The sect's training ground was buzzing with the usual sound of clashing swords and circulating qi, but all of that faded into the background for Su Qingyue. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she stormed through the courtyard, her beautiful face flushed with anger and disappointment. The words Lingxuan had spoken to her earlier still echoed in her mind.
"I didn't go to a brothel. I was only buying food for you all."
He had spoken so sincerely, so firmly, that she could not doubt him. And that meant only one thing—Tianyu had lied to her.
Her hands tightened into fists as she spotted Tianyu not far away, laughing lightly with a few junior disciples. The sight of his relaxed face made her anger boil over. Without hesitation, she strode up to him, her eyes sharp and cold as blades.
"Tianyu!" she called out, her voice filled with suppressed rage.
The disciples immediately fell silent, shocked at the coldness in her tone. They stepped back, sensing the storm that was about to erupt. Tianyu turned, confused at first, but then stiffened when he saw her expression.
"Qingyue… what's wrong?" he asked carefully, already sensing trouble.
Her lips trembled before she spoke, but her words were clear and merciless."You lied to me."
The courtyard became utterly silent. Every disciple nearby widened their eyes, whispering in hushed tones. Tianyu's heart skipped a beat, his throat dry.
"I… lied?" he muttered, trying to smile it off. "What do you mean—"
"Don't pretend!" Qingyue snapped, tears gathering in her eyes though her voice was sharp. "Yesterday, when I asked you where Lingxuan was, you told me he went to a brothel. Do you understand what those words did to me? Do you understand how much I hated him in that moment, how much pain I felt?!"
Her voice cracked, and the disciples around them gasped.
Tianyu's face paled. He stammered, "Q-Qingyue, I didn't mean—"
"You didn't mean?" she interrupted bitterly. "Then why did you say it? Do you think it's funny to destroy the trust between us? Do you think it's a joke to tarnish Lingxuan's name in front of me?"
Her tears finally fell, glistening under the sunlight. Her sorrow pierced deeper than her anger.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from behind. Lingxuan's calm, steady voice cut through the tension.
"Qingyue."
She turned and saw him approaching, his black robes fluttering gently in the breeze, his face calm but filled with quiet strength. The disciples immediately bowed with respect, creating a path for him.
Lingxuan walked up, glancing at Qingyue's tear-stained face before turning his eyes to Tianyu. His gaze was not sharp, not filled with killing intent, but it was heavy enough to make Tianyu's shoulders stiffen.
"Don't be angry here," Lingxuan said softly to Qingyue. "The disciples are watching. Let's talk calmly."
Qingyue bit her lip, lowering her gaze. "I… I just didn't want to lose you because of a misunderstanding…"
Lingxuan's eyes softened. He reached out and gently brushed a tear from her cheek. "You won't lose me."
Those simple words made Qingyue's chest tighten, her heart pounding wildly. For a brief moment, she forgot her anger.
But Tianyu… Tianyu's guilt was rising like a wave. He clenched his fists tightly at his side. Seeing Qingyue's trust in Lingxuan, hearing Lingxuan's calm words, made the weight of his lie unbearable.
Lingxuan finally turned to him. "Tianyu," he said evenly. "Why did you say such a thing?"
The calm tone was scarier than anger. It left no room for excuses.
Tianyu opened his mouth but no words came out. His face twisted with regret. He remembered his foolish thought that morning—how he had spoken without thinking, just to brush Qingyue off, just to hide Lingxuan's absence.
"I…" he swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "I was careless. I didn't think. I was afraid you'd scold me for letting Qingyue worry, so I… I lied."
The words dropped like stones in the air. The disciples around them whispered louder, shocked at Tianyu's confession.
Lingxuan exhaled slowly. "Do you understand what your lie nearly caused?"
Tianyu's head dropped. He couldn't meet Lingxuan's eyes. He could see Qingyue trembling, her fists clenched, her face still red from tears. He felt like a traitor.
"I… understand," Tianyu whispered hoarsely. "It almost ruined her trust in you. It almost…" His voice cracked. "It almost destroyed everything we've built."
Lingxuan nodded. His voice was steady, yet his words carried weight."In a sect, trust is everything. Without it, there is no unity, no strength. Between you, me, and Qingyue, there cannot be lies. Do you understand?"
"Yes…" Tianyu said, bowing deeply, shame written all over his face. "I won't do it again. I swear it."
The atmosphere grew heavier, but also strangely lighter. The disciples watching from afar saw Lingxuan's calm authority, saw how even in conflict, he upheld justice without cruelty. Their respect for him deepened.
Qingyue sniffled, wiping her tears. She looked at Lingxuan, her heart pounding. Even in this moment, even while rebuking Tianyu, he remained strong, steady, and kind.
