After the short break following the first battle, the girls had sparred two more times. Both battles were much more hotly contested than the first, with Chénli's suggestion that the teams be switched around — one ranged attacker for every two defenders — being eagerly accepted.
In the second spar, the combination of Ài, Biyu and Míng had successfully fended off the combination of Chénli, Yue and Chàng, with Dàilán acting as a "random" factor that was constantly trying to take advantage of weak points on both teams. This had resulted in Chénli's team focusing on trying to keep Dàilán out of the way, which allowed Ài's team to beat them from the side.
The third round had been a free-for-all, in which Míng had decisively outlasted everyone else, but Dàilán claimed the most eliminations, including a heated final showdown with Chénli — only for Míng to take out both of them as they grew tired. As everyone had to watch for everyone else, Míng's bunker strategy proved the most powerful.
The time and effort required to break her bunker left attackers open to strikes from everyone else. This was made worse by the fact that her formations could blast someone and leave them ripe for picking by opportunistic attackers.
Míng also moved constantly, keeping herself protected with explosive formations while creating trip holes and sudden bumps in the garden sand. Without at least two people pinning her down while a third attacked directly, she could handle two attackers by herself while the others became trapped in one-on-one fights.
Needless to say, after almost a shí and a half of sparring beneath the hot morning light of the Golden Crow — and being flung about by lightning shocks and physical takedowns — everyone was nursing sore muscles, bruises and scrapes that the medicinal hot-spring baths eased almost immediately.
"Ahh, this is life," sighed Yue Ying blissfully as she sank into the steaming hot bathwater in the Meditation Garden's changing rooms and bathhouse, the mineral scent of the hot spring rising with the steam.
Various moans and sighs of agreement echoed back through the steam-filled room, the seven young women soaking their sore bodies after a morning of sparring.
"Why do we — not have a bath house in our training area, First?"
"We do not have baths because our practice area is just a back corner of one of the fields that we sneak off to when no one is paying attention, Second," replied Míng irritably, splashing water and glaring across at Dàilán, who returned her gaze innocently from the smaller two-person bath attached beside the larger one.
"Why — does — your 'Meditation and Cultivation Garden' — have — a bath house attached to it anyway, Third?"
"If I have a cultivation breakthrough, I need somewhere to wash away impurities, of course," replied the youngest Heiress equably. "Besides, baths are very relaxing for putting one in the proper frame of mind for cultivation, do you not think?"
"And the reason for the incredibly powerful privacy wards?" snorted the eldest cousin as she looked around the bathhouse. "Not that I am complaining, of course."
"Oh, I might have dropped a couple of words within hearing range of Third Elder about peeping male cultivators while he was having the Garden constructed for his daughter's thirteenth birthday," remarked Chénli offhandedly as she leaned her shoulders back against the padded edge of the bath.
Biyu giggled, pointing an accusing finger at her mistress."Yes, that would explain why he suddenly stormed around the House with a black countenance for a full day last year — then posted a Clan mission for the most reputable team of female Guan Formation Masters he could afford in Contribution points during the construction of this place."
Chàng lifted a small wet hand to her mouth."I remember that! Third Elder is usually so calm. All the servants were on edge that day wondering if he was going to order punishments for the staff."
Dàilán blinked in surprise, splashing slightly as she pushed away from the edge of her bath.
"I did not know any of that."
Ài laughed and dunked her head beneath the hot water before resurfacing with slicked-back hair.
"Well, we were all instructed to keep your birthday surprise secret. That is why it sits in such an out-of-the-way corner of the Third House — so you would not stumble across it before it was ready."
The youngest Heiress sighed, then frowned, slapping the surface of the water irritably.
"It seems strange that regular female Clan members are encouraged to have professions, while the nobles prevent their own daughters from the same. Such hypocrisy from the elders."
Míng snorted and sank deeper into the bath, the mineral scent rising with the steam.
