Hundred Sects Tournament · Golden Core · Eve of the Finals (1)

On Spirit Sword Peak.

Today's matches had already ended. In the quiet room reserved for the injured, Zhou Wan reclined in a lounge chair padded with thick, soft cushions. After her junior brothers and sisters had carefully treated her, her injuries had stabilized, her spiritual power flowed without obstruction, and she had basically regained the ability to move.

It was just that her current appearance was rather helpless—pale moon-white silk had been loosely wound around her from shoulder to knee several times, its end carefully tied into a knot, securely "fixing" her into the chair.

Calming runes were painted upon the plain silk, helping to clear stray thoughts and soothe the mind. The runes gave off an exceedingly faint glow that brightened and dimmed gently with her breathing.

The culprit stood guard beside the chair. After feeding her the medicine spoonful by spoonful, his face was still drawn tight, and his gaze seemed glued to Zhou Wan, never leaving her side for even a step.

"Rest!" Wen Jian's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unarguable stubbornness. Pointing the empty bowl at Zhou Wan, he said, "Fourth Senior Sister, what you need most right now is quiet recuperation. You must rest more! No moving around, and no overtaxing your mind!"

Zhou Wan sighed helplessly and tried to move her wrapped arm, only to earn an even more disapproving glare from her junior brother. Just as the two reached a slight stalemate, there came a soft knock upon the quiet room's door.

"Excuse the intrusion."

The door opened, and Ling Anxin entered. Behind her followed a lean male disciple of the Primordial Unity Sect.

The man possessed a somewhat delicate pallor, with narrow eyes and a calm yet sharp gaze. He stood quietly half a step behind Ling Anxin's side,