Phoenix Rising in the Eternal Abyss

Lian Yu stood alone in a secluded training courtyard, the Blazing Feather Arts scroll spread open before her. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the sect grounds, but she barely noticed.

Her mind was entirely focused on one thing—mastering this technique. She took a deep breath and sank into a stance, steadying her breathing.

Inside her dantian, the little phoenix stirred, radiating warmth through her limbs.

Blazing Feather Arts relied on three core principles:

1. Qi Condensation – Drawing out the phoenix fire from within.

2. Feather Manifestation – Converting flames into tangible, razor-sharp projectiles.

3. Phoenix Step – Enhancing movement speed with bursts of flame.

It all sounded simple on paper, but in practice…

Lian Yu exhaled and channeled her qi. Her body responded instantly, warmth coiling through her meridians, golden flames flickering at her fingertips.

She concentrated. Condense. Shape. Release.

A single golden feather flickered to life above her palm. It hovered unsteadily, its edges wavy, unstable.

Then—poof—it vanished. Lian Yu frowned. 

Again.

She focused, drawing more fire from her dantian. A second feather formed, but this time, when she tried to release it forward, it dissolved into harmless embers.

"Tch."

She had the fire, but not the control. She needed precision. The little phoenix inside her dantian chirped in encouragement, its energy pulsing through her veins.

Lian Yu inhaled deeply and adjusted her stance.

This time, she didn't force the fire.

She let it flow.

A golden feather materialized in her palm—its edges sharper, its form more stable than before. Lian Yu narrowed her eyes, focusing intently as she flicked her wrist.

The feather shot forward, cutting through the air with a faint golden glow. For a brief moment, it held its trajectory—then, just before reaching its target, it flickered and disintegrated into harmless embers.

Lian Yu exhaled sharply, frustration gnawing at her. Better, but still not enough.

Her fingers curled into fists. She couldn't afford to stop now. She had to refine it. Control it. Master it.

Hours passed and the sun climbed higher in the sky.

Lian Yu trained relentlessly. Each time her energy ran low, she stopped only to meditate and recover with the help of little phoenix before starting again.

By midday, sweat soaked her robes, but she had finally succeeded in launching a Blazing Feather across the courtyard, embedding it into a wooden training post.

Not deep, but it landed. She stared at the charred mark on the post and allowed herself a small, exhausted smile.

The little phoenix chirped triumphantly in her dantian, clearly pleased with her progress.

Lian Yu wiped sweat from her forehead and exhaled. "Not bad for my first day."

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Not bad?"

She turned to see Jiang Yuefeng, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. He leaned lazily against the training post, arms crossed.

"I've been watching for a while," he admitted. "You're really stubborn, huh?"

Lian Yu huffed. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here."

Jiang Yuefeng chuckled. "Fair enough." He glanced at the training post. "Blazing Feather Arts, huh? It suits you."

Lian Yu didn't respond, but she felt a flicker of pride.

Jiang Yuefeng stretched. "Wanna test it out on a moving target?"

Lian Yu blinked. "You mean… spar?"

He grinned. "You've been launching those feathers at wood all day. Why not try hitting someone?"

Lian Yu hesitated. She was still a beginner at this technique. Was she ready to fight with it?

The little phoenix inside her dantian chirped excitedly.

…Right. There was no point in waiting.

She nodded. "Fine. Let's go."

Jiang Yuefeng smirked, rolling his shoulders as he took his stance. "Don't hold back, little Lin."

Lian Yu summoned her fire.

Lian Yu's eyes sharpened as she drew in a steady breath, letting her qi flow smoothly through her meridians. The warmth of the phoenix fire pulsed within her, coiling like a restless beast waiting to be unleashed.

Jiang Yuefeng stood a few paces away, relaxed but poised, his golden eyes watching her with quiet amusement. Unlike her, he had been training for years, his mastery over his own techniques undeniable. Yet, something about his carefree demeanor made her grit her teeth.

She would land a hit.

Lian Yu shifted her stance, sinking low. Her fingers curled as she willed the flames to condense. A single golden feather flickered to life above her palm, more stable than before.

She flicked her wrist.

The feather shot forward, cutting through the air toward Jiang Yuefeng's chest.

