At the end of the so call "trading" between the water dragon and fox, the water dragon ends up with one plum blossom tree and the fox with a single Phe seed. Was that fair? The water dragon had believed so. After all, he obtained a massive tree while the fox ended up with a tiny seed. Only when the water dragon tried to make tea with the plum blossom that he realizes the unfairness of it all. No matter the method or the purest, cleanest water used, he's unable to duplicate the soft and elegant taste. Even his most talented tea master is unable to brew such tea. Despite being able to obtain the unattainable plum blossom, if he cannot drink the plum blossom tea – what's the point of having it? For the all-powerful water dragon to suffer such defeat, his mood grew more solemn by the day. Worst of all, he couldn't bear to destroy the tree even though the sight of it is a reminder of the fox's trickery.

"Master..."

Standing in a mirror lake courtyard was a tall solemn face man. Alexis and Cyde stood quietly behind their master who has his back facing them while staring expressionlessly at the beautiful single plum blossom tree in the center of the still lake.

"Master..." Alexis understood her master mood so carefully spoke with a gentle tone. "What if we ask Elder Myka_"

Alexis froze as soon as her master cold eyes glance over at her. It was clear that going to the fox was not an option. As a Qui master, how could Lei lower himself to ask another Qui for favors – especially a fox's favor. Feeling more annoyed, Lei look back at the beautiful tree. Before his mood sink even further, a sharp blade of water suddenly cut through and aimed at the tree. Startled, his body reacted before his mind could understand the situation. Lei created a water barrier dome around the tree before the blade could cause it any harm.

"Cyde!" Lei angrily raised his palm, blasting a wave power at the young man who just dared to harm the tree before his very eyes. "You dare to_"

"Why keep it if it annoys you?" Cyde's question was blunt and sharp as his expression.

"You_" Lei was both startled and lost.

The water dragon did not know what his current conflicting emotion – lost, anger, hate, resentment, and longing. In fact, he wasn't even supposed to have such emotions. From the beginning of his existence, all he had ever felt was indifferent. Nothing and no one had ever – could ever move him. There was no desire or feelings as it all amounts to weaknesses. Only mere mortals would have such impractical sentiments. And while Lei's mind was denying such sentiments, he missed the darkness in discipline's eyes. Without hesitation or fear, Cyde lifted his palm and aimed another water blade at the plum blossom.

"Enough!" Lei, again, protect the plum blossom while blasting Cyde mercilessly with torrent wave of water – trapping and suffocating the young man within it.

"Cyde!" Alexis cried out in fear before turning to her master and kneel. "Please master_"

"Silence." Lei's eyes already turned red from anger despite his calm voice.

Tears fall as Alexis could see the water dragon deadly anger.

"Master please!" Alexis didn't care for her own safety as she continued to beg.

There was no reason left in Lei as his hand slowly closed, controlling the torrent wave into crushing Cyde.

"Cyde!"

While Alexis stood and cried out, another voice called out in a panic. All of a sudden, a ball of fire shot at Lei – throwing him slightly off balance. Released from the wave, Cyde fell but was caught by Nilo.

"Nilo! Cyde!" Alexis rushed over to their side, checking on Cyde as he coughs heavily. "Cyde, are you okay?"

While Alexis cared for Cyde, Nilo scowl at the water dragon. Lei naturally met Nilo's scowl with a deadly red glare of his own. Without words, Lei lifted his hand causing the still water to ripple – stirring sudden fear in Nilo and Alexis.

"Now-now children." A sudden lyrical voice spoke in the distant with both amusement and coldness. "Play nice or don't play at all."

Lei's red eyes furrow as they unknowingly revert back its original calm color. Within that moment, a slim figure dress in black wearing a smiling fox mask floated lazily from the clouds.

"Nilo, I taught you a little trick just a moment ago and now you're here causing trouble." Myka tone was easygoing despite the scolding. "Apologize to the all mighty water dragon."

Nilo's face clearly show his resistance. Instead of anger, Myka laughs and shook her head as if she didn't mind Nilo's stubborn ways.

"I'll deal with you later." Myka then turned to face the stern face Lei. "As for you, all mighty water dragon, must you behave like a child when you don't get your way?"

