The bloodstains on the ravine floor began to dry as Lin Chen sheathed his sword. The crimson blade hummed gently with residual qi, and his fingers lingered on the hilt for a moment, savoring the rush of power. His heart beat in slow, measured intervals, the thrill of the battle still pulsing through his veins.
Yu Xueqing stood silently nearby, her saber now sheathed at her side, her eyes fixed on the clearing ahead. Her usual cold composure had softened just a touch, an unspoken recognition of Lin Chen's incredible prowess.
Yet, even as she observed him, a faint sadness lingered in her gaze. It was subtle, but to Lin Chen's trained eye, it was as clear as day.
---
"Are you alright, Senior Sister?" Lin Chen asked, his voice softer than usual. It was rare for him to show concern for others—he had too much on his own plate, too many dangers on the horizon—but for some reason, Yu Xueqing felt different.
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She nodded, her lips tight. "I'm fine. Your sword skills… they're terrifying. I've never seen someone fight like that. Not even the strongest sect leaders I know. You're… beyond anyone I've encountered before."
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Lin Chen chuckled, his usual cocky grin returning. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Senior Sister. I'm just getting started."
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But Yu Xueqing didn't smile back. She continued to stare at him, her thoughts hidden behind the wall of stoic indifference she had built around herself.
The silence stretched, thick and heavy, until she finally spoke again.
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"You're not like the others, are you?" Her words were almost a whisper, like she wasn't sure if she was asking him or telling herself.
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Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "In what way?"
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"In every way," she replied, her eyes narrowing as if she were still trying to decipher the enigma that was Lin Chen. "You've seen so much more than any disciple here. You fight with the power of a master, not some naïve junior. You speak with the confidence of someone who has walked through hell and come out unscathed." She paused, her gaze softening ever so slightly. "It's like you're not even from this time."
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Lin Chen's grin faltered for a split second, but it was enough for Yu Xueqing to catch it. Her sharp eyes didn't miss a thing.
---
"Perhaps you're right," Lin Chen said softly, his tone turning reflective. "I've been through things you can't imagine. And yes, I've seen things… things that would break lesser men. But that's the price you pay when you want power. When you want to reclaim what's yours."
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Her expression tightened, though not in anger. More like sorrow, as though she understood too well what he meant.
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"You don't have to do it alone," she said, her voice laced with quiet sympathy. "You have allies. People who believe in you."
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Lin Chen's eyes flickered toward her, noticing the underlying meaning in her words. For a brief moment, something vulnerable crossed her face before it was quickly hidden.
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"I know," Lin Chen said, his voice low, but resolute. "And that's why I'm not stopping. But there's still so much to be done. Much more to achieve before I can claim what's mine again."
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Yu Xueqing remained silent for a long moment, contemplating his words. The weight of the past few days, of the ambush, and now this unspoken connection between them—it all felt like too much for just one person to handle.
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Finally, she broke the silence. "I need to show you something."
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Lin Chen looked at her, intrigued. "What is it?"
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She nodded, taking a step toward a cluster of trees just beyond the ravine. "Follow me. It's a place I found during my travels. Not many know about it—though, it could help you recover your strength after the battle. And it might be just what we need to heal your injuries."
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Lin Chen's curiosity piqued. He followed her without hesitation, his gaze never leaving her figure as she moved gracefully through the dense underbrush.
---
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The journey wasn't long, just a few minutes' walk through the thickening forest, until they arrived at a secluded, mist-filled glade. In the center, a small healing spring bubbled gently from beneath the rocks, the water sparkling with an ethereal glow. The air was thick with a sweet fragrance, the scent of herbs and minerals, the kind that made Lin Chen's senses tingle.
---
Yu Xueqing stepped forward, dipping her hand into the clear water. "This spring... has healing properties. It's not ordinary water—it's infused with spiritual essence. Perfect for restoring both physical and spiritual wounds. It'll help you recover after the battle and prepare for whatever's next."
---
Lin Chen approached cautiously, the hum of his qi still buzzing within his body from the previous fight. His skin felt tight, the wear of battle pulling at his muscles.
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"This is extraordinary," he muttered under his breath, feeling the spiritual energy in the water before it even touched him. He knelt down, dipping his fingers into the spring. Immediately, a wave of refreshing coolness washed over him, as if the water itself had absorbed the very essence of the land.
---
Yu Xueqing watched him, her expression unreadable. "It's not just for the body," she said softly. "It also nurtures the spirit. That's why it's hidden. If anyone else discovered it, they'd likely exploit it for their own gain. But I trust you, Junior Brother. You're different. You don't act like the rest of the disciples."
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Lin Chen looked up at her, his gaze sharp. "Why are you telling me this, Senior Sister?"
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Her expression softened, and for the first time, her voice held a note of vulnerability. "Because, I think you'll understand the weight of this place. The burden it carries. And... I think you're someone who could protect it, if needed."
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Lin Chen felt something stir within him—an unexpected surge of warmth. It was rare for someone to speak to him so honestly, without ulterior motives or hidden agendas. And yet, here was this woman, a widow with a tragic past, offering him something precious, something she had kept secret from everyone else.
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"I'll protect it," Lin Chen said quietly, rising to his feet and meeting her eyes. "Just like I'll protect everything that matters. And that includes you."
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Yu Xueqing's breath caught for a brief moment. It was subtle, but Lin Chen noticed it. Something flickered in her eyes, something almost tender.
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"Thank you," she said, the words simple but laden with a weight Lin Chen couldn't entirely grasp. "But you must understand... the path ahead is dangerous. Even with power, even with strength, there's always a price to pay."
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Lin Chen's eyes hardened. "I'll pay whatever it takes."
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She nodded, her lips curling into a faint, almost wistful smile. "Then, take what you need. Rest here, Junior Brother. Let the spring heal you. I'll keep watch."
---
Lin Chen glanced at her one last time before stepping into the cool, crystalline waters of the healing spring. As the liquid surrounded him, his body instantly relaxed, the tension from his muscles melting away.
But even as the healing began, his mind lingered on the unspoken bond between him and Yu Xueqing—something that went beyond the mere alliance forged in the heat of battle. Something deeper, stronger.
---
And so, as the night descended, the two figures stood together in the tranquil glade.
Unspoken promises. Unseen futures. And a past that would always haunt them.
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[End of Chapter 21]