Tan Kai hand hovered an inch from the cave entrance—cool stone under his fingertips, lotus petals swirling around his wrist—when a voice boomed from inside. Not loud, but sharp, like it was carved from rock: "Who dares approach my cave? Answer one question first."
Tan Kai and Yara Yu froze. The golden lotus in his palm flickered, warm light brushing his thumb like a nudge. He straightened, hands clasped in a respectful bow, voice steady: "Senior, we're here to seek guidance. Ask, and I'll answer truthfully."
A low laugh rumbled from the dark—playful, but with an edge, like testing a blade. "The world craves immortality. What do you seek?" The voice paused, and the shadows at the cave mouth squirmed, faint glows flickering like watching eyes. "Answer well, and you may enter. Answer poorly… this is where you'll stay."
Tan Kai didn't hesitate. He thought of Mom, trapped in the Soul-Binding Pagoda. Of Linyi, waiting in the temple. Of the villager Tong's men had hurt. "I don't want immortality. I want to learn the way of life and death—to understand it, so I can save the ones I love."
Silence. For three heartbeats, the only sounds were the waterfall outside and the golden lotus's soft hum. Then a sigh drifted out, light as a petal: "Interesting. Fine—come in. But whether you leave… that's up to you."
A rush of warm air hit them, carrying the scent of jasmine and old wood. Glowing runes appeared in the air—twisting, golden, gone in a blink—and the cave entrance seemed to widen, like it was inviting them in. Yara Yu squeezed Tan Kai hand, and together, they stepped into the dark.
Thud.
Behind them, a stone slab crashed down, sealing the entrance. The sound echoed, loud and final, but before Tan Kai could reach for his knife, light bloomed.
It wasn't like sunlight. It was soft, golden, coming from everywhere—from the lotus flowers carved into the cave walls (each petal glowing like it was alive), from the ground (smooth, white stone that looked like polished jade), from the mist curling around their ankles (cool, but not cold, like breathing in clouds). The cave opened up into a huge chamber—bigger than any village hut—with a pool of water in the center, its surface so still it reflected the glowing walls like a mirror. Yara Yu gasped, her eyes wide. "It's like… like a celestial palace."
Tan Kai nodded, staring. At the far end of the chamber, on a stone platform, sat a figure. Master Tai Chu —white hair and beard flowing, dark blue robe trimmed with silver, eyes closed. But what made Tan Kai bite his lip to hold back a laugh: two kids stood beside him, no older than ten, fanning him with large palm leaves.
The boy on the left was squirming, his fan slipping every few seconds—once, he hit Master Tai Chu's shoulder, and the old man didn't even flinch. The girl on the right was trying too hard, fanning so fast her cheeks were pink, her hair falling in her face. They looked less like "Spirit Attendant" and more like village kids who'd been told to do a chore.
Yara Yu elbowed him, her eyes watering with suppressed laughter. Tan Kai coughed, forcing a serious face.
Master Tai Chu's eyes slowly opened—squinting, like he was adjusting to the light. He glanced left at the boy (who froze, fan mid-air), then right at the girl (who slowed down, cheeks even pinker), then finally at Tan Kai and Yara Yu. His lips twitched, like he was fighting a smile, but his voice stayed deep, steady: "So. You're the ones who followed the fox. What do you want?"
Tan Kai and YaraYu dropped to their knees, hands on the stone floor. The golden lotus hovered above them, its light glowing brighter. "Senior Tai Chu," Tan Kai said, his throat tight. "My mother—Li Na—is trapped in the Soul-Binding Pagoda. We beg you to teach me to wield the golden lotus's power. To save her."
Yara Yu nodded, her voice quiet but firm: "And I… I want to find my parents. Kael Yu and Yao Gee. Please. We'll work hard. Whatever you ask."
Master Tai Chu leaned back, steepling his fingers. He didn't look surprised—like he'd known why they were coming all along. He glanced at the golden lotus, then back at Tan Kai. "Taking you as a disciple… that's not impossible. But let me ask you this: do you think two people—one with no magic, one with hidden celestial blood—can stand against the Twin Lotus Gods? Against Tong's dark magic?"
Tan Kai chest felt heavy. But he lifted his head, eyes steady: "I know we're not strong enough now. But if you teach me—if you help us—I'll do anything. I'll train day and night. I won't let you down." He bowed again, forehead touching the stone. "Please. I'll beg you on my knees forever if I have to."
The cave went quiet. The two kids stopped fanning, staring at Tan Kai. Master Tai Chu watched him for a long time—so long, Tan Kai legs started to ache. Then, suddenly, he laughed—loud, warm, the kind of laugh that made the glowing lotuses on the walls flicker.
The boy on the left let out a relieved breath. The girl giggled.
Master Tai Chu waved a hand, and the kids dropped their fans, running off to the pool to skip stones. He leaned forward, his eyes softening. "Forever's a long time. But… your heart's true. That's more than most celestial disciples have." He paused, then nodded. "Fine. I'll teach you. But no slacking. Dawn till dusk. No complaints. And Yara Yu—" he looked at her "—you'll train too. Your celestial blood's not a weakness. It's a weapon. But you have to learn to control it."
Tan Kai heart soared. He looked at Yara Yu—her face bright, tears in her eyes—and then back at Master Tai Chu. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Master Tai Chu grunted, waving a hand like it was no big deal. "Don't thank me yet. Training starts tomorrow. For now… the girl over there can show you to your rooms. And don't touch the pool—those fish bite."
The girl ran back, grinning. "Follow me! Your rooms have soft mats—and there's a shelf of dried mangoes, too!"
Tan Kai and Yara Yu stood up, bowing again. As they followed the girl toward a small tunnel in the cave wall, Tan kai glanced back at Master Tai Chu. The old man was watching them, a small smile on his face, the golden lotus in Tan Kai palm glowing in time with the lotuses on the walls.
For the first time in months, Tan Kai didn't feel lost. He felt like he'd found the path—and this time, he wasn't walking it alone.