In my thousand years, I have seen countless promising disciples rush to their doom. They mistake speed for progress, forgetting that even the mightiest tree must first sink roots deep into the earth. Take time to strengthen your core, lest you be another cautionary tale.


    —Sage Master Yu Ling, Speaker to the Wild


    Xin dropped her travel pack onto the wooden floor of their rented rooms. The weight lifted from her shoulders brought wee relief after the day’s journey. Quiet had settled between their group since leaving the spirit’s cave, the heavy atmosphere lifting in the warm drizzle from the sky.


    The innkeeper had practically danced when they mentioned dealing with the wrathful spirit. Within minutes, the entire vige erupted into impromptu festivities—drums beating, wine flowing, and children running through the streets with ribbons trailing behind them.


    Early summer’s mist did nothing to mute things.


    Square wooden beams crossed the ceiling of theirmon room. Two bedroom doors stood on opposite walls, one facing an enclosed garden visible through paper screens. The simple furnishings spoke offort rather than luxury—exactly what they needed.


    "I’ll take the room by the garden." Ren Chun stepped toward the screened door.


    "Absolutely not." Feng Yu nted herself between him and the door. "That’s our room. You get the other one all to yourself—plenty of space for one person."


    Ren Chun’s shoulders slumped, but he nodded. "The garden does look peaceful though."


    "Nothing stops you from enjoying it except the rain." Xin gestured toward the open screen doors where drops slowly strengthened to stter against the wooden walkway.


    A soft melody drifted through the room as Mei Chen sorted their travel packs. "I’ll wash everyone’s clothes if you bundle them together."


    "You don’t need to do that." Xin frowned. "You’re not a servant anymore."


    "Yeah!" Feng Yu stepped forward. "You don’t have to if you don’t want—"


    "But I want to." Mei Chen clutched a bundle of fabric to her chest. "It makes me happy."


    The simple statement caught Xin off guard. She exchanged nces with Feng Yu, who shrugged and began gathering her clothes. Ren Chun followed suit, passing his bundle to Mei Chen.


    Mei Chen sorted the garments. A pang of guilt twisted in Xin’s chest as she realized they’d been pushing Mei Chen. Her friend deserved to choose her own path.


    Xin moved forward and wrapped her arms around Mei Chen in a sudden embrace. A surprised squeak escaped.


    "What was that for?" Mei Chen tilted her head.


    "Because you’re perfect exactly as you are." Xin smiled. "However you want to be."


    Mei Chen blinked in confusion before a warm smile spread across her face. "Thank you, miss."


    The scent of braised pork and fried chicken wafted through the room as servants arrangedcquered trays on the low table. Steam rose from bowls of white rice and noodles, while tes of sauced vegetables added vibrant colors to the spread. The rich aroma made Xin’s stomach rumble.


    Everyone settled onto cushions around the table. Xin watched Mei Chen expertly arrange chopsticks and spoons while Ren Chun poured soy milk into ceramic cups.


    Halfway through the meal, Feng Yu lowered her chopsticks and studied Mei Chen. "Did anyone ever force the two of you to survive on the streets?"


    Mei Chen froze mid-slurp, a noodle dangling from her mouth. She quickly dabbed her lips with a napkin. "What? No! We’ve always been provided care, even if it was a bit… improper..."


    Feng Yu bit into a piece of chicken, her amber eyes fixed on Xin withser focus.


    The intense scrutiny made Xin squirm on her cushion. "Why are you thinking so hard? I swear I can see steaming out of your ears."


    Feng Yu patted her head and ears in confusion. "What?"


    The gesture broke the tension. Laughter erupted around the table, echoing off the wooden beams above.


    Feng Yu crossed her arms and huffed. "I’ve been wondering where a noble daughter learned to curse like amon street rat."


    The usation sparked a mix of amusement and indignation in Xin’s chest. She opened her mouth to defend herself but Mei Chen interrupted with a thoughtful "Oh..."


    Mei Chen tapped her chin, staring at the ceiling beams. The gesture reminded Xin so much of her old self that she couldn’t help but smile.


    Mei Chen’s eyes lit up. "I think it started when you hit your head falling off that cliff!"


    Rice and broth caught in Xin’s throat. She coughed violently, pounding her chest while reaching for her cup of soy milk.


    "Falling off a cliff teaches bad manners?" Feng Yu raised an eyebrow. "That’s an unusual education method."


    After clearing her throat, Xin straightened her spine. "I don’t have bad manners! That’s just..." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "That’s when I decided to fight back against my stepmother!"


    Ren Chun stabbed at his rice with precise, measured movements. The silence stretched until he cleared his throat. "Miss Lin, you shouldplete your cultivation breakthrough before we reach Aeris."


    Xin paused with her chopsticks halfway to her mouth.


    "The inn provides adequate privacy." Ren Chun set his bowl down. "With ourbined assistance, you shouldn’t encounter difficulties advancing to Qi Gathering."


    "Do you have the necessary materials?" Feng Yu leaned forward, amber eyes bright with interest.


    Xin released a heavy sigh. "Yes." The elemental pills were safely packed away. She’d dyed this moment despite craving advancement.


    Anxiety coiled in her stomach. The transition to Qi Gathering would fundamentally alter her being.


    The changes since awakening as Lin Xin seemed minor inparison—like drifting down a gentle incline. This breakthrough loomed like a steep flight of stairs, the second step permanent and irreversible.


    One wrong move during the breakthrough could snap her neck like a dried twig. Her fingers trembled against the table.


