Li Meirong was overjoyed. She cared less about being accepted and more about the fact that Shu Qianqian and Mo Jing had come back for her. They were alive and well!
Mo Cheng's attentiveness and concern made her feel cherished. He explained that Shu Qianqian and his brother were still recuperating from the test. Since their separation, they encountered High-level Spirit Beasts and they fought tirelessly up until the point in which they found her again.
Li Meirong chose to keep her newfound knowledge to herself and didn't tell him about her special aura. She wasn't yet certain as to why Spirit Beasts were avoiding her and thought it best to keep quiet about the matter for now.
Looking around, she found no trace of her Plant Spirit, Chou. She hoped he was alright, he did save her life, after all.
Following their brief conversation, Mo Cheng took it upon himself to ensure Li Meirong had all her needs taken care of.
With his Lightning vein attribute, he was already considered an important figure in the sect and as such was given higher status than the rest of the new recruits. Mo Cheng called for one of the attending healers to prepare a light meal for Li Meirong, and then stepped out to arrange for a change of clothes for her.
Li Meirong was repulsed with herself. She stank up to high heaven! Mo Cheng quickly returned and brought a basin full of warm water and a cotton cloth.
His hair was tied in a neat bun with a wooden ornament to clasp it in place and his robes were light blue with a white sash tied around his waist. Li Meirong thought that with his sun-kissed skin and handsome young features, he looked as though he stepped straight out of a Wuxia film.
"I asked one of the disciples in attendance to draw you a bath and bring a change of robes, later on when you have the strength, you can wash yourself properly." Mo Cheng said, his cheeks were dusted with a pink shade.
He brought a low wooden stool and sat beside her mattress. The water basin and cloth were in his hand.
Li Meirong attempted to adjust herself into a sitting position, sensing his intentions, but he immediately pressed a hand on her shoulder lightly, pushing her back down.
"Please, allow me. You saved my family. It's the least I can do! I will treat you with respect, I promise."
Li Meirong stared at her lap, feeling awkward and a little embarrassed. She hadn't noticed his blushing but his choice of words sounded a little ambiguous to her.
What am I thinking? He's just a little kid! His intentions are pure. Li Meirong mentally scolded herself for her wayward thoughts and nodded her head, giving her consent.
Mo Cheng smiled brightly and dabbed the cloth in the water, wringing it lightly and applying it to her face, clearing away the dust and mud.
Li Meirong sniffed the air. The water smelled strongly of medicinal herbs.
"It's healing water. It will help your skin look better." Mo Cheng explained, noticing her curiosity as he dipped the cloth back into the water. This time, he cleaned her bloodied ear.
"Thank you so much. I-I can take it from here." Li Meirong stammered.
Wasn't this a little too close?
Mo Cheng laughed, "This is what friends are for! Please relax today, I want you to be well rested. Tomorrow will be the acceptance ceremony, designating disciples into the various divisions so you'll need all the strength you can get. "
He explained the upcoming events, casually ignoring her words. Then, he reached for her swollen feet. Li Meirong grabbed his arm. They stared at each other awkwardly for a brief moment.
"Please, there's no need for you to help with that. My feet are so ugly right now." Her cheeks heated up.
Feeling Li Meirong's small hands grasping his arm, Mo Cheng forced himself to steady his rising heartbeat and coughed lightly, averting his eyes and retracting his hands back to his sides. Li Meirong let go of his arm.
He hung the cloth on the side of the basin and abruptly rose from his seat.
"I will see you tomorrow! Make sure to rest a lot and properly care for yourself. I gave a powder of medicine to the disciple in charge of your meal, it should assist you." Mo Cheng said scurried away, embarrassed.
Li Meirong couldn't help but laugh. She found his childish reaction amusing and was grateful to him but she had to keep her distance, especially with Shu Qianqian who was head over heels in love with him.
It would be best not to step into that minefield!
Li Meirong proceeded to tend to her sore feet. She vigorously rubbed her blister covered soles, put the cloth back in the basin and removed the dry leaves stuck in her hair. Afterwards, she ran her fingers through it like a comb. It was full of knots!
'I'll have to get used to having long hair here', Li Meirong thought to herself.
A while later, she could hear the faint sound of approaching footsteps right before a local disciple entered the pavilion. It was a charming looking elderly woman with long grey robes and a head full of white hair tied neatly in a simple updo.
She carried a tray with a bowl of plain soup and a plate filled with sautéed vegetables. Her aged appearance caught Li Meirong by surprise.
The woman gave her a warm smile, discerning her reaction. "Didn't expect to see an old woman like me, did you?"
"I'm sorry, all the other disciples always appeared so young. You are the first person I see who's… mature." Li Meirong responded honestly.
The elderly woman grinned with amusement and placed the tray by Li Meirong's lap.
"It is true that most disciples in the sect look young, but it is only their appearance. Most folk here are well past their eighties and hundreds. As for me, I joined the sect fifty years ago on its prior opening. It was by luck that I survived the ordeal at my age, but I had good friends to support me. I haven't aged further, though unfortunately, I wasn't able to regain my youth since I am a multiple attributes cultivator." The woman explained patiently, and then went on to say, "Oh, Silly me! I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Doctor Rong. I heard about your courageous deed in the Wild Lands. You seem like a good girl, should you ever need any help, you're always welcome here."
Li Meirong was speechless, her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Her fortunes were really changing, meeting more and more considerate and hospitable people. She wasn't able to bow properly so she nodded her head low instead. "Thank you for caring for me, Doctor Rong!"
The doctor laughed and ruffled her hair. "There there! Be sure to eat your food. That handsome lad brought drinking water in a jug and placed it by the edge of your bed while you were asleep. Don't eat too fast and chew your food properly because you've been malnourished for quite a while and it can harm you. There is a small bamboo steam room opposite this pavilion with a tub full of warm bathing water prepared for you. Rest well. Tomorrow will be a big day for you."
After thanking Doctor Rong once more, Li Meirong ate her meal in small bites. The elderly lady tucked her back under the blanket, gathered the dishes and departed.
Finally, Li Meirong was alone again. She took a moment to breathe in deeply and relax.
A feeling of great relief washed over her. Was the suffering over? Would she finally have quiet days ahead?
While her mind was occupied, a sudden voice chirped, revealing its presence.
'Master I'm hungry too!'