The boy's unconscious form lay still against the cold stone floor.

  Hurried footsteps echoed in the silent room, stopping abruptly as Mi Shui’s shadow fell over her brother.

  She dropped to her knees, her hands grasping his shoulders, shaking him with a frantic, desperate energy.

  "Mi Jin! Wake up! It's your big sis… please! I'm here!"

  His body was limp, unresponsive.

  The only sound was the faint, shallow whisper of his breathing, a sound that did nothing to soothe the panic clawing its way up her throat.

  "No, no, no! How could this be! The poison wasn't that serious! It only strained his training…"

  Bi Kan did not waste a single moment. While Mi Shui's world dissolved into a blur of fear, his own sharpened, his gaze sweeping over Mi Jin’s pale form, cataloging every detail.

  Hmm, from what Mi Shui had told me, he was still active, albeit held back by the poison… but still had the will to train and cultivate.

  His mind replayed the instant before the collapse: the clouded eyes, the cracking voice, the short, bated breaths.

  "Please, Mi Jin, wake up… you can't give up just yet! You'll come with me to the Inner Court, right?!" Her voice was a raw, broken shout.

  Tears finally broke free, hot drops spattering against Mi Jin’s unnaturally cool cheeks, trickling down the sharp line of his jaw.

  Mei moved with a quiet grace, her hand coming to rest gently on Mi Shui's trembling back, a silent offering of support.

  Bi Kan’s eyes closed, the world outside fading as he descended into the cold logic of his mind.

  Could the poison’s progression accelerate the deeper it infiltrates the system?

  No, judging by the body, the invasion isn't severe enough to cause a sudden collapse like this.

  He's still breathing. The pained eyes, the bruised hollows beneath them, the strained voice…

  His eyes snapped open. He walked forward, his own aching body a distant concern.

  "The boy didn't collapse from the poison."

  Mi Shui’s head snapped up, her eyes puffy and red-rimmed. "H-How do you know that?! You didn't even get a proper check on his condition before he collapsed!"

  A weary sigh escaped Bi Kan’s lips. "You'll have to trust me. From what I observed, the collapse wasn't a direct result of the poison's lethality. It was a symptom."

  Ying Xia’s brow furrowed, a low growl of frustration rumbling in her chest. Just get to the point already, Bi Kan!

  "His collapse," Bi Kan stated, his voice devoid of emotion, "was born from the extreme pain he was in." Mi Shui’s eyes widened, her frantic movements ceasing as his words cut through her panic.

  "You said the poison held him back, which means he was still training, fighting against it. The poison seems to weaken his system, causing immense internal pain and fatigue."

  He gestured to Mi Jin's gaunt face. "That can only lead to one conclusion. The pain became too much for his body and mind to endure, forcing him into unconsciousness as a defense mechanism."

  Mi Shui gently caressed her brother's cheek, her own breath catching in her throat. "S-So… will he be fine?"

  Bi Kan shook his head, a faint, almost imperceptible yellow glint shining in the depths of his eyes.

  "No. I haven't identified the poison or its severity. We can't cure what we don't understand. And now we have a bigger problem. With his consciousness gone, his will is no longer fighting. He was actively suppressing the poison through sheer resilience."

  An exasperated breath hissed through Bi Kan’s teeth. "But now, his body is alone. It may not be enough."

  As if to prove his point, Mi Jin's body convulsed. A thin, sickly green vein pulsed to life on his neck, an ugly mark against his pale skin.

  "J-Jin!" Mi Shui screamed, her hands glowing with a faint red Qi as she tried desperately to heal him.

  Ying Xia strode over to Bi Kan, her hand clamping onto his shoulder with a firm, grounding pressure.

  "Bi Kan! Just get it over with! You've figured it out, right?! Just tell me which beast we need to kill! Which ancient herb we need to snatch!"

  Her own rivalry with Mi Shui was forgotten, burned away by the sight of a life slipping away before her.

  Bi Kan placed a hand on his forehead, massaging the dull throb there. "We don't have a choice, Sister Mi Shui." He pulled the deformed, mottled grey pill from his robes once more.

  "I don't have a cure, not yet. But I know this: if this pill works, if it can counteract his pain, it might give his body the chance it needs to fight back. And it will give us the time we need to get answers."

  Mi Shui’s glare was sharp as broken glass. "Why would I risk my brother's life on a chance?!"

  "Then are you going to give up his life on the chance that he just wakes up?!" Ying Xia shot back, stepping between them.

  "What's the difference between slowly letting him die and giving him Bi Kan's solution?!"

  Mei tensed, ready to intervene, but Xia’s blunt words hung in the air, undeniable and stark. She's right, Mei thought, her gaze softening as she watched Mi Shui.

  Either way, it's a chance…

  Mi Shui's composure finally shattered. Tears flowed freely, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead as a sob tore from her throat.

