Brief Respite in the Afterglow

The evening breeze swept gently across the sect as the sun set behind the towering peaks, casting the tournament grounds in a soft glow. Xing Wuye walked alongside Mei Ling and Liu Chen, still buzzing with excitement from the day's matches. Mei Ling's expression was serene, though an occasional glance at Wuye showed a spark of something more. Liu Chen, on the other hand, was his usual composed self, offering his wisdom on the tournament's outcome.

"Zhao Jian was quite exceptional, wasn't he?" Liu Chen remarked as they strolled down the stone pathway leading back to the outer disciple area. "His control over the blade is astonishing, almost effortless, yet every move was calculated."

Wuye nodded, recalling the fight with Zhao Jian. He could still feel the weight of that sword energy, the precision in every defensive maneuver. "Yeah, it was like he could see through me. I never stood a chance."

Mei Ling glanced at Wuye, concern in her eyes. "You did well, Senior Apprentice Brother. You made it so far on sheer determination. Your talents are unmatched."

Liu Chen smiled at her supportive tone but caught the subtle undertone. It wasn't lost on him that Mei Ling's words were more than mere encouragement. "Wuye has plenty of potential," Liu Chen added, glancing at Mei Ling knowingly. "He's come a long way already. Another year, and who knows where he'll stand?"

They continued walking, and Mei Ling seemed to fidget, as though she had something on her mind. She gave Wuye a quick glance, then back at the ground, her lips pursed as if she was trying to decide on something.

Liu Chen sensed the moment and, with a subtle grin, decided to give them some space. "I'll leave you two for now. There's something I need to take care of." Without waiting for Wuye's reply, he gave Mei Ling a quick nod and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the two alone.

Wuye, being very dense in terms of men and women, continued walking beside Mei Ling, unaware of the silence stretching between them. Mei Ling stole a quick glance at him again. Her heart raced a little as she tried to summon the courage to speak, her hands clasped together nervously.

"Senior Brother," she started, her voice soft and almost hesitant.

"Hmm?" Wuye turned to her, smiling gently. "What is it?"

Mei Ling stopped walking for a moment, her eyes focused on him, but before she could say anything, Wuye noticed the time. "It's getting late," he said, oblivious to her inner turmoil. "I should head back to see Master Li Zhang. He'll probably want to talk about the tournament."

Mei Ling's shoulders slumped slightly, and her face fell, but she quickly composed herself. She tried to smile, but her lips barely curved upward. "Oh… Yes, you're right. It's late."

Wuye, still oblivious, gave her a casual wave before heading off. "We'll talk more tomorrow. Take care!"

As he walked away, Mei Ling stood in place, watching his retreating figure with a pout. "Honestly… how can Senior Brother be so dense?" she muttered to herself, crossing her arms. "He didn't even notice…"

She huffed and started heading back toward her quarters, muttering about how frustratingly oblivious Xing Wuye was. "I'll just have to try again later…"

Wuye, unaware of Mei Ling's frustration, made his way toward the secluded pavilion where his master, Li Zhang, resided. As he approached, the soft hum of the flowing waterfall nearby greeted him, soothing his mind after the intense events of the day.

"Master," Wuye called out, bowing respectfully as he entered the courtyard. Li Zhang was standing at the edge of the pavilion, gazing out at the distant mountains, his hands clasped behind his back.

Li Zhang turned slightly, acknowledging Wuye with a nod. "You've come."

Wuye stepped forward, a smile on his face. "Master, congratulations on your victory in the tournament. I have no doubt you'll make a name for yourself among the inner sect. Your strength is unmatched!"

Li Zhang chuckled softly, his usual calm and composed demeanor in place. "My victory was not as impressive as you make it sound, Wuye. The competition is always fierce, and there is always someone stronger." He paused, then looked directly at his disciple. "And speaking of strength, you shouldn't take your own loss to heart."

Wuye's face faltered slightly at the mention of his defeat, but Li Zhang quickly continued. "You're still new to the sect. The fact that you made it this far is a testament to your potential. Don't be discouraged."

Wuye looked down, trying to suppress the disappointment still lingering in his chest. "I know, Master. But it's hard not to feel like I've fallen behind. Zhao Jian… he was on a completely different level."

Li Zhang placed a hand on Wuye's shoulder, his gaze firm yet understanding. "Zhao Jian has been cultivating longer than you, and his experience is evident. But you, Xing Wuye, are talented in your own right. You've progressed faster than most would have expected."

He turned and began to pace slowly, his eyes distant as if recalling his own journey through cultivation. "A few more years of practice, and you'll be standing among the strongest in the sect. Your breakthrough to the Upstream stage was already impressive. By the next tournament, or perhaps the one after that, you'll be able to meet me in the inner sect. Once there, we can focus on reaching higher realms together—Qi Condensation, and beyond."

Wuye's spirits lifted slightly at his master's words. "Thank you, Master. I'll work harder. I want to improve as much as I can and make you proud."

Li Zhang smiled. "You're already on the right path. You have a natural understanding of the Dao, and your ability to learn from your battles is impressive. Continue to cultivate diligently, and when the time comes, you'll be ready to reach new heights."

They continued talking for a while longer, discussing the intricacies of their cultivation and their future goals. Li Zhang shared his thoughts on the tournament and the sect's dynamics, offering valuable insight that Wuye soaked up eagerly. Eventually, their conversation wound down, and Wuye bowed deeply to his master before taking his leave.

As Wuye walked back toward his own quaters, his mind was buzzing with thoughts from the day. He reflected on his fights, on Zhao Jian's overwhelming strength, and on his own shortcomings. But there was also a quiet excitement building within him. The path ahead was long, but he had time—time to grow, time to become stronger, and time to reach the level of those who now stood above him.

Before entering his quarters, Wuye glanced up at the stars, twinkling above the sect's towering peaks. His fists clenched, not in frustration, but in determination. He could feel the lessons from the tournament settling into his bones.

"I'll be stronger," he whispered to himself, a small smile playing on his lips. "Next time, I'll be ready."

With that, he stepped inside.