The spirit energy erupting from Ling Yu surged like a tsunami crashing against the shore—wild, relentless, obliterating everything in its path before dragging it back into the depths.
If Gu Tianzhu hadn't stepped in to contain the devastation, the entire Qinglan Residence would have been reduced to rubble.
Ling Yu's eyes remained closed. She felt as though a tremendous weight had been lifted—but at a cost.
Her strength gone, her body swayed—legs trembling beneath her like paper pillars.
Shen Qingyu moved quickly to catch her before she collapsed.
"Xiao Shimei, how are you feeling?"
"Like I just gave the biggest burp of my life."
Shen Qingyu chuckled. "In a sense, you kind of did."
She slowly opened her eyes, locking eyes with Shen Qingyu. She saw no judgment there, only acceptance. It filled her with warmth—like drinking hot tea in the dead of winter.
"You okay? Can you stand?" Shen Qingyu was still holding her.
She nodded firmly. Shen Qingyu let go of her and took a step back, still observing and ready in case she wobbled again.
Ling Yu shifted her sight to her surroundings. Her eyes widened in surprise.
Jianxin Courtyard was no more. Splinters, rubble, debris everywhere. The buildings were reduced to wreckage. The veranda pillars—gone. Stone paths—shattered and scattered. It looked like a tornado had just passed through.
Gu Tianzhu stood nearby, completely unscathed. His eyes were clear as daylight. Ling Yu saw no judgment, only warmth—and the faintest hint of amusement, like someone watching their puppy sneeze on a scroll.
"See? I told you I'd be fine," Gu Tianzhu said with a smile, unbothered by the destruction around him.
Ling Yu exhaled in relief. She hadn't hurt anybody this time.
"But, the courtyard—"
"Don't worry. Captain Bai will understand."
"Now," Gu Tianzhu continued, "how are you feeling?"
Ling Yu glanced at the wreckage again. A tiny pang twisted in her chest. She didn't mean to. She never did. But still…
Ling Yu answered sheepishly, "Better, Shizun. The sour feeling is still there, but it's much better."
Gu Tianzhu nodded. "Good. Ling Yu, you don't have to change who you are. Be yourself."
"However," he added with a smile and a wink, "next time you're feeling sour, please make sure you don't destroy the Sect."
"Xiao Wu apologizes, Shizun," Ling Yu said, offering a salute.
Gu Tianzhu shook his head. "No need. There's nothing wrong. And Ziyu is protected with a very strong barrier—you won't be able to break it. Not like this."
Then his tone turned serious. "But from now on, you need to learn how to control your spirit energy a bit better."
Ling Yu nodded and smiled. "Yes, Shizun!"
Gu Tianzhu chuckled lightly. "Now go to Shengzun. Let him know that you're okay. He's worried about you."
Hearing Xuan Tian being mentioned, Ling Yu's mood turned bad again.
She looked down. "I hurt him. And now he probably thinks I'm dangerous. That I'd really do something like that to him."
Gu Tianzhu sighed silently. "He's not angry at you. He's worried. Even if he is angry, you still need to go and apologize. We all know you didn't mean it, but it doesn't change the fact that you did hurt him. We need to own up to our mistakes and strive not to repeat them."
Ling Yu knew Gu Tianzhu was right, but she was still reluctant to go.
She looked at Gu Tianzhu, then at Shen Qingyu, who just smiled encouragingly and gave a little nod.
She sighed, defeated. "Okay. I'll go."
------------------------------
The doctors were having a difficult time stopping Xuan Tian from going to Jianxin Courtyard when it blew up.
"General, you can't go. You're still injured," Zhao Zhi tried to reason with him.
"General, you said Gu Tianzhu needed to learn," Xu Yun reminded him.
"General, Ling Yu probably doesn't want to see you right now. Don't make it harder for her," Lin Qian coaxed.
Xuan Tian sat on his bed, his breathing still hard and ragged, his face pale, his chest aching. Yet he looked at the trio of doctors with amusement in his eyes.
"I know I'm still injured. I can feel it," he said to Zhao Zhi.
"I did say Gu Tianzhu needed to learn. But I didn't expect he'd let her destroy the courtyard," he said to Xu Yun.
"I don't care if she doesn't want to see me. I just want to make sure she's okay," he said to Lin Qian.
"But, General—" the trio started.
"I'm okay."
All four heads turned to the door.
Ling Yu was standing outside the room, peeking in. She looked unsure.
Lin Qian invited her in, "Ling Yu! Quickly, come in! Why are you standing there like that?"
Ling Yu was still unsure, her gaze darting to Xuan Tian—fleeting and hesitant. She was still afraid of what he might think of her.
The trio glanced at each other, then at Xuan Tian.
The man wasn't looking at them. He was staring at Ling Yu.
The trio nodded simultaneously and slipped out of the room.
"Doctors, don't…" Ling Yu tried to stop them, but it was useless.
She remained outside the room, leaning against the doorframe, looking everywhere but at Xuan Tian.
"How long are you planning to stay there?" Xuan Tian's rasped voice called out.
Ling Yu didn't look at him, didn't know how to answer.
Xuan Tian sighed slowly.
"Little—cough—cough—cough," he started, but a fit of harsh coughing stopped him. He struggled to breathe.
Ling Yu immediately entered the room, poured him some water, and handed him the cup.
When his hands wouldn't stop shaking, she gently helped him drink.
"Careful. Slowly," she murmured, attending to him.
Xuan Tian gestured that he'd had enough.
Ling Yu set the cup on the table and grabbed a towel, dabbing gently at his mouth.
When the coughing finally subsided, the room fell into awkward silence once more.
"Ling Yu," Xuan Tian whispered, "look at me."
"I can barely talk without coughing. So help me."
Ling Yu looked at him. Fear flickered in her eyes.
Xuan Tian exhaled slowly. "I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself—for overestimating myself."
He paused. "Are you okay? Why were you in such a bad mood? Did something happen at home?"
Ling Yu stared at him, eyes wide in disbelief. "You're not mad at me? Really?"
Xuan Tian shook his head, his gaze never leaving hers.
"But I hurt you."
"You didn't mean to. And I should've known better."
"You were already injured, and I made it worse."
"I won't die. I'm not that easy to kill."
They looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Now, you're going to tell me why you—"
"Because I had to leave."
Xuan Tian's expression showed he didn't understand.
Ling Yu sighed. "I grew up as an only child. I had lots of friends, but I never had a friend."
"Okay," Xuan Tian replied, still not quite making the connection.
"This is the first time I've ventured out alone for this long. I usually return home after three or four days of wandering."
"And then… I ended up meeting you. All of you. Made me feel like I was part of a big, happy family. I've always wanted that. A big family."
Her expression turned somber. The pout returned. "Now I have to leave you all."
Xuan Tian blinked. That's it?
He blinked again. "That's it?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why? You think that's funny?"
Xuan Tian quickly shook his head. "No, not at all."
Silence fell again, but this time, it wasn't awkward.
"You're going to study cultivation under Gu Zhenren. He has four disciples. And Ziyu Sect is one of the biggest immortal sects to date. You'll get your big happy family," Xuan Tian said, trying to paint a picture for her.
She looked at him like he was an idiot. "You really are slow, Iron Wall."
Xuan Tian's eyebrow shot up.
She giggled. "What did I expect? I've always known you're slow."
"What I meant was—" She raised a hand before he could interrupt. "I was talking about you. I'll be leaving you. You're the friend. You get it now?"