Chapter 13: Insight

Shun Lee stirred awake, his eyelids heavy, and struggled to make sense of his surroundings. With a weak groan, he blinked up at the unfamiliar ceiling, shrouded in dim moonlight filtering through the narrow windows. The room felt cold, sterile, with faint smells of antiseptic lingering in the air. His vision adjusted slowly, and he could make out rows of neatly lined beds around him, each covered with crisp white sheets. It dawned on him that he was in the academy's infirmary, likely brought here after the fight.

A dull ache throbbed throughout his body, and he glanced down to find himself wrapped in bandages. His right arm was immobilized in a cast, stiff and heavy, a reminder of the battle's cost. A sigh escaped his lips—a mix of frustration and regret that weighed heavily on his heart. The fight had left him physically battered, but it was his pride that felt most bruised.

Staring at his bandaged arm, Shun Lee's mind drifted back to the battle, replaying every misstep, every moment of hesitation that had led to his defeat. Why did I hesitate? he thought bitterly. Deep down, he knew. He'd held back, fearing the thought of hurting another person. His fists had wavered at crucial moments, his instincts dulled by his reluctance to fully commit to the fight. In a world where strength ruled, his unwillingness to go all out had been a fatal flaw.

Shun Lee took a shaky breath, feeling a sharp twinge as his chest rose and fell. "It's ironic," he muttered to himself, a hollow chuckle slipping from his cracked lips. "Here I am, in a world where survival depends on strength, and I thought I could get by with just the bare minimum." He stared blankly at the ceiling, the reality of his situation sinking in. "I thought… I could just coast, do the simplest training, and somehow, I'd be fine. But that isn't enough. Not here."

He clenched his uninjured hand, feeling the dull throb of soreness ripple through his fingers. He'd always approached training with the mindset of staying fit, but now he realized that he'd been preparing to survive in a world far harsher than he'd anticipated. It was foolish, he thought, to think that strength alone would be enough if he wasn't willing to fight. Hesitation had cost him, and it nearly cost him everything.

A sense of determination started to flicker within him, simmering beneath the surface. He thought back to Wei Xiaofeng's ruthless, taunting gaze, the way his opponent had relentlessly gone after him without hesitation, without restraint. In the world he'd found himself in, that was the reality—those who hesitated were left behind, outmatched, and defeated.

A part of him still recoiled at the idea of violence, but he couldn't deny it any longer: if he wanted to survive, if he wanted to stand alongside his friends without being a burden, he needed to change. He needed to sharpen himself, not just physically but mentally, honing his instincts so that when the time came, he would not falter.

With a determined sigh, he closed his eyes, the pain receding as his mind sank into reflection.' Experience,' he thought. That's what he lacked. He needed more than just strength; he needed the knowledge and skill to protect himself. And to do that, he had to be willing to embrace the challenges head-on, to learn how to fight without hesitation. He would no longer allow himself to be held back by fear.

As he drifted back into sleep, his thoughts settled on a single promise—a commitment to himself to grow stronger, smarter, more capable. The next time he faced an opponent, he would be ready, his mind and body prepared to face whatever came his way without hesitation.

Shun Lee stirred awake to the sound of hushed voices, his eyes blinking in the morning light as he recognized the familiar figures of Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi standing nearby, locked in what seemed to be a heated discussion. Their voices were low but filled with tension, and it took Shun Lee a moment to catch their attention.

"Hey," he called out, his voice still hoarse from sleep. "What's going on?"

Both of his friends snapped their heads toward him, immediately falling silent. In an almost comical unison, they responded, "Nothing!" Their voices were too quick, too casual, making Shun Lee raise an eyebrow in suspicion. But before he could pry further, Zhang Yanxi held out a small parcel wrapped in cloth.

"We brought you some food," Zhang Yanxi said, a faint smile crossing his lips. The gesture was enough to make Shun Lee's curiosity shift, his stomach rumbling as he took the food eagerly.

"Thanks! I'm starving." Shun Lee didn't waste any time, unwrapping the meal and digging in, wincing only slightly as the motion pulled at his sore muscles. His movements were clumsy, his right arm still wrapped in the cast and bandages. But his hunger won out, and he devoured the food quickly, barely noticing the awkward glances his friends exchanged as he ate.

Between bites, Shun Lee paused and looked at Wang Jinxi. "So… what happened after I passed out?"

