After her first week of training with the Blacksteel style, Jian Li immediately began one week of practice with the less familiar Whitesteel style. Jian Li rapidly became more acquainted with the more speed focused Whitesteel style and time passed rapidly as days turned to weeks and weeks turned to several months.

In a blink of an eye, half a year had already passed.

After spending six months switching between the Blacksteel and the Whitesteel style, she began to feel capable with both sword styles. But she still remained the most comfortable with the heavier and more power focused Blacksteel style.

During her time with the two styles, Jian Li eventually managed to familiarize herself with many new maneuvers as He Yu meticulously repeated each move to her. Jian Chen seemed as if he learned better with lesser instructions, so Jian Li got more time to spend with He Yu.

He Yu was pleased with the results of Jian Chen and Jian Li's cultivation, and watched as they were able to master both styles after their six months of training.

---

Often during the autumn and winter seasons back at Qianye Village, Jian Li played around with her siblings Jian Chen and Jian Ye to pass time when she was younger. Together, Jian Li and her siblings would play all kinds of games and always had a lot of fun together. Even Jian Wen joined in for a short while sometimes.

Jian Li sat down on her bed as she reminisced about the days that had passed a long time ago.

“Where are you?”, Jian Li mumbled to herself as she held the transmission tablet Jian Ye gave to her months ago. The last time she and her brother had heard directly from her was when she left the True Sword Sect and gave them the transmission tablets. She had never even used it once since she went missing.

All they know from her departure is that at some point she visited their father and quickly left to find someone capable enough to cure his affliction. Jian Li and her brother had repeatedly asked He Yu for any news from Jian Ye every time they could, but her lips were either sealed shut each time, or she genuinely did not know anything about her whereabouts.

Jian Li stared at the transmission tablet, but it only kept showing a black screen. For a moment, Jian Li mindlessly shook it hoping to activate the screen that would somehow give her news about her whereabouts. Even after numerous attempts, no image or sound appeared on the screen. She knew that it was pointless since it only worked one way, so only Jian Ye could initiate contact with them.

Jian Li sighed as she put the tablet back down on the cupboard then lay back down on her bed. She recalled the words Jian Ye had told their father long ago.

"When you cannot change your fate, strive to make the best of it.", Jian Li thought to herself as she tried to relax on her bed and stared blankly at the ceiling. She never knew why, but Jian Ye’s words had stayed with her for years.

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A sense of nostalgia bubbled up inside her as she reminisced about her good old innocent and carefree days. Even thoughts of her past life on Earth which she usually kept suppressed came up again. Tears welled up from her eyes as she thought of all the friends she had lost, the experiences she never got to share with them and her previous life that was unfairly taken in the tragic plane crash.

A sudden knock at her door startled Jian Li as she stood up to open the door.

Standing outside of her room was her big brother Jian Chen, followed by their master He Yu. Both of them had solemn looks on their faces as they entered the room. Jian Li hurriedly wiped the remaining tears from her face as she greeted her midnight guests before asking them what they were doing there.

Jian Chen looked at Jian Li and asked, "Have you heard any news from the sect lately?".

"Not really? Has something happened?", Jian Li stared at Jian Chen uneasily with her still reddish eyes.

"Has something happened? Are you okay?", Jian Chen interrupted her as he walked over and hugged his younger sister. Jian Li could not come up with anything to say as she looked up at Jian Chen.

Her brothers worried expression made her cry harder than ever as she buried her head against Jian Chen’s chest. She couldn't explain why she was crying. He Yu just stood behind Jian Chen and watched the pair in silence as Jian Li let it all out.

Jian Li sniffled as she pulled away from his embrace and looked up at her older brother with teary eyes. "I'm fine, I guess.", she replied softly with a faint smile.

Jian Chen frowned slightly as he rubbed his hand along his sister's cheek. He gently pushed her hair out of her face and asked again.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

His voice sounded tired and strained as if he was struggling with something.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. But why are you here this late at night?", Jian Li asked as she turned away from her two guests. She went to sit on her bed to brace herself since there was a good chance, they came to tell her some bad news.

Jian Chen glanced at He Yu before turning back towards Jian Li and answered her question. "We received some bad news earlier today. It's from eldest brother Wen."

Jian Chen paused for a few seconds before continuing. "Father's condition has only gotten worse...", Jian Chen said sadly as he sat down beside Jian Li.

Jian Li closed her eyes tightly as Jian Chen placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. She nodded in silence as she listened intently to her elder brother.

Jian Chen took a deep breath before starting again. "It seems our father's illness has worsened to such an extent that we may not be able to save him anymore..." Jian Chen said quietly as he clenched his fists tight.

"Ye is nowhere to be found either right? She mentioned that she would find someone to help Father at the Wind and Thunder Sect when she left, is there really no news about her over there?", Jian Li asked as she tried to take in the horrible news.

"No... We've been searching everywhere for her. There have been rumours of people saying they saw her in different places, but none of those claims seem to be true at the moment.", Jian Chen replied with a frown.

"So basically, its hopeless?", Jian Li asked with a hint of sadness leaking out from her voice.

Both Jian Chen and He Yu looked at each other for a brief moment again before continuing. "Yes, we don't think anyone knows anything about her current situation.", Jian Chen replied as he wrapped his arms around his sister again to comfort her.

Jian Li leaned into her brother's hug and felt the warmth of his body radiate through her skin as she sobbed quietly.