Shi Lin led the way back to the Shi Clan, his broad shoulders carrying Big Bone as the other tribe members followed in silence.
Kellan trailed behind, his heart heavy with worry.
Big Bone's condition had looked grim, and the sight of his friend lying so still filled him with dread.
They reached the infirmary quickly, and the healers wasted no time in attending to Big Bone.
Kellan hovered by the entrance, his breath catching as he waited for news.
Shi Lin remained at the foot of the bed, arms crossed, watching as the healers worked with practiced efficiency.
One of the healers, an older man with sharp eyes, stepped back after examining Big Bone's wounds.
"He's in bad shape, no doubt about it," the healer said gravely.
"But something's strange. His wounds are healing faster than they should."
Kellan blinked in surprise. "Faster? How's that possible?"
The healer shrugged, his brow furrowed.
"I've seen all kinds of strange things, but this... it's unusual. It's like his body is speeding up the process on its own."
Shi Lin uncrossed his arms, his eyes lingering on Big Bone's wounded form.
His usual stern expression softened ever so slightly, though his face remained stoic.
"Do you need me to stay?" His voice, deep and commanding, carried an undercurrent of concern that he tried to mask.
The head healer of the tribe, a man with graying hair and a calm demeanor, looked up from his work and shook his head.
"No, we've got it under control," he assured, dabbing a cloth into a solution and gently pressing it against one of Big Bone's deeper wounds.
"He's stable now, and his body's responding better than expected. All he needs is rest, and we'll monitor him closely."
Shi Lin gave a short nod, satisfied with the medic's response, and turned to leave.
But before he could take a step, Kellan moved forward, his heart swelling with gratitude.
"Shi Lin..." he began, his voice low but sincere. "Thank you. I mean it, really. I—"
Without turning around, Shi Lin's words cut through the moment with blunt finality.
"Don't thank me, Kellan," he said, his tone rough, almost dismissive.
His back was still turned, his broad silhouette outlined by the dim lighting of the infirmary.
"Only members of the Shi Clan get to bully members of the Shi Clan," he continued, his voice carrying a weight of authority that left no room for debate.
"No one else." There was a fierce undertone in his words, the kind that went above personal feelings.
Kellan stood there, processing the weight of what had just been said.
He knew Shi Lin wasn't exactly his friend, and their rivalry was well known,
But beneath the rivalry lay a deeper, unspoken bond of clan loyalty that Shi Lin seemed to hold sacred.
A brief silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken emotions, before Shi Lin finally spoke again.
"The clan tournament is in two months," he said, his voice remained firm and carrying its edge of authority.
"You've improved a lot, Kellan. I've noticed."
His words came with a hint of respect, which was rare coming from Shi Lin, but then he added with a cold pragmatism,
"But don't think you're the only one who's been training."
Kellan's expression hardened, his mind immediately recalling the life and death ordeals he and Big Bone faced at the Mystfall forest
And facing Trace and Linen from the Nightshade Clan.
He clenched his fists at his sides, his determination flaring.
"You better be ready, Shi Lin," he said, his voice filled with newfound confidence.
"I'm going to get that pendant back."
For the first time since entering the infirmary, Shi Lin turned to face Kellan fully.
His eyes, sharp as ever, scanned Kellan's face, and for a split second, there was something in his gaze—perhaps acknowledgment, perhaps amusement.
Then, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of Shi Lin's lips.
"You can try," he said, his voice dripping with quiet confidence.
The smirk deepened, though it was more of a challenge than a genuine smile.
With that, he turned once more, his heavy footsteps echoing as he left the infirmary, the door closing softly behind him.
Kellan watched him go, a mixture of gratitude and fierce resolve filling his chest.
Shi Lin had saved them today, but the rivalry between them was far from over.
As he turned back to look at Big Bone, still lying on the bed, Kellan knew one thing for sure he was going to work ten times harder from now on.
Big Bone stirred, his eyelids fluttering open as if emerging from a deep, troubled sleep.
His voice came out as a raspy whisper, strained yet unmistakably familiar.
"Kellan..." he managed, his face contorting slightly as he attempted to shift his weight.
"Everything hurts, but... I think I'll be fine."
Despite the pain etched across his features, there was a flicker of stubborn resolve in his gaze that warmed Kellan's heart.
Relief washed over Kellan as he settled beside his friend's bed, pulling a chair closer.
"I'm glad to hear that," he replied, his voice tinged with concern.
"You scared me back there, you know? I thought we were going to lose you."
A shiver of memory passed through him, recalling the chaos of the battle
Their double breakthrough, their fight with the Frostfang Spider, and the moment when Linen almost took Big Bone's life.
The visceral memories churned in his stomach, tightening his throat.
He glanced at the healer, hoping for reassurance. "How long until he can get back on his feet?"
The healer, studied Big Bone's injuries before shifting his gaze back to Kellan.
"At the rate he's healing, maybe three days," he said slowly, his voice calm yet firm.
"Could be sooner if we're lucky."
Kellan's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"Three days? How is that even possible?" His mind raced with questions, each one more incredulous than the last.
Had Big Bone somehow unlocked a hidden potential?
Was there something about his cultivation that he didn't know?
The medic shrugged slightly, a look of uncertainty clouding his features.
"I don't know,"
He admitted, glancing back at Big Bone, who looked just as confused as Kellan felt.
"But something's definitely going on with his body. It's as if his cultivation or something else is speeding up the healing process."
Big Bone's brow furrowed, and he exchanged a relieved glance with Kellan, both feeling a sense of gratitude.
"Well, whatever it is,"
Kellan finally said, the corners of his lips lifting into a tentative smile,
"I'm just glad you're going to be okay. We still have a long way to go before the tournament."
Big Bone attempted to chuckle, but the sound quickly turned into a grimace as pain shot through him.
"I don't want to feel that fear again, Kellan. Being helpless like that..."
His voice trailed off, and he looked away, as if the memory of their near-fatal encounter was too much to bear.
"I'll work even harder at my cultivation. I can't let that happen again."
Kellan felt his heart clench at the honesty in Big Bone's words.
The fear they had faced, the very real danger that had loomed over them, still haunted him.
"Me neither," Kellan replied, his expression hardening with resolve.
"I swear, I'm going to get stronger. Strong enough that I won't ever have to feel that kind of fear again."
He recalled the helplessness he felt as Big Bone lay injured, and the thought alone fueled his determination.
The medic cleared his throat, a gentle reminder that they needed to focus on recovery.
"He needs rest now. You can talk more once he's better," he said, his tone leaving little room for debate.
Kellan nodded, recognizing the wisdom in the medic's words.
He stood to leave, casting one last glance at Big Bone, who was doing his best to maintain a brave front despite the pain etched on his face.
"Rest up, Big Bone," Kellan urged, his voice steady. "I'll check on you later."
As Kellan walked away, he felt a sense of pressure.
And he vowed that when Big Bone returned to full strength, they would both be ready—not just for the upcoming tournament,
But for whatever dangers awaited them in the world outside their clan walls.
As Kellan stepped out of the infirmary, he was met by Elder Wei, who stood waiting just outside, his piercing gaze fixed on Kellan.
"What happened?" the elder asked, his tone serious.
Kellan straightened himself and felt nervous, knowing this would be a long conversation.