Lei's eyes again begin to change its color – clearly annoyed with Myka's words. Myka didn't care about Lei's mood as she floated casually toward the plum blossom tree. Lei, Alexis, Nilo, and Cyde all watched as a branch suddenly grew out to let Myka sit upon it. Laughing softly, Myka idly sat and gently pat on the branch as if thanking it for its care.

Plum Blossoms keep flowering for no one

Even bruised, they shine like pearls

Caring nothing of the mortal world

Even forced to bloom, nothing could be done

Myka spoke those gentle words to the plum blossom tree as it scattered its lovely petals around her – showering her with its sweet scent. The sight was both beautiful and warm. The anger that Lei had felt had long disappeared as he watched the fox sitting up on the tree. Meanwhile, Cyde silently pushed Nilo and Alexis helping hands away and slowly rose to his feet. Seeing the sight of the water dragon staring at the fox was irritating – just like when the water dragon was staring at the plum blossom.

"Why are you here?"

Myka turned to look at Cyde who forced himself to stand despite his pale expression. Even though he wanted to appear strong, Myka knew the young man was injured. Lei was merciless and if not for Nilo interference, Lei would have killed Cyde without a second thought. No one could see the fox's expression behind her mask; therefore, no one could see her concern.

"If not here, where should I be?" Myka answered Cyde's question with another question.

"You don't belong here." Cyde said with irritation.

"Where I belong..." Myka's voice was strangely gentle. "Yes... I don't belong here."

Before anyone could understand Myka's words, she jumped down from the tree and landed before Lei. Seeing this only annoyed Cyde further but he couldn't understand why.

"I assume you learn by now how difficult it is to brew plum blossom tea." Myka attention was now on Lei. "Care to do continue our trading deal?"

Lei's brow furrow as he tries to understand the situation.

"What do you want?" Lei asked – not caring to play anymore games with Myka.

"I need more servants." Myka said teasingly as she pointed to toward Alexis and Cyde. "They'll do."

"I will not give you my disciples." Lei replied coldly.

"Umm... Just a second ago, you didn't hesitate to kill them off. I didn't think you care." Myka laughed, ignoring Lei's sour mood. "Besides, I didn't say I want them all the time. Just every now and then."

Lei studied Myka as she bends down to poke at the still lake underneath them.

"Have them come harvest my Phe plants." Myka continue to twirl her finger in the lake while seeing her fox mask reflection in the water and Lei standing just beside her – looking down at her. "In return, I'll teach that little girl how to brew tea."

Lei watched Myka for a long time.

"How do I know you'll keep your words, fox?"

Myka only laughs softly as she stood and lifted her head to the tree.

"I'm not happy." Myka spoke coyly to the tree and all of a sudden, the beautiful blossoms on the tree fell and disappear like ash.

"You_" Lei was speechless.

"Never mind, I'm happy." Myka voice held amusement as she continues to talk to the tree. "Bloom for me darling."

And the tree was once again filled with beautiful pink and white blossoms. The branch reached out and surround Myka as if pouting at her for playing around.

"Do you understand now, dragon?" Myka patted the tree branch gently without paying attention Lei. "If I didn't keep my words, how can you have this cute little tree in your territory to begin with? Seriously, you should feel fortunate that I'm even bothered to make deals with a boring dragon like yourself."

Lei hands fisted to his side as if he couldn't wait to take a bite at the arrogant fox.

"Now, remember to send your precious disciples over once a week. You don't want me unhappy without my drinks."

No one knows just how important coffee was to the nine-tails fox so did not take her words seriously. It wasn't until Myka shared the drinks with the Qui masters during a celebration that they became hooked – especially one water dragon. What made it worst for the water dragon was despite having all the Phe plants, no one of but the nine-tails fox knew how to make the black liquid drink.

"Let's get going Nilo. Your master is bored of this place." Myka floated back up to the sky.

Nilo didn't even get a chance to resist as Myka pulled him up with an invisible force.

"Nilo..." Alexis watched with concern as the angry Nilo was dragged away.

And while Lei watched with furrow brows, Cyde's pale face grew colder.