The sect competition announcement came at dawn.
"All outer and inner disciples will participate in the annual evaluation."
Luo Qingyan raised his hand.
"I volunteer as moral support."
"No." Lin Yufeng said sharply.
"…I don't even have a spiritual root!"
Lin Yufeng looked at him.
"…Exactly."
"…That feels targeted." Luo Qingyan
That afternoon training began for all participants.
Luo Qingyan lasted three minutes.
"Again," Lin Yufeng said.
"I am dying."
"You cannot die."
"…Emotionally, I am already gone."
A sword came at him too fast. Luo Qingyan stumbled. The edge of the platform behind him was empty sky.
He slipped.
For a moment everything stopped then a hand firmly caught him.
Steady.
Luo Qingyan's breath hitched. Shen Wuyou stood there holding him.
"…You fall often," he said.
"…I'm consistent."
But neither of them moved.
Luo Qingyan could feel the warmth of his hand, the faint pulse of the golden thread between them.
"…You can let go now," Luo Qingyan said quietly.
Shen Wuyou didn't.
"…Master?" Lin Yufeng called.
Slowly Shen Wuyou released him.
"…Be careful."
"…You too," Luo Qingyan replied without thinking.
"…I do not fall." Shen Wuyou argued
"…Everyone falls." Luo Qingyan said trying to hide his embarrassment
"…Not this time."
Something in Shen Wuyou's gaze shifted. Luo Qingyan didn't understand why but that sentence stayed with him.