Zhichen lifted Lixuan into his arms and carried him to his brother. Seeing Lixuan in that state, Mingzhao was terrified. In a panic, he tried to wake him.
Just then, Xiangu, the eldest prince of the Shenmei tribe, arrived. One glance at him was enough to feel as though a truly noble figure stood before them — his dignity and refined presence set him apart from everyone else.
In a calm, steady voice, Xiangu explained to Mingzhao everything that had happened near the Truth-Speaking Tree. Hearing this, Mingzhao was shaken. In a low, quiet voice, he thanked Zhichen.
Zhichen replied softly,
"It's nothing. Saving him was my duty."
Xiangu then checked Lixuan's pulse and said,
"He needs some rest. The sudden incident frightened him, and he fainted."
After saying this, Xiangu and Zhichen turned to leave. Mingzhao thanked them once more and bid them farewell.
With tears in his eyes, Mingzhao looked at his brother, still shaken with fear. He carefully lifted Lixuan and slowly carried him to the bed.
The next morning, Lixuan opened his eyes.
His brother was sitting beside him, as if he had been waiting only for this moment.
Lixuan sat up and asked,
"I fell… how did I get here?"
Mingzhao smiled gently.
"The younger prince of the Shenmei tribe saved you."
Just then, a voice came from outside — it was coming from the training hall. It was Resh.Then Mingzhao quickly ordered Lixuan to get ready and come to the training hall.
Lixuan said,
"This is so bad… I don't need any education. I'm already brave."
Mingzhao smiled and asked,
"Then why did you faint yesterday?"
Saying this, Mingzhao walked away.
Lixuan reached the training hall.
The entire hall was quiet.
Lixuan apologized to the Master for arriving late. The Master said nothing and told him to sit in his place.
Just then, all the princes and princesses of the tribes began introducing themselves.
From the Zhilan tribe, Yuhuan gave the first introduction and brought a gift for the Master — an elephant made of Chinese clay.
From the Shenqi tribe, Fengli introduced himself:
"I am Fengli, son of father Zhihao and mother Shilan. I greet you."
From the Shenmei tribe, Xiangu gave his introduction:
"I am Xiangu, and this is my younger brother Zhichen. We greet you."
From the Lianyu tribe, Mingzhao and Lixuan introduced themselves:
"I am Mingzhao, son of father Chenyu, and this is my younger brother Lixuan. We greet you."
When Lixuan greeted the Master, the Master did not accept his greeting and told him to write a 300-word apology letter for his mistake. He also scolded him.
All the students began laughing at Lixuan.
As soon as everyone started laughing, the Master told them to come to the training ground — leaving only Lixuan behind.
Lixuan said nothing. He clenched his fist and walked toward his room. All the students reached the training ground.
The Master told them about meditation — to gain control over their powers.
On the other side, in the room, Lixuan was crying while writing his apology letter.
In a low voice, he said,
"Mom… I wish you were here with me. Why does no one like me? Why does no one understand my mischief…"
While writing the letter, Lixuan fell asleep.
Just then, Mingzhao came inside. He gently lifted Lixuan and laid him on the bed, then smiled softly and said,
"Lixuan, even if the whole universe stands against you… I will always stand by your side. Whether you are wrong or right."
Saying this, Mingzhao left.
At night, Lixuan went to the Master with his apology letter. The Master was meditating at that time.
His elder son, Jinhai, called Lixuan inside and said,
"Lixuan, have you written the letter? You can leave it here."
Lixuan placed the letter there and quietly went back.
As soon as Lixuan left, the Master opened his eyes and said to Jinhai,
"Keep an eye on Lixuan."
Jinhai did not ask any questions and decided to follow his father's order.
Lixuan went again to the same broken bridge.
A cold gust of wind calmed his heart a little.
Hearing the sound of the leaves, Lixuan softly said,
"I wish I had fallen that day… everything would have been so different.