And in an instant—he was gone.

Fast!

A blur of movement, and suddenly, he was at her side.

Lian Yu barely had time to react. She twisted away just as his open palm struck out, a gust of wind trailing his movement. It barely missed her ribs, but the force alone sent a sharp pressure against her side.

She stumbled back, heart pounding.

Jiang Yuefeng smirked. "Not bad. But if you're going to use projectiles, you'll need to be quicker."

Lian Yu inhaled sharply. Too slow. Too predictable.

She reignited her flames, summoning another feather—but this time, she didn't launch it immediately. Instead, she let the energy pool, forming a second, then a third feather.

Jiang Yuefeng raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Lian Yu didn't answer. She took a step forward and feinted with her right hand—then, as he moved to dodge, she flicked her wrist with her left.

The real attack shot toward him.

Jiang Yuefeng's golden eyes widened slightly before he twisted mid-air, barely evading as the feather grazed past his shoulder, leaving a faint scorch mark on his sleeve.

He landed lightly, chuckling. "Not bad, little Lin." He flexed his fingers. "But let's see how you handle pressure."

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished.

Lian Yu barely had time to react before he was behind her. She spun, summoning another feather, but his hand was already at her shoulder, pressing down lightly—just enough to remind her that, had this been real, he could have struck her.

"Caught you," he murmured.

Lian Yu clenched her teeth. Still too slow.

She exhaled sharply and stepped away, shaking off the frustration. "Again."

Jiang Yuefeng blinked, then grinned. "That's the spirit."

And so they continued.

Again and again, Lian Yu launched her Blazing Feathers, adjusting her approach each time. She stopped aiming for where he was and started predicting where he would be. She forced him to move, cutting off his angles, controlling the battlefield.

Little by little, she closed the gap.

By the time the sun dipped below the mountains, Lian Yu stood drenched in sweat, her breaths coming fast, her body aching from the relentless exchanges.

And yet—

She landed a hit.

A single, golden feather had seared across Jiang Yuefeng's forearm, leaving a faint burn.

He stared at it for a moment before huffing a laugh. "Well, would you look at that?" He turned to her, grinning. "You actually got me."

Lian Yu, exhausted but triumphant, couldn't help but smirk. "Told you I wouldn't hold back."

Jiang Yuefeng chuckled, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous." Then, he stretched, wincing slightly at his arm. "Alright, I think that's enough for today. If we keep going, you might actually start winning."

Lian Yu rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Every muscle in her body screamed in protest, and she was certain she'd feel this training session for days.

As they walked back toward the sect grounds, Jiang Yuefeng shot her a sideways glance. "You know, there's a sacred spring deep in the back mountains with healing properties. The sect keeps it a secret—only those with permission can use it."

He reached into his robes and pulled out a white jade pendant, its surface smooth and cool under the moonlight. "Here. Take this. The waters will help with your exhaustion, and you might even absorb a decent amount of qi while you're at it."

Lian Yu frowned, eyeing the pendant before looking up at him. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

Jiang Yuefeng blinked, caught off guard. "Hah?" For a split second, he seemed flustered. Then he hastily scratched the back of his neck, averting his gaze. "I'm just being a good senior. Don't think too much about it."

Before she could protest, he shoved the jade pendant into her palm, his movements abrupt and almost impatient. "Just take it," he muttered, before rattling off the directions to the spring.

Then, without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and strode away.

Lian Yu stared after him, then down at the pendant in her hand. It was cool against her fingers, its weight oddly reassuring.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

She closed her fingers around the jade and turned toward the back of the mountain, following the narrow, winding path leading into the dense forest.

By now, night had fully settled over the sect, and the presence of other disciples grew sparse. The further she walked, the quieter the world became. Fireflies flickered between the trees, their soft glow guiding her way, and soon, the distant sound of bubbling water reached her ears.

The sacred spring was close.

Lian Yu continued forward, following the sound of flowing water. Soon, she arrived at a shimmering golden barrier, nearly invisible in the darkness.

She hesitated.

Jiang Yuefeng had said only those with permission could enter. Was this what he meant?

Taking a breath, she lifted the white jade pendant and stepped forward.

A soft ripple spread through the barrier, and then—without resistance—it parted for her, allowing her through before sealing behind her as if nothing had happened.

