The noonday sun hung high above the capital, pouring golden light over the marble rooftops of palaces and the crimson flags fluttering in the wind. The tournament trial had ended, and the crowds were dispersing through the streets, discussing the most vivid moments of the battle. Kun Lian, still feeling a tremble in his knees after the fight, stood at the edge of the arena, staring at his palms. "I passed… I really passed!" — the thought felt unreal.
— Well then, buddy? — rang out a cheerful voice behind him. Before Kun could turn around, a heavy paw slapped his back, nearly making him stumble.
— Shao?! — Kun blinked.
— You look surprised, like you're seeing me for the first time!
Shao grinned, flashing his fangs. His golden eyes sparkled with amusement, and his long, meticulously styled hair shimmered in the sunlight like silk.
— I just… didn't expect you to come to me, — Kun muttered, slightly embarrassed.
— Why wait? You didn't lose in the first round, so you're not a total loser anymore! — Shao laughed and clapped Kun on the shoulder again, this time a bit gentler.
— So, shall we celebrate? How about a trip to the hot springs, huh? Or maybe the theater? There's a new play in Qinlan right now about the battle with the demons of Darkness…
— There are hot springs here?! — Kun almost jumped in place, his eyes widening like a cat seeing fresh fish. — You have no idea how long I've dreamed of visiting one! Back in my village, we only had an icy river, and bathing in winter — sure death!
Shao tilted his head, smirking.
— You really are a country bumpkin, huh? — there was no malice in his voice, just amused condescension. — Alright, if you're that eager, let's go to the springs. My pavilion is just next to the arena.
They walked down a wide stone path, shaded by tall jade lanterns. Kun couldn't take his eyes off the surrounding splendor: carved pagodas, shops with exotic goods, fragrant clouds of incense…
— You've been here for three days already, why are you still surprised? — Shao glanced at him.
— It's just… — Kun sighed. — Before this, I'd never been farther than the next village. Let alone the capital.
— Ha! Then brace yourself, country boy, you're about to see real luxury!
They turned into a narrow alley paved with smooth stone and came to tall wooden gates adorned with carved dragons.
— Here it is, my pavilion! — Shao spread his arms proudly. But as soon as his fingers touched the carved handle, a tremor ran through the wood, and the gate… didn't open. — What the…? — Shao frowned and pulled harder. Nothing. Kun cautiously touched the gate.
— I think it's… sealed?
Shao struck the panel with his paw, but it made only a dull thud, like it hit an invisible barrier. The tiger beastkin growled, his fangs flashing.
— Someone put a sealing sigil on it! — he looked around, but there was no one in sight. — Probably another one of my "admirers'" pranks.
Kun scratched his head, confused.
— So… we're not getting in?
Shao crossed his arms, thinking.
— Not into my pavilion. But… — his tail twitched, and suddenly he grinned mischievously. — There are public baths! Not as fancy, but they let everyone in.
— Public? — Kun looked wary.
— Don't worry, they're clean! Just… uh… sometimes crowded. Kun hesitated, but the longing to soak in hot water won out. — Alright, let's go!
Shao laughed and grabbed his hand.
— That's the spirit! Hold on, country boy, you're about to find out how the capital relaxes!
Before long, Shao and Kun reached the public bathhouse. From the outside, it looked just as grand as a private one — tall carved pillars adorned with golden patterns, wide steps of polished marble, and lanterns above the entrance emitting a warm, gentle glow.
— Impressive, huh? — Shao smirked, noticing Kun staring at the building.
— Yeah… but why is it public, then?
— Because there are no private tubs inside, only communal halls. And people… well, you'll see.
The crowd was huge indeed. A long line stretched at the entrance, but Shao, without batting an eye, walked right past it, heading confidently to the front desk.
— Hey, what are you doing? Cutting the line?! — Kun grabbed his sleeve.
— Idol perks, buddy, — Shao snapped his fingers in front of the surprised attendant, who, recognizing him, immediately bowed.
— Two, please.
— Of course, Master Shao! — the attendant quickly handed over two wooden tokens.
— Eastern hall?
— Exactly.
Kun wanted to object, but Shao was already pushing him forward, past the indignant but quickly silenced patrons.
— Is this even allowed? — Kun whispered.
— It is when you're a star. — Shao smugly lifted his chin.
Inside, the bathhouse was even more stunning. A wide marble staircase led down into a spacious hall where light steam rose from the floor. The walls were lined with dark wood, and tall vases with live lotuses stood in the corners. But the most incredible sight — a massive pool filled with clear water, from which fragrant steam rose. And the number of people… was enormous. Kun froze, eyes wide. Dozens, if not hundreds of people — men and women — swam, sat at the pool's edge, or stood in the water chatting. Some were completely nude, others covered with towels, but no one seemed shy.
