The night was silent. Moonlight slipped through thin veils of cloud, falling gently upon the back courtyard of the Clear Sky Sect. Spirit stone lamps lining the courtyard glowed softly—warm amber and pale gold—casting dancing patterns of light and shadow over the ground and stone paths. The night breeze swept through the leaves, carrying the scent of damp soil and fresh dew.
Lin Feiyan sat cross-legged at the center of the courtyard, his white robe slightly rumpled from his afternoon training. He inhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and tried to synchronize the valley's ambient Qi with his breath. The basic steps he learned yesterday circled in his thoughts—draw in, descend, flow, release. He pushed himself to make the flow smoother, more natural.
But tonight felt… different.
A thin wave of warm air brushed against his face—not something that should exist on a cool night. Feiyan opened his eyes in surprise. A shifting silhouette moved at the edge of the courtyard, between the spiritual willow trees. From between their branches and the soft glow of the lamps, a girl emerged—soft red hair, golden eyes burning like embers. Her presence carried a warmth that gently altered the air around her.
She smiled—a mischievous smile that made Feiyan's heart skip a beat.
"Junior," she said softly, her tone gentle yet teasing, "you're quite diligent… training alone at a time like this?"
Feiyan froze for a moment, then bowed politely. "Good evening, senior. I only wished to practice a little."
"All alone?" she repeated as she stepped closer. The heat radiating from her made the cool night feel warm around him. "Hmm… that's fine. I like seeing juniors who are dedicated."
Feiyan swallowed hard, his face warming. He forced a polite smile, though his heart thumped oddly in his chest. She walked closer, the spirit lamp light catching in her red hair, making each strand look like dancing flames.
"Your potential isn't bad," Yan Mei said, tilting her head as her golden eyes swept over Feiyan's shoulders and chest with piercing curiosity. "Your body responds to Qi in a rather… interesting way."
He stiffened awkwardly. "E-ehm… what do you mean…?"
Yan Mei giggled—sweet, yet carrying a spark of mischief. "I'm just saying… I enjoy observing natural Qi movement. You don't realize it, but there's something intriguing about how your body works."
Feiyan quickly shook his head, face burning hotter. "I—I'm only doing normal practice."
"Of course, of course," she said, taking another slow step forward, closing the distance. "But I can help you, junior. Correct your posture. Make your Qi flow smoother."
Feiyan blinked. He stared at her face—those golden eyes, that soft yet disarming smile, and the heat radiating so close it brushed his back. He didn't know how to respond.
"I… I don't want to trouble you," he muttered quietly.
Yan Mei chuckled lightly, the sound like crackling fire in the night. "Don't be shy. I just want to help. Besides… who could refuse a junior as clever and cute as you?" Her words were clearly teasing, though wrapped in gentle praise.
Feiyan felt his chest tighten—warm, confusing. He bowed his head again. "I… I still don't know how to do it properly."
"It's fine," Yan Mei murmured as she reached toward his back, her hand moving with deliberate softness. "I'll show you."
Feiyan tensed, holding his breath, but her touch was gentle—not forceful, not invasive—just guiding.
"Like this…" Yan Mei whispered near his ear, her warmth brushing his skin. "Inhale… feel the Qi spreading through your body. Don't tense up. Let it move… let it flow."
Feiyan closed his eyes, following her instructions. Her warm hand on his back melted his tension bit by bit, turning his nervousness into a calmer, lighter energy. His breath gradually matched the rhythm she set, and for the first time that night, the Qi felt a little smoother.
"Do you… feel better?" Yan Mei asked, stepping slightly to the side where she could watch him closely. There was a spark of delight in her eyes—satisfied with his progress.
Feiyan opened his eyes, cheeks flushed. "Y-yeah… a little."
Yan Mei smirked playfully. "Mm… that's only the beginning. I'm sure you can do much better." She brushed her fingertip along his shoulder, guiding him again—light enough to make him freeze, warm enough to make his heart pound.
"Good," she murmured. "You learn fast, junior. Tonight… we can make your body more alive with just a bit more practice. But not too much. I still want you healthy tomorrow morning."
Feiyan swallowed again, flustered. "I… I'll do my best."
Yan Mei stepped back slightly, flame-soft eyes watching him. "Good. Now rest. Don't push yourself too hard. I'll stay here if you need more help."