A shadow flickered across Wang Jinxi's face, and he hesitated, his usual easygoing expression clouded. He glanced at Zhang Yanxi, who gave a small nod as if encouraging him to go on. Wang Jinxi let out a breath, his gaze turning distant as he recalled the chaotic moments after the battle had ended.

"Well… after you collapsed, Wei Xiaofeng was still standing. He looked like he was about to say something, but then…" Wang Jinxi paused, frowning. "He just dropped. One second he was ready to gloat, and the next, he was sprawled on the ground next to you."

Shun Lee listened intently, his brows furrowing as Wang Jinxi continued. "Everyone was in shock. No one expected him to go down like that, especially not against a beginner." Wang Jinxi's tone held a hint of pride, as if he relished the idea of Wei Xiaofeng's defeat, even if it was only temporary.

Zhang Yanxi interjected, a serious look on his face. "Ye Yinglou was quick to take control. She immediately called for a medic and started calming everyone down. It was chaotic, honestly. People couldn't believe it… Wei Xiaofeng's a Soul Grandmaster, after all." His voice softened slightly, as if he were genuinely impressed. "I don't think anyone expected you to push him that far."

Wang Jinxi tried to lighten the mood, grinning and nudging Shun Lee playfully. "The rumor mill is working overtime, you know. People are already calling you the guy who managed to humble Wei Xiaofeng. Not bad for a first fight!"

Shun Lee rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushing in slight embarrassment as he caught Zhang Yanxi's mildly uncomfortable expression at his less-than-elegant eating style. Noticing his friend's discomfort, Shun Lee paused, chewing slowly. Zhang Yanxi, trying to be polite, cleared his throat. "Do you… need any help eating? It looks a bit difficult with the cast."

A bit flustered, Shun Lee shook his head, forcing a smile. "No, no, I'm good. Just... you know I should probably need to get he hang of it soon."

Zhang Yanxi was about to insist when the door to the infirmary opened, and the school nurse entered, a clipboard in hand. She glanced at the boys with a no-nonsense expression, nodding toward Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi. "You two should get going if you don't want to be late."

Both of them bid Shun Lee a quick farewell before heading out, leaving him alone with the nurse, who approached him, her gaze sharp yet assessing. She checked his arm and injuries with a practiced efficiency, though Shun Lee couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious under her scrutiny.

After a few moments, she gave him a small nod. "You should be able to move your arm normally in about two weeks. For now, take it easy—don't push yourself too hard."

Shun Lee exhaled, the reality of his injuries setting in as the nurse finished her examination. Her words left him with a faint sense of relief, but a newfound determination simmered within him as he mentally prepared himself. This was only the beginning.

The nurse's expression was serious as she went over a list of instructions. "Listen carefully, Shun Lee," she said, making sure he was paying attention. "You need to avoid any strenuous movements with that arm, no sudden jerks or attempts to lift anything heavy. And don't, under any circumstances, try to remove or tamper with the cast." She gave him a pointed look. "If you follow these instructions, you'll heal properly, but one wrong move could set you back weeks."

Shun Lee nodded, a bit sheepishly. "Got it. I'll be careful." He winced slightly as he adjusted himself on the bed, the ache in his arm reminding him not to be too quick.

For the next few days, Shun Lee settled into a slow rhythm of recovery in the infirmary. His body felt heavy, like it was craving rest after the intense depletion of his soul power. The first night, he could barely keep his eyes open, drifting in and out of sleep as his body worked to restore his energy.

Each afternoon, as classes ended, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi came by to visit, their presence a welcome distraction. They'd bring him little bits of news from school, from amusing stories to updates on his classmates. Their visits felt like a lifeline to normalcy.

One afternoon, as Shun Lee picked at a plate of food brought in by the nurse, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi strolled in, their faces brightening when they saw him awake.

"Look at you," Wang Jinxi said with a smirk, "our little hero, lounging around like a prince in his castle. Enjoying the peace?"

Shun Lee chuckled, shifting up in his bed. "It's been quiet, yeah. But it's boring without you two causing trouble around here."

"Trust me, we're causing enough trouble for you back in class," Zhang Yanxi joked, handing Shun Lee a small packet of sweets they'd snuck in. "Thought you might want a little treat. And guess what? We learned about soul beast hierarchies today. You'd have liked that one."

"Oh really?" Shun Lee's eyes lit up with interest as he unwrapped the sweets. "Tell me about it!"

Wang Jinxi leaned against the bed, crossing his arms. "Well, it's pretty intense. Turns out that the higher-ranking soul beasts can command others within their territories—like, they practically rule over entire sections of the forest. Apparently, if you go into a soul beast's territory, you'd better hope it's in a good mood."