— Well, buddy, what do you think? — Shao was already stripping off his outer robe and stretching, showing off his striped back and powerful shoulders.
— U-uh… — Kun blushed to his roots. — Everyone's… together?!
— Well, yeah, — Shao laughed.
— Did you think there'd be private booths in public baths?
— I… I didn't know it could be like this!
— Relax, — Shao clapped his shoulder. — No one's looking at you. Well, except me, of course. And with that, he smoothly pulled off Kun's upper robe.
— HEY! — But it was too late. Shao, still laughing, grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the water.
— Come on, tournament hero, don't be a wimp!
Kun muttered something under his breath, but unable to resist anymore, finally stepped into the hot spring.
— Ooooh… — his face twisted into a blissful grimace. The water was perfect — scorching warm, but not too much, with a slight mineral scent, and it even seemed to soothe his tired muscles.
— Told you, didn't I? — Shao settled next to him, sprawling out on the stones.
— This… this is incredible… — Kun closed his eyes, feeling the tension of the past days melt into the water.
— Now imagine having one of these to yourself. — Shao winked. Kun just sighed. He was definitely not in his village anymore.
The hot water enveloped him like a soft cloud. Kun Lian sat chest-deep in the spring, eyes closed, feeling his exhaustion—physical, mental, any kind—literally melting away in the steam. He couldn't suppress a blissful smile: this wasn't just rest, it was a revelation. No river in his home village could compare to this paradise.
— This isn't just beautiful… — he murmured. — It's perfect…
He opened his eyes and slowly looked around.
All around, in the faint haze of steam, the figures of other bathers blurred—some chatting quietly, some meditating, some simply lying in the water like corpses, but with blissful expressions. It all looked almost magical, like a scene from a dream.
And then his gaze caught on something… no, someone.
Slightly off to the side, in the shadow of an artificially carved rock, sat a girl. Or rather, some vague, strange embodiment—her body was entirely wrapped in black bandages, or something like bandages: tight, slightly glossy, as if made of the finest silk, they clung to her from neck to wrists, leaving only her eyes exposed.
Her eyes.
They were the only living fragment in this almost sculptural figure—bright, slightly predatory, with a faint amber glow. Those eyes seemed to burn right through you, even if they were just staring into emptiness.
Kun froze, unable to look away. He couldn't explain what had hooked him—the mystery? The beauty? The danger?
— What, staring?
The voice was unexpectedly low, raspy, but not unpleasant—more like the rustle of dry petals. It pierced the silence like a needle through water, and Kun flinched, blinking in shock.
— I… sorry! — he said, flushing. — I didn't mean… it's just… you…
— You're strange, — she said after a short pause, — but not disgusting. That's something. My name is Gui She.
Gui She—her name stuck in his head like a faint chime—rose from the water. Her movements were smooth, almost serpentine, and Kun could've sworn the water that touched her bandages vanished, as if evaporating without leaving a single drop.
He didn't even notice Shao Xiaotian surfacing beside him and slapping him on the shoulder.
— You were staring at her like a hungry cat at a chicken! — the tiger beastman smirked. — Careful, girls like that will swallow you whole without choking.
It took Kun a moment to respond:
— She's… unusual.
— That's putting it mildly, — Shao snorted, glancing to where she'd been—now empty. — Never seen her here before. Must not be local. And her scent… weird.
— Scent?
— Doesn't matter. — Shao stretched out on the rocks, shaking water from his ears. — Look, let's forget about mysterious bandage girls. We're here to relax! Tomorrow's the second round of the tournament, and you need a clear mind and relaxed muscles.
Kun nodded, but his thoughts were still tangled around that enigmatic figure.
He tried to relax, but the feeling was gone. She was like a grain of sand in smooth fur—something foreign yet gripping, refusing to let go. At one point, he even stood and glanced around—maybe she was still here? But Gui She had vanished, as if dissolved in the steam.
They spent another hour in the springs. Shao, noticing his friend's silence, didn't pester him with questions—instead, he amused himself chatting with strangers, effortlessly switching between polite admirers and flirting with pretty girls and guys. Kun watched him with mild envy: Shao was at home in any crowd.
Finally, climbing out and changing into dry clothes, Kun felt sleep draping over him like a heavy blanket.
— That's it, I can't go on, — he mumbled, nearly yawning his jaw off. — I need to lie down.
— You sure you wanna stay at the tournament dorms? — Shao asked, stretching.
— Yeah.
— I'll walk you. — Shao glanced at the night sky, where fiery lanterns floated. — It's time to head back anyway.
