Threads 224-Family 4

They parted ways with the Bai delegation as usual following the closing of the day’s matches.

This evening, she and Cai Renxiang were going to attend another gathering of the Duchess. This time, Gan Guangli would be allowed to attend. She thought that boded well for him.

For now, she was free, and she found her way back to the crafting competition where she had promised to meet Li Suyin.

She found the girl sitting in the back rows with Su Ling and surprisingly, Bao Qingling. More surprisingly, it was Su Ling and Bao Qingling who were in conversation.

“So you’re saying this is something that’s actually been studied? Like I can have a place to start?” Su Ling asked as she approached.

“I said it is a subject which has been proposed. Even with the current climate, any public studies have been stamped out,” Bao Qingling replied. The usually tense girl seemed relaxed, at least for her, which was roughly normal behavior for anyone else. “I would suggest you keep any such project to yourself.”

“Ugh, fine,” Su Ling grumbled. Her ears twitched, and she noticed Ling Qi. “Done schmoozing already?”

“You’re never done schmoozing,” Ling Qi said primly. “You’ll learn that soon enough.”

Su Ling huffed irritably, Bao Qingling snorted, and Li Suyin covered her mouth with her hand. Ling Qi took up a seat on the other side of Su Ling.

“Oh, Suyin, your eye!” Ling Qi exclaimed before swiftly lowering her voice. “When…?”

Her friend turned to face her, smiling. For the first time in over a year, she met Ling Qi’s gaze with both of her eyes. There was still some faint scarring around the one which had been ruined, but save for a slight metallic gleam in the iris, it looked wholly natural.

“Just before the tournament,” Li Suyin said happily.

“You were ready a month ago. You were just dithering,” Bao Qingling said bluntly, crossing her arms.

Li Suyin looked sheepish. “Maybe.”

“I’m just happy you were able to do it,” Ling Qi said. It felt good to see one of her friends overcome an obstacle that had hurt them for so long. “So, what were we talking about?”

“Was looking into some self-surgery methods,” Su Ling said. “Been feeling an itch lately.” She glanced down at the twin brown tails wrapped awkwardly around her waist.

Ling Qi took a moment to realize what she was talking about. Su Ling must have felt she was going to grow another tail soon.

“Removing spirit blood is a controversial subject, which I was advising this junior sister of,” Bao Qingling drawled.

Li Suyin looked troubled. “I don’t think it’s necessary, Su Ling. You’ve carved out your own path already, haven’t you?”

“Letting the accidents of birth hold you back is wrong. We are cultivators. Cut away what you do not want or need,” Bao Qingling said with a shrug.

“You’ve already made it your own, haven’t you?” Ling Qi looked over at Su Ling. “We couldn’t have gotten where we needed to go without your divination.”

Su Ling grimaced, baring sharp teeth. “I can relearn that the proper way. Got the tools, just need the arts, and the Sect has some pyromancy arts in the archives.”

Ling Qi nodded. It didn’t quite sit right with her. She knew Su Ling was never really happy with herself, but she thought the other girl had found some equilibrium. It bothered her that she’d been inattentive.

“Well, I think that stealing your enemies’ tools is a better form of spite,” Ling Qi said after a moment. “They’re yours now, no one else’s.”

“Not a terrible sentiment,” Bao Qingling said. Her eyes were fixed on the testing chamber being set up ahead.

Today would begin the presentation of the examinees’ final projects with the second half finishing tomorrow. It was a change from last year. Apparently, more disciples had made it through the preliminary exams this year.

Or maybe more disciples were avoiding the combat tourney.

“I don’t know your situation, junior sister,” Bao Qingling continued. Her oddly relaxed demeanor continued to perturb Ling Qi. “Do whatever you do for yourself first. Anyone else should come second or third. That is what cultivation is.”

Ling Qi chuckled. “Not quite how I’d put it.”

Li Suyin smiled, reaching over to pat Su Ling on the hand. “You know my sentiments, but you have my support. And my scalpels.”

Su Ling snorted, and Li Suyin’s smile turned impish. Ling Qi covered her mouth to muffle a laugh.

“Right. Thanks for the image, Suyin,” Su Ling drawled.

“You’re welcome,” Li Suyin said primly.

Some of the tension that had formed in the air dissolved away.

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Ling Qi blew out a breath of air, watching a disciple present a talisman shield inlaid with an intricate mosaic of jade. “If you don’t mind me asking, what are your plans for the coming year? Mine are pretty well set at this point.”

Li Suyin considered the question.”I think I will be pursuing an apprenticeship under Elder Su. She has indicated that I might have the potential. So I will be working hard in the Sect’s medicine department.”

“Proud of you.” Su Ling nudged the shorter girl’s shoulder with her own.

Li Suyin gave a small smile. “I’d still like to work on that project we spoke of though, Ling Qi. Making something so complex would be a great show of my abilities.”

Ling Qi nodded. The recipe for a fourth realm breakthrough elixir was one of the treasures she’d acquired on her trip. She’d already spoken of it with Suyin before.

Bao Qingling glanced at them in mild interest.