Zhang Yanxi nodded. "Our teacher said the aura of these beasts alone can knock weaker soul masters off their feet if they're not careful. Imagine that."

"Not that it matters to Wei Xiaofeng," Wang Jinxi said with a scoff. "Guy walks around like he's some kind of soul beast himself."

Shun Lee raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of Wei Xiaofeng… what's he been up to?"

Zhang Yanxi gave a small, incredulous laugh. "Get this—he showed up two days after our match like nothing happened. Barely a scratch on him."

Shun Lee's eyes widened. "Two days? He was already back? But… I thought I'd at least given him a decent fight." He sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and disappointment.

Wang Jinxi put a hand on his shoulder, his expression supportive. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Shun. You held your own, and everyone saw that. The fact that you're still getting stronger just makes it even better. Besides, people are talking more about your effort than his win. He might not have been hurt, but his pride definitely took a hit."

Zhang Yanxi grinned. "Rumor has it that a few people even said you looked stronger than him, like you had real determination. That's something no soul ring can give you."

Shun Lee managed a faint smile, his spirits lifted by their words. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot." He paused, his gaze drifting as he thought back to the fight. "I just realized… I need more than just strength. I need experience. That's where I messed up."

His friends nodded, both of them understanding the weight of his realization. Zhang Yanxi spoke quietly, "You're not wrong, Shun. Experience is something we're all lacking. But you'll get there. We've got your back."

They fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, each of them lost in their own thoughts. Then, Wang Jinxi gave Shun Lee a nudge. "Anyway, enough of the serious talk. You want to hear about the mess Wei Xiaofeng made in class today?"

Shun Lee perked up, a grin spreading across his face. "Absolutely."

Wang Jinxi launched into an exaggerated recounting of Wei Xiaofeng's mishap, complete with over-the-top impressions that made Shun Lee laugh despite the ache in his ribs.

In the afternoon, Shun Lee felt a bit restless so he promptly decided to take a walk around the campus. Despite the nurse's warnings to be careful, he reasoned that a quiet stroll would be harmless. The campus was peaceful, the afternoon light filtering through the trees and casting soft shadows across the paths. As he walked, he reflected on all the plans he'd held back, his thoughts drifting to the challenges he faced. "If only I had connections," he muttered to himself, a slight chuckle escaping his lips at his own predicament.

Lost in his thoughts, Shun Lee didn't notice the person walking directly toward him until it was too late. They collided softly, his balance wavering as he stumbled backward. Before he could fall, a pair of hands caught him firmly, one arm around his waist, steadying him.

"Thank you, thank you…" Shun Lee began gratefully, his gaze rising to meet the eyes of his savior. He froze when he saw her. Standing before him was Gu Yue, her deep violet eyes fixed intently on his face, studying him with a quiet intensity that made his heart skip a beat. Her gaze was sharp yet gentle, as if she could see straight through him, and for a moment, he felt as though he were sinking into those beautiful eyes.

"What happened?" she asked, her tone calm and curious. Her voice was soft, carrying a weight that made Shun Lee's heart race.

"Oh, uh…" He fumbled for words, heat rising in his cheeks. "We, um… collided. And… you're holding me right now."

Gu Yue's lips curved slightly as she released him, letting her hand linger on his left arm just for a moment. She looked down at his cast, her expression turning thoughtful. "How did you hurt yourself?"

Shun Lee hesitated, feeling the weight of her gaze, her eyes seeming to pull him in, unwavering and deep, as if she were searching for something hidden within him. "Oh, well… I, uh, got hurt… accidentally. Playing around with my classmates," he said vaguely, hoping she wouldn't probe further.

She looked at him for a long, silent moment, her violet eyes narrowing slightly. It was as though she could see through his words, see beyond the story he'd given her. A shiver ran down his spine under her gaze, and for a moment, he wondered if she knew exactly what had happened.

Finally, she released him, giving a small nod. "Be more careful next time," she said, her voice soft yet firm.

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Shun Lee rooted to the spot. He watched her figure fade into the distance, her graceful steps barely making a sound on the path. He couldn't shake the memory of her deep, intense gaze, nor the lingering feeling of her hand on his arm. As she disappeared from sight, he felt a strange mixture of curiosity and awe—Gu Yue had a presence that was both mysterious and captivating, leaving him with a lingering sense of wonder.