Qianlin was wrapped in some of Lan Jueâs oversized clothing, making here appear like an undersized mannequin. A bashful pink tinted her cheeks. Luckily, Lan Jue had brought some spare clothes in his interdimensional pocket, otherwise he really would not have known what to do.
Lan Jue sat beside her, and the two of them remained in silence, ruminating over the bizarre circumstance they found themselves in.
Lan Jue muttered, âWe have no idea what caused this. But at least I can try and explain what I know â what do you think?â
âAlright.â Qianlin nodded her head. Indeed these strange events had caused things to grow uncomfortable between them. Whether Lan Jue or Qianlin, both suddenly felt as though they were a piece of the other. Thankfully, however, they were unable to read the contents of the othersâ innermost thoughts â otherwise, it would be a truly terrifying situation they found themselves in.
âMy Discipline appears to be blocked by a special seal,â he explained. âI can only call on about a third of my total strength. About ninth level first rank. From what I can tell, the block has something to do with you because it vanishes whenever we have any physical contact. Then my power is back to normal. It seems like your powers arenât effected when we come in to contact, at least in terms of strength. Instead, you seem capable of using my own Discipline when we touch. Follow?â
Lan Jue continued. âWhen we, uhâŠâ he paused, and shot her a glance. Her face was already flushed. âWhen we show intimacy, our bodies meld together. I guess more specifically, your body melts in to mine. This increases my Discipline immediately and intensely. It was only for a second, but it felt like I was at the peak of ninth rank. So from what I can see, we canât call what happened here an entirely bad circumstance. At least not for you, right?â
Qianlinâs eyes shot up and fixed him with her eyes. âHow is this not a bad thing for me?â
Lan Jue blinked in surprise, while Qianlinâs face reddened further.
Lan Jue was a smart man, and after a moment he realized her meaning. There were side-effects here, not least of which being their need to be effectionate to unlock their powers. Even if they wanted to, sheâd simply melt away in to his core. Aside from the very expensive cost of always replacing clothing, this had a slew of problems.
âI-I wasnât finished. I mean, of course there are problems. Any time thereâs any sort of deep contact our bodies join. So, th-thereâs that. Right, and your clothes vanish. But it seems like metal and power gems are exceptions.â Heâd spied the Spirit caller gem around her neck, and the pelagic pearl on her finger earlier.
Zhou Qianlin didnât utter a word. She stared off in to the distance, resolutely ignoring him.
Lan Jue offered a half-hearted laugh. âI have no idea what to do about this either. But I promise Iâll figure out a plan, and Iâll ask around about it. This whole thing was strange. That Bess being a Paragon â and an unknown one! Plus, why did she do this? What was her motivation? What did she even do to us? Iâll back to the Avenue, and Iâll ask the Paragons there. Maybe theyâll know something. What do you think?â
She only shook her head. Her mind was a mess, and her heart fluttered with a flood of emotions. Everything was too strange, too sudden. She was entirely lost.
Lan Jue spoke on, helplessly. âI guess weâll try this first. Itâs already late, anyway. Iâll send you home.â
They rose to their feet, then stopped and stared at one another.
Lan Jue took the initiative, stepping forward. âNow that weâre here, we donât have a choice but to deal with it. Now that you can use my powers, Iâll teach you the methods I use to control it. That way, so long as weâre together itâd be like having two of me.â
âMh.â She acquiesced once again.
She was shy, he could see it in her face. He took up her hand. âWe start now.â
The moment they touched he could feel it. His core opened up, unrestrained, and flooded him with energy. Qianlin felt light as they rose to the air under Lan Jueâs power
âFix your attention on your core. Slowly coax the power free. If you immerse your will in it, youâll turn in to a bolt of lightning. Now thereâs no rush, take your time. Thunderbolt powers are fierce, so you mustnât rush. It may reverse and harm you.â
As they soared through the air, Lan Jue carefully instructed her on control of his Discipline. Free of the forest, Lan Jue used his communicator to quickly pin-point their location. Luckily they werenât far from Qianlinâs home.
They quickly and quietly made their way to the peak of the mountain. Along the way, Qianlin had had the opportunity to experience becoming lightning several times. By the time they arrived in her room through the electrical socket, she was more than a little surprised to find she was a little less shy with Lan Jueâs presence here.
