Lingqi turned the corner into the mess hall, his senses heightened, his steps a whisper against the stone floor. He spotted Gao and Li Bie huddled together, their words a murmur. Gao’s eyes flicked up, catching sight of Lingqi, and in an instant, his demeanor shifted. A finger to his lips, a silent command for Li Bie.

Suspicion gnawed at Lingqi’s thoughts. What could they be hiding from him?

With deliberate steps, Lingqi approached, the weight of his uncertainty heavy upon him. He did not wish to startle them, but neither could he abide by ignorance.

"Jade's blessing! He lives!" Gao's voice erupted, too cheerful, a mask of normalcy. "You missed lunch, Lingqi."

"Were you in your room this whole time?" Li Bie's expression was a blank canvas, betraying nothing.

"Yes, I was. Meditating," Lingqi's reply was curt, his patience thin.

"Is something the matter?" Gao's brow furrowed, a pantomime of concern.

"No," Lingqi lied, his head shaking with falsehood. "I am fine. I was wondering if I could have some dinner, and also some for Yuyan."

"Oh, you want some dinner? Sure, no problem!" Gao's smile was a beacon of false brightness. "Today we're having chicken, white rice, and vegetables. I'll prepare a bowl for you and Yuyan," he promised, turning to his task.

"Thank you," Lingqi nodded, the gesture perfunctory.

"How did the meditation go?" Li Bie's question was a diversion, a deflection.

"Good," Lingqi's answer was clipped, his focus unyielding. "What were you two talking about?"

"We weren't talking about anything," Li Bie's voice was smooth, too smooth.

"Really?" Lingqi's tone sharpened, edged with suspicion. "You both stopped talking the second I walked in here."

Li Bie's sigh was the wind of resignation. He glanced at Gao, seeking an ally in the silence.

"If you must know," Gao began, placing two bowls onto a tray, "we were discussing everyone's birthdays. We realized that we forgot yours."

"It’s eight months from now, but I think you already knew that," Lingqi's patience frayed, his arms folding in defense. "Now please tell me what you two were really talking about."

"Lingqi," Gao's voice took on a placating tone as he picked up the tray, "don't be paranoid. There's no need to worry."

Lingqi scoffed, the sound bitter and dismissive. He seized the tray from Gao's grasp, the bowls teetering precariously. "Fine, lie to me some more," he muttered, turning away, leaving their feigned innocence behind.

"Lingqi..." Li Bie's call was an echo in the void, unheeded.

Lingqi stormed to Yuyan's room, sliding the door open with a force born of frustration. Yuyan, startled, nearly dropped the scroll she was reading.

"Lingqi?" Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "What are you doing here?"

"Here," he placed the tray on the ground, offering her a bowl.

Yuyan took it, her gaze shifting from the bowl to Lingqi. "Did you want to eat dinner together?" she asked, a tentative smile forming.

"Why did you lie to me about the scroll?" Lingqi's voice was steady, his eyes unwavering.

"Lingqi," Yuyan's tone was pleading, a whisper of desperation. "It was just something I needed to discuss with my seniors, that's all."

Lingqi felt a kernel of truth in her words, but it was wrapped in layers of secrecy. His mind was a storm of doubts and suspicions. "But why can't you tell me?"

"It's nothing," Yuyan's smile was a fragile thing, her words carefully chosen. "Please, believe me."

Lingqi closed the distance between them, his nerves a tangled knot. He took Yuyan by the shoulders and leaned in to plant a clumsily placed kiss on her cheek. Her shock was palpable, her eyes wide.

"Are you sure you're telling me everything?" Lingqi's voice was a low demand, his hazel eyes piercing.

"I promise there's nothing for you to worry about," Yuyan's words were slow, deliberate.

Lingqi's tension ebbed, his body relaxing. He wanted to believe her, to trust in the bonds they shared. They were his friends. They wouldn't lie to him.

"I'm sorry," Lingqi's apology was a murmur. "In the dining hall, I saw Gao and Li Bie whispering. When they saw me, they stopped. Then I saw you with the scroll... I thought maybe I had done something wrong."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Lingqi," Yuyan shook her head gently, placing her hand against his soft cheek. "No, it's not like that. You haven't done anything wrong."

Lingqi nodded, leaning into her touch, seeking solace.

"Come here," Yuyan drew him into an embrace, her warmth a balm to his troubled heart. Lingqi's face burned with a mix of embarrassment and relief, his heart hammering in his chest.

"You're a sweet boy," Yuyan's voice was soft, soothing. "We care for you, we want to protect you. So don't worry, okay?"

"Okay," Lingqi's agreement was a whisper against her shoulder.

They separated, the moment lingering. "We should eat before the food gets cold," Yuyan's voice was bright, her smile radiant.

"Y-Yeah," Lingqi's shy smile mirrored hers.

They ate in silence, Lingqi by Yuyan's side, the meal a shared reprieve from his earlier turmoil. When they finished, he collected the empty dishes.

"Goodnight, Lingqi," Yuyan brushed the hair from his eyes, her touch tender.

"Goodnight," he replied, heading for the door.

Lingqi carried the dishes to the kitchen, his reflection in the water basin a testament to his lingering confusion. The sun had set, the night cloaking the academy in a serene darkness.

He returned to his room, the fire lamps casting an ethereal glow over the cobblestones. Lighting a lamp, he prepared to resume his meditations. A knock at his door interrupted him.

Gao stood there, concern etched on his face. "May I come in?"

