Shen and Wu

Jo Yuan knew that if he wanted to survive and rise within the Moonshadow Sect, he couldn't stand out too much. He needed to blend in, appear like one of the others. So, he carefully crafted his image, wearing a gentle smile and acting humble. Whenever he spoke with other probation disciples, he made sure to be kind, always offering help when needed, and never showing arrogance.

He kept his tone light and friendly, listening more than talking. To others, he looked like someone eager to learn, innocent, and hardworking. He often asked questions, making it seem like he admired everyone's skills. It wasn't hard to get people to like him this way. Most saw him as harmless—just another new disciple, trying to find his place.

The days in the lower quarters were long but structured. The probation disciples spent their mornings cleaning the sect grounds and fetching water for the outer disciples. It was a way to keep them humble and remind them of their place. After chores, they trained, mostly practicing the basics of martial arts and Qi refinement techniques—though none of them had reached the Qi Building realm yet.

Jo Yuan did everything without complaint. He joined the others in their duties, always making it seem like he was eager to contribute. In the evenings, probation disciples would gather around the training grounds, watching the outer disciples practice advanced techniques. Some even tried to mimic their moves, hoping to one day reach that level.

Over time, Jo Yuan grew close to two other probation disciples who, like him, worked hard but kept a low profile. The first was Shen Liang, a tall, quiet boy about 18 years old. He wielded a spear, but his movements were unusually graceful, almost as if he were dancing with the weapon. Shen was reserved, rarely speaking unless he had something important to say. Despite his quietness, he had a sharp mind and was deeply focused on his training.

The second was Wu Fei, a cheerful and talkative girl of 16. She had a fiery personality, always joking around and never afraid to speak her mind. Wu wielded a saber, and though she was still young, her movements were smooth and well-practiced. What impressed Jo Yuan most was how Wu transitioned seamlessly between four saber moves, flowing from one strike to the next as if it were a natural extension of her body.

One evening, Jo Yuan watched as Wu demonstrated her saber skills to the others. She performed four moves in rapid succession—an upward slash, a sweeping cut, a downward strike, and a final piercing thrust. Her transitions were flawless, each move leading into the next with perfect timing. Even Shen, who was usually focused on his own spear practice, paused to watch.

"How do you do that?" Jo Yuan asked Wu after her demonstration. He made sure his voice sounded genuinely curious.

Wu grinned, wiping sweat from her brow. "It's all about timing and rhythm. You have to feel the flow of the fight, not just the moves themselves. When I'm in the middle of a fight, it's like I don't think anymore. My body just knows what to do."

Shen nodded quietly. "It's similar with the spear. It's not just about power, but control."

Over time, the three of them grew closer, often training together when they had free time. They would talk about everything—techniques they wanted to master, what life might be like as outer disciples, and even rumors about the higher-ranking members of the sect. Shen was the most reserved, speaking only when asked or when he had something meaningful to add. Wu, on the other hand, always had a joke ready or a story about some trouble she had gotten into as a child.

Jo Yuan found himself feeling more comfortable around them than he had with anyone else in a long time. He could let his guard down, even if just a little. With Wu's lively personality and Shen's calm presence, it felt like they balanced each other out. Jo Yuan didn't have to try so hard to impress them. They just seemed to accept him as he was.

One evening, while they sat under a tree after training, Wu laughed at something Jo Yuan said and then looked at him seriously. "You're different, you know? Most people here are either trying too hard or don't care enough. But you—you seem like you've got a good balance."

Shen nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're patient, and you listen. That's rare here."

Jo Yuan smiled modestly. "I've just had a lot of time to think. I want to get stronger, but I also know I'm not in a rush. I'll get there when I get there."

It was in that moment that Jo Yuan realized they had truly hit it off.