After exiting Meili's abode, Hei and Tainlan headed out of the sect and looked for an appropriate spot for their sparring match.

They ultimately decided on a nearby rocky plain that was a fair distance from any human settlements.

Hei meticulously relocated any lifeforms that could be harmed during the course of the battle and set up a simple formation to prevent creatures from wandering into danger.

“It’s not too late to back out of this, Tianlan,” he said as he made several small jumps.

“I could say the same to you,” replied Tianlan as he stretched his neck. “If you admit defeat now, you won’t have to suffer embarrassment.”

“Careful. You might bite your tongue.”

Tianlan smiled.

He swung his arms, loosening his shoulders, and did a few lunges to stretch his legs.

His actions were well within the realm of the ordinary, but Hei sensed something beneath his calm exterior.

He's nervous.

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That was unusual.

They had sparred on several occasions and Tianlan had never shown any signs of nervousness or uncertainty.

"Tianlan."

"Yeah?"

"Why do I feel like this is more than just a simple sparring match?"

"So you noticed."

He let out a sigh.

"What's going on?"

Tianlan hesitated for a moment before answering.

"I told you about Tang Zen."

"What about her?"

"I ended up visiting her home, and I saw the state her family had been left in by their enemy."

"Okay?"

"No one else in her family had the potential to resolve their problems, so she had to take up the burden of being their support. Even now, she's fighting as hard as she can to put things back the way they were."

"Right... But what does that have to do with us?"

"I realised that something like that could happen to anyone. Even us."

"Not possible. I'm here, and I won't let-"

"That's the problem."

Hei frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"We all believe in you. That you can do anything."

"Right? Then it's-"

"But what if something happens to you?"

"..."

"If we lose you, who will we have to rely on?"

"That's... But that shouldn't..."

He couldn't say it.

He knew exactly what Tianlan's concern was.

Volatility.

Hei's existence was far from what could be called stable. His entry into this world was abrupt and so was his exit from his last. There were no variables he could manipulate to change any of that, and as such, it was something he couldn't prevent the reoccurrence of.

Just as easily as he was taken from his last family, so too could he be taken from this one.

"I see..."

It was indeed a dilemma, but there was a silver lining.

Tianlan had identified the problem and was working toward resolving it.

Realising this, Hei couldn't help but smile.

"So you want to take my place then? You want to carry the burdens of the Shao Clan?"

"That's right."

Seeing the determined look on Tianlan's face, Hei began to laugh.

"Good. Very good. The boy is becoming a man."

He held his hands behind his back and raised his head to the sky.

He paused for a moment, remembering the young boy he met ten years ago. The one who had almost given up hope but continued to push through for the sake of his family.

His smile grew even brighter.

"Very well."

He lowered his head, and as he did, Tianlan experienced Hei's suppressive aura for the first time.

"Come, Tianlan. See if you can displace me."