Lingqi's expression was neutral, a flicker of guilt beneath his calm facade. "Of course."

Gao entered, the room's silence a backdrop to their unspoken tension. "I wanted to apologize," Gao's voice was firm, sincere.

"Apologize for what?" Lingqi's curiosity was piqued.

"For acting suspicious. You had every right to be upset. I'm sorry," Gao's tone was apologetic.

"I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions," Lingqi admitted, his voice low. "Yuyan told me I had nothing to worry about. I believe her. I know you all care for me."

"We do," Gao nodded, his smile warm. "You're like a little brother to me. I need to protect you."

"I know," Lingqi nodded.

"Well, I'll let you get some sleep," Gao patted his shoulder.

"Goodnight," Lingqi replied.

"Goodnight," Gao smiled, departing.

Left alone, Lingqi's thoughts swirled. His earlier meditation had revealed glimpses of the academy, a testament to his burgeoning abilities. He sought to push further, to understand the depths of his power.

Lingqi extinguished his lamp and lay down, his mind a focused blade. His Prana flowed through him, a river of energy. His awareness expanded, senses sharp as he perceived the world beyond his room.

The sound of crickets, the creak of wood, the whisper of wind. The critters scurrying about, the steady breaths of his peers. Li Bie, Chen, Gao, and Yuyan—each a pulse in the tapestry of life around him.

Lingqi's concentration wavered, the mental strain too great. Exhausted yet excited by his potential, he surrendered to sleep, his mind alight with dreams of what might come.

In the darkness, he found peace, his worries slipping away. Tomorrow, he would continue his journey, one step closer to mastering the power within.

----------------------------------------

Months passed like days, and Lingqi's birthday had come and gone without ceremony, a fleeting moment like any other, marked only by the numerical progression to his fourteenth year.

In the quiet solitude of his meditations, Lingqi found solace. His command over Prana had deepened, each session a testament to his growing prowess. He could now sustain his heightened state of awareness for longer intervals, teetering on the edge of mastering the isolation and enhancement of his senses.

Pride welled within him, not in grand leaps but in the steady, unrelenting climb of progress. Each day unfolded like a new scroll, filled with discoveries and growth.

One morning, Master Zhang summoned Lingqi to his study. The unexpected call filled the young adept with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. As he walked towards the headmaster’s study, the warmth of the sun and the gentle caress of the breeze did little to soothe his anxious mind.

Standing before the familiar oak door, Lingqi knocked. "Come in," came Master Zhang's calm voice from within. Lingqi turned the handle and stepped inside, finding the study unusually tidy, the chaos of scrolls and books now neatly organized.

To his surprise, Elder Zhu was present, reclining comfortably on a cushion, a serene smile playing on his lips as he sipped tea. Lingqi bowed respectfully. "Master Zhang."

Master Zhang's face remained impassive, hands clasped behind his back. "Good, you're here. Have a seat."

Lingqi sat down, his eyes darting between his mentor and the elder. "Lingqi," Master Zhang began, "we have a special proposition for you. Elder Zhu will explain."

Elder Zhu cleared his throat, his tone casual. "The Jade Sovereignty is convening a council at the Opal Palace. As a diplomat, I am entitled to bring an honored guest. I wish for you to accompany me."

Lingqi's mind raced, searching his mentor's face for guidance. Master Zhang nodded subtly. Lingqi turned to Elder Zhu, bewildered. "Why me?"

Elder Zhu smiled gently. "Other students have already experienced the Opal Palace. I want you to witness the Sovereignty's splendor firsthand."

Curiosity piqued, Lingqi asked, "What is the council meeting about?"

A brief, silent exchange passed between Master Zhang and Elder Zhu. Setting his tea aside, the elder leaned forward. "We are to discuss the threat posed by the Khalkan tribes," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of the subject.

Lingqi's heart lurched at the mention of the Khalkans. For months, he had drowned his nightmares in the calm waters of meditation, the memories of destruction and death receding into the depths. Yet, the name alone stirred a tempest of anger within him. His hands clenched, nails biting into his skin, leaving pale crescents.

"I will go," Lingqi declared, his voice steady, belying the turmoil within.

Master Zhang smiled approvingly. Elder Zhu's expression was one of contentment. "We depart tomorrow morning," the elder explained. "The Opal Palace lies to the north, in the province of Jing. Our journey will take several weeks, and the council begins in a month. We will arrive with a day to spare."

Lingqi nodded, absorbing the details. He had heard much of Jing from Yuyan, who spoke of its grandeur. Now, he would see the Opal Palace for himself.

"Thank you, Elder Zhu, Master Zhang. I look forward to the journey," Lingqi bowed, sincere in his gratitude.

"Pack only the essentials," Elder Zhu advised. "We will be provided for once we arrive."

"I shall," Lingqi responded, standing to leave. Master Zhang dismissed him with a nod, and he exited the room.

Once alone, Master Zhang's demeanor shifted. "Did you sense it?" he asked, his eyes fixed on Elder Zhu.

Elder Zhu sighed. "I did. His anger runs deep, a wound not yet healed."

"He is a good child," Master Zhang insisted, more to reassure himself than the elder. "Compassionate and kind. This experience may help him heal."

Elder Zhu stroked his beard thoughtfully. "He has grown, but growth can lead to volatility if not properly guided. We must tread carefully."

"Indeed," Master Zhang agreed, a note of concern in his voice. "Only time will tell."

Elder Zhu took another sip of his tea, his gaze distant.

A growing tree could be easily uprooted if it was not properly tended.