Chapter Fourteen: Everyone Left

Yi Jian held Yi Lian in a half hug on the dining hall steps.

Yi Jian soothed, "It's okay. We'll fix it and make it stop."

Yi Lian hugged Winters-gaze to his chest. He had the urge to throw it off the highest tree in Immortals Valley Top and never find it, but alas he held it as close as he could to his chest.

Yi Lian, "I didn't mean to- I destroyed my gift."

Yi Jian patted his shoulder and clenched his teeth. Of course Yi Lian cared more about his stupid gift then wrongly cultivating his sword. Yi Lian had gone to cultivate his sword at a young age. Everyone assumed he would be successful because of his immense innate talent but now they knew. He must have accidentally bound himself to the sword, restricting his powers immensely, yet Yi Lian's worry was with his iced Orchid and not the fact that his cottage is being consumed by a frost plague.

Their Uncle came over with a group of elders.

Yi Xien had run directly to Yi Jian as soon as he saw the frost climbing the doorframe like fast spread ivy. Once he had gotten him, Yi Jian ran straight for the cottage, grabbed Yi Lian and sent Yi Xien to his Uncle.

They looked exhausted. The female elder had an arm full of charred talismans in her arms whilst the others were wiping their brows. It had taken them several hundred attempts to suppress it, they didn't even have time to examine it. It had all been quite fast and overwhelming, they were worried a part of Yi Lian's soul was excelling it so they didn't dare touch it until it became unbearable to stop. Sect Leader Yi came and sat on Yi Lian's other side.

"We were able to stop it but you know this means Shizhi?"

Yi Lian stayed quiet. He knew but he didn't mind. He could still gain immortality, none of this affected his ability to reach earthly immortality at least, it was more of a nuisance really in his opinion.

In his silence his Uncle patted him on the back. "I'll tell the King tomorrow. He won't understand but that also means he won't be upset, Shizhi."

The dinner bell rang overhead and disciples started to ascend the steps around them. Their Uncle patted Yi Lian's head and walked in with the elders who quickly disposed of their useless talismans in exchange for food.

Yi Lian didn't feel hungry at all. He didn't know what to feel. Yi Jian looked down at him and stood. He offered a hand for Yi Lian to take but they were interrupted.

"What's wrong with your Highness?" asked a concerned yet familiar voice.

Yi Lian saw Yi Jian's expression before the man himself and blushed.

"Nie Asreal! I- I accidentally-"

Nie Asreal offered his hand to Yi Lian. "You turned your house into winter? I saw it, looks really beautiful. Shame they cleaned it up."

Yi Lian smiled and took his hand to stand. He dusted himself off and realised Yi Jian was still there.

"How was the run?" Yi Jian mocked.

Nie Asreal ignored him and asked, "Did it hurt you?"

Yi Jian couldn't believe him and started tutting and mutted, "Shameless." This didn't prevent Nie Asreal taking Yi Lian's pulse. "Your pulse is high. Do you feel faint?" He asked but Yi Jian rolled his eyes and swatted his hand away from his brother. "He's fine. He gets a high pulse sometimes in public. I've checked him over and he's fine."

Nie Asreal stared at him unamused and took Yi Lian's pulse again. "Something's off." He explained but Yi Jian was already sure of himself and pushed him back again.

Yi Jian, "Yi Lian go sit inside with Uncle… I'll join you shortly."

Yi Lian looked at him but couldn't find the words to tell him no because he really didn't know why he would stay, so he climbed the steps and entered the hall.

Whatever had transpired Yi Jian came in in a distraught manner and refused to speak. The rest of the evening had been filled with subtle eye looks and accidental eye contact between Yi Lian and Nie Asreal. Every time this ended in Yi Lian hiding his face and trying to calm himself down.

————-

Nie Asreal left the next day. Along with his brothers. Yi Lian was never told but he soon forgot about the whole ordeal. It had only been a few days after all and though eventful Yi Lian was busy deciding on other important things.

A week passed and Yi Jian got a knock at the door.

He was currently in Waters Edge City, sitting in his room in the palace. Hanging out with a few of his friends. He was the opposite to his brother who preferred to stay in the Sect the entire time. Yi Jian was extremely social and preferred the palace much more. There he could have many servants and hang out with his childhood friends.

Yi Jian called for them to enter and out stepped Yi Lian with a worried expression. Yi Jian's friends rolled their eyes and started muttering among themselves.

"Yi Lian I didn't know you were back?"

Yi Lian smiled.

Yi Jian commented, "You look like you're about to leave somewhere?"

Yi Lian was in the Sect's normal robes. Unlike the studying robes these were a mix of white, silver and cream. They were very elegant and with Winters-Gaze strapped to his side and a newly acquired coin pouch, he looked very ready to go.

Yi Lian nodded. "I got permission to cultivate at the Bai Sect in Gardens River Crossing's secluded cultivation caves."

Yi Jian's friends burst out laughing, "Of course- of course he would go to the loser's capital!"

Yi Lian took a step back and looked to his brother but he was laughing too.

Yi Jian, "hmp I don't want my brother being roped in with those inexperienced, sorry excuse of a Sect. Your right though, he definitely would fit in."

Yi Lian didn't bow, salute, he simply turned around and slammed the door shut.

Later Yi Jian would grow to regret this as it was one of the last times he saw him.