Chapter 97: The Bonds Forged
The Dawnriver training grounds hummed with the energy of renewal,
the air thick with the earthy scent of sweat and the faint hum of qi exercises,
the midday sun casting a warm, golden light over the packed dirt
and the scattered wooden dummies that bore the marks of practice.
Lin Xuan, at the 1st Layer Profound Heavenly Realm,
stood at the center, his crimson eyes focused
as he guided Liu Yue and Liu Yang through a rigorous session.
The Celestial Unity Crest on his back pulsed faintly,
a reminder of the tower's influence as he channeled Phantom Severance,
his form blurring into a series of afterimages that danced around a dummy.
"Focus your qi—speed is your strength today,"
he instructed, his voice firm but encouraging,
sweat beading on his brow as he dodged an imaginary strike.
Liu Yue, her 1st Layer Profound Heavenly Realm qi robust,
moved with grace, her snowflake mark glowing
as she countered with Frost Phoenix Cry,
an icy wave freezing the ground with a crisp crack.
"Senior Brother, this feels good—
but the tower's energy is throwing me off,"
she said, panting slightly, her moonlight eyes meeting his.
"Let's adjust—try syncing with my rhythm."
Liu Yang, his 1st Layer Qi Transformation qi steady,
joined in, his blood-forged glaive flashing
as he channeled Energy Devour to absorb Lin Xuan's residual qi,
the blade humming as he struck a dummy with a solid thud.
"Elder Sister, I've got it—
but this glaive's getting heavy with that extra power!"
he laughed, his young face flushed with effort,
wiping sweat from his forehead.
Lin Xuan grinned, slowing his pace.
"Good—push through it. We're stronger together."
The training stretched into the afternoon,
the air growing warm with the scent of exertion
and the occasional clatter of wood as dummies splintered.
Later, at the royal feast,
Ji Yunjing, at the 5th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm,
hosted the celebration in the grand hall,
his silk robes rustling as he raised a goblet of wine.
"To our triumph and the bonds that forged it—
drink to your victory!"
he proclaimed, his voice echoing with pride,
the air filling with the clink of cups and the hum of laughter.
Bai Ningxue, her 2nd Layer Profound Heavenly Realm aura serene,
stood beside him, her hands tracing Thousand Lotus Seal Art
to purify the hall with a soft shimmer of light.
"I envision a balanced realm—
one where strength and harmony coexist,"
she said, her tone calm but passionate,
her eyes scanning the gathered crowd.
"What do you think, Ji Yunjing? Can we build that?"
Ji Yunjing nodded, his expression softening.
"With your guidance, yes. Let's make it so."
Lin Xuan, seated with Liu Yue and Liu Yang,
raised his cup, the tower's pulse a quiet undercurrent.
"This feast is well-earned.
Let's keep this alliance strong."
Liu Yue smiled, clinking her cup against his.
"Together, Senior Brother, we'll face anything.
This bond is our strength."
Liu Yang, gulping his drink, grinned widely.
"Yeah, and I'll fight for it—best team ever, right?"
The feast stretched into the evening,
the air lightening with the scent of roasted meat
and the warm murmur of camaraderie.
Ji Yunjing stood, bowing slightly to the team.
"Your unity honors us—bowing to this bond,
let it guide Dawnriver's future."
Lin Xuan returned the gesture, his voice steady.
"We'll protect what we've built—together."
The hall buzzed with the clink of celebration
and the soft hum of shared stories,
the bonds forged a foundation for the challenges ahead,
the tower's influence a test of their resolve.