Smoke and Shadows

Senior Brother Chen Yao found him on the path back to the outer-disciple quarters.

Chen Yao was everything Liang Fei was not: third rank Spirit Gathering, talent assessed as 'Heaven Grade', and possessed of a jaw so defined it functioned as a weapon during lectures.

"Still alive, Root-less?" Chen Yao's two attendants laughed on cue. "We heard you went to the Cursed Barrens. Looking for a quick end, were we?"

Liang Fei kept walking.

"Stop." A hand clamped his shoulder.

Three months ago, Liang Fei would have stopped. Today the hand's qi pressure hit him and drained sideways, pulled into the void before it could reach his body. To Chen Yao, it would feel like punching smoke.

"What—" Chen Yao's face creased.

"I'm late for the herb assignment," Liang Fei said pleasantly, and kept walking.

Behind him he heard Chen Yao try to say something cutting and fail to find the words. Some powers, Liang Fei thought, were more satisfying than strength.