Twenty-Eight Frames

And while she massaged him, she could use a Spell Art to help. At the very least, it would make him more comfortable.

Pei Ling's hair was black, smooth, soft, and warm—nothing like his seemingly gentle but cold and unyielding nature. Her fingers looked especially pale in the dim light, almost stark against his dark hair.

Qiao Ranran's gaze was gentle, her expression focused. Without silver needles to help her, she had to concentrate harder, making the work more taxing. But it was a new kind of training for her, too: a rare chance to practice both her control of Spiritual Power and her use of Spell Arts.

Her junior brother made an excellent practice subject today, too!

When Wei Huai emerged from meditation, he saw the two of them together across from him.

The young woman's expression was gentle as she studied the crown of the young man's head. A closer look revealed fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

The young man, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them the instant Wei Huai looked over. His gaze was dark and deep, holding something far beyond his years.

Wei Huai smiled and cupped his hands. "I'm Wei Huai, a disciple of the Cloudflower Sect. Thank you both for saving my life. May I ask your names? I'll be sure to repay this kindness."

Pei Ling raised a finger and gave it a slight wag. Wei Huai fell silent at once. They did not know what was happening outside; this was hardly the time to talk. He had been too eager. He had even entered meditation under these circumstances, trusting these two more than he had realized. The young woman's presence in particular, with its mellow medicinal fragrance, was so pure and inviting that he had found himself choosing to trust her.

He focused his senses, but whether the outside world had gone quiet or Pei Ling's Formation was simply that powerful, he could detect nothing. Before they had come in, the Demon Beast's oppressive aura had been almost upon them. Now there was not the slightest sign of it. Something was wrong.

After a while, Qiao Ranran stopped. Pei Ling had wanted her to continue, but when he saw how pale her face had become, his pupils trembled. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Qiao Ranran swallowed an Essence-Recovery Pill and sat down right beside Pei Ling. Her Spiritual Power was exhausted, making this the perfect time to cultivate. Whatever Pei Ling thought of it had nothing to do with her.

Pei Ling had been about to say something, but when Qiao Ranran began cultivating without a word, his expression became quite a sight.

Wei Huai glanced between them. As if he had discovered something fascinating, he suddenly laughed.

Pei Ling shot him a hostile look.

Wei Huai suddenly remembered his Communication Jade Token and took it out. The situation had been so urgent before that he had not had a chance to retrieve it. Later, he had lacked the strength to draw it from his storage bag.

Now that he had remembered it, he worried even more about the fellow disciples who had accompanied him. He had fought the Demon Beast alone to buy them precious time to escape, but Returnless Valley was fraught with danger. As their senior brother, he could not help worrying. His Communication Jade Token held no messages. He did not know whether they were still in danger or the Formation was blocking communications.

Just as he was fretting, the jade token in his hand lit up.

"Master!" He was a grown man, yet his voice caught for an instant when he called out. He did not even notice.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm all right! Someone saved me. I'm hiding somewhere safe."

"Stay there."

"Yes!"

His master had said little, but Wei Huai understood perfectly. His master had to be nearby. His master had come to save him!

When someone usually so composed burst into joy, the sight was almost too much to watch.

Perhaps it was his brush with death, but Wei Huai did not notice the slight change in his own temperament. Or perhaps Qiao Ranran had provoked it. He had long been used to playing the steady senior brother; only today had he discovered that a strange young woman could leave him speechless.

Even more astonishing was the young woman's skill in medicine. After emerging from meditation, Wei Huai had noticed that although his Spiritual Power still met considerable resistance, he was recovering much faster than he had expected.

Oh, and there was the strikingly handsome young man with delicate features and an unfriendly expression. He was staring at Wei Huai now, and his words were anything but polite. "Keep looking. Do you want to keep your eyes?"

Author's note: Pei Ling: Why do I keep getting the feeling Qiao Ranran throws me aside as soon as she's done with me?

Author: Don't worry. It's not your imagination.

Chapter 28: Twenty-Eight Frames

Wei Huai had not expected Pei Ling to turn vicious so suddenly. It took him a moment to realize the young man was threatening him because he had looked at Qiao Ranran a little too long.

Wei Huai immediately looked away and apologized sincerely. "I was rude."

Pei Ling gave a derisive snort and ignored him. What infuriated him was Qiao Ranran's habit of slipping into meditation wherever she pleased, without a care in the world. She had indeed found an easy way to absorb the Blood Jade Nectar, but to start cultivating at any time, in any place? She was far too careless!

Qiao Ranran had no idea Pei Ling was seriously considering how to deal with her. By now, she had mastered the process of shaving a tiny sliver from the Blood Jade Nectar, grinding it down on her Spiritual Platform, then sending it into her meridians to absorb slowly. When she opened her eyes, light flickered through them for an instant—then scattered as Pei Ling startled her from close range.

It was not that she was timid. Pei Ling was simply too close. So close that she could see the Abyss hidden in his dark eyes, as though it might swallow her the next moment.

"Wh-what is it?" Why had he suddenly leaned in so close? And why was he looking at her like that? Qiao Ranran edged back a little, trying to put some distance between them, but the stone wall was right behind her. She had nowhere to go. "..."

"I'm considering how many steps it would take to crush you."

Qiao Ranran: "..." There was no need to think so seriously about that. "Did I do something wrong? Why would Junior Brother Pei have such a remarkable idea?"

Pei Ling's gaze swept over Qiao Ranran's uneasy face, then jerked away as though he had been burned. He retreated into the darkness.

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