The night passed uneventfully, though the shadows outside seemed to shift and whisper, hinting at unseen dangers lurking just beyond the rough-hewn walls. The outpost's sturdy defenses offered a welcome respite from the wilderness, but the sense of unease lingered in the dark corners.
The rhythmic breathing of the other disciples and the gentle rustle of the mountain breeze lulled Tian Hao into a surprisingly deep sleep. The exhaustion of his ordeal finally caught up with him. He dreamt of lavish feasts, of silken sheets, and of Zhao Fei's soft laughter. The memories were a bittersweet reminder of the life he'd left behind.
As dawn broke over the mountains, painting the sky in hues of rose and gold, the outpost stirred to life.
Tian Hao, with the remnants of his dream still lingering in his mind, rubbed his eyes groggily, his body aching from the unfamiliar hardness of the wooden cot. Though, he had to admit, it was still leagues better than the stone and root-covered forest floor of the hidden realm. At least here, he wasn't waking up with twigs poking into his back or rocks bruising his sides.
Lin Mei, ever the disciplined cultivator, was already up, warming her hands with a cup of herbal tea. Her expression was serene as she watched the first rays of sunlight spill over the horizon, painting the mountain peaks in a warm, golden light.
Beneath the calm exterior, though, her thoughts were anything but tranquil. She had barely slept, her anxieties about the previous night keeping her awake as she replayed every moment, the shadowy Iron Talon cultivator, and being caught out by Tian Hao. The weight of her mission, the danger to her family, gnawed at her, a constant reminder that she had stepped foot on a trecherous path. She closed her eyes briefly, as if hoping the warmth of the dawn could somehow ease the burden she carried.
After a hasty breakfast of dried jerky and lukewarm water—a meal that did little to appease Tian Hao's refined palate—the group prepared to depart.
They set out on the journey back to the Skyward Lotus Sect, their path winding through dense woods and uneven trails. As they walked, Jiuwei perched on Tian Hao's shoulder, her tail flicking irritably as if the constant movement was the only way she could release her pent-up frustration at being confined to such a small, and clearly unimpressive, form. The early morning air, crisp and cool, did little to soothe her displeasure.
It wasn't long before her golden eyes narrowed at Lin Mei, who walked a few steps ahead, her gaze fixed on the path, her expression carefully neutral.
"You know, for a mortal, your presence is unusually… grating," Jiuwei quipped, her tiny voice carrying an arrogant edge that belied her diminutive size.
Lin Mei let out a sigh, her lips quirking into a faint smile.
"And here I was thinking we were starting to get along," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She glanced back at Jiuwei, adding, "If I didn't know better, I'd say someone enjoys being carried around a little too much."
Jiuwei huffed, her small nose lifting in the air as if offended by the mere suggestion.
"I assure you I'm simply tolerating this arrangement until I recover my true power. This mortal's blood was... useful, but hardly the most effective means of restoring one's strength. Once my full power is restored, the very mountains will tremble at my name!" Her tail lashed slightly at the end of her pronouncement.
Tian Hao sighed, his weariness already weighing upon him despite the promise of return, and raised a hand to pat Jiuwei's head gently, hoping to calm her down. Jiuwei flicked her ears in mock annoyance, though she begrudgingly leaned into the pat, her golden eyes narrowing as if to say she was merely tolerating this affection.
"Alright, let's all play nice, shall we?" he said, his voice strained with forced cheerfulness.
Yu Xian, walking a few paces ahead, turned at Tian Hao's words, shaking her head with a wry smile, her usual stern expression softened slightly.
Wei Lo, walking beside her, leaned in to mutter, "I swear, if they keep at it, I might prefer facing a pack of shadow wolves than listening to their bickering."
Yu Xian smirked but kept her eyes alert, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the group decided to set up camp for the night. Lin Mei turned to Tian Hao, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Alright, Young Master," she said, her voice carrying a playful challenge, "time to show us what you've learned from your little… adventure. Go ahead—set up the camp. Properly, this time."
Tian Hao blinked, caught off guard.
"Properly?" he echoed, his voice a mix of surprise and feigned confidence. "Well, of course, I can…"
He trailed off, looking around awkwardly as if searching for an escape route, his usual bravado faltering under Lin Mei's watchful gaze. He'd spent most of the journey relying on Yu Xian and Wei Lo's expertise, happy to let them handle the practicalities while he focused on the… culinary aspects… of their survival.
The prospect of actually contributing, of proving himself capable of something beyond summoning spirit foxes and drinking fine wine, filled him with a sudden, unexpected anxiety. He fumbled with his spatial ring, his fingers brushing against the smooth, cool surface of a wine flask—a silent plea for liquid courage before he remembered it was gone.
Lin Mei folded her arms, watching him with an expectant smile, her thoughts shifting between hope and amusement. Part of her was rooting for Tian Hao to succeed, to prove himself capable of more than just boasting. Yet, another part couldn't deny how entertaining it would be to see him flustered—especially after all his bravado. Still, it was all in good humor; she wanted him to succeed, but couldn't resist the opportunity to tease him.
Meanwhile, Jiuwei observed with a glint of mischief in her golden eyes, clearly enjoying the spectacle, though her amusement wasn't without a certain affection for the foolish mortal.
After several minutes of struggle, it became painfully clear that Tian Hao had no idea what he was doing. The tent poles lay scattered in disarray, the canvas crumpled at odd angles, his attempts to assemble the structure resembling a drunken dance more than any practical skill.
Lin Mei couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. She stepped in, her fingers deftly picking up one of the scattered poles.
Tian Hao felt both relief and embarrassment wash over him as she stepped in. Part of him was grateful for her help, but another part couldn't shake the sting of needing to be rescued from something so simple. Still, there was a warmth in her actions and he found himself enjoying the closeness of her presence.
"Alright, let me show you how it's done, Young Master," she said, her voice gentle but laced with amusement. "You might actually need this knowledge if you plan on surviving out here, you know."
"There's no way I'm ever coming back out here again after this little 'adventure'." Tian Hao thought to himself.
Lin Mei moved closer to him, leaning in as she demonstrated how to secure the poles properly, her hands guiding his.
Tian Hao could feel his face flush at her proximity. Her hands, firm and confident, covered his as she adjusted his grip, her touch igniting a spark within him that had nothing to do with cultivation and everything to do with the growing connection he felt with her. The closeness was both exciting and more than slightly overwhelming.
"I-I knew that!" he stammered, his usual confidence replaced by a flustered awkwardness. "Just… needed a refresher."
Lin Mei chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Lin Mei couldn't help but relish the sight of Tian Hao's flustered expression. There was something undeniably entertaining about ruffling his usually overconfident feathers.
She knew it was all in good fun, and perhaps that was what made their dynamic so enjoyable. It wasn't just about teasing—it was about seeing him in a different light, vulnerable and genuine. She wondered if he realized how much she appreciated these small moments.
She leaned even closer, so close that Tian Hao could feel the soft brush of her hair against his cheek.
"Sure you did, Young Master," she whispered, her voice a murmur that sent another wave of shivers down his spine.
Jiuwei, perched nearby, huffed, her tiny nose twitching with disdain.
"Hopeless," she muttered, her small voice carrying a both exasperation and amusement. "Absolutely hopeless."
From a short distance away, Yu Xian and Wei Lo watched the scene unfold, exchanging glances.
Wei Lo rolled his eyes. "He's never going to live this down, is he?"
Yu Xian smirked. "Not unless he learns to erect a tent without looking like he's wrestling a spirit octopus."