Guest Wing, Shining Blade Sect, Shenzhou Province

Junior Edina slowly woke up and looked around, then sighed. It had been a week since she returned to the Shining Blade Sect and had been trying her best to keep away from Gu Tianlong and her cousins, Wei and Lin. Senior Edina had warned her about Gu being her future husband and the terrible things he would do to her. With this knowledge, Junior Edina was determined to avoid him and thwart Aunt Li Mei’s plans.

Junior Edina longed to return home to the Blazing Dawn Sect. Now that she had financial control over Jinwei Mansion and a sect she and Princess Huangshu had established, there was much to do. Yet, she was stuck here for another week before the ceremony finally took place.

Lian Hua, her personal maid, entered the room and smiled warmly. “Young Mistress Edina, let me help you get ready for the day.” Junior Edina returned the smile, took her cane, and rose from her bed.

After an hour, Junior Edina was walking to the main hall with the support of her cane and Lian Hua. As they walked, she noticed another young lady ahead of them. Junior Edina instantly recognized her: it was Lin. Lin turned around, her face lighting up with a smile. “My, my, Edina. It’s been weeks since I saw you. I heard you returned last week, but you didn’t even think to come and play with your cousin?”

Junior Edina stopped in her tracks, her heart sinking. She was used to Lin’s mocking, but recently it seemed like Lin was getting ticked off far more often. Lin was usually the more subdued of her two bully cousins and rarely had outbursts like these. However, they had become more frequent ever since Junior Edina went on a shopping trip with Princess Huangshu.

Lin’s smile was one of those that didn’t reach her eyes, a mask hiding her irritation. The tension in the air was palpable as Junior Edina searched for a response. She felt Lian Hua’s reassuring hand on her arm, giving her the courage to speak.

“I am sorry Jin, I was busy hanging out with Huangshu” Junior Edina said with a smile, This ticked Lin off again. Lin's smile faltered for a moment, revealing a hint of the frustration simmering beneath her composed exterior. “Hanging out with her highness, yeah, you must be so busy running around doing her tasks” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Yes, I’ve had a lot on my plate. But I’m sure you’ve been busy too, haven’t you, Jin?” she replied, trying to deflect the conversation.

Lin’s eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, Junior Edina thought she might lash out. But then Lin simply shrugged and turned away. “Well, don’t let me keep you from your important duties, cousin. Just remember, we’re family. We should stick together,” she said over her shoulder as she walked away.

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Junior Edina let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Lian Hua squeezed her arm gently. “You handled that well, young mistress,” she whispered.

“Thank you, Lian Hua. Let’s continue to the main hall,” Junior Edina said, quite surprised by her new found confidence.

Training Grounds, Shining Blade Sect, Shenzhou Province

Wei was practicing with a wooden sword, striking the air again and again with determined precision. Ever since escaping the kidnapping, he had felt his qi steadily build inside him. Each strike brought him closer to a breakthrough, and he was convinced he might reach grade 1 at any moment.

The training grounds were alive with the sounds of practice: the clash of swords, the grunts of exertion, and the occasional bark of a master correcting a student. Wei’s focus was intense as he envisioned his next steps. Perhaps he should try sparring with Young Master Tian Lian or Gu Tianlong, he mused. Even sparring with his sister, Lin, might be enough to push him over the edge.

Just as he was lost in thought, Wei felt a sudden surge of qi heading straight for him. His instincts kicked in, and he dodged the attack with practiced ease. “The hell is that for?” he shouted, turning to face his attacker. It was Lin, his sister, who had unleashed the qi technique on him.

“I was just helping you,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

“No, you weren’t. You were taking your frustration out on me! You must have tried to bully Edina, and it must have backfired since Princess Huangshu was with her. Now you’re taking it out on me!” he retorted angrily.

“No,” Lin said with a very unconvincing smile. Her frustration bubbled over, and she snapped, “Yeah, so what? And what’s up with you?!” She paused and grabbed a staff from the weapons stand.

“You’ve been taking her side ever since we arrived here. What happened to the guy who bullied her 24/7?” she demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Wei’s expression hardened. “I just didn’t feel like it, and I’ve been very busy, okay? I feel like I’ll break through to grade 1 any time now!”

Lin smirked, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light. “Well then, let me help you with it,” she said, swinging the staff at him. Wei blocked the attack with his sword, the wooden weapons clashing with a dull thud.

The siblings squared off, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. Wei could feel the tension in the air, a mixture of sibling rivalry and deeper, unspoken emotions. Each swing and parry was a test of their resolve and skill.

The training grounds seemed to fade away as they fought, their movements a dance of aggression and defense. Wei’s mind raced, not just with the fight but with the thoughts of what had changed in him. The kidnapping had forced him to confront his own weaknesses and fears, and now he was on the brink of a transformation.

Lin’s attacks were relentless, but Wei’s determination was stronger. He could feel the qi inside him responding, surging with each block and counterattack. “You can do better than that,” Lin taunted, her voice a mix of challenge and encouragement.

Wei gritted his teeth and pushed harder, his sword moving with newfound speed and precision. He could sense the breakthrough approaching, the barrier within him starting to crack. As their fight intensified, a crowd of onlookers began to gather, drawn by the fierce sibling duel.

With a final, powerful strike, Wei disarmed Lin, sending her staff flying across the training grounds. He stood there, breathing heavily, his heart pounding with exertion and exhilaration. Lin looked at him, a mix of surprise and pride in her eyes.

“Well done, brother,” Lin said quietly, acknowledging Wei's strength.

A slow clap could be heard from the crowd, drawing their attention. It was their mother, Li Mei, standing there with a proud smile on her face. “Well done. It seems Wei will also break through to grade 1 soon.”

“Mother!” both Lin and Wei exclaimed, running towards her.

“Alright then, kids,” Li Mei said, smiling warmly. “I will train you today, just as I promised. This will surely help you reach grade 1, Wei.”