The field echoed with the rhythmic pounding of feet as Zhen and his friends pushed themselves through the morning training laps. The crisp air carried the sound of labored breaths and the soft thuds of shoes striking the ground. The first round had just ended, but exhaustion was already clawing at most of them. The girls were gasping, their steps faltering. Shi Feng's shoulders drooped, and Lei Wei's face glistened with sweat.
Zhen, in contrast, looked much calmer and stronger than the others. He had been practicing and running every day for the past two weeks, so his body was used to the effort. Even though his legs ached and his muscles burned, he kept going with a steady pace and firm steps, showing no sign of giving up.
Naer's breathing came in ragged bursts as she clutched her side and stumbled forward. "I can't run anymore, I'm so, so tired," she said in a strained, almost pleading tone, her voice breaking as if each word took effort. The other two girls, faces flushed and drenched in sweat, could only nod weakly, their eyes wide and desperate, silently begging for a chance to stop and rest.
Zhen glanced at them with a mix of warning and playful teasing. "Hey, don't stop now. If you give up here, the teacher might get really angry and scold you badly. Look over there—she's already watching us closely."
They all turned their heads at the same time, and there she stood—Long Yi, her eyes sharp and cold, like two blades cutting through the air. The sight of her sent a shock of fear through them, making their hearts race. That fear worked like a spark, forcing their exhausted legs to move faster, giving them sudden, desperate strength to keep going.
Zhen, a few meters ahead, was closing in on finishing the second lap when a thought crossed his mind: I think they've stopped. Sorry, guys… hope you survive the beating. But before he could finish the thought, a blur of movement swept past him. His friends—Shi Feng, Lei Wei, Yu Xiatao, and Bing Xue'er—charged ahead at an astonishing pace.
Zhen's eyes opened so wide it looked like they might pop out, and his mouth fell open in shock as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Shi Feng pushed himself hard and reached the finish line first, still managing a grin even though his chest rose and fell heavily from exhaustion. Right behind him came Lei Wei, then Xiatao, and finally Xue'er, each of them breathing hard but pushing through to cross the line.
Naer slowed her pace until she was right beside him, breathing heavily but with a determined look in her eyes. She reached out her hand toward him, her voice warm and encouraging as she said, "Zhen, let's stay side by side and finish this race together, all the way to the end."
A smile tugged at his lips, and they clasped hands, crossing the finish line as one.
When they regrouped, Zhen shook his head in disbelief. "You guys are traitors. You totally abandoned me."
Shi Feng, still panting, gripped Zhen's shoulder. "Zhen, I swear I didn't mean to. But when I saw the Holy Lord's face, I was scared to death. Between stopping to get beaten by that devil or running, I'll take the run every time." The others nodded solemnly.
Zhen turned to Naer. "Were you scared too?"
"Yes," she admitted softly, eyes darting toward Long Yi.
Zhen remembered his very first night of training. Long Yi's voice was cold and sharp as he ordered, "Run the rounds without stopping. If you stop, I'll punish you badly." The memory made Zhen shiver.
Xue'er tilted her head curiously. "Naer, why did you slow down after starting so fast?"
Naer's lips curled into a small smile. "I didn't want to abandon Zhen. And… I like doing things together with him."
Everyone paused, startled, before their expressions softened.
"Well said, Gu Naer," Long Yi's voice interrupted.
They turned as Zhen reported, "Teacher, we've completed the two rounds."
Long Yi nodded. "You should remember Gu Naer's words. She didn't abandon Zhen, but the rest of you did. When you nearly gave up, Zhen kept you going because he knew I was watching."
Zhen blinked. "Huh? Teacher, you heard what I said?" Laughter rippled through his friends.
Long Yi smirked and said slowly, "You really think the Holy Lords can't hear anything? You already know, my bond power rank has already gone far beyond seventy."
A hush fell over them.
"Have you seen the statues of Team DARKNESS LIGHT?" she asked.
They nodded.
She looked at them seriously and asked, "Alright, tell me honestly—what do you all think about yourselves?" Then she turned to Bing Xue'er and said, "Let's begin with you."
Xue'er flinched. "Me?"
"Yes, you carry the blood of the Ice Bear King, which means your body is naturally tough and well-protected. Now, I want you to be truthful with me—how do you truly feel about your friends?"
Xue'er hesitated, then spoke. "I was always alone at home. I didn't know how to make friends. Some people in my clan made fun of me. I thought I'd always be alone. But during the second trial, when the Devouring Dragon attacked me, Naer saved me and got hurt for it. All of them helped me leave that lonely world. That's why they're so special to me."
Tears shimmered in her eyes. Naer and Xiatao embraced her. "Dummy little ice bear, you're special to us too."
Feng, Wei, and Zhen nodded in agreement.
Long Yi smiled. "That is Xue'er's truth. Now, Lei Wei."
Lei Wei's voice was steady but quiet. "I was the same. Alone. Even my brothers ignored me. But these two weeks… I felt like I belonged. Like someone saw me. I'm glad to have such friends."
Zhen and Shi Feng patted his shoulder. "Who could ignore this little thunder dragon?"
One by one, Shi Feng, Yu Xiatao, and Naer shared their feelings, each recounting moments of trust and courage. Finally, Long Yi turned to Zhen.
I grew up with my parents, who were the best I could ever have. Naer became my very first friend, and we played together every single day. Later, Feng joined our little group, and our fun grew. When I came to Star City for the trial, I felt nervous and unsure, but then I met Wei, Xue'er, and Xiatao. We supported each other through everything—sharing laughter, facing tears, and building memories—and now, we truly feel happy together.
The six of them drew into a tight embrace.
Long Yi murmured under her breath, "This little boy Zhen is just like you, elder brother."
Then she straightened. "Stand straight."
They obeyed instantly.
"Will you always be there for each other?"
"Yes."
"Support each other?"
"Yes."
"Protect and fight for each other like a bond?"
"Yes!"
Zhen frowned. "Teacher, why are you asking this?"
Her lips curved into a warm, knowing smile as if she already saw the future unfolding. "It's simple—once you all reach rank 20 and officially become Soul Lords, the six of you will become a team, fighting side by side and sharing every victory and challenge ahead."