Days turned into weeks, and both Chi and Yu had grown steadily under Lianhua's guidance. Though their pills rarely rose above Mortal Grade, each one carried its own unique character — Chi's always calm and stable, Yu's fierce and vibrant like fire barely contained.
By the final day of their alchemy training, the courtyard was filled with the faint, pleasant scent of herbs and refined Qi. Lianhua stood before them, her hands gracefully folded behind her back, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
"Chi, Yu…" she began, her tone warm but dignified. "You've both done remarkably well. You've managed to perfect the most important elixirs for your level, and in just half a month at that."
Both boys straightened, a mix of pride and exhaustion on their faces.
Lianhua chuckled softly, her silken hair catching the light. "It's the last day that I'll be your teacher, so…" — she leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming — "tell me, is there anything you wish for? Anything at all. Consider it a reward."
Her words hung in the air like a tempting spell. Chi blinked in surprise, Yu's eyes instantly lighting up with curiosity.
"Wait—anything?" Yu asked, already thinking a mile a minute.
Lianhua smirked. "Within reason," she said smoothly. "I'm still your elder, not a wishing star."
Yu's eyes sparkled almost immediately. "Then I want…" he paused dramatically, pretending to think hard, "…a pill that lets me sleep through morning training!"
Chi nearly choked on air. "That's your big wish?"
"Hey!" Yu shot back, puffing his cheeks. "You don't know how terrifying uncle is at six in the morning! I swear the sun itself hides in fear when he yells!"
Lianhua blinked once, then burst out laughing, covering her lips gracefully. "Ah, I see… So the mighty Yu, breaker of cauldrons and destroyer of herbs, is defeated by early mornings?"
Yu crossed his arms, muttering, "It's called self-preservation."
Chi shook his head with a grin. "Then, if he's wasting his wish, I'll make mine count." He looked up, his eyes steady and thoughtful. "I want to learn one of your personal alchemy techniques. Not something from the manuals—something you actually use."
"Huh…" Lianhua sighed, crossing her arms. "Now both of you… your wishes are above your level. So tell me something reasonable."
Chi blinked in surprise. "So it's not impossible?" he thought to himself, still amazed by what this world was capable of.
Yu, on the other hand, tilted his head, deep in thought. "Hmm… let's see…"
He tapped his chin with his finger, brows furrowed, clearly taking the request way too seriously. After a long moment of silence, his expression brightened.
"Aha! I got it!" he said, raising his hand dramatically. "I want something that makes me chocolates—whenever I want!"
He said it with complete seriousness, eyes shining with conviction.
For a second, both Chi and Lianhua froze… and then burst into laughter so loud the entire courtyard echoed.
"Pfft—To think that's what you'd come up with after all that training!" Chi managed to say between laughs, holding his stomach.
Lianhua wiped a tear from the corner of her eye "Yu, you never fail to surprise me. I was expecting something, not a sweet tooth."
Yu crossed his arms proudly. "Hey, chocolates are important for cultivation! They restore my mental health"
The laughter continued, warm and genuine, carrying through the evening air like the last spark of sunset.
"Alright, my sweet children, that's enough," Lianhua said with a graceful, motherly smile. "Chi, stop laughing—and Yu, is that really what you want?"
Yu nodded with complete seriousness. "Of course. Unlimited chocolate means unlimited happiness."
Chi wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Huh… what do we do with you?" He crossed his arms, pretending to think deeply. "Enough! I'll decide for both of us."
Lianhua raised a brow, amused. "Oh? And what might that be, my little decision-maker?"
Chi smirked. "Let's see… for Yu, it'll be—"
He paused dramatically, tapping his chin. Yu leaned forward, curious.
"—a magical storage ring that only produces chocolates! But!" Chi grinned wider. "They come out one at a time, and only when he finishes training for the day!"
"Hey! That's cheating!" Yu protested.
Lianhua chuckled softly. "Oh my, that actually sounds quite reasonable. Motivation and reward, all in one."
Chi puffed out his chest proudly. "See? I'm helping him improve and get his chocolates."
Yu pouted but couldn't hold back a small laugh. "Fine, fine… but only if the chocolates taste divine."
"Deal," Lianhua said with a smile that glimmered in her eyes. "Then consider it granted."
"And for me…" Chi paused dramatically, grinning from ear to ear. "Fried chicken. Whenever I want!"
Yu's cheeks puffed out as he pouted. "No fair! His should also be after he finishes his training!"
Lianhua crossed her arms, nodding sagely. "That's right, Chi. Don't forget—everything comes with a price."
"Fine, fine!" Chi surrendered with a laugh, raising his hands in defeat. "But only if the fried chicken tastes divine!" he said, mimicking Yu's earlier tone.
