In the middle of the versation, Xing Yue hesitated, her gaze drifting away for a moment. Xi noticed immediately. Xing Yue had something on her mind, something she had carried for a long time.

  — " Kai has been doing well retly, but he's still the same as always," — Xi remarked, trying to sound casual.

  Xi khe reason for her hesitation. Xing Yue's feelings for Kai were to her, but they were also something Xi knew she couldn't interfere with. Xing Yue was her friend, and she rooted for them, but the barriers between them seemed almost insurmountable.

  Xi's thoughts wao the past, to the moment it all began. She was only three years old when she first met Kai. Her father had rescued him from a sve trader during a trip to the city. That day, they were drawn to a otion—a sharp crack of a whip and a crowd gathered to watch. When they got closer, they saw the se: a repugnant-looking trader whipping a skinny, dirty eight-year-old boy who refused to obey.

  Xi remembered how the boy's eyes shoh a ferocity and will to live that seemed to defy his miserable dition. It was a determination she reized well, as she had felt it in herself. Her father, perhaps touched by the same feeling, intervened. He stopped the trader and bought the boy, something that made Xi unfortable. The idea of trading human beings as odities repulsed her.

  Her father, notig this, did something ued: he asked the guards to care for the boy and then freed him. However, the boy, upon waking and uanding what had happened, k before her father and swore eternal loyalty. He promised to repay the kindness shown to him. Xi's father, seeing the determination in the boy, accepted his pledge.

  From then on, Kai trained harder than anyone, being one of her father's most trusted men. He was fearless, disciplined, and loyal—qualities Xi always admired.

  But there was another moment Xi never fot: the day she ran away from home at the age of eight. The ey buzzed with rumors about her, something that deeply hurt her. Her father, ed, severely puhose responsible for the gossip, a fact Xi learer. On that day, as she wahrough the city, she decided to return home with renewed determination.

  On her way back, she entered Kai. He was searg for her, tireless as ever. But beside him stood a little girl dressed as a dy, around Xi's age, her eyes shining with admiration. It was Xing Yue.

  Xing Yue had also run away from home, but her fate had been more perilous. She had crossed paths with bandits, and it was Kai who saved her. From that day on, Xing Yue began to pay attention to Kai, and Xi noticed the beginnings of what could bee a deeper feeling.

  Now, so many years ter, she knew Xing Yue liked Kai, even if Xing Yue pretended not to know. Xi rooted for them but uood the challenges. Xing Yue was the daughter of a promi family, loved and protected, but her social standing made a retionship with Kai almost impossible—unless he could prove his worth. He, in turn, was too determio repay his debt of gratitude to even sider something that might seem like a distra.

  — "Do you think he'll ever ge?" — Xing Yue asked, breaking Xi's thoughts.

  Xi gave a small smile, looking at her friend.— " Kai is like a rock. He doesn't ge under external pressure. But if he realizes something is important enough, he might shape himself by choice."

  Xing Yue sighed, her expression a mix of hope and resignation. Xi said no more. She khis was a battle Xing Yue had to face alone, but in her heart, she hoped that somehow, against all odds, Kai and Xing Yue's paths would align.

  Xi sehe tension in the air and, wanting to ease her friend's mind, shifted the versation to lighter topics. Grateful, Xing Yue followed her lead, and soowhing and chatting about trivial matters. However, when Xi g the sky through the window, she noticed it was already te. Deg it was time to leave, she stood up and embraced Xing Yue warmly.

  — "I o go now. See you soon, Yue. Take care."— "You too, Xi. And… thank you for today." — Xing Yue smiled, siy shining in her eyes.

  With that, Xi left the room, finding Ah Tao waiting outside. Together, they desded the stairs, moving quietly to avoid drawing attention, and headed to the alley behind the house.

  Preparativos para a Jornada

  With swift, precise steps, they climbed over the wall discreetly, careful not to be seen. Xi felt the cool night air on her face as they made their way to her quarters. Onside, she quickly ged out of the men's clothes she had been wearing into a femifit, feeling more fortable yet keenly aware of the societal expectations such attire symbolized.

  — "Let's go, Ah Tao. It's time to talk to my father."

  Ah Tao nodded silently, following Xi to the study of Patriarch Tang. Their walk was quiet, the sound of their footsteps muffled by the ornate corridors of the house. When they arrived, the guards at the door bowed slightly but said nothing. Ah Tao stayed behind as Xi ehe study.

  Inside, she found her father, Tang Wei, immersed in dots, his brow furrowed in tration. Beside him stood Kai, "Uncle ," helping with the paperwork and discussing something in low tones. Both looked up as she entered.

  — " Xi?" — Tang Wei said, setting the papers aside. — "Is something wrong? And gratutions, my daughter, on reag the third level of Body Tempering. But remember to solidify your foundation without rushing." — His tone roud yet serious.

  — "I uand, Father. I'll be careful. First, I came to thank Uncle for the gift. It's very precious." — she replied, answering his question and expressing gratitude to her father's trusted ally.

  — "Sed, I want to discuss my raining." — Xi approached, her posture firm yet respectful.

  Tang Wei gestured for her to sit. Xi took a deep breath and began:— "I want to go to the Clear Waters Mountains. Alone. Without guards."

  A heavy silence filled the room. Tang Wei exged a gh Liao Wei, who maintained a ral but alert expression.

  — " Xi, the Clear Waters Mountains are no ordinary pce. There are dangers you've never faced. Why do you want to go alone?" — Tang Wei asked gravely.

  — "Because I his, Father. I o test my limits and learn to fend for myself. I know I do it."

  Tang Wei sighed, rubbing his temples. He knew his daughter was determined. Since she began cultivating, he had anticipated this moment. Refusing her might only hinder her growth.

  — "Very well," — he said finally. — "But you must be prepared. I'll arrange for some resources and protective equipment. Also, take a unication talisman. If anything goes wrong, tact me immediately."

  Xi nodded, relieved but grateful for her father's .— "Thank you, Father. I promise I'll be careful."

  With that, the discussion ended. Xi stood, bidding them farewell, ahe study with her mind already focused on preparations.

  Ba her room, Xi began pag for the jouromorrow, she would leave for the Clear Waters Mountains, where she could challenge herself and prepare for the Four Families petition.

  As the moonlight bathed her room, Xi gazed out the window with determination. The step of her journey would begin at dawn.

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