Chapter 129: Flames of Sisterhood
The Liu Clan training ground in buzzed with the energy of mid-morning,
a wide expanse of packed earth encircled by low stone benches, dotted with training dummies and weapon racks,
the air thick with the scent of sweat and the faint metallic tang of qi,
a gentle breeze carrying the distant calls of merchants from the town beyond the clan walls.
Liu Yue stood at the center, her raven hair tied with a crimson ribbon,
her 7th Layer Profound Heavenly Realm aura steady as she focused,
her hands trembling slightly with anticipation, the memory of Anika's lessons fresh in her mind.
Anika watched, her presence a quiet strength, her voice encouraging,
"Alright, Yue'er, you've got the spark down. Let's see you revive that dummy. Imagine its energy returning—give it life."
Liu Yue nodded, her qi flaring with a crackle, a faint obsidian-violet spark igniting in her palm,
she directed it toward the sparring dummy, its wooden frame splintering slightly as the spark took hold,
a beastly roar echoing with a rumble as the dummy twitched back to a semblance of life, its joints creaking.
"I did it!"
Liu Yue exclaimed, her face lighting up with a grin,
"Sister Anika, look!"
Anika clapped, her laughter warm,
"That's my girl! You've mastered Soul Spark Revival. Now, let's refine it with Primordial Sun Crucible's Soul Warming Hearth to purify your qi."
She summoned a tiny obsidian-violet orb, its crimson glow pulsing gently,
guiding Liu Yue to channel it, the orb hovering between them, its warmth easing Liu Yue's fatigue,
"Feel that heat?"
Anika asked, her tone playful.
"Let it burn away the clutter in your qi. Laugh with me—it helps!"
Liu Yue giggled, the sound mingling with Anika's, their laughter a melody that lightened the air,
the orb stabilizing as Liu Yue's qi flowed smoother, her confidence growing,
"This is amazing, Sister! I feel… lighter!"
Lin Xuan joined them, his black eyes glowing faintly, the Celestial Unity Crest pulsing with his 6th Layer strength,
he activated Jade Pulse Harmonization, syncing his Jade Aegis—Jade Body with their training,
his skin hardening into a jade-green sheen with a soft whoosh, his voice guiding,
"Let's spar, Yue'er. Use Kungfu strikes—keep it fluid with the harmony."
They exchanged blows, Lin Xuan's strikes precise, Liu Yue's mimicking with growing skill,
their movements a dance of brotherly bond, his praise steady,
"Good form! Keep your guard up—there!"
Anika watched, content, her voice soft as she spoke to Liu Yue later,
"Your care for Xuan'er… I see it, Yue'er. It's pure love. I'm not rivaled by it—I cherish it. Let's support him together."
Liu Yue's eyes softened,
"Thank you, Sister."
That evening, the family gathered on the terrace, a wooden platform overlooking the courtyard,
the air cool with the scent of jungle-spiced wine poured into clay cups, a gift from the Soul Lamp Hall,
Luo Shuang raised her cup, her silver hair gleaming, her 2nd Layer aura a gentle hum,
"To unity, and to Anika, who's brought us closer. Cheers!"
Liu Yang, his 3rd Layer strength steady, grinned,
"Yeah, to new strength! Big Sister Anika, tell us a story."
Anika smiled, her voice nostalgic,
"When I was little, my big brother and I raced through the fields, stealing apples from the orchard. He'd let me win, then we'd laugh until we cried. That joy… it's what I want for us."
Liu Yue laughed, clinking her cup with Anika's,
"I'd love to race you, Sister!"
Lin Xuan watched, his heart swelling, his toast simple,
"To family—and to you, Anika."
The terrace grew quiet, the air filled with the scent of wine and the warmth of acceptance,
Lin Xuan's harmony a foundation, Anika's acceptance a bond,
their unity a flame burning bright against the dusk.