Yun Zhen sat cross-legged in his quiet courtyard, his back resting against the wooden post behind him. His breath came slow and steady, though each inhale pulled at the bruises around his ribs. The air still carried the faint echo of the duel. The cold frost Yun Xue left behind clung lightly to the stone near the gate, and the courtyard felt heavier than usual.
He closed his eyes.
The breakthrough into Elementary Spirit Realm Stage Two left his meridians warm and swollen, like someone poured heated water into narrow tubes. His chest felt tight, but the discomfort was manageable.
'Elementary Spirit RealmStage Two… sooner than expected', he thought.
But this body is still weak.
Then the familiar, emotionless chime rang through his mind.
[System Sync Initiated]
[Please remain still]
Yun Zhen exhaled slowly. "Of course. Perfect timing."
A cold pulse moved through his mind, then spread down his spine. The sensation wasn't painful—just strange, like liquid metal flowing along his body and settling into place.
[System Sync… 30%]
[47%]
[62%]
Mei Ling trotted into the courtyard in fox form, her soft paws making no sound. She jumped onto his knee and stared up at his face.
"You're glowing," she whispered telepathically.
"I'm not glowing," he muttered, eyes still closed.
"You are," she insisted. "Your qi is swirling. It feels nice."
He moved a hand to pet her back, running his fingers through her soft silver fur. She melted against his touch like a spoiled cat and curled her tail around his wrist.
[System Sync… Complete]
A final wave rippled through him.
[System Sync Complete]
[Scan Efficiency +35%]
[Partner Evaluation Accuracy +20%]
[Harem Synergy Level +1]
Yun Zhen opened his eyes. The world looked the same, but he felt a faint clarity behind his vision.
"Good," he whispered. "That will help."
Mei Ling nudged his chest with her small head. "What will help? What did you do?"
"Nothing you need to worry about."
Her tail puffed. "You're hiding something again."
"I hide everything," he said, pushing himself to his feet.
He walked toward a small pot in the corner where a spirit herb grew. He hovered his hand over it and triggered a scan.
A clean interface appeared instantly.
[Scanning Target…]
[Name: Spirit Herb (Low Rank)]
[Grade: Mortal — Low]
[Properties: Mild Qi Nourishment]
[Purity: 41%]
"Hmmm.. Much better," he muttered.
Mei Ling tilted her head. "You're still not telling me anything."
"You're too nosy," he said, turning away.
She trotted after him, hopping back onto his shoulder with an easy jump. Her tail curled around the back of his neck, warm and soft.
"That's why you like me," she hummed.
"I never said that."
"Your hand says it," she teased. "You touched me the whole time."
"It was one stroke," he said.
"Lies," she whispered.
Before he could reply, a light knock came at the front gate.
Yun Zhen stopped.
Mei Ling's tail froze in mid-curl. "It's the ice princess," she whispered.
Yun Zhen walked to the gate and slid it open.
Yun Xue stood there, her posture stiff, her ponytail slightly messy from moving too quickly. Her eyes flicked down to Mei Ling on his shoulder, then back up at him.
"You're… awake." She cleared her throat.
"I mean, of course you're awake. It's afternoon."
Mei Ling narrowed her eyes like a tiny fox demon. Yun Xue pretended she didn't see her.
Yun Zhen stepped back. "Did you need something?"
Yun Xue didn't enter at first. She stared at Mei Ling for a long second, then finally walked past him into the courtyard.
"You shouldn't be walking around yet," she said, folding her arms. "Your duel injuries—"
"They're manageable," he answered.
She spun toward him with a sudden glare. "You didn't tell me you were injured during the fight."
He blinked. "It was a duel."
"That doesn't mean you hide injuries," she snapped.
"It means I fight," he said simply.
She opened her mouth to argue, stopped, then took a step closer. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "You look… different."
" Elementary Spirit Realm Stage Two," he said.
"I know that," she muttered, then added quietly, "…but I didn't expect it to be so fast."
Mei Ling puffed her fur. "He's strong. Of course it's fast."
Yun Xue ignored her again.
"You shouldn't push yourself," she said, softer now. "Even if you brokethrough, your body isn't used to handling qi like that."
Yun Zhen surprised her by answering honestly, "I know."
Her eyes widened a little. She wasn't used to him agreeing with her.
She stepped closer. Her Frost Yin brushed against his arm, sending a cool wave over his skin. She froze at the contact, then backed up half a step.
"I came to check on you," she said, voice dropping. "You fought well today."
Mei Ling muttered, "She liked watching you."
Yun Xue tensed. "Did it say something?"
Yun Zhen coughed once. "No."
Yun Xue eyed him suspiciously, then sighed and turned away.
"You were reckless," she said. "But… good fight."
He nodded. "You too."
She crossed her arms tighter, hiding the tiny pink flush growing on her cheeks. "Don't get arrogant."
"I'm not," he said.
"You should be," Mei Ling whispered. "She almost melted."
Yun Zhen kept a straight face. Yun Xue clenched her jaw.
"I'll leave now," she said finally. "You should rest."
She turned but paused at the gate, glancing back once, eyes softer than before.
"…Make sure that fox doesn't bite anyone."
Mei Ling hissed instantly.
Yun Xue left without waiting for a reply.
As soon as the gate shut, Mei Ling groaned. "She's so jealous. It's cute."
Yun Zhen rubbed his forehead. "Don't tease her."
"I will," she said proudly. "It's fun."
Yun Zhen placed her down on the stone bench and headed toward the main corridor. He needed water. Mei Ling followed him with short steps, tail held high.
As they passed the inner walkway, Yun Zhen slowed. Voices came from behind the wall.
Elders.
He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but their words carried clearly.
"That boy reached Elementary Spirit Realm Stage Two?" one elder said, sounding more annoyed than surprised.
"He won't keep it long," another said. "His body is too damaged to sustain fast growth."
"Then this is perfect," a third elder muttered. "We'll send him on another mission."
"A difficult one?"
"Of course. If he fails, we lose nothing. If he succeeds, we still lose nothing."
Low laughter followed.
Yun Zhen continued walking as if he heard nothing.
Mei Ling whispered, "They want you dead."
"They've wanted that since I was six," he said calmly.
She pressed her head against his wrist. "I'll burn their robes."
"No."
"Half a robe?"
"No."
She groaned dramatically but followed him back to the courtyard.
The moment they stepped inside, another system chime hit:
[Upcoming Danger Detected]
[Clan Mission Assigned Soon]
[Recommendation: Mental preparation advised]
Yun Zhen exhaled through his nose. "Of course."
He sat on the edge of his bed. Mei Ling curled at his feet, tail covering her nose.
Outside the courtyard wall, footsteps stopped. He didn't need to look to know who it was.
Yun Xue.
She lingered a moment. He heard her quiet breath, then the soft sound of her turning away.
The system gave one last message:
[Relationship Growth: Yun Xue → Moderate]
Yun Zhen lay back, staring at the ceiling.
"…Tomorrow will be annoying," he muttered.
Mei Ling flicked her tail. "Good. I like annoying days."
End Of Chapter 13