Lian Yu glanced down at the jade in her palm. So this was the key.

The air inside was warmer, laced with a faint, natural qi that made her skin tingle. Pushing past the last line of trees, she finally saw it—

A hidden spring, veiled in thick steam. Moonlight filtered through the canopy above, reflecting off the crystalline water, and faint golden ripples shimmered where the qi-rich energy swirled within.

The exhaustion in her body caught up to her all at once.

Without hesitation, she removed her robes and stepped into the spring. Warmth enveloped her instantly, seeping into her muscles, washing away the ache from her earlier training. She exhaled slowly, letting herself relax, the tension melting from her limbs.

Deep in her dantian, the little phoenix chirped excitedly, and before Lian Yu could react, a golden glow emerged from her body.

The tiny creature materialized in the air, stretching its fiery wings before it dove into the water with an excited trill.

Lian Yu chuckled. "Even you wanted to soak, huh?"

The little phoenix flapped its wings, splashing her lightly before it settled onto the surface, basking in the qi-infused waters.

She closed her eyes, letting herself drift. As the minutes passed, a gentle surge of energy flowed into her meridians, deeper and purer than any qi she had absorbed before. It wasn't just restoring her—it was strengthening her.

Her breathing slowed.

Her qi stirred.

Inside her, something shifted—her meridians expanded, her dantian brightened, and then—

A surge.

Her eyes snapped open as her cultivation broke through, the warm rush of advancement spreading through her veins.

Third Stage of Qi Condensation.

She let out a slow breath, stunned. Just like that?

She had known that sacred springs were special, but this was beyond her expectations.

Still, she could already feel the limits of what she could absorb for now. Better to rest.

Sinking deeper into the water, she let herself relax fully, the steady sound of bubbling water lulling her into a tranquil haze.

And then—

A voice, low and edged with irritation, cut through the steam.

"…I'm going to kill Jiang Yuefeng."

Lian Yu's entire body tensed.

She whipped her head around, heart lurching. The thick mist obscured most of the spring, but as her senses sharpened, she caught the unmistakable outline of someone on the other side.

Not just anyone.

Xie Wushen.

Lian Yu's breath hitched.

The steam curled around him, distorting his figure, but there was no mistaking that voice. Low, clipped, and filled with barely contained irritation. Xie Wushen stood at the opposite edge of the sacred spring, his silhouette partially obscured by the mist, dark hair damp and loose around his shoulders. His robes were carelessly draped over a nearby rock, leaving his upper body bare—lean muscle carved by years of discipline.

Lian Yu went rigid, heart hammering in her chest.

She had to get out.

Silently, she began to shift toward the edge of the spring, her movements slow and deliberate, trying not to disturb the water. But the moment she shifted, Xie Wushen's head snapped up.

Crimson eyes, sharp and piercing even through the mist, locked onto her.

Lian Yu froze.

For a long, unbearable moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, slowly, Xie Wushen exhaled, rubbing his temple as if suppressing a headache. "You." His tone was flat, unreadable. "Of course."

Lian Yu forced her breathing to steady. "I didn't know you'd be here," she said carefully. "I'll just—"

"You're already here," he interrupted, voice edged with exasperation. "No point in running."

Running was exactly what she had intended to do. But with the way he was watching her, keen and unreadable, she knew if she tried, it would only make things worse.

A droplet of water trickled down his shoulder, catching the faint moonlight. He sighed, rolling his neck before stepping forward just slightly, the water swirling around him.

"This place is meant for healing," he muttered, as if trying to convince himself to let this go. "So let's just ignore each other."

Lian Yu hesitated, then nodded stiffly. "Fine."

Fine. Just soak, recover, and leave as soon as possible.

She forced herself to stay put, sinking a little deeper into the water, letting the warmth ease the tension from her limbs. Silence stretched between them, thick with unease. The only sound was the gentle bubbling of the spring and the occasional chirp of her little phoenix, who was watching Xie Wushen with blatant curiosity.

Unfortunately, the bird had no sense of self-preservation.

With a delighted trill, it flapped its wings and zipped through the mist, landing right on Xie Wushen's shoulder.

Lian Yu choked on her breath.

