Nan Clan
Nan Xunran lay quietly in bed, his lips slightly pale.
A few silky strands of hair lay scattered across his pillow, adding to his handsome appearance.
Everyone gathered around the bed, concern on their faces.
Nan Xiao's face was full of anxiety as he looked urgently at Nan Yushan beside him. "Thirteenth Ancestor, what exactly happened to Ran'er?" he asked, his voice strained.
He had carefully examined Ran'er's entire body but had found nothing amiss.
Nan Yushan frowned slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said slowly, "It's nothing serious. The power he received was too vast, and his body couldn't adapt to it all at once. He needs a good rest."
Hearing this, everyone felt the stone hanging over their hearts finally fall, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Then Nan Yushan raised a hand, signaling for everyone to leave. "Everyone, go out and let him rest," he said gently.
With that, he was the first to walk out of the inner hall.
Half a day later
Nan Xunran slowly opened his eyes, then coughed softly twice. "Cough, cough..."
The faint sound reached the ears of everyone who had been waiting outside the door.
They swiftly pushed open the doors and hurried inside.
Nan Xunran was sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, his waterfall of hair draped loosely over his shoulders.
He frowned slightly, his brows drawing together.
He first raised a hand and rubbed the spot between his brows, seemingly trying to ease that trace of discomfort, then slowly swept his gaze over everyone standing dumbstruck in the doorway.
They stood there in a daze, gazing at the sight as though a spell had frozen them in place.
They had never seen Nan Xunran look so fragile.
Nan Xiao had just left the council hall and was hurrying toward Nan Xunran's residence.
As he approached, he saw at a glance that the doors to the inner hall were half open.
He quickened his pace. "Ran'er, you're awake!"
At the sound of his voice, Shangguan Xieyue was the first to snap out of her daze. "A-Xun!" she cried excitedly.
The others immediately called out as well, "Master!"
Nan Xunran's brows knitted tightly. "Quiet," he said in a low voice.
He felt that his senses had more than doubled in sensitivity, and their voices were magnified endlessly in his ears, like peals of thunder.
At his words, the chattering stopped at once.
Just then, a woman in pale purple robes suddenly slipped inside, her movements light and entirely soundless.
She went straight to Nan Xunran's side and gently cradled his face in both hands, examining him carefully. Then she released him just before he could frown and move away.
Her expression turned grave. "Just as I thought. The spiritual power in Xiao-Ran's body is running wild. We must find a way to suppress it."
She walked toward the exit as she spoke. "Let's talk outside. Our voices are too loud for Xiao-Ran right now."
Everyone exchanged glances, then silently filed out behind her. The inner hall fell quiet once more.
Outside the hall
Nan Xiao cupped his hands and bowed slightly. "Ninth Ancestor," he said solemnly.
Nan Qingyuan stood across from him, her expression calm. She merely nodded.
Nan Qingyuan was the Nan Clan's Ninth Ancestor.
Among the Nan Clan's many ancestors, she was one of the exceedingly few who had chosen not to enter seclusion.
Nan Qingyuan said slowly, "I wasn't there when you were discussing matters earlier, but since you've returned, that means Thirteen has found a way."
Then she looked at Nan Xiao. "Go find Thirteen and tell him to hurry."
Nan Xiao nodded decisively in agreement.
Nan Qingyuan then turned and headed toward the inner hall. "I'll help Xiao-Ran suppress the spiritual power in his body for now."
She turned back to the others, her tone stern. "None of you are to come in."
Pei Zimo and the others hurriedly nodded.
Inner hall
Nan Xunran rested quietly against the side of the bed, his eyes half closed.
Nan Qingyuan walked gracefully over and called softly, "Xiao-Ran."
Nan Xunran gave no response.
Nan Qingyuan paid it no mind. She gently helped Nan Xunran sit up and pressed her jade-like hand against his back.
Then a gentle current of spiritual power slowly flowed from her palm into Nan Xunran.
Nan Xunran frowned slightly, and Nan Qingyuan quickly said, "Don't move."
At the same time, she placed her other hand lightly on Nan Xunran's shoulder and gently kneaded it, her gaze fixed on his expression the whole time.
A moment later.
Nan Xunran slowly got up and carefully checked how he felt, finding that everything was normal.
He turned and bowed to Nan Qingyuan. "Thank you, Ninth Ancestor."
Nan Qingyuan smiled faintly. "This is only temporary," she said softly.
Then a hint of reproach appeared on her face. "You! You had us worried sick."
"Sorry," Nan Xunran said softly.
Nan Qingyuan gently pressed him back onto the bed, her hand brushing naturally over him. "Are you still uncomfortable?" she asked softly.
Nan Xunran shook his head and answered calmly, "I'm fine now."
"That's good," Nan Qingyuan said softly.
She laid a hand on Nan Xunran's hair and gently ran it down the strands, slowly smoothing them.
Then she deftly gathered his hair and gently tied it with a ribbon, her movements flowing like clouds and water.
Nan Xunran's face was as calm as still water. He sat quietly, feeling her every movement.