The Azure Dragon Sect stood atop a towering mountain, its grand halls and pagodas gleaming in the sunlight. As Liang Wei and Xiao Lan approached the gates, he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and intimidation. The sect's reputation was legendary, and the sight of cultivators training in the courtyards—their movements fluid and precise—left him breathless.
"First time seeing a real sect, huh?" Xiao Lan teased, nudging him with her elbow. "Try not to gawk too much. It's embarrassing."
Liang Wei flushed but couldn't tear his eyes away. The energy here was palpable, a hum of Qi that seemed to resonate with the very air. He could feel his own Qi stirring in response, as if eager to join the flow.
At the gates, they were met by a pair of guards, their robes adorned with the Azure Dragon emblem. "State your business," one of them said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Xiao Lan stepped forward, her usual bravado on full display. "We're here to see Mei Ling. Tell her Xiao Lan and her new apprentice have arrived."
The guard raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Wait here."
As they waited, Liang Wei's nerves grew. He hadn't seen Mei Ling since their brief encounter in Qinghe, and he wasn't sure how she would react to his arrival—or to Xiao Lan. The memory of her touch, the warmth of her Qi, still lingered in his mind.
It wasn't long before Mei Ling appeared, her expression as composed as ever. Her eyes flicked from Liang Wei to Xiao Lan, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of something—surprise? Annoyance?—before it was replaced by her usual calm demeanor.
"Liang Wei," she said, her voice soft but carrying an edge. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"I... I wanted to learn more about cultivation," he stammered, feeling suddenly self-conscious under her gaze. "And Xiao Lan offered to help."
Mei Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to Xiao Lan. "You've taken him as your apprentice?"
Xiao Lan shrugged, her grin unapologetic. "Someone had to. The kid's got potential, even if he's a bit rough around the edges."
There was a tense silence, and Liang Wei could feel the Qi in the air growing heavier. Mei Ling and Xiao Lan seemed to be sizing each other up, their mutual wariness palpable. Finally, Mei Ling spoke.
"Very well. Liang Wei, you may stay. But the Azure Dragon Sect is not a place for idle curiosity. If you wish to learn, you must be prepared to work harder than you ever have before."
Liang Wei nodded eagerly. "I'm ready."
Mei Ling's gaze softened slightly, and for a moment, he thought he saw a hint of a smile. "We'll see."
Mei Ling led them through the sect's sprawling grounds, explaining the history and traditions of the Azure Dragon Sect as they walked. Liang Wei listened intently, his excitement growing with each passing moment. The sect was everything he had imagined and more—a place where strength and discipline were revered, where the pursuit of power was a way of life.
But as they passed a group of senior disciples, Liang Wei noticed the way they looked at him—curious, skeptical, and in some cases, outright hostile. He could feel their Qi, strong and controlled, and it only made him more aware of his own inadequacies.
"Don't mind them," Xiao Lan said, noticing his discomfort. "They're just jealous because you've got two beautiful women fighting over you."
Liang Wei's face turned red, and Mei Ling shot Xiao Lan a sharp look. "This is not a joking matter. Liang Wei's presence here will attract attention, and not all of it will be friendly."
Xiao Lan rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she turned to Liang Wei. "You've got a lot to learn, kid. But don't worry—I'll make sure you don't embarrass yourself too much."
That evening, Liang Wei found himself in the sect's training hall, surrounded by disciples of all ages. Mei Ling stood at the front, her presence commanding respect.
"Today, we will focus on the basics of Qi control," she said, her voice carrying through the hall. "For those of you who are new, this is the foundation of all cultivation. Without control, power is meaningless."
As she demonstrated the proper techniques, Liang Wei did his best to follow along. But no matter how hard he tried, his Qi remained chaotic, refusing to obey his commands. Frustration bubbled up inside him, and he could feel the eyes of the other disciples on him, their whispers cutting like knives.
"Having trouble?" Xiao Lan's voice broke through his thoughts. She had slipped into the hall unnoticed and now stood beside him, her expression uncharacteristically serious.
"I don't know what I'm doing wrong," he admitted, his voice low.
"Here," she said, placing a hand on his back. "Feel my Qi. Let it guide you."
As her energy flowed into him, Liang Wei felt a sense of calm wash over him. His Qi began to settle, aligning with hers in a way that felt natural, almost instinctive. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of control.
Mei Ling watched from across the room, her expression unreadable. But as their eyes met, Liang Wei thought he saw something—approval? Jealousy?—before she turned away.
As the day came to an end, Liang Wei couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet imagine. The Azure Dragon Sect was a place of opportunity, but also of danger. And with Mei Ling and Xiao Lan by his side—each pulling him in different directions—he knew the path ahead would be anything but easy.