The sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the sprawling courtyards of the Holy Orchid Institute. Most students had finished their training for the day, retreating to the dining halls or their dormitories.
But not Xiao Ning'er.
In a secluded corner of the martial grounds, she trained alone — her spear slicing through the air in fluid, brutal arcs. Each movement was practiced, precise. Yet behind the polished technique was a quiet, simmering fury.
Again, she told herself. Faster.
Sweat rolled down her forehead. Her soul force surged and twisted — but the injuries hidden beneath her robes burned with every motion.
Her family had demanded she cultivate a forbidden technique, the Sacrificial Blood Technique, to rapidly increase her strength for the sake of the Winged Dragon Family's prestige.The cost was her own body, corroded slowly from the inside.
She gritted her teeth, willing herself to continue. If she faltered, she would become nothing more than a tool to be married off for alliances.
I won't be caged, she thought.
Yet her body faltered.
Her legs buckled slightly — and before she hit the ground, a hand caught her elbow.
Xiao Ning'er whipped around, spear raised defensively — only to lower it a moment later when she saw who it was.
Ling Tian.
He didn't speak. He simply met her eyes with that same steady, unshakable calm that unnerved even the arrogant nobles.
"You're overexerting yourself," he said, voice low.
"I don't need your concern," she snapped, pulling her arm free.
He didn't take offense. He just crouched, picking up the spear she had dropped. Examining it thoughtfully.
"You're damaging your spiritual meridians," he said after a pause. "I can see it in the way your energy fluctuates."
Xiao Ning'er stiffened. No one else noticed… not even my instructors.
"How do you know that?" she demanded.
He smiled faintly. "Because I've seen it happen before."
That wasn't exactly a lie. In his past life, he had read about her suffering. He knew she was walking a path toward slow self-destruction — unless someone intervened.
He twirled the spear once, then held it out to her.
"You're strong, Ning'er. But if you continue this way, you'll cripple yourself before you reach your peak."
The use of her name — not "Miss Xiao" — caught her off guard.
No one ever spoke to her like that. Without fear. Without hidden motives.
She hesitated… then took the spear back from him.
"What do you suggest?" she asked quietly.
Ling Tian's smile widened slightly."I'll show you a better way. A real cultivation technique — one that strengthens without sacrifice."
She searched his face for deception — but found only a steady, grounded certainty.
For the first time in a long while, Xiao Ning'er felt the weight on her shoulders lighten, just a little.
"…Very well," she said finally, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear."But if you're lying—"
"I don't lie to people I respect," he said simply.
And with that, he turned, motioning for her to follow.
As she trailed him into the deeper training fields, a strange warmth bloomed quietly in Xiao Ning'er's heart.
Maybe, she thought, fate sent you to me for a reason.