Lingxuan turned back to her, his tone softening. "You don't need to worry anymore. I would never betray you like that. You mean too much."
Her face flushed crimson, her heart leaping wildly. She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. "I… I know. I believe you."
For the first time since yesterday, her chest felt lighter. The knot of doubt and pain had untangled.
From a distance, Tianyu raised his head, watching the two of them. Guilt churned in his stomach. He had always admired Lingxuan, but now he also realized how deeply Qingyue trusted him. His small, reckless lie had almost broken something precious.
I can't let this happen again, he thought bitterly. I won't be the one to bring him down. From now on, I will change.
Lingxuan placed a hand gently on Qingyue's shoulder. "Come. Let's leave this place. You've been through enough."
She nodded, her eyes still glistening but filled with relief. Together, they walked away, leaving Tianyu standing amidst the disciples, drowning in his own remorse.
And though the courtyard returned to its usual noise of training and chatter, the weight of betrayal still lingered in the air, a reminder that even among comrades, one careless lie could shatter bonds if not confronted with honesty.
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden hues across the Azure Cloud Sect's peaks. The air was calm, the winds gentle, but within Su Qingyue's heart, everything was stirring like a raging sea slowly finding peace. Yesterday, she had cried herself to sleep, tormented by doubt. But today… today Lingxuan's words still echoed inside her, comforting her in ways she hadn't expected.
"You won't lose me."
Those words replayed over and over. She clutched them like a precious treasure, a shield against the hurt she had felt when Tianyu's lie clouded her thoughts.
As she sat on a bench near the sect's lotus pond, her eyes absentmindedly followed the ripples on the water's surface. But it wasn't the pond she was thinking of. It was him—Lingxuan. His steady voice, his calm gaze, the way he brushed her tear away so gently…
Her cheeks flushed red at the memory. Why does my heart always race when I think of him? she asked herself.
Just then, a shadow stretched across the water. She blinked and turned her head. Lingxuan stood behind her, his black robe fluttering slightly in the evening breeze. His tall figure seemed almost larger than life, his presence so natural yet commanding.
"You're alone again," he said softly, stepping closer. His tone was calm, but Qingyue could hear the subtle warmth in it.
Her heart skipped a beat. "Lingxuan… I was just resting," she murmured, flustered, her hands gripping the edge of the bench.
He studied her for a moment, then sat beside her. Silence lingered between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The quiet seemed to carry a sense of closeness. After a while, Lingxuan finally spoke.
"You've been training too hard lately," he said. "I can see it in your qi. It's unstable."
Qingyue lowered her head. "I… I just wanted to catch up. Compared to you, compared to the others, I still feel weak."
Lingxuan shook his head slightly. "Strength doesn't come overnight. And your cultivation is already remarkable. But more than that… you've endured much. Your perseverance is worth more than rushing through realms."
Her lips parted slightly. She hadn't expected him to praise her, to see her perseverance rather than her shortcomings. Her chest warmed, and for a brief moment, she thought she might cry again—not from sadness, but from relief.
"Thank you…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Lingxuan glanced at her. He noticed the faint shimmer of tears in her eyes, the way she tried to hide them. For reasons he didn't fully understand himself, he felt the urge to reassure her more, to stay by her side.
"I'll help you," he said suddenly.
She looked at him, wide-eyed. "Help me?"
He nodded. "With your cultivation. From now on, I'll personally guide your training. If you stumble, I'll be there to steady you. You won't have to carry the weight alone."
Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart pounded wildly, each word sinking deeper into her soul. She could barely believe what she was hearing.
"You… you would do that for me?" she asked softly.
His expression was calm, but there was a rare gentleness in his eyes. "Of course. You're part of the sect. And…" He paused, as if searching for the right words. "…you're important to me."
Her face turned crimson. She quickly lowered her gaze, afraid he would notice the storm of emotions in her eyes. Important to him? What does he mean?
The silence between them stretched again, but this time it was filled with warmth. Qingyue fiddled with the sleeve of her robe, her mind racing.
Lingxuan, however, leaned back slightly, gazing at the pond. For him, the words had slipped out naturally, but now he felt a faint stir in his chest. He remembered what Tianyu had asked him days ago—whether he liked Qingyue. He had answered half-heartedly then, but now… seeing her vulnerability, her strength, her sincerity… he wondered if his heart was already leaning toward her more than he had admitted.
Breaking the silence, Qingyue finally gathered the courage to speak. "Lingxuan… thank you. I… I misunderstood you before, and I hurt you by ignoring you. I won't let that happen again."
He turned to her, his black eyes calm but piercing. "I told you before—it doesn't matter. What matters is what you believe now. Do you trust me?"