    Mei Chen pressed a warm hand against Xin’s shoulder. "Don’t worry! Xin is the best miss and can do it."


    "I’ll help stabilize your qi while you make the transition." Feng Yu offered. "We are close enough that some dual cultivation while you go through with it will let me monitor your progress."


    Ren Chun sprayed rice across the table. He pounded his chest and grabbed his cup of soy milk, gulping it down. "It’s... it’s..." He coughed and wiped his mouth. "It’s a good idea toplete the breakthrough soon. It will improve your chances!"


    He scrambled to his feet and bolted toward the door, nearly tripping over his own cushion.


    "What’s his problem?" Xin watched him disappear around the corner.


    Mei Chen dabbed at spilled soy milk with her sleeve. "He probably thinks you and Fairy Feng are lovers now, considering how things were exined to me."


    Rice caught in Xin’s throat. She choked and sputtered, face burning as she reached for her cup.


    Feng Yu burst into bright peals ofughter, nearly knocking over her cup. "Maybe we should exin things to him." She wiped tears from her eyes. "Though watching his imagination run wild might be more entertaining."


    Xin rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. "I’ll spend tonight preparing mentally. We can attempt the breakthrough tomorrow morning."


    "A sound n." Feng Yu pushed herself up from the cushions. "I’ll arrange another day with the innkeeper. A small dy won’t hurt our journey."


    The thought of hot water eased some tension from Xin’s shoulders. She nced at Mei Chen, who began folding napkins into precise triangles. "Perhaps we should visit the hot springs while we’re here?" A furrow creased her brow. "Would that be safe for… your body?"


    Feng Yu tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I don’t see why not?"


    "It’s fine." Mei Chen smoothed thest napkin t. "I’ve already bathed in hot water since..." She gestured vaguely at herself. "The water doesn’t affect this body badly, and it doesn’t disturb the water."


    The wooden floorboards creaked as Feng Yu strode toward the door. "I’ll arrange everything with the innkeeper. The hot springs should be good to rx before the breakthrough. We can all visit in the morning."


    Xin watched her leave before entering their shared bedroom. Simple furnishings lined the walls—three sleeping mats, a low table, and a wooden chest for storage. She knelt beside her travel pack and began sorting through the contents.


    The five elemental pills clinked against each other as she ced them on the table. Each one gleamed with a different hue—red for fire, blue for water, brown for earth, white for metal, and green for wood. Next came the bone refinement powder, wrapped in thick paper and tied with twine.


    Everything’s ready. I’ve nned this out perfectly. She traced the edge of the powder packet. So why do I feel so uncertain?


    Cool arms wrapped around her shoulders as Mei Chen knelt behind her. The familiar scent of frost and jasmine filled the air. "Is Miss happy with our path?"


    Xin rxed against Mei Chen’s embrace, letting out a long breath. "I think we found the best way forward, considering everything that’s happened." She patted Mei Chen’s hand. "Though I wish you’d stop calling me ’Miss’ when we’re alone."


    Mei Chen squeezed tighter. "That’s not what I asked, Xin."


    Xin shifted back until her head rested on Mei Chen’s shoulder. The familiar cool pulse of Mei Chen’s spiritual energy seeped through her robes. "I’m happy with our little group. You, Feng Yu, even Ren Chun… seems redeemable." A sigh escaped her lips. "The future just feels... uncertain."


    "You wouldn’t be the miss who drags us into trouble with all those clever ns if you weren’t happy." Mei Chen’s words carried the hint of a smile.


    A chuckle bubbled up from Xin’s chest. The tension in her shoulders melted away as they sat together infortable silence. The patter of rain against the garden screens mixed with distant sounds of celebration from the vige.


    Eventually, it had to end, though.


    "I should take care of those clothes!" Mei Chen bounced to her feet. Her eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm as she hurried away with the group’s dirty bundles.


    Xin turned and continued to prepare the room. She unrolled the three futon-style sleeping mats against the wooden wall. The setup sparked amusement—she wasn’t sure that the Japanese style beds were normal in ancient china. One of the devs at Phoenix Kingdom Chronicles had probably binged too many anime shows.


    She settled onto her mat, letting her mind drift in that space between meditation and sleep.


    Footsteps approached. Feng Yu slid open the door while Mei Chen followed with their freshly cleaned clothes. They all changed into sleeping robes, the fabric rustling in the dim light. Xin imed the middle mat as Feng Yu and Mei Chen settled on either side.


    "Good night," Xin mumbled, already half-asleep.


    A chorus of "good nights" echoed back before darkness imed her consciousness.


    Some timeter, something tickled her shoulder.


    Xin blinked awake in the moonlit room to find chaos had erupted during her slumber.


    Feng Yu sprawled upside down, feet propped over Xin’s shoulder while maintaining a death grip on both Mei Chen’s and her legs. Mei Chen adhered to her side like a sea barnacle, arms locked around her back and face nted against her chest.


    Xin shifted experimentally. Both cultivators tightened their holds.


    Are they faking sleep? She studied their peaceful faces suspiciously.


    "Xin... Xin... Xin..." Mei Chen’s quiet chant drifted through the darkness.


    "Mmmm... steamed buns..." Feng Yu drooled slightly onto the mat.


    From his perch on Feng Yu’s back, Liuhuo released a serpentine hiss that sounded suspiciously likeughter. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement at Xin’s predicament.


    Instead of a guard dog or cat… they had a guard snake?


    Xin sighed in resignation. At least they were allfy. She closed her eyes and let sleep reim her, surrounded by her peculiar family.