Primary Infirmary, Inner Residential Circle, Xi Clan.
[A few hours after the tournament]
The primary infirmary was located within the Inner Circle. The trees that surrounded the building gave it privacy. Paved pathways squiggled in between the center garden which had a small creek going through it. The nights moonlight reflected through the clear water, lighting up its surroundings with a mystical glow.
In a specific room, two people crowded a boy laying in a bed. Rune stones surrounded him, causing the boy who was laying in the bed to glow a bright green. The gaping wound on his chest the center of attention of this glow. These people were none other than Xi Fengge and Xi Meiying, with Xi Heji lying in bed.
"I've just been informed that the 3rd elder committed suicide"
Xi Fengge turned his attention away from Xi Heji, looking at Xi Meiyings cold blue eyes. Her face remaining unchanged.
"And you don't seemed surprised?"
Xi Meiying couldn't hold in her laugh as she giggled.
"It's the least you would expect of a father that just killed his son."
Xi Meiying didn't stop laughing.
Xi Fengge noted Xi Meiyings strange behavior today, deciding to pry.
"I don't suppose you know why the third elder would do such a thing?"
"Ahhh~ you know, Grandfather~"
She finally took her eyes, which were previously glued to Xi Heji, off him. Staring at Xi Fengge back in the eyes.
"If I had a son who would resort to such underhanded tactics against an opponent with cultivation similar of that of a child, I wouldn't have living in consideration"
Xi Meiying laughed again, though this time some fury could be felt. Xi Fengge finally decided to ask.
"What's wrong with you today, Meiying?"
Xi Meiying stopped her laugh.
"Whatever do you mean, Grandfather?"
She narrowed her eyes at him.
Xi Fengge suddenly disappeared. Appearing next to her, a short blade appeared in his hand.
*Clang!*
An Icy blade pressed against him, forcing him away as he jumped back. Xi Meiying straightened her posture as she brought the blade to her side.
Xi Fengge looked at those glowing blue eyes of hers. Narrowing his eyes.
"How did you know?"
Xi Fengge was like a grandfather to Xi Meiying. Having raised her alongside Xi Heji's mother, she was like his second child. The Xi Meiying from yesterday wouldn't have acted at all at this act of his, remaining still, as he is one of the few people she doesn't have her guard up upon. This time though, he attacked with hidden killing intent, which would've been unnoticeable to Xi Meiying who had no experience in real combat, one involving the risk of death. This affirmed Xi Fengges hunch about the oddity Xi Meiying was today, being able to sense such masked killing intent.
Xi Meiying didn't respond to his question, her eyes fluttering before closing.
"I respect you, Grandfather, so… please… don't bring this up again."
Xi Fengge tested the seemingly struggling Xi Meiying.
"What is there to hide among us, Meiying? Maybe I should…"
He looked towards Xi Heji.
"…let Heji know some-"
"Enough"
The Grand Patriarch appeared between them. Seeing the shaking Xi Meiying, he shook his head.
"I think that's enough joking around now, fifth elder"
"Of course Grand Patriarch, though I couldn't help but feel she was hiding something from us? I was wondering if grand patriarch would care to enlighten me?"
The Grand Patriarch looked towards Xi Meiying.
"I'll have her tell you when she is… fine.."
The Grand Patriarch walked to Xi Meiying to take her away, before Xi Meiying spoke.
"Wait"
She walked over to Xi Heji, under the intense gaze of Xi Fengge, before slowly picking up his hand and placing it on her forehead. She stood there for a while before gently laying his hand down, and standing back up.
"I'm sorry for today, Grandfather"
She said as she disappeared, followed by the Grand Patriarch.
Xi Fengge watched the location at which she disappeared for minutes after she left. Of all the chaotic things that occurred today, the most surprising wasn't her complete change in demeanor, which he knew she meant no harm against himself or Xi Heji, on the contrary, he could feel the immense care and love radiating from her. No. The most surprising thing to him was her strength.
