Chapter 378: Chapter 378

Ren felt warmth bloom in her cheeks, but she didn’t pull away from the affection showered upon her.

One by one, family, friends, and fellow trainees stepped forward, their faces alight with genuine congratulations — some offering hearty claps on the back, while others bowed in deep respect. Even Chatty, nursing his bruises from a recent duel with Otako, managed a triumphant grin. "Now you’re ahead of me. I demand a rematch!"

Ren laughed, warmth flooding her heart. "Only if you bring the Enfield this time!"

Ling Li raised her cup, her expression unreadable, yet her eyes shimmering with affection. "To breakthroughs earned, not given," she declared, a toast to the resilience of the human spirit.

Everyone joined in, raising their cups high, the clink of ceramic echoing like a joyful melody.

As the meal settled into a comfortable rhythm, the stories began to flow, entwining lives and dreams around the flickering table of flame and shadow, casting a glow that would linger long after the night had faded.

Training Tales Around the Table

Jack leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as he recounted his experience. "The Shah of Wind," he began, "made me chase a delicate feather swirling in the midst of a cyclone. I honestly thought it was an impossible task. But it turned out to be a test of patience, not speed."

Nicu, still flushed from the intensity of his earlier lesson, chimed in, "The Shah of Iron commanded me to hold a stance for three excruciating hours. I cried out in agony. He didn’t even bat an eye. But now, even in stillness, I can feel my qi pulsing within me."

Chatty groaned theatrically, rolling her eyes. "Otako just stared at me for what felt like an eternity — ten agonizing seconds — and I thought I was going to wither away. That counts as training, right?" Laughter bubbled up around the table, a warm respite from their daily grind.

Four Eyes, usually more reserved, finally broke his silence. "When Otako’s aura brushed against mine... it was like a revelation, an electric pulse that shifted something deep inside me. I don’t know what he did, but now my shadows obey my every command."

Ling Li, her expression a blend of pride and understanding, nodded subtly. "He must have forged that connection. It’s what we’ve come to expect from him."

Then, Shun cleared his throat, his demeanor shifting as he shared his tale. "I confronted Otako with flames dancing around me, believing I could overwhelm him. But he caught my fire, effortlessly, with his bare hand."

Ren’s eyes widened in disbelief. "He really did?"

Shun nodded gravely. "And then he told me that I was pursuing power, rather than learning to wield it."

Ling Li smiled, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. "That sounds just like him. He never wastes a word."

The room fell into a contemplative hush, the weight of their experiences settling over them like a thick blanket.

Then Ling Li stood, raising her cup high, her voice resonant with warmth. "To all of you. You’ve confronted your deepest fears, faced the sting of failure, and danced with fire. And yet, here you are. That means you’re ready. The ’Eye’ in Hidden Valley will open soon. What you’ve gained will be tested. But tonight — tonight, you rest."

Everyone exchanged glances, their hearts swelling with a mixture of emotion and camaraderie.

For the first time in weeks, laughter echoed through the room, free from tension, buoyant and genuine.

The Bath and the Needle: Ling Li’s Care

Steam unfurled languidly from the herbal bath, curling in delicate wisps that carried the intoxicating aroma of crushed moonroot and phoenix bark. Four Eyes sat submerged to his shoulders, his skin shimmering with moisture, while his aura pulsed softly against the water’s undulating surface like ripples in a serene pond.

Ling Li stood beside him, her sleeves rolled up, revealing arms that spoke of strength and dexterity. The golden needle glimmered between her fingers, catching the flickering candlelight as if it were a shard of the stars themselves.

"It’s good you’re here," she remarked, her voice a harmonious blend of calm authority and brisk determination. "Allow me to perform acupuncture to amplify the effects of the herbal infusion. Though Shinsei has forged your body, nurturing it properly is still important."

Four Eyes cracked open one eye, allowing a plume of steam to shroud his expression. "I sense my energy surging lately... and it feels almost unbearable, like my very essence is burning."

Ling Li hesitated, her cheeks warming under the soft glow of the candlelight. She touched her nose, suddenly self-conscious. "Ah... that may be on me."

Four Eyes tilted his head, curiosity sparkling in his gaze. "Your fault?"

Clearing her throat, Ling Li gathered her thoughts. "I hadn’t anticipated just how much your body would absorb. The spiritual cuisines, the medicinal infusions, the marrow broth... I may have overdone it on you."

A soft chuckle escaped Four Eyes’ lips, the sound smooth like rippling water. "So it’s from being too healthy that I’m overheating?"

Ling Li shot him a warning look, her demeanor sharpening. "Don’t let that go to your head. Your meridians remain unbalanced. Sit still."

Kneeling beside the bath, her fingers moved with the grace of a skilled artist as she positioned the glinting needle toward his shoulder. The golden point whispered against his skin before piercing it with a gentle caress of qi. A sudden wave of coolness surged through his chest, as if the excess heat had found a hidden path to escape.

Ling Li placed the second needle deftly at the base of his neck, then the third — just above his sternum. Each insertion awakened different layers of his internal system, redirecting the tempest of excess energy, harmonizing its flow, and reinforcing the herbal bath’s spiritual absorption.

Four Eyes exhaled slowly, feeling his aura settle like a stone sinking through still waters. The fiery heat receded - a little.

Ling Li observed him intently, her fingers poised delicately near the fourth needle. "You’re stabilizing more swiftly than I anticipated. That’s a positive sign. But take it easy. Your body is adapting to multiple influences at once — Shinsei’s forging, Otako’s imprint, and my medicinal crafting."

He nodded, eyes drifting shut once more. "I trust you."