I wish that person hadn't held my hand…"
All of this was being heard by Zhichen.
He slowly began walking toward Lixuan…As Zhichen approached, Lixuan asked,
"Who are you? And why were you listening to me?"
Zhichen replied calmly,
"I am Zhichen… from the Shenmei tribe."
Hearing this, Lixuan fell silent. Then he said softly,
"Thank you… for saving me."
Zhichen lowered his gaze.
"A true warrior does not speak of dying. He carries the resolve to lay down his life for his family, his kingdom, and his nation."
With that, Zhichen walked away.
His words made Lixuan's tears stop. The wind began to blow harder. Lixuan looked up at the sky… and a faint smile touched his lips.
After a while, he returned to his room.
As soon as he entered, he saw Mingzhao waiting for him, food already laid out.
"Brother… you still haven't slept?" Lixuan asked quietly.
Mingzhao stood and walked to him.
"You haven't eaten anything since morning, Lixuan."
He held his brother's hand, made him sit down, and said, "Start eating."
Lixuan broke off the first bite and offered it to Mingzhao.
"You haven't eaten either since morning, brother."
Mingzhao ate it and smiled.
"Lixuan… we will always stay together. We will never leave each other."
They finished their meal in silence.
As Mingzhao got up, he said, "Wake up early. Tomorrow Master will teach us the rules." Then he went to sleep. Soon after, Lixuan also fell asleep.
The next morning, Lixuan and Mingzhao headed toward the training hall.
All the students sat in their places as Master Zhiyun began reciting the rules in a deep, serious voice.
"There are rules in the training hall. Whoever breaks them is not worthy of staying here.
First rule — obey your Master's orders.
Second rule — leaving the training hall without permission is forbidden.
Third rule — power may only be used for practice and protection.
Fourth rule — students must not fight among themselves.
Fifth rule — entry to the sacred place at night is prohibited.
Sixth rule — questions about blood, birth, and the future are forbidden."
The Master continued speaking.
Lixuan sat straight… but his eyes slowly grew heavy.
"Sacred place… permission limits…" he thought. Enough already… will there even be a rule for breathing?
He secretly glanced at Fengli beside him — he was asleep. Lixuan lightly nudged him. Fengli opened his eyes and smiled.
Just then, Mingzhao shot Lixuan a sharp look, silently warning him to behave. Lixuan immediately straightened up…
But the very next moment, he flicked a fallen leaf with his finger.
The leaf spun through the air and stuck to Master Zhiyun's head.
A hidden laugh curved on Lixuan's lips.
Then the Master's stern voice thundered,
"Lixuan!"
Mingzhao immediately stood up, apologizing on his behalf.
But at that very moment—
A powerful wind swept through the hall. Darkness spread all around. Heavy footsteps echoed near the door.
The students froze in fear.
The door creaked open…
And the leader of the Qingyu tribe entered — Mo Yan.
His eyes were cold and dangerous.
Stopping before Master Zhiyun, he said,
"Zhiyun… where is the fragment of that sharp stone?"
Before anyone could react, Mo Yan attacked using the power of his stone fragment — Yinmoji.
Blood spilled from the Master's mouth. His elder son Jinhai rushed to support him.
Mo Yan turned to attack Jinhai—
But Lixuan stepped forward and shouted,
"Apologize to the Master for your behavior!"
Mo Yan struck at him in anger—
Zhichen appeared between them and blocked the attack, saving Lixuan.
"Lixuan, are you alright?" he asked.
Mo Yan swept a cold gaze across everyone, gave the Master a warning… and vanished into the darkness.
Two stone fragments gleamed in his hand.
The third fragment was still missing.
Deep worry filled Master Zhiyun's eyes — as if he knew that if these stones fell into the wrong hands, it could mark the beginning of the world's destruction.
Zhichen standing before Lixuan…
Is this the beginning of their bond?
Or is fate reminding them of their destiny?
And somewhere in the darkness…
the third fragment waited for another fate.