Her lips trembled. She nodded firmly. "Yes. I trust you."
A faint smile tugged at his lips, rare and fleeting, but enough to make her breath hitch. That smile, subtle as it was, made him even more striking. Her heart melted completely.
From the shadows of the nearby training hall, Tianyu watched the scene unfold. His chest tightened. He had always known Lingxuan had a way with people, but seeing Qingyue's entire world revolve around him now made the guilt of his lie cut even deeper.
If only I hadn't spoken that day… she wouldn't have cried. She wouldn't have misunderstood him. I nearly ruined everything.
But at the same time, a small part of him felt relief. Perhaps Lingxuan's kindness toward Qingyue would mend what was broken, and she would finally find happiness.
Back at the pond, Qingyue shifted slightly closer to Lingxuan. She didn't even realize it until her shoulder almost brushed his sleeve. Flustered, she quickly leaned back, but Lingxuan noticed.
"You don't need to be so formal with me," he said, his tone softer now.
Her cheeks grew hot again. She clasped her hands together tightly in her lap. How can he say that so easily? Does he not know what he's doing to me?
She wanted to answer, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she sat there in silence, her heart fluttering like a bird trapped in her chest.
Finally, Lingxuan stood. "It's getting late. You should rest."
She nodded reluctantly, not wanting the moment to end. But before he walked away, he added, "Tomorrow, meet me at the training hall at sunrise. I'll begin guiding your cultivation."
Her eyes widened. She nodded again, this time with more determination. "Yes!"
As he left, she placed her hand over her chest, feeling her heart racing. She whispered softly to herself, "Why… why does it feel like I'm falling for him more and more?"
The moonlight reflected off the pond, and for the first time in days, Qingyue felt genuinely happy. Lingxuan's attention, his words, his promise—it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
And though she didn't dare say it out loud, she knew the truth. She was already falling in love with Mo Lingxuan.
The first rays of dawn spread across the Azure Cloud Sect, painting the mountains in soft shades of gold and crimson. Mist curled lazily around the peaks, drifting through pine trees that whispered in the morning breeze. The sect grounds were unusually quiet—most disciples still slept, exhausted from their training the night before.
But Su Qingyue was already awake, her heart pounding with anticipation. She stood before her mirror, adjusting her robes for the third time, her hands fidgeting nervously. No matter how much she tried to calm herself, her thoughts kept circling back to the same truth: today, Lingxuan would personally guide her cultivation.
Her cheeks flushed just at the thought. She had never trained alone with him before. Just imagining his steady gaze focused entirely on her was enough to make her chest tighten.
Calm down, Qingyue, she scolded herself. He's your senior brother, not… not… She shook her head furiously, pushing away the thought.
After a deep breath, she walked out of her courtyard and made her way toward the training grounds.
Lingxuan was already there when she arrived. He stood at the edge of the hall, bathed in morning light, his black robe flowing lightly with the breeze. His posture was relaxed yet powerful, like a sword resting in its sheath, calm but sharp.
"You're early," he said without turning. His voice was steady, calm, as if he had known the exact moment she would arrive.
"I… I didn't want to be late," Qingyue replied quickly, bowing slightly to hide her flustered expression.
"Good. Discipline is the first step in cultivation," Lingxuan said, finally turning to face her. His gaze was sharp, but there was no judgment in it—only focus.
He gestured for her to follow him to the center of the training platform. The stone floor was engraved with old runes, glowing faintly with spiritual energy. The faint hum of qi reverberated in the air, filling the hall with an aura of power.
"Today, we'll start with stabilizing your qi flow," Lingxuan began. "You've been cultivating diligently, but your foundation is unbalanced. If you push forward without correcting it, your meridians will suffer."
Qingyue swallowed and nodded. She had known her qi was unstable, but hearing him confirm it made her both nervous and relieved. At least now, with his guidance, she could fix it.
"Sit," he instructed.
She obeyed, crossing her legs in the center of the platform. The runes beneath her pulsed softly as she settled into position.
Lingxuan crouched beside her, his presence so close that Qingyue could feel the faint warmth radiating from him. Her heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to steady her breathing.
"Close your eyes," he said. "Empty your mind. Let your thoughts drift like clouds."
His voice was calm, commanding yet soothing. Qingyue obeyed, slowly drawing her focus inward.
"Now, draw in your spiritual energy," Lingxuan continued. "Not too much—just enough to let it circulate through your dantian."
She inhaled softly, pulling in strands of spiritual qi from the air. The energy entered her body but quickly wavered, chaotic and unsteady. Her brows furrowed as she struggled to control it.
"Relax," Lingxuan said firmly. "Don't force it. Guide it gently, like water flowing through a stream."