"You mean you are surprised at double standards? Female Clan members are supposed to support the clan just like the males. We Heiresses are supposed to be beauties to marry off for alliances. If we are too strong, other Clans may not want us — they fear we might supplant their sons."
She shrugged and pushed herself partly out of the bath, leaning on the stone rim to peer closely at the walls of the bathhouse, bluntly changing the subject.
"Your father's instructions to the Formation team probably explain a lot of what I am seeing here."
The eldest teen touched a finger to the wall beside the bath. A portion of runes lit up with a golden glow along the walls with a faint humming pulse of Essence, and she whistled softly.
"Whatever you do, do not ever invite any young men here in the future, little cousin. I see references to blinding, castration and flaying — all linked specifically to male gender. Any man that comes within an arm's span of this place, or tries to use a technique to look inside, will not survive… or die quickly."
The runes along the wall pulsed faintly as if in agreement. Chénli frowned, studying the glowing patterns with interest. "I thought the formations simply prevented anyone from looking or listening in, not just males?"
Míng nodded, sending small ripples across the bath. "Oh, they do. Women will simply be temporarily blinded and deafened with a warning on their first attempt to access the bathhouse — unless Third or Chénli invite them inside. If they try again, it kills them. So I suppose it is fortunate you came in with us, Third."
Ying shuddered. "Could we perhaps not discuss work for a moment?"
Dàilán paled slightly and rested her arms on the edge between the two baths, studying the glowing patterns uneasily. "I truly did not know any of that. I would hate to hurt someone by accident."
Chénli shook her head. "You would not have. I would have warned you. Your father told me about the invitation restrictions for female friends — although he never mentioned anything about it being a male death trap."
Dàilán rolled her eyes. "Father can be rather silly sometimes."
Chénli sank into the water, one leg stretching upward lazily, a sly smile appearing on her face, "I do not know about that. It can be useful if you know how to guide it."
Her mistress snorted and stuck her tongue out.
"Please. I know you are sweet on Father. I am quite sure that sometimes he looks at you as though he sees Mother again. I have told you before to go for it, Chén'er. It has been five years. Mother would be upset to see him lock himself away like this. Age means little once cultivation reaches his level. Honestly, he looks younger than he did ten years ago."
Chénli's cheeks glowed, though she attempted to sound matter-of-fact as she straightened again.
"Third Elder is in True Sky — ageing begins to reverse around that point," she replied quietly, "and there is no way I remind him of your mother… she is… was… a legend."
"Speaking of cultivation, Third," Míng interrupted suddenly, "seriously — what in the Nine Hells?"
Dàilán blinked water from her eyes, pushing her hair back as the teasing atmosphere shifted.
"Sorry — I do not follow?"
Ying rolled her eyes. "Oh, I follow perfectly well. You are supposed to be True Earth, but some of the things you did today looked Peak Earth, if not Sky. You should re-test."
"A recent development," Dàilán replied irritably, waving away the suggestion. "Some slight improvements lately from a few things I read in that book I gave you, First. I have not had an advancement or a tribulation."
She scowled. "The last thing I need is the Clan deciding I am some sort of cultivation genius. Sky at fourteen? Second Uncle would throw a fit and try to marry me off again as a threat to his precious degenerate heir."
Ying looked fascinated. "I need to examine that book more closely. But you should still test privately, Third. A hidden tile up one's sleeve can be very useful."
"I have been telling her that all week," grumbled Chénli. "But does she listen?"
Dàilán glared playfully at her oldest cousin. "Speak for yourself, Dagger. There is no way you only rate a Low Apprentice Master with the formations you ran today."
Míng flushed. "My formation skill may have advanced beyond my official rank, but my cultivation has not kept pace. I am only Low Earth — and that limits me, as you saw today."
She sighed. "On top of that, it is not easy for me to visit the Formation Association unnoticed for assessment. Grandmother says I could pass the True Apprentice assessment, but I have never been able to reach the Association for testing."
