Wei Wuxian has never seen a place so mesmerizing. The arena where he is supposed to train, is in reality, a huge ground, the horizon of which merges along the mistiness of the light crimson fog of the mystical sky of the realm. It felt like he is standing on a ground made of light. Right before him, the man, who apparently is the only dweller, and perhaps the patriarch of this realm, is standing like a pensive statue - all stoic and wooden, as if curved out of hard leather.

Wei Wuxian looked around the area, but all he could see was just a fathomless extended stretch of peachy void; mystical and abbysal.

A fresh wave of enthusiasm waved across his body and heart, and with a pair of flaming eyes he gazed at the floor which is nothing but a pellucid platform with peachy tint. There is no sand and soil here on which one shall fall over and over again, and then again rise. The smell of that soil is enfused with the essence of power and vigour; will, determination, fear, rout, and gore and blood.

It is not possible to feel that magical power here within this realm which seems emptier than chilly burial ground; not even the surreal presence of those rotting flesh and bones could be felt here. However, that doesn't matter to Wei Wuxian, for only thing that occupies his heart and