  "I-I don't know what to do…" She turned to Mei, her eyes pleading. "Mei, please, tell me… what should I do?"

  A few moments of heavy silence passed.

  Mei let out a soft sigh, and then, a small, genuine smile of absolute trust bloomed on her face.

  "If it were me, Mi Shui, I would trust everything to Bi Kan. Even if he's self-destructive at times, when it comes to others…" She looked at him, her gaze full of a deep, endearing fondness.

  "He never puts anyone at immense risk. Only himself."

  Mi Shui took in Mei's words, her gaze flickering to Bi Kan.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  He stood with an unreadable expression, his head turned away, refusing to meet Mei’s eyes.

  "T-Then…" Mi Shui said shakily, her hand resting over her brother's still heart.

  She looked at Bi Kan, her pride, her anger, all of it washed away by a final, desperate plea.

  "Please, Bi Kan." Her voice cracked. "Save my brother!"

  Nodding, Bi Kan crouched, leaning closer to Mi Jin.

  He hovered the deformed pill over the boy's mouth, his own hands trembling slightly, his breathing shallow and shaky.

  This pill… it's not pure. It shouldn't be healthy to consume, but it isn't entirely useless.

  His eyes went cold, his mind a whirring machine of calculation.

  Just before, I was willing to consume this myself.

  Was I really putting my own life at risk?

  The answer wasn't simple.

  This deformed pill, when consumed, needs effort to fully digest. Something akin to your soul, your will, your mind.

  The pill touched Mi Jin's lips.

  Mi Shui immediately moved to help, gently prying her brother’s jaw open and guiding the pill inside, her hands working to make him chew and swallow.

  Bi Kan’s gaze flickered to the others.

  Xia and Mei were holding their breaths, their bodies rigid with tension.

  Mei’s hand remained a firm, reassuring weight on Mi Shui’s shoulder.

  Xia stood just behind Bi Kan, a silent sentinel, her posture coiled and ready for the worst—perhaps for Mi Shui’s explosive grief if the pill failed.

  His focus snapped back to Mi Jin.

  You can technically forge the pill's essence within your meridians, using your own Qi to activate it like a talisman, making it far more effective.

  He held his own breath, watching, waiting for any sign.

  It's not as potent as a pure pill, far below even a low-grade one, but even so…

  Mi Jin's fingers twitched.

  It can still help tremendously. After all, it is a great pain relief pill.

  A flicker of gratitude, sharp and clear, cut through his concentration.

  Thanks, Xia, for that herb.

  "Now!" Bi Kan’s voice was a sharp command. "Help him circulate it!"

  Mi Shui nodded, her movements swift and practiced.

  She shifted her brother into a lotus position, pressing her palms firmly against his back.

  A wave of her own potent Qi flowed from her hands into his body, a catalyst meant to ignite the pill's dormant power.

  It's not alchemy, Bi Kan thought, his mind wandering for a split second.

  The body might be similar to a furnace, but it's entirely different. If it were the same, imagine my expertise… I'd be like a god.

  The disdainful, disappointed face of Xia Jinyan flashed in his mind's eye, a cold splash of water on his brief flicker of hubris.

  Right. I shouldn't get carried away. The pill is deformed because of my failure.

  The subtle shift in the room was palpable.

  The hope on Xia and Mei’s faces was no longer a fragile, it solidified.

  The stiffness in their shoulders eased.

  Bi Kan pushed himself to his feet, a long sigh of relief escaping his lips.

  "That should be enough evidence that he'll survive this." He looked at the unconscious boy, his expression turning grim once more.

  "The only problem left is when he'll fully wake up."

  Ying Xia strode to the entrance of the abode, her spatial ring flashing as her golden spear materialized in her hand.

  She slammed its butt against the stone floor with a resonant thump.

  "No matter how long it takes, I'll be here," she declared, her voice ringing with conviction.

  "Just take your time! I'll keep guard over all of us in this vulnerable moment!"

  A faint, fond smile touched Mei's lips before she settled down beside Mi Shui. "If you ever feel tired, you can switch with me."

  Bi Kan looked down at Mi Jin.

  The boy's breathing was no longer shallow; it was a series of deep, ragged pants, the physical manifestation of a desperate battle being waged within his own body.

  Impressive, Bi Kan thought, a flicker of approval in his tired eyes.

  Even unconscious, he's still fighting. This sect is gifted to have such talented individuals.

  He rested his back against the wall, crossing his arms as a bead of sweat trickled down his chin.

  The adrenaline made me forget the internal ache… I need rest. But I can't. Not until he wakes up.

  Mei’s confession of trust, Mi Shui’s tearful plea, Xia’s unwavering belief—the weight of their faith pressed down on him, a burden far heavier than his own physical pain.

  I can't let him die now. He's talented… useful.

  The cold, logical thought was immediately swamped by a wave of memory:

  Mei’s endearing smile, Xia’s fierce loyalty, Mi Shui’s raw vulnerability.