Lan Jue spoke softly to her. âChange your clothes, then weâll leave and come home the obvious way so we donât arouse suspicion.â
âAlright. Turn around.â Sheâd only just gotten her emotions under control, and immediately her face flushed red.
Lan Jue entered the bathroom and closed the door.
Zhou Qianlin wasnât alone. Even Lan Jue needed some time to process this very strange turn of events. What the hell was going on?! On the whole it wasnât so bad, it just forced a very close relationship between him and Qianlin. Of course, she enjoyed the sweeter end of their bargain. While they were together, she immediately became one of a very few number of Adepts at the higher echelons. Although she couldnât use the powers too effectively now, she was definitely strong enough to do it. And at this level, even the smallest missteps have reactions.
âAlright.â Before long, Qianlinâs voice gently called at him from the other room.
Lan Jue exited the bathroom, then brought Qianlin through the electrical sockets and to the front door. He bid her farewell with a wave. He wanted to get back to the Avenue quickly so that he could consult the Keeper and Wine Master. Hopefully they had some idea of what was happening.
Zhou Qianlin watched him go with her eyes, and only once he disappeared from sight did she go back inside. She composed herself, since she was hot from so quickly changing clothes, then called out to her family that she was home. She went to her room.
She lay on her bed, those beautiful shining eyes staring at the ceiling.
There was something she hadnât told Lan Jue, and that was what Bess had told her.
âGranny Bess, you-â Zhou Qianlin froze under the old womanâs grasp. When did this kindly old woman become so frightening!
Bess ogled the pearl on the younger womanâs finger. âThatâs a finer means of defense there. Of course it wonât protect you from me. Donât fret, puppet. Iâm only here to help you.â
âHelp me?â Qianlin couldnât help but reiterate the assertion, skeptical.
Bess explained patiently. âYouâve gotten very strong recently. Unless Iâm mistaken, you possess the very rare Silkworm Discipline. Am I right?â
Qianlinâs face changed suddenly. âYou can see that?â
âThose who truly understand your abilities are few and far between,â Bess said. âIâd venture to say even you donât really understand. Lucky for you, Iâm one of those few. Iâve been observing you recently, you know. Youâre a person of pure and good character. You have troubles, but you look after the elderly here with wholehearted, genuine care. Itâs so unfortunate that you canât properly use the powers. So, Iâve decided to help. I believe you used the power once on that young man you have following you around, yes? Is he worth anything at all?â
Zhou Qianlin was instantly calm. She gave the old woman a wry grin. âIf there was anyone in this universe who deserved the benefit of my powers, itâs him. He had no idea I was a ninth rank Talent, Granny Bess, and I ask that you donât tell him. We have a very complicated relationship.â
âIâm not interested in the plights of the young,â Bess muttered. âBut I learned what I needed to know â heâ s deserving. You must know that after you used the Silkworm, you and the recipient created a⊠past-life bond. The two of you are inexorably tied, forever.â
âEven those who claim to know the secrets of the Heavenly Empress only scratch the surface. Your powers are derived from virtue, and compassion. But this life is a fair one. You reap what you sow. People just forget why theyâre getting what theyâre getting. My job in helping you, is to get you that payback. And to keep a promise.â
âGranny Bess⊠I donât know what you mean. I donât understand.â Zhou Qianlin gave her an inquisitive look.
âYou donât have to understand.â Bess waved her hand, and a light flashed in her palm. Zhou Qianlin fell to the floor, unconscious.
The memories played back in her mind. Qianlinâs eyes were awash with conflicting emotions. Bess hadnât bore an ounce of maliciousnes, despite her act. She was there to help them. So that must mean that the changes sheâd gone through were her âpaybackâ? But this wasnât anything she wanted! The two of them joining together, and the increase in ability, must only mean they ere meant to be partners.
Zhou Qianlin absently nibbled on her lower lip. She quietly focused on the subtle changes of her Core â sixth rank. Her Discipline certainly had grown stronger. With her powers of the Heavenly Empress, she naturally improved at a faster level, but even that didnât explain this speed. Itâd only been a couple months!