Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

Zhang Yuan watched Xue Hua with a concerned expression as she continued to battle the training dummy.

Her movements had grown slower, more labored, and her breaths came in ragged gasps.

Each time she struck, the dummy mirrored her perfectly, returning blows with precision, and Xue Hua struggled to keep up.

Her entire body was drenched in sweat, and bruises marked her arms and legs. She gritted her teeth, pushing herself through the pain, but it was clear she had reached her limit.

"Haa… haa…" Xue Hua's chest heaved as she gasped for air, her body trembling with exhaustion. Every muscle in her body ached, and a dull numbness spread through her limbs.

Seeing this, Zhang Yuan walked closer to her and Xue Hua immediately turned her head to him as the dummy also stopped.

"M-Master..."

Zhang Yuan took a white towel from his storage ring and without a word, he stepped closer and began to gently brush the sweat from her forehead, his touch firm yet tender.

Her hair clung to her skin, soaked from her intense training session, and her face was flushed from exertion.

"Don't push yourself too much..."

"Take perfect rests in between your training and you need to also cultivate."

"Remember that you are no longer bound by that curse, so you can take things slow."

Xue Hua's chest rose up and down as she tried to steady her breath, the sweat dripping down her neck and nodded her head "Y-Yes Master..."

Zhang Yuan reached out gently caressing her cheek and a soft glow enveloped her body as the bruises and cuts disappeared, his healing energy soothing the pain and restoring her strength.

Xue Hua was taken aback, but she hurriedly bowed her head in gratitude "Thank you, Master..."

With a nod, Zhang Yuan passed the towel to her and gestured to the wooden bench "Give rest to your body..."

He softly patted her head "You are already doing very good..."

Hearing his praise, a warm sensation filled Xue Hua's heart and for the first time, a slight smile appeared on her emotionless face "Thank you very much, Master. I will work hard!"

"After you've rested," he said with a nod, "begin your cultivation. Your body will heal, but you must continue to strengthen your foundation as well. Don't neglect it."

Xue Hua bowed her head once more, her voice filled with resolve. "As you say, Master."

As she left, Zhang Yuan glanced at Ming Yuelin and smiled.

...

*splash* The sun glistened off the surface of the lake as Ming Yuelin and Zhang Yuan laughed together, the water sparkling like tiny diamonds around them.

Ming Yuelin, her face bright with joy, sent another playful splash of water toward Zhang Yuan, hitting him square in the face.

"Hahaha!" she laughed, swimming backward as she did so, her movements smooth and graceful in the water.

Zhang Yuan wiped the water from his face, a smile forming on his face. "Oh, you think you're clever, huh?" he teased, his voice filled with amusement.

"Come here, you little!"

"No way, Master!" Ming Yuelin giggled, her eyes twinkling with playfulness as she swam further away.

"You'll have to catch me first!"

With a quick splash of her feet, she darted away, her laughter echoing across the lake.

Zhang Yuan, immediately lunged forward, his strong strokes sending waves crashing behind him as he gave chase.

"You're not getting away that easily!"

"Baaaahh!" she stuck her tongue out at him, as she dodged another one of his attempts to grab her.

She kicked off the water, twisting gracefully, and splashed more water toward his face in a teasing barrage.

"Too slow, Master! You're going to have to do better than that!"

Zhang Yuan shook his head with a smile "You're asking for it now!" He gathered water in his hands and launched it at her with a burst of energy, creating a small wave.

Ming Yuelin yelped as the wave splashed over her, soaking her hair.

She blinked the water out of her eyes and giggled uncontrollably, her playful defiance never fading. "Hah! Missed!" she taunted.

Zhang Yuan chuckled, swimming closer. "Lin'er. You can't run forever."

"I don't have to run forever, just long enough! Catch me if you can!"

With a final burst of energy, Zhang Yuan surged forward, his strong arms cutting through the water like blades.

Ming Yuelin squealed in surprise as he finally got close enough to grab her waist, pulling her toward him.

"Got you now!"

Ming Yuelin squirmed playfully in his grasp, laughing breathlessly. "No fair! I was letting you catch me!"

"Oh, sure you were," Zhang Yuan teased, pulling her close as they both tread water.

Ming Yuelin tilted her head, a mischievous gleam still in her eyes. "Maybe I wanted to give you a little victory, Master. You looked like you needed it."

Zhang Yuan laughed, shaking his head. "You're impossible."

"I know," Ming Yuelin responded, her voice softening as their laughter faded into the calm morning air.

...

Meanwhile, in Pearl City, two figures entered through the city gates, their eyes wandering over the bustling morning scene.

One beautiful mature woman, who was taller, her blue eyes frowned slightly, her silver hair fluttering behind her shoulder.

"Did we come too early?" the mature woman, asked in confusion, her gaze sweeping over the streets that appeared far too ordinary for what was supposed to be a grand festival day.

Beside her, a younger woman, equally captivating but with a different air, tucked a strand of her jet-black hair behind her ear, her green eyes shimmered in the morning light.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Master..."

The mature woman, Jin Wei sighed softly and spoke in a reassuring tone "Don't worry.. Zin'er... you will surely get the Phoenix Inheritance."

"Trust your master..."

"However, it seems like we were early to the festival..."

Jin Wei's frown deepened as they continued walking. "However," she murmured, more to herself than to her disciple, "it seems like we were too early to the festival. There should be crowds, banners, and noise. Yet everything seems... normal."

The second woman, Chen Zin spoke "As I said... I have a bad feeling about this, master."

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