lightly against his back as she spoke. "Hmm… your posture is good. But your body is still weak. You pushed too much yesterday.
Yun Zhen nodded slightly. "I know."
Mei Ling leaned closer, brushing against him. "You're going to win the duel. I'll enjoy watching it."
He exhaled. "It's not a duel yet."
"Oh, it is," she whispered.
A sharp voice cut through the space.
"So this is where you two are."
Yun Zhen turned. Yun Xue stood there again, her Frost Yin strong enough to chill the air between them. Her eyes darted to how close Mei Ling was standing.
"You," she said to Mei Ling. "Get away from him."
Mei Ling didn't move. She pressed her body closer to Yun Zhen's arm and smiled sweetly. "Why? He smells good."
Yun Xue's jaw clenched. "You're suffocating him."
Mei Ling lifted her chin. "He looks fine to me."
Yun Zhen sighed. "Both of you. Calm down."
Yun Xue ignored Mei Ling completely and faced him. "The elders prepared a duel for you tomorrow. Seven in the morning. Everyone will be watching."
Mei Ling's eyes sparkled. "Tomorrow? Perfect."
Yun Xue glared at her. "No one asked your opinion."
Mei Ling wrapped her tail around Yun Zhen's waist with a smug grin. "I'm giving it anyway."
Yun Xue took a deep breath like she was preparing not to freeze someone. "Yun Zhen. I need to speak with you privately."
Mei Ling's ears twitched. "I'll come."
"No," Yun Xue snapped. "You stay here."
Mei Ling crossed her arms. "Then make me."
Yun Zhen rested a hand on her head. "Stay."
Mei Ling's tail froze mid-sway. She grumbled but stepped aside. Yun Xue grabbed Yun Zhen's wrist again and dragged him toward a quieter spot behind the courtyard wall.
Once they were alone, Yun Xue stopped. She didn't look at him right away. Her breath came out a little too fast for her usual calm. When she finally turned, her eyes were sharp.
"You're too calm," she said. "Even for you."
"I'm just thinking," he answered.
She stepped closer. "Thinking doesn't make someone that relaxed. Something is different about you."
He held her gaze. "I trust myself."
She narrowed her eyes, studying him. Then she stepped even closer, until her breath touched his chest. The cold from her Frost Yin seeped through his robe and brushed the skin beneath.
"Don't embarrass me tomorrow," she said quietly. "If you lose, they'll mock me too."
"I won't lose," he said.
She stared at him for a moment, then turned her head sharply. "…Good."
She walked away before he could say anything else.
He stood there a few seconds longer before returning to the center of the courtyard. Mei Ling was now sitting on a fence, legs swinging, tail curled around her waist.
"You two are cute," she said with a teasing smile.
Yun Zhen rubbed his temple. "I'm surrounded by trouble."
"But you love it," she teased.
He didn't answer. He trained again until the sun dipped lower. By evening, he felt a faint shift in his meridians, a tightness ready to break open.
The system pulsed again.
[Cultivation Note: Body ready for breakthrough after combat stimulation.]
He exhaled. "So tomorrow decides it."
As he walked toward his room, Mei Ling appeared at the doorway, now in her humanoid form again. She sat on the edge of his bed, tail curled around her legs.
"You're sleeping already?" he asked.
"No. I'm waiting for you," she answered, patting the spot beside her. "We should talk."
"We talked all day," he muttered.
"But not here," she said, smiling.
Before he could answer, Yun Xue's voice snapped from outside his door.
"Mei Ling! Get out of his room!"
Mei Ling raised a brow. "Make me."
Yun Xue's Frost Yin flared. "I swear—"
Yun Zhen closed the door between them and sat on the floor. "Enough. Both of you."
Mei Ling snorted. Yun Xue cursed from outside. Yun Zhen had a short, tired laugh and leaned his head against the wall.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
The system whispered:
[Duel imminent.]
[Breakthrough opportunity detected.]
Yun Zhen opened his eyes.
"Good, I'm ready."
End Of Chapter 11