  He'll be… someone who can help me in the… future. The justification felt hollow, a flimsy shield against the unfamiliar warmth blooming in his chest.

  His thoughts became a whirlwind.

  He tried to clear his mind, his gaze falling on Xia, a steadfast guardian at the door. Her spear.

  That's right… she wanted to get that rune imprinted on her spear.

  "Bi Kan!" Xia’s voice echoed in his memory, sharp and clear from months ago.

  "You seriously haven't found someone yet? Jeez, here, I know you have your ways of hiding stuff… So, keep it safe for me, until then!"

  The memory faded, but the image of the rune was crystal clear, resting amongst the clutter in the deepest corner of his Soul Sea, next to the strange green goo, the ancient scrolls, and the Venom-Quenched Frostpetal he’d saved for her and Mei.

  I'll find someone for you, Xia, he promised silently. Someone capable. It'll make you… much more formidable.

  A faint, muffled mumbling snapped him out of his trance.

  He blinked, his surroundings slowly coming into focus. He was on the floor, a simple blanket draped over his body.

  "Huh? What happened…?" He pushed himself up, a jolt of surprise running through him.

  The deep, grinding ache was gone, replaced by a dull, distant throb. "Did… I get healed?" His mind felt clearer than it had in days.

  He glanced around the room. It was empty.

  "Where did everyone go?" A familiar tendril of paranoia began to coil in his gut, but his head snapped towards the sound of faint voices from the other room.

  Wait, I should relax. Perhaps Mi Jin has awoken.

  He looked down, his focus drawn to the unfamiliar weight in his hand.

  His fingers were wrapped tightly around the hilt of the Ra Family's blade, its polished surface cool against his skin.

  Shit, he thought, his eyes widening.

  I got carried away…!

  He immediately dissipated the blade, the phantom weight vanishing from his hand, and rushed towards the other room.

  As the door swung open, the scene that greeted him was one of quiet, heartwarming relief.

  Mi Shui’s wide, tear-stained smile was paired with a cackling laugh that soared through the room, a sound so full of joy it seemed to chase away the last of the shadows.

  Mei was watching over them, her own expression soft and serene. Ying Xia, her duty done, was already on her way to the exit.

  "Oh, you're already awake?" Xia said, a wide, teasing grin spreading across her face as she stopped.

  "I leave for just a second and you're wide-eyed the next!" Her fingers jabbed playfully into Bi Kan's side.

  "Maybe you felt safe knowing I was there! And when my warmth disappea—"

  Bi Kan’s hand shot out, covering her mouth with a tired, annoyed expression. "Not now. Your antics can wait."

  A loud, defiant growl vibrated against his palm. He ignored her muffled complaints, drowning out the sound as he walked towards the bed.

  "How are you feeling?" he asked Mi Jin, his voice low. "Does it still hurt?"

  The boy looked up at him, his brow furrowed in confusion. "J-Jin! This is Bi Kan!" Mi Shui stood, gesturing towards him as if he were a priceless treasure on display.

  "He's your benefactor! He saved your life!" she announced, her voice still thick with joyous laughter.

  "O-Oh! You're Bi Kan!" The boy’s eyes went wide. In a single, fluid motion, he bowed, his forehead hitting the mattress with a soft thump.

  The gesture was so over-the-top that a loud snort of laughter escaped from Xia, not at the boy, but at the look of pure, dumbfounded shock on Bi Kan’s face.

  T-This kid, we're practically the same age, and he's bowing as if I'm some great sage!

  "I thank you, my benefactor! I owe you my life, I'll even allow you to marry my older sis—"

  "Oi! Brat! Shut your trap!" Mi Shui immediately covered his mouth, her face flushing a furious crimson.

  "O-Oh right! I forgot, my apologies!" Mi Jin squirmed, trying to escape her grasp.

  "S-She already has a boyfriend!" he managed to get out. "I think his name was, Ran Ji!"

  This time, it was Mei who let out a soft peal of laughter, clutching her stomach as Mi Shui’s cheeks spiked an even deeper shade of red.

  Bi Kan shook his head, clearing it of the initial shock.

  Mi Jin was just as eccentric as his sister, but in a much more relaxed, teasing way.

  Ran Ji, huh? I would have never guessed, but somehow… that match isn't entirely out of the picture.

  As the last of the laughter faded, Bi Kan's expression shifted back to one of grim seriousness.

  He listened, his focus absolute, as Mi Jin began his story.

  "It was at the Screeching Croak."

  A location for Outer Disciples, Bi Kan thought.

  I've never heard of a poison this potent there, but it might be similar to the Viper's…

  Mi Jin shuddered, his hand instinctively clutching his left arm.

  That must be where he was injected.

  "The creature," Mi Jin’s voice dropped to a fearful whisper, "it looked like a spider, but it had the tail of a scorpion."