The vortex spun faster, the wind shrieking as it twisted wildly inside the oval. It was technically still contained, but just barely. Leaves shot into the air like they had somewhere better to be. Master Tian Mo's poor chair was dragged three steps forward across the ground. Even the tree nearby was leaning, as if wondering if it should uproot itself and flee.
Linyue blinked at the growing mess. Her hair slapped across her face. Her robes flapped violently, one sleeve flying up so high as if it were trying to perform a solo. And the worst part? She had absolutely no idea how to stop it.
The array crackled louder, a deep growl rumbling. Linyue stayed still, her face calm as always. But inside her head, "Ah. So this is how I die. Death by overachieving breeze array."
The ground trembled faintly. Nearby, a few unlucky stones skidded across the dirt and got pulled straight into the vortex. Then—
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Hurried footsteps echoed across the training ground.
Master Tian Mo came running, his hair already wild from the wind even before he reached the training ground. "What happened here?" he shouted over the noise.
He Yuying followed a step behind, squinting at the chaos. "Is that… a storm?"
Shen Zhenyu arrived next. He took one quick look, then grabbed Linyue's wrist and pulled her a few steps back. "Are you okay?"
Linyue met his worried gaze and answered flatly, "Physically, yes. Mentally… not really."
Master Tian Mo folded his arms, clearly more amused than concerned. "So, what is it this time?"
Linyue pointed at the raging vortex and confessed. "I was trying to use a breeze array."
He Yuying stared at her. "If this is a breeze, what does a storm look like?"
Linyue's lips pressed into a small pout. "It's not supposed to be like this."
"Clearly," He Yuying muttered, ducking as a leaf spun past his head with suspicious speed.
Shen Zhenyu kept his grip on her wrist like she might be the next thing the wind decided to collect. He asked gently, "How do we stop it?"
Linyue glanced at the furious vortex, her voice just a little too unsure. "Umm… I think it'll stop when the spiritual energy runs out. I didn't use that much. It should stop… soon. Maybe."
Right on cue, a branch finally gave up and flew into the array, it vanished with a loud ZAP. A puff of offended smoke hung in the air where it had been. The four of them stood in total silence, watching as the furious array made one last effort to strip a nearby tree of all its leaves.
Finally, the wind began to slow. The crackling lightning faded away. The air settled, leaving behind a ground full of cracks, scattered debris, and one random shoe in the corner. It wasn't Linyue's. No one asked where it came from.
Master Tian Mo let out a long sigh and broke the silence. "Follow me."
Linyue didn't argue. She could already sense her doom approaching.
He Yuying stepped back without hesitation. "Good luck," he said, his tone as flat as his expression.
Shen Zhenyu placed a hand on her shoulder in quiet support. It felt suspiciously like he was sending her off to battle. Maybe she was.
Linyue followed Master Tian Mo to his residence, each step heavier than the last. When they arrived, he gestured to the chair across from him without a word. She sat down immediately. To buy herself time, she poured tea for him with flawless form. Not a single drop spilled. Then she poured some for herself and sat very straight, very proper.
Master Tian Mo took a slow sip of his tea. "So," he said calmly, "about that breeze…"
Linyue folded her hands neatly in her lap. "It was a very motivated breeze."
Master Tian Mo chuckled as he took another sip of tea. "I'm not trying to scold you. I already heard about it. You're not a fire cultivator. I noticed something strange about your spiritual energy the first time I met you. But I didn't ask, and I didn't blame you either. I just thought your fire was… unique. That's why I decided to take you in. Though I didn't know you already had a master."
Linyue lifted her teacup and replied seriously, "There's no rule saying I can only have one master. And I'm grateful that you took me in, Master."
Master Tian Mo let out a deep laugh, amused and slightly exasperated. "You've changed a lot since you came back from Shulin. Before, I never saw you smile this much, or talk this much… or even appear on the training grounds voluntarily. Did something happen in Shulin? Or is it because of that shameless brat?"
Linyue's lips curved into a small smile, her eyes softening. "A lot of things happened. I realized I have people who are precious to me. People I want to protect." She paused for a moment, then added honestly, "And yes… he's also one of the reasons."
Master Tian Mo nodded, clearly pleased. "Good. At least now you have a purpose. Is that why you summoned that storm?"
Linyue sighed in quiet defeat and began explaining. She told him about the strange arrays she had found inside her own body, how they reacted to her spiritual energy, how she had carefully tested them, and how she suspected her former master had placed them there. By the end of it, Master Tian Mo's expression had turned thoughtful and serious.
He set his teacup down with a quiet clink. "I've never heard of that kind of array. Most array techniques have been lost for generations. And placing arrays inside a body… it's not something just anyone could do. I'll go through my old scrolls and dusty books, see if I can find anything. Maybe even bother that hermit who lives on a mountain and smells like pickles."
Linyue wasn't sure if he was joking or not.
Then he added, "But that breeze array… have you figured out why it didn't work?"
Linyue sighed, her face full of confusion and mild trauma. "I don't understand it either. I tried using a lifting array before… it shattered every stone it touched. Master, do you think it's because of my spiritual energy?"
Master Tian Mo chuckled, that knowing kind of laugh older people use right before saying something deep. "Spiritual energy moves based on your mind," he said. "Think of water. You drink it, you bathe in it, you use it every day. But it can also choke or drown you. And wind… it's all around us, soft and gentle. But if it becomes a storm, like the one you summoned…" he raised an eyebrow, "...it could destroy villages. Or small furniture."
Linyue looked down at her folded hands, silent. She wasn't sure if she should apologize to the training ground. Or the poor tree. Or that chair that had tried so hard to stay in one place.
Master Tian Mo studied her for a moment before his voice softened. "It all depends on your mind and your will."
Linyue sat there quietly, her thoughts spinning. She remembered something her brother said thirteen years ago. He had always been so smart and wise even as a child. To her, he was the perfect brother. The perfect crown prince. The perfect future emperor.
"A sword is not meant to kill but to protect."
And yet… all this time, she had only known how to hurt. Her sword. Her spiritual energy. Every skill she practiced was about attacking. Striking first. Striking hard. Preferably leaving a crater behind. But she had never learned how to protect. Was that why her energy only caused destruction? Maybe her understanding had always been wrong. If spiritual energy followed intent, then hers had never been taught to shield. It only knew how to break.
She looked up at Master Tian Mo, her eyes clear and steady. "You're right, Master. Thank you for your guidance."
Master Tian Mo grunted in approval and nodded. "It's good that you're sharp. If you understand, then go. Just don't destroy anything this time."
Linyue stood, bowed politely, and gave a small smile with a flash of mischief. "I can't promise that." Then—zoom!—she bolted out of the room before Master Tian Mo could spit out his tea in disbelief or start throwing scrolls at her.
Behind her, the old master sighed and shook his head. "…Troublemaker," but the corners of his lips curved up into a smile.