They left the pavilion, and evening Qinlan greeted them with street noise and the scents of night stalls. People still lingered: musicians played, vendors loudly hawked pastries and sweets, and bright carts rolled down the street, laden with magical toys.
Kun was still thinking about those eyes. Bright. Predatory. So… alive.
— You're still thinking about her, huh? — Shao suddenly asked, not turning around.
— What?
— That girl. The one in bandages.
Kun flushed but didn't deny it.
— She… seemed kind of… I don't know. Special.
— Dangerous, more like, — Shao grumbled. — But suit yourself. Just remember, Kun—not everything that glitters in this city is gold. And definitely not everything beautiful is safe.
The next morning, Qinlan seemed to tense in anticipation. The air grew sharp, like before a storm, and even the loud street vendors spoke in hushed tones, as if afraid to disturb something important. Crowds once again filled the roads leading to the arena. Today, the tournament's second stage would begin.
Kun Lian woke early, the warmth of yesterday's springs still lingering in his muscles. He pulled on his clothes, nibbled a plain bun, and met Shao at the entrance before heading to the arena. Surprisingly, Shao was quiet—not even cracking a joke when Kun asked if he'd overslept. Even star idols get nervous before a trial, it seemed.
The bells rang as the sun crested the horizon. Their low, drawn-out peals rolled through the city like the call of a great beast.
The participants stepped onto the arena once more. Only fourteen remained. Their gazes were wary, some openly hostile. Everyone knew the tournament was growing deadlier.
Then, like a whirlwind, a familiar voice erupted into the sky:
— Good morning, my little stars! — Jun Le, eyes alight with madness as ever, rode a giant fish adorned with intricate, light-reflecting scales. The fish soared over the arena, and Jun gracefully dismounted, landing on an obsidian pedestal.
He dusted off his robe and spread his arms wide:
— Behold: the paired trial!
The participants tensed. Some exchanged glances. Kun clenched his fists.
— Here are the rules! — Jun exclaimed, and fiery holograms flared beside him, displaying words as if carved from flame:
Teams are formed randomly.
Killing and betrayal are permitted.
To proceed, you must remain a pair.
If two are left without partners, they may unite.
— Only three pairs will advance. The rest… — he snapped his fingers, and the images of participants shattered into sparks — will leave. Forever.
A chill swept through the crowd. Someone cursed under their breath.
Jun's mad gaze swept over them, savoring their tension.
— And now… the pairs!
Seven pillars of light appeared before the participants. One by one, names materialized within them:
Lin Meirong and Shao Xiaotian.
Lin Meirong—a tall woman with jet-black hair cascading to her knees, a Yuigui, born on the border between life and death. Her dress, woven from shadows and mist, clung to her like something alive.
— I got paired with a beauty like this? — Shao muttered, unable to tear his admiring gaze away.
Zhang Wei and Wen Lan.
Zhang Wei—a young man with prematurely silvered temples and a scar splitting his left eye, lending his gaze a cold sharpness. Beside him, Wen Lan, a girl in a fox mask, her robes shimmering like a chameleon, reflecting every shift in her mood.
Xu Yan and Kun Lian.
Kun Lian flinched at his partner's presence. A lanky youth with a zither strapped to his back stepped forward—his fingers entwined with invisible strings that hummed with every movement, like a whispering wind. Silent, he gave only the faintest nod, as if even that were excessive.
Liu Xiao and Feilin Yue.
Liu Xiao—a blonde teenager with an hourglass pendant, its ticking matching her steps. A Shashou, direct descendant of the time goddess Lingshi. Her skin, wrinkled as if aged a century in a day, contrasted with her youthful gaze.
Cai Sheng and Riannel.
Cai Sheng—an elderly man whose staff was adorned with fangs and claws of slain beasts. Every tattoo on him wasn't just ink—it was a spirit, crying out from beneath his skin.
Chen Feng and Natsuki Kengo.
Chen Feng—a burly giant in blue crystal armor, each step cracking the earth. A Jingnyu, his ancestor forged a pact with mountain spirits, and now their strength flowed in his veins.
Huang Jinlong and Luo Zhien.
Huang Jinlong—a towering figure with gold-laced skin and narrow serpentine eyes, like an ancient dragon. His spear was etched with scalelike patterns.
— The trial begins in one hour! — Jun Le proclaimed. — Use this time wisely. I suggest you get to know your partners… while you still can.
He snapped his fingers—and each pair was given a medallion-key, flaring with color before dimming.
— Remember: only three pairs will proceed. Three. The rest… will leave the arena. Alive, if they're lucky.
Jun vanished as if he'd never been there. The fish in the sky dissolved like a dream.
The silence left in his wake felt deafening.