"What does the Matriarch have to do with you becoming a Formation Master?" asked Dàilán curiously.
"Grandmother is the Guan Formation Master," Ying interjected. "Most of the formations the Clan sells pass through her oversight." Her stomach rumbled loudly and she blushed. "As lovely as this bath and gossip are… I am starving. Let us leave. I want lunch."
A chorus of agreement followed.
Ying climbed out first, the others leaving the bath in her wake. They dried themselves, applied cool medicinal salves to bruises and scrapes, and changed into the fresh clothing waiting for them.
---
The seven girls soon sat around a round table laden with the remains of a small but luxurious banquet, the aroma of spiced meat and steamed vegetables lingering in the air.
Although the maids had prepared everyone's portions beforehand, Dàilán had insisted they eat together with the three Heiresses. Míng and Ying seemed faintly scandalised by the breach of etiquette, but given they had sparred, bathed and talked together all morning, neither objected.
For nearly half a shí, the room was filled with the quiet sounds of satisfied eating and the clink of porcelain against lacquered wood.
"I must commend your entourage," said Ying approvingly, her eyes shining as she glanced around the elegant room and the excellent service provided by the maids. "Your point at breakfast about the quality of staff is well demonstrated."
Míng frowned sourly while eating efficiently.
"Unfortunately our parents control our entourages. A bunch of useless parasites the lot of them. Chàng and Biyu could defeat all of them without opening their eyes — to say nothing of Ài and Chénli."
She glanced at Dàilán. "I envy you."
Chénli nodded thoughtfully, "I had wondered why you both visited without your entourages. I take it some of them report on you?"
Ying nodded. "Which means we cannot do this often. Today is special. Our entourages were commandeered by our mothers — visiting other Clans to capitalise on yesterday's success."
She smiled wryly. "With Clan Gi involved, the women's quarters have essentially taken control of Guan diplomacy. They even dragged the male heirs along. I suspect they fear their daughters gaining precedence over their sons."
Dàilán shuddered slightly. "I pity any girl saddled with either of those two. They are exactly what they appear to be, I trust?"
Míng snorted. "Yes. A pair of spoiled brats with little talent beyond wine and chasing skirts."
Chénli laughed. "Are you sure? Until the beginning of this week we thought the same of both of you — except it was court fashion and boys."
Ying giggled, then sobered, "Unfortunately they have everything they could want already. Why would they bother concealing anything?"
Míng nodded sadly. "Dragon and her people have looked carefully. There is nothing to find. Nothing but useless and cruel."
She glanced around the room. "Our suites are nothing like this. We have only a bedroom with a bathing room, toilet and small study."
"These are the Heir suites," Dàilán admitted. "Normally they would be given to the male heir, but…"
"And the formations here are very unusual," Míng said thoughtfully. "Privacy, defence, communication… they are unorthodox, but extremely well designed — and still almost perfect despite not being maintained recently."
"I believe they were installed and maintained by my mother until her… passing," said Dàilán quietly.
"The mistress' mother was a member of my Sect," Chénli interjected firmly. "Some information is not to be discussed."
Míng paused and inclined her head respectfully.
"I will not inquire further. But you may wish to invite a Formation Master from your Sect to inspect the arrays. It is nothing serious — simply normal wear."
Chénli bowed.
"I thank the Master for her advice and her discretion."
She glanced toward Ài.
"It seems we have finished eating?"
Dàilán looked around the table at the empty plates and satisfied faces. "It seems so."
Ài immediately rose to her feet, Biyu and Chàng following. "We three will leave you to discuss business. Please leave the cleanup to us."
Ying stood and bowed politely. "Please convey my admiration to the House staff for an exceptional meal."
Míng echoed the bow.
Dàilán and Chénli rose as well. "Please pass along my thanks to the Head Matron," said the youngest Heiress warmly.
Ài bowed again.
"Of course, Mistress."
The four young women then crossed the receiving room, with Dàilán leading the way toward her study.