'She is stronger than me'
Xi Fengge turned around to face the moon shining through the window. Recalling the moment he lost control of his body in the arena, he shivered.
That was Absolute Order. This occurs when a persons level is much higher than another, that his or her words completely cause absolute obedience. This is because the body triggers a survival instinct that overrides the mind. So even if you wanted to disobey their commands, your body wouldn't allow you too.
"Just, who are you?"
***
The Next Day.
It was morning as the sun rose, illuminating the domain of the Xi Clan. Xi Heji, who was unconscious since yesterday, finally opened his eyes. Standing in front of him, he saw the same beautiful figure he woke up too just the previous day.
"Meiyin-"
She immediately grabbed his hand. Holding it with her eyes closed before she responded, her eyelids lifting up to reveal her glistening eyes.
"I'm glad you are okay." She said in a flat voice.
"What's up with you today?"
*whoosh*
Through the open window, the curtains fluttered, revealing an older man standing beside the windowsill.
"Finally awaking? I thought you were pretending to be dead. If you want break from training all you had to do was tell me."
Xi Heji laughed, feeling his body a little weird.
"What… happened to me?"
Xi Meiyings eyes darkened, tightening the grip on his hand. Only then did he feel something was wrong.
"Your center qi path was severed, you will never use qi again in your life."
"Stop!"
Xi Meiyings eyes burned with anger, bringing with it blue light as she stood up, releasing Xi Heji's hand.
"Why would you… tell him like that!?"
Xi Heji was shocked for a moment, seeing Xi Meiyings rare display of emotion.
Xi Fengge stood frozen in fear as an invisible pressure assaulted him.
Xi Heji caught Xi Meiyings hand before she fully stood up, causing the pressure that was dawning on Xi Fengge to halt.
"Meiying, it's fine. I would rather it straight forward then mixing it in with a bouquet of flowers*."
Xi Fengge tried to act as if nothing happened, though he couldn't stop himself from collapsing on one knee. Xi Meiying quickly came beside him with her pupils shaking.
"I'm sorry Grandfather" she whispered into his ear.
"Grandfather, are you ok?"
Seeing his grandfather on one knee, Xi Heji couldn't imagine what had happened to make such a strong man kneel.
"I'm fine."
Xi Fengge said as Xi Meiying helped him up. Xi Fengge had an idea of Xi Meiyings Azures Frost now, although Xi Meiying hadn't told him everything, he somewhat expected this outcome. But Xi Fengge didn't want Xi Meiying to baby him when playing with such news. It was best he knew it immediately so he could get over it faster. Though he also saw this method as rough, it was also the best way.
"The sword pierced your main qi path, you are lucky you were fast enough to avoid it hitting you directly at your heart."
"I see" Xi Heji said as he blankly stared in front of him. He laughed.
"Well, I didn't have much cultivation at all to begin with, it's just a minor hindrance." Though one could still see melancholy in his eyes.
"It's okay, Xi Heji. If qi was all you needed to become as strong as you are to begin with, you would be just useless trash." Xi Meiying said in comfort.**
Xi Heji chuckled at her attempt of comforting.
Xi Fengge smiled at them before he suddenly felt a fluctuation in his spatial ring, his facial expression darkening.
"I have to go now, Heji. I apologize I couldn't have stayed longer. I was just informed of an emergency meeting concerning the future of the Xi Clan." Xi Fengge said as he turned around to leave.
Xi Meiying also stood up, helping Xi Heji stand up as well.
"What is it Grandfather?" Xi Meiying asked in concern.
He sighed.
"I suppose I could tell you since the grand patriarch would probably inform you anyways."
He looked at them with a grave expression.
"It's the Pandemonium Decree…"
Xi Meiying and Xi Heji widened their eyes.
…it's been ordered active by the Emperor."
*another saying which means to not sugar coat.
**refering to Xi Haohuan. In this context she means that if he got as far as he did with the first qi stage to be able to fight against people 2 stages above him, then he would just be trash. As he trained in martial arts not Qi.