First priority

Bai QingQing and Zhangjie cleared the path for us and I thought to myself, for someone like Yang Fe who I'm sure is way ahead of me in cultivation to spar with me, it was clearly an honour and things just seemed to be going well now.

I was the first one to make a move, lunging my whip first but Yang Fe moved swiftly to the side easily evading my hit and lunged his own attack.

He was fast paced to the point I had to observe his moves carefully before doing anything.

The clash of his sword resounded slowly in my ear I leapt into the air to avoid getting hit and could hear the whoosh sound of air as it helped with my lifting but Yang Fe being more experienced, followed my trail and a blue dazzling light was sent my way, an attack I wasn't expecting.

At first I thought this was it for me but a sudden force swept through me just like last time when I held that demonic stone and in my hands, my whip glowed in a dazzling golden light and just like that, not one, not two but three tails of the whip lashed out from the bottom handle, slashing the light in two and a sudden boom was heard behind me.

Zhangjie's mouths dropped open while Bai QingQing folded her arms like she expected it, Yang Fe landed safely on the ground, sheathing his sword in place while gazing at me with an impressed look, I stared at the whip in my hands as the power in it still controlled the tails of the whip as it moved in an almost snake-like manner I dropped it out of fear, the light immediately died and it stopped moving, the three tails vanished leaving only a single tail, what in the heavens name just happened?!

"I knew it." Bai QingQing spoke up and I was still dazed by what just happened to pay attention to her words. Zhangjie chuckled lightly as he picked up the whip for me. I was a bit reluctant to take it back but Yang Fe took the whip from Zhangjie's hold and stretched it forward for me to take.

"I might not know what happened or what power this whip holds but take it as an upgrade." he eased my uneasy feeling and I took hold of the whip with trembling hands.

I returned to the hall a bit late than usual, I strode past the hallway while gazing at the whip around my waist as it glowed once more and died immediately, have I just awakened something again?

"Watch your step." my masters voice invaded my thoughts and I stopped at my tracks, I gazed at where I was about to step on and realized there wasn't any stairs there, I flinched back in surprise, I would have definitely fallen if my master didn't interrupt me on time and I turned to look at him as he strode over to me.

"Are you alright?" he asked sounding relieved he had stopped on time and I nodded with a hesitant smile.

"Yes, I was just.... thinking about something and didn't realize when I had missed my step, sorry I caused you to worry."I explained and he gave me a pat on the head.

"What were you thinking about?"

I paused for a while wondering if it would be wise to tell him about the whip, I was curious to find out myself and the same time too scared to hear about what it might mean when he snapped his fingers at my face gaining my attention once more.

"You were out again, is there a problem?" he worriedly asked and I knew I'd do a bad job hiding it so it's best I tell him.

"In Baozhi's hall earlier, Senior Yang Fe and I got into a friendly combat when something odd happened." I bit my lips and he furrowed his brow at my words.

"What?"

I lowered my gaze, staring at the whip around my waist. "The whip suddenly intensified and had a tail of three, it's powers were almost similar to when I held that stone, do you think I might have somehow unintentionally drawn out some of the stone's spiritual power into my system?" I asked hoping that was not the case and he lowered his gaze to the whip I hung on my waist as well.

"You held the stone so it is possible for it to affect your spiritual flow but... this is too sudden, how come it took effect so quickly."

My masters questionable gaze remained locked on the whip and I wondered if this was something I should be worried about but he suddenly smiled at me.

"Don't stress over it, it certainly can't do harm and with time, it'll leave you." he assured me and judging from his calm tone, fortunately it's not something serious.

"One more thing." I said.

"What?"

"I accepted Bai QingQing's offer to join their team for the hunting ground." I told him and he pondered on my words for a while before meeting my gaze.

"That's why they called for you."

I nodded but by the looks of it, he doesn't seem to be excited to hear about it.

"Are you sure about joining? I didn't tell you about the tournament cause I thought you weren't ready for it, you haven't participated before and it could get complicated for you since this year tournament chose to hand out a bigger prize."

"More reason I should participate." I ventured as we both strode across the hallway together. "Baozhi's disciple are alot more skilled than I am, I want to use this as a form of experience and upgrade my powers so I can make you proud, I'm sure you went through alot because of me but I'm willing to pay you back by being a useful disciple." I honestly said not untill he interlaced our fingers and I felt my voice seize as I tried to continue.

"You owe me nothing Shanxia." he wasn't looking at me but I didn't miss the hint of sadness that flashed across his beautiful eyes. "You've always meant alot to me and that hasn't changed at all, you've always been my first priority so I was more concerned about you than the tournament." I gazed at him in wonders as he spoke so earnestly, he made me his first priority? I tried to concentrate on his words and not the burning desires that was slowly starting to awaken in the depth of me just by the heat of his palm, I tried to shake off the tingling sensation and breathed out.

"But the tournament is equally important and..."

He made me turn as I swirled to look at him, the look in his eyes made my heart take a leap and I swallowed hard.

"I have no objections towards you being part of the hunting tournament and I couldn't be more proud you made the decision you think is right for yourself, but don't hesitate to call out to me if you feel the need to."

"Does that mean I'm free to participate?"

He nodded and my face beamed up at the response, I darted a grateful glance his way.

"Thank you lord....I...I mean Qui....."

He sealed my rest words with a kiss I wasn't even expecting making my eyes widen, not as harsh as last night, his kiss was feeled with a heartwarming tenderness, soft and with the most gentle caress of our lips causing me to shiver and judging from it, I bet it was his way of replying you're welcome.