Lin Fan lay in a crater, twitching, covered in dirt and bruises.
Mu Qianxue stood over him, brushing dust off her robes.
"Lesson one: Strength isn't just about power. It's about control, discipline… and not throwing tantrums."
She turned around. "Clean yourself up. And next time—don't miss training."
She walked back toward the others, who had watched the entire beatdown like it was a stage play.
Hei Long gave a single clap.
Lin Fan's muffled voice came from the dirt.
"…I think I swallowed a worm…"
.
.
.
Back on the Training Grounds –
The tension had mostly faded after Mu Qianxue's flawless takedown of Lin Fan.
Most of the disciples were either stretching or meditating with their beasts nearby.
Hei Long sat on a tree stump beside his newly tamed beast, a sleek silver-furred wolf cub with deep violet eyes.
The little beast let out a soft yawn, curling beside Hei Long's leg.
Mu Qianxue sipped a flask of wine from her gourd, sitting lazily atop a rock under the sun.
