I stand next to a small pond and take a deep breath. I've broken through another level and was only one level away from the second tier. I can already feel a difference in my body! I felt stronger, faster and all-around healthier. Even my shoulder was completely healed.
If I wanted to get to the second tier, True Master, I need to keep working hard. I lift both my hands and watch as the water from the pond lifts. When I see a small Koi fish in one of the bubbles, I add water to it to make it larger. Little Bun reaches up and plays with a smaller water bubble but when it pops, he takes off running over to my side.
I bring the water bubble over to me and giggle at the Koi swimming in circles. This was truly fascinating! The Koi finally calms down and begins looking around as I say "So how is it up here? You probably like the pond more, huh?"
"Do you normally talk to animals or is this something new?" Guozhi says coming up behind me. He watches the water bubble with wonder as I slowly bring it back to the pond. I release the water bubble and watch the Koi take off into the pond.
I turn to look at Guozhi and say "Do you normally sneak up on people or is this something new?" Guozhi grins at me and says "No, it's a skill I've picked up being a Bandit. It just comes with the territory and to be honest, it's become a habit."
Little Bun grabs the end of my dress and quickly climbs up to shoulder as I roll my eyes. I give him a serious look and open my mouth to say something but he quickly lifts his hand and says "I'm not letting you leave. Stop asking."
I purse my lips in annoyance as I say "And to think, I was starting to warm up to you. You can't keep me here against my will Guozhi." He glances at me before walking past me. He stands next to the pond and says "I've never seen anyone control water before. Is this something you can do in your world?"
I sigh and say "No, not that I'm aware of but don't change the subject. I want to leave." Guozhi turns around to face me. The sun hits his back, washing him in a warm glow but the look in his dark eyes was cold and hard.
"I've told you before Bunny, you aren't leaving. Even if you managed to kill me and escape, you wouldn't last out there." He says in a low voice causing me to frown. "First of all, I don't want to kill you. I just want to leave. I'll take my chances out there." I say with irritation.
Guozhi's face scrunches up as he says "You hate me so much that you'd rather risk death or worse than to stay here with me?" I sigh in aggravation and say "It's not about you! I don't hate you I just have family and friends waiting for me. I need to return."
Guozhi turns his head to the side as he clenches his jaw in frustration. I bite my lip a bit and gently say "He'll come. You and I both know this. Let me go so no one gets hurt." When he turns back to me, my heart skips a beat.
The raw emotion I see in his eyes takes me by surprise. I know he likes me but I didn't know it was to this degree. We stare at each other for several moments before he says "Break into the second tier and I'll let you leave."
His voice is low and raw, cutting at my heart like a blade of ice. I nod at him as he quickly turns away and walks off. I lift my hand to my chest and rub the painful feeling lingering. I turn back around and face the pond again as I try to control my emotions.
I like him as a friend but when he looks at me with all that hurt and pain... I feel the echoes of it myself. I've played around with the thought of meeting Guozhi first and if I would have fallen for him and to be honest, there's a possibility things would have been very different.
But I met Bai Lei first... and after spending time with Guozhi, I realize there is something different about me when I'm with Bai Lei. Everything is better with him... everything has been better since him but I didn't just fall for him. He straight up tripped me and I fell hard.
The longer I spend away from him, the more I realize how much he's come to mean to me and to be honest, it terrifies me. The last time I "loved" someone... I quickly shake my head and say "Not going back there... Way too dark." I quickly sit down and begin cultivating again. I needed to leave as soon as possible.
~~~~~~~
Ren sits on a branch in a tall tree, a safe distance away with his fists in his mouth. He bites down and tries to control his urge to snatch Nova up. She's just sitting there! Right next to a pond! In the open!!! He slowly closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to control himself.
He's too far away to hear what they were talking about but they looked comfortable with each other... They even smiled at each other! He isn't going to tell his Master anything though... He was scary enough but what if his Master shows up and sees something he shouldn't!?
He starts rocking back and forth in the tree and reaches up to grab his hair but when he feels nothing but skin, he freezes in shock. He slowly feels around the top of his head but when he feels nothing but skin, he becomes lightheaded.
He nearly falls out of the tree but quickly snaps back and grabs the tree with tears running down his face. I'm bald!!!!