Her breathing steadied, and slowly, the qi smoothed, flowing in a faint circuit. But just as she began to find balance, it faltered again, scattering through her meridians. Qingyue gasped, her body trembling slightly.
Lingxuan extended his hand. "Give me your palm."
Her eyes snapped open, startled. "M-My palm?"
"Yes," he said simply, holding out his hand. "I'll guide your flow directly. Trust me."
Her heart raced wildly, but she nodded, placing her delicate hand into his. His palm was warm, his grip firm but not overpowering. The instant their hands touched, she felt a surge of spiritual power flow into her, steady and controlled.
Lingxuan's qi entered her body like a guiding river, gently stabilizing her scattered energy. His control was flawless—precise, unyielding, yet never harsh.
"Follow my rhythm," he said, his voice low.
Qingyue closed her eyes again, synchronizing her breathing with his. Slowly, her qi began to align with his guidance, forming a smooth circuit around her dantian. The chaotic storm within her body quieted, transforming into a steady flow.
Her lips parted slightly as relief washed over her. She could feel it—her meridians no longer strained, her core no longer unstable. For the first time in weeks, her foundation felt solid.
"You see?" Lingxuan said softly. "You were forcing it before. Qi must be guided, not chained. When you rush, you damage yourself. But when you move with patience, the path opens naturally."
His words sank deep into her heart. She nodded slowly, still focusing on the smooth flow of energy.
Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the sound of their synchronized breathing. For Qingyue, it felt as if time itself had slowed. Every moment with him, every word he spoke, etched itself into her soul.
Finally, Lingxuan withdrew his hand. The sudden absence of his warmth made her heart ache, but she opened her eyes slowly, meeting his gaze.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
She hesitated, then smiled softly. "Better. Much better. It's… steady now. I can feel the difference."
"Good," Lingxuan said, standing. "That's the first step. We'll continue this every morning until your foundation is completely stable."
Her chest warmed at his words. "Every morning…?" she asked, almost shyly.
"Yes," he replied simply. "Consistency is key. And…" He paused, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "…I promised I would help you, didn't I?"
Her cheeks turned red instantly, and she quickly lowered her gaze. "Mn… thank you, Lingxuan."
From afar, Tianyu peeked from behind the training hall pillars, his stomach twisting. Seeing them so close—Lingxuan guiding Qingyue by hand—made him realize how far apart he was from both of them. He clenched his fists, guilt and jealousy warring in his chest.
But Qingyue noticed nothing of Tianyu's distant figure. At that moment, her world contained only Lingxuan—the warmth of his hand, the steadiness of his guidance, and the comfort of his presence.
And as the sun rose higher over the mountains, Qingyue knew one thing for certain: with Lingxuan by her side, her path forward no longer felt so frightening.
Night had fallen. The Azure Cloud Sect was wrapped in silence, broken only by the distant chirping of insects and the soft rustle of the evening breeze. The moonlight spilled gently across the courtyards, casting long shadows from the swaying trees. Most disciples were already asleep, Tianyun among them.
But in a quiet guest room, Su Qingyue lay awake. She rested on the wooden bed, her eyes wide open as she stared at the ceiling, unable to find peace. The blanket covering her had been tugged and loosened several times as she shifted restlessly.
"Why… can't I sleep?" she whispered inwardly.
Every time she closed her eyes, Lingxuan's face appeared before her—his deep gaze, his calm yet steady voice, the way he had guided her earlier that day. She recalled how he stood by her side, how his hand had gently corrected her stance, his presence so close that it felt as if the world itself revolved around him.
Her cheeks flushed. She quickly pressed her palms over her face, as though to block the memory, but it only grew sharper, clearer.
"Am I… truly in love with him?"
She rolled to the side, eyes falling on the half-open window. The moonlight poured in, illuminating her snow-white hair like strands of silver silk. Her heart raced, caught between shame and a fragile, growing courage.
"If I confess… what will he say? Would he reject me? Or… maybe—"
She stopped mid-thought, her entire body warming as though her blood had turned to fire. Her lips pressed together, hiding a trembling smile she couldn't suppress.
Su Qingyue sat up, hugging her knees close to her chest. Her chin rested atop them as her eyes lifted toward the glowing moon.
"No… I can't keep running from this. I have to know his answer. I can't just keep guessing. Tomorrow… I'll say it. I'll tell him that I… like him."
Her resolve steadied, and though her heart still pounded violently, she finally lay down again. Her breathing slowed, her eyelids grew heavy. Sleep came at last—uneasy, tinged with dreams—but a faint smile lingered on her lips.
And in her heart, only one name echoed again and again—Lingxuan.