Xie Wushen stilled.

The little phoenix tilted its head, then fluffed its feathers contentedly, rubbing against him as if claiming him.

Lian Yu swore she saw his eye twitch.

"I—" she started, moving to call it back, but before she could, Xie Wushen reached up, carefully plucking the tiny bird from his shoulder. His fingers brushed against its warm, fiery form, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he studied it, crimson eyes narrowing slightly.

"This is your companion beast?" he asked, voice unreadable.

Lian Yu hesitated. "Yes."

Xie Wushen's expression was impossible to read, but his fingers curled slightly around the phoenix's tiny body, as if testing the heat it emitted. After a moment, he let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head.

"It's weak."

Lian Yu stiffened. "What?"

Xie Wushen's gaze remained fixed on the tiny phoenix in his palm. "It's also far too trusting," he said flatly, as if stating an irrefutable fact. "You need to train it not to just approach any random stranger."

The little phoenix chirped indignantly, its feathers bristling in protest.

Lian Yu felt the same irritation flare in her chest. "Little phoenix is still young," she muttered. "Also, she must sense that you don't intend any harm."

"Is that so?" Xie Wushen exhaled sharply, tilting his head slightly as he regarded her. "Then the bird is also stupid." He released the phoenix, letting it flutter back to her. "I could crush its little body and not think twice."

The words struck like cold steel.

Lian Yu clenched her fists beneath the water. She should be used to this by now—his bluntness, his indifference—but tonight, with exhaustion weighing on her limbs and frustration still simmering in her veins, it was harder to let it roll off her back.

She took a slow breath. Don't react. He's not worth it.

The sacred spring lapped gently against the edges of the stone. Mist curled between them, thick with the scent of minerals and faint traces of lingering qi. Xie Wushen had already closed his eyes, leaning against the smooth rock as if she wasn't even there.

The silence stretched.

Lian Yu inhaled, forcing herself to relax. Forget him. Just focus on recovery.

Minutes passed. The warmth of the water seeped into her muscles, soothing the aches from training. Slowly, the heaviness in her limbs became something softer—something almost comforting.

Her breathing deepened.

The exhaustion that had been creeping at the edges of her awareness finally pulled her under.

The last thing she saw was the dim glow of her phoenix fire flickering on the surface of the water.

Then—darkness.

—

Xie Wushen remained still.

The rippling of the spring had long since settled, and the mist swirled lazily under the moonlight. Across from him, Lian Yu's form had gone motionless, her breathing slow, steady.

Asleep.

Xie Wushen exhaled quietly.

Then, without a word, he stood.

Water cascaded down his skin as he stepped onto the smooth stone, his movements soundless. The cool night air swept over him, but he barely noticed.

Hesitantly, he approached the sleeping girl. The moonlight filtered through the mist, casting silver shadows over her bare shoulders, the soft glow accentuating the delicate line of her collarbone. Droplets of water clung to her skin, tracing slow, meandering paths down the curve of her throat, pooling briefly before slipping lower—vanishing beneath the surface of the spring.

Her breathing was slow, steady, each rise and fall of her chest gentle beneath the water's shimmering reflection. Strands of damp hair clung to her neck, framing the serene expression on her face. In sleep, the sharpness of her usual determination had softened, leaving behind something quieter.

Xie Wushen's gaze lingered longer than it should have.

His throat felt strangely dry, despite the steam-laden air.

A single droplet slipped from her shoulder, trailing down the bare curve of her arm before falling soundlessly into the water.

Something about the sight struck him deep in his chest.

His fingers curled slightly at his sides.

Then, as if realizing himself, he tensed.

What the hell was he doing?

Xie Wushen turned sharply, heat prickling at the back of his neck. His jaw tightened, and he exhaled through his nose, forcing his gaze away.

His pulse was steady—calm, controlled.

But the fact that he had to remind himself of that at all irritated him.

Without another glance, he stepped out of the water, snatching his robes from where they rested on a nearby rock. He hesitated only briefly before draping them over her shoulders. The fabric settled lightly against her damp skin, a barrier between her and the cool night air.

Xie Wushen exhaled, running a hand through his wet hair.

Ridiculous.

Without another word, he strode away, the quiet sound of rippling water fading behind him.