---
The sun barely peeked over the Azure Mist Sect when chaos erupted — and it wasn't the usual training noise.
Qiao Feng sprinted through the courtyard, arms flailing wildly.
"GUYS! GUYS! YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS!"
Lu Xinyi raised an eyebrow, sharpening her blades.
"Qiao Feng, if this is about your missing socks again—"
"No! Worse!" Qiao Feng gasped dramatically, nearly tripping over his own feet.
Han Rui appeared behind him, eyes wide.
"What happened?"
Qiao Feng stopped and pointed toward the mess near the training grounds.
A group of young disciples had somehow tangled themselves in practice ropes, looking more like a human pretzel than warriors.
Qiao Feng chuckled,
"Well, that's one way to train flexibility."
Lu Xinyi smirked.
"Looks like *someone* left the ropes unsecured."
Qiao Feng feigned innocence.
"Not me! I was too busy mastering the art of stealthy sock theft."
Han Rui snorted, shaking his head.
"You're impossible."
---
Just as the laughter died down, a figure cloaked in white robes approached — **Ming Yue**, the sect's revered healer and prankster-in-chief.
She grinned mischievously.
"Well, well. Seems the young ones are keeping the sect lively."
Qiao Feng bowed dramatically.
"Ming Yue! We were just… uh, demonstrating advanced rope entanglement techniques!"
She laughed.
"Is that so? Then let me add a little challenge."
With a flick of her wrist, a gust of wind sent leaves swirling, and suddenly, the tangled disciples found themselves in a spinning circle of light — their ropes untangling magically, but their balance… less so.
Lu Xinyi laughed,
"Okay, okay, no more chaos before breakfast."
---
Later, at the dining hall, the group gathered — bruised, hungry, and still teasing one another.
Qiao Feng tried to sneak extra dumplings but was caught by Han Rui, who shoved one into his mouth with a grin.
"Save some for the rest of us!"
Lu Xinyi rolled her eyes but smiled softly at the camaraderie.
Shen Yu leaned back, watching them with a rare, genuine smile.
"Sometimes," he thought, "this is what strength really means."
---
Their laughter was cut short when Elder Wu summoned them urgently.
"Trouble brews near the Eastern Ridge. You must regroup — immediately."
Qiao Feng stretched dramatically.
"Looks like our vacation's over."
Han Rui sighed but nodded.
"Together again, then."
Lu Xinyi's gaze hardened.
"Let's show them what Group Seven is really made of."
---