Yu pointed at him, grinning. "Copycat."
Chi just shrugged proudly. "If it works, it works."
Lianhua smiled warmly, unable to hold back her laughter. "You two really are hopeless. Alright then—granted. But remember, both rewards come after hard work."
The night settled in, the children sleeping soundly while the gate outside their parents' house was firmly closed.
Yuanhai shook his head slightly, a mix of awe and worry in his eyes. "They're only eleven… and already in 11th grade. It's… incredible how fast they've grown."
"They've really grown so much… and Lian, she'll grow up in the blink of an eye too, won't she?" Haoran's voice trembled slightly, tears glimmering in his eyes.
"It's alright," Yuanhai replied gently, placing a reassuring hand on Haoran's shoulder. "Children grow fast, but the important thing is that they have guidance"
With a gentle reassurance, Yuanhai's hand rested on Haoran's back as they quietly descended the stairs. The soft creak of the wooden steps barely broke the night's stillness. Outside, the gate stood closed, guarding the house in calm silence.
"They really are growing up fast," Haoran murmured, his gaze lingering toward the children's rooms. "It feels like just yesterday they were toddlers, and now… they're already in 11th grade."
"Time moves quickly, but they're ready," Yuanhai replied calmly, his hand still steady on Haoran's back. "And we'll be here to guide them, no matter how fast they grow."
Together, they reached the main floor, the quiet hum of the house around them. For a moment, fatherly pride and concern mingled, filling the space with unspoken love and the weight of responsibility.
In his room, Chi stirred awake, his eyes snapping open. A sudden thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"Why am I acting like a child? Mentally… I'm 24 years old. Why… why do I feel like this?"
He sat up, running a hand through his hair, frustration and confusion battling with the lingering sleepiness. Around him, the soft glow from Liora and Buddy's resting forms cast gentle shadows across the room, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.
Chi sighed, leaning back against his pillow. Despite the body of an 11-year-old, his mind retained the sharpness, the memories. Yet every interaction, every movement, seemed filtered through this childlike vessel.
"I need to get used to this… why do I feel like a child?"
A faint rustle from Liora, shifting slightly in her sleep, reminded him that some things—like the bond he shared with everyone"
Chi's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then a slow smile spread across his face.
"Huh… I forgot… you can feel emotions too," he murmured softly, the realization warming him in a way words couldn't fully capture.
Liora stirred slightly, her tiny head tilting toward him as if acknowledging his thought, a faint glow pulsing from her mane. The connection between them, intangible yet undeniable, made Chi pause. Even in a body that seemed too young for his mind, this bond reminded him that some things—trust, understanding, affection—were beyond age or form.
He chuckled quietly to himself, a spark of fondness lighting his eyes.
Morning arrived, painting the sky with soft hues of gold and pink. Both Chi and Yu stirred awake, their sleep restful and deep. Soon enough, they found themselves gathering in the backyard, a morning habit that had become second nature.
"Good, you're here," Haoran greeted them, his face lit with a bright, encouraging smile. "Today's training will be… interesting."
Chi exchanged a quick glance with Yu, a mix of anticipation and excitement sparkling in his eyes.
Haoran chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Patience, both of you. Today, we're going to refine not just your cultivation, but your understanding of Qi itself. You'll see how far your bodies and minds can truly go when fully attuned."
Liora and Buddy stirred nearby, their tiny forms glowing faintly, sensing the excitement in the air. Chi reached down to gently touch Liora's mane, feeling a reassuring warmth pulse through her.
With that, the day's training began, the morning air alive with possibilities.
"Now," Haoran exclaimed, his usual bright smile widening, "each of you will fight against your bond."
The four froze.
Chi and Yu blinked in unison, eyes darting to Liora and Buddy, who were looking up at them innocently, tails flicking and ears tilted in curiosity.
"…Wait," Chi stammered, pointing at Liora, "…you mean them?"
Yu's jaw dropped, his hand instinctively reaching toward Buddy. "You mean I have to fight my own beast?!"
Haoran's grin remained unchanged, almost mischievous. "Exactly. It's not just a test of strength—it's a test of understanding. You can't fight with or..." With a big pause "truly understand your bond unless you know it"
Chi exhaled slowly, a mixture of dread and excitement filling him. "Well… this is going to be interesting," he muttered, glancing at Liora.
Yu, still wide-eyed, tightened his fists. "Interesting… or terrifying. I'm not sure yet"
Haoran clapped his hands once, sharp and commanding. "Then let's begin."
The morning air seemed to hold its breath, the backyard suddenly charged with an invisible tensionlocked.