The night breeze returned, carrying the scent of spirit lamps and wet leaves. Moonlight reflected in Yan Mei's red hair, making it shimmer like dancing fire. Feiyan remained seated, face red and heart pounding, yet a warm softness spread through him—confusing, but oddly comforting.
He sensed—though he did not understand—that Yan Mei's presence made the night feel more alive, more alluring than ever before.
He looked at her sitting at the far edge of the courtyard, smiling mischievously at him like a playful mentor teasing a naive student. In only a few minutes, something small had begun to take root in his heart—warmth, curiosity, and a lingering flutter he could not name.
A small flame.
Warm, inviting, and dangerously gentle.
Feiyan still sat on the flat stone, his breath steadying, though Yan Mei's nearness kept his body tense with unfamiliar heat. She moved closer—close enough that her Qi presence subtly disrupted his own.
Yan Mei leaned in, her eyes drifting to his hand resting on his knee. With a slow, deliberate motion, she took his hand without asking. Her touch was warm, and Feiyan stiffened, swallowing nervously. He didn't know whether to look at her or look away.
"Your pulse is fast," Yan Mei whispered with a sly smirk. "Is it… because of me?"
Feiyan froze, eyes wide. He looked down quickly. "Ehm… no… I think…"
Yan Mei laughed softly—sweet yet undeniably teasing. "I'm only joking." But her golden eyes gleamed, savoring his reaction. "Still… I like seeing this side of you."
Feiyan's heart fluttered nervously. He had never received this kind of attention before. Something about Yan Mei made him feel safe… yet confused.
Yan Mei leaned a little closer. "I think there's a spark of fire inside you," she murmured, voice gentle but certain. "If nurtured properly… it could become something beautiful."
The words struck Feiyan deeply—like a candle lighting a tiny flame of hope inside him. Not many people praised him. Even fewer called his potential beautiful.
"I… I don't know what to do…" he whispered.
Yan Mei's eyes glowed warmly as she smiled. "That's why I'm here. I'll help you."
She moved behind him again, guiding his shoulders, adjusting his posture. Her touch was light yet warm, making his back tingle. The warmth in his chest grew—not entirely from Qi.
"Breathe… let it flow…" she whispered close to his ear.
Feiyan did as told. The Qi came easier, smoother—mixed with an unfamiliar warmth that filled his chest.
Yan Mei smiled, pleased. She leaned close enough that Feiyan felt her breath. "I'll be watching your growth," she whispered, like a secret just for him.
He blushed deeply, lowering his head. The warmth spreading through him was strange but comforting.
Yan Mei watched him intently—her golden eyes soft, her presence warm enough to draw him in like gentle flames.
"Good… you can feel the Qi flowing faster now, right?" she asked softly, with a hint of challenge. "This is only the beginning. If you train with me, that little flame inside you will grow."
Feiyan nodded weakly. "Y-yes… I'll try."
Yan Mei chuckled—like fire dancing quietly in the night. "You're cute when you're nervous. Don't worry… I only want you to grow."
She guided his hand gently, coaxing the Qi through his meridians. Feiyan felt heat spreading in his chest—not entirely from Qi.
Yan Mei leaned closer, eyes shimmering. "I'll always be watching you," she whispered, her voice like a soft vow.
Feiyan lowered his gaze, unable to meet her eyes. Warmth crept through him—confusing, comforting, and strangely sweet.
Yan Mei raised a hand and tapped his head lightly—a soft, harmless gesture, yet enough to leave a mark in his heart.
Twin Flame Oath — Level 0.
A mere spark, subtle and unnoticed, gently binding interest without force.
A faint red flame flickered in Yan Mei's eyes—gone before Feiyan noticed. She smiled sweetly, hiding her intentions beneath gentle warmth.
Feiyan smiled shyly back, unaware of what had just taken place—only feeling a soft, glowing warmth in his chest.
The spirit lamps cast their silhouettes on the ground, two figures flickering like a small, unending flame.
And as Yan Mei sat close beside him, their distance nearly touching, the small spark inside Feiyan—warm, alluring, and quietly dangerous—grew a little brighter.
A moment he would never realize had changed him.
A flame that would one day shape his entire path.