After the competition

After the intense battle, the night was calm, the sky adorned with countless stars shimmering like scattered diamonds on a dark velvet canvas. The moon hung low, its soft glow illuminating the quiet surroundings.

Xiu Luo sat alone atop a grassy hill near their temporary accommodations, his figure silhouetted against the starlit sky. His eyes gazed upward though blindfolded, reflecting the celestial beauty above. His expression was serene, yet a hint of melancholy lingered as if his thoughts were drifting far beyond. The gentle rustling of leaves accompanied the cool night breeze that tousled his hair.

A faint fragrance wafted through the air, carried by the wind, accompanied by the soft rustle of robes. Xiu Luo stood alert sensing a presence behind. A figure descending gracefully from the sky.

"At ease," Elder Yan said softly, her voice smooth as the night breeze. She moved closer, her steps light and measured, as if she were a part of the wind itself.