Dawn arrived wrapped in silver mist, cloaking Cloud Peak in dreamy quiet. Jin Kang listened to the low tones of wind brushing through pine needles as he dressed. Today's joint test weighed heavy—pressure not just from his own sect, but also eager eyes from Azure River. So many waiting to see who would shine, who would fall.
As he walked the central path, he found Lin Mei already awake, sword balanced atop her knees in meditation. She opened her eyes, gaze sharpened by purpose.
"Today will be harder. The Azure River examiners are strict, and their style is unpredictable. Stay cautious. If you stumble, make it count."
Jin grinned. "I've been practicing all night for the perfect stumble. It'll be my masterpiece."
She snorted, but appreciation gleamed in her eyes. "You might be the only person making jokes on a day like this."
Jin noticed Yu Xinyi passing by with a basket of fresh rolls, stopping to offer one. "Breakfast is the true fuel for warriors—and for professional trippers."
He accepted, feeling lighter for a moment. Yu's optimism, Lin Mei's resolve, and his own calm together felt like armor against the anxiety in the air.
***
Morning drills came first—a battery of weapon forms, stance endurance, and footwork. Jin Kang moved with deliberate imbalance: too slow on some parries, too quick to dodge, never revealing true rhythm even when tested by subtle Azure River teachers.
Wen, the friendly rival from Azure River, greeted him. "Are you ready to be tested by the trickiest examiner? Elder Su can spot a lie at fifty paces."
"I'm counting on my luck," Jin replied, hiding the precise calculations running under his relaxed exterior.
In a paired drill, Lin Mei was matched against Huo Lei, Azure River's prodigy. Their weapons sang; their movements were all fire and ice—sharp, graceful, and powerful. Huo Lei pressed aggressively, Lin Mei responded with perfect economy—neither overextending nor yielding.
Nearby, Jin was matched with a junior Azure River student. He feigned exhaustion, throwing in misplaced steps, but nudged the other's stance just enough to win the drill "by accident." Wen watched, eyebrows raised, then winked at Jin.
"Luck again? Or hidden skill?"
"A mystery for the ages," Jin said.
System prompt pulsed gently:
> Mask maintained. Evasion skill upgraded.
> Bond: Wen—Competitive respect.
***
Attention shifted to a group challenge—disciples from both sects had to cross a balancing rope strung between two towers, using only martial arts techniques to stabilize. Those who fell landed in a shallow pond beneath, guaranteed to splash and laughter.
Lin Mei volunteered first, her movements immaculate. She crossed without wobble, landing lightly on the far side. Then came Wen, nearly as skilled but slipping once and almost falling—he caught himself at the last second.
Jin Kang strode up amid good-natured jeers. "Here comes the storm!" a junior called.
He pretended to wobble from the start, almost overbalancing just to keep suspicion low. When the rope wobbled dangerously, he flailed enough that a subtle energy pulse kept him from tipping off. At the halfway point, a sudden gust nearly threw him; he managed a wild roll and landed on the far side, sopping wet but grinning.
The crowd roared. Jin bowed with comic humility.
Yu Xinyi rushed over, towel in hand. "Even your trip across the rope was elegant. I think you create new techniques wherever you go."
He winked. "I'll call it the Storm Toss. You just have to trust gravity."
Huo Lei joined, intrigued. "You survive more by improvisation than skill, Jin Kang. That's rare."
Lin Mei watched, pride and frustration mingled. Jin sensed her wishing for more from him, but appreciating the cleverness behind his display.
*System Notification: Crowd Distracted—Mask at full strength.
Bond: Lin Mei—Curiosity increased.
Bond: Yu Xinyi—Affection warms.
Rivalry: Huo Lei—Interest rises.*
***
Afternoon brought the test of Qi manipulation: each disciple had to use internal energy to move pebbles on raindrop-slick boards. Azure River excelled, their disciplined breathing obvious. Lin Mei finished third, not quite matching Huo Lei's focus.
Jin Kang faintly touched his Qi, just enough for the smallest pebbles to roll—a result utterly average. Elder Han watched with a knowing smile.
Later in private, Elder Han approached Jin.
"You continue to surprise me. Strong enough to choose your place, yet gentle enough to help others find theirs. Tell me—does your heart grow heavy with secrets?"
Jin hesitated. "Sometimes. But I also feel lighter when I help without taking the spotlight."
Elder Han nodded sagely. "Every hero wears a mask, especially at the start of their journey. Just remember, Jin Kang—true strength is felt most in moments when you carry others quietly."
Jin carried those words through the rest of the day.
***
Near dusk, Lin Mei found Jin standing at a pond, skipping stones.
"You keep helping others. Today, on the rope, you subtly steadied Wen. In the Qi test, you whispered advice to Yu Xinyi. That's power, you know—helping in small ways."
"My luck helps everyone," Jin joked, masking emotion he barely understood himself.
Lin Mei pressed forward. "Why do you hide your strength? Is it fear?"
Jin looked into her eyes, thinking. "Not fear. Maybe it's the freedom to choose where I stand. To be with people—not above them."
She nodded, quiet. "I envy that freedom."
They stood together as lanterns bloomed across the courtyard, warm and golden against blue twilight.
Yu Xinyi hurried up, arms loaded with food. "Dinner by the pond! Legendary, especially for survivors of the balancing rope."
She pressed a rice ball to Jin's hand, her smile a gentle flame in the growing darkness.
A brief system message hovered lightly:
> Mask maintained under scrutiny.
> Bonds: Lin Mei—Trust and yearning. Yu Xinyi—Affection and joy.
> Rivalry: Wen, Huo Lei—Respect.
> Elder Han—Mentorship.
***
Night deepened. Jin finished his meal with Lin Mei and Yu Xinyi, laughter weaving their company together.
Lin Mei finally broke a long, companionable silence. "Jin Kang, when you decide to stop hiding, promise me I'll be the first to see."
He met her gaze, sincere. "You will."
Yu Xinyi leaned in, playful. "Me too. I want front-row tickets!"
Jin laughed, a sound safe amid the friends and moonlight. He felt the power within himself—an endless source. Yet it was these moments, the honest bonds and simple joys, that mattered most.
Above them, stars began to flicker through clouds, promising new adventures and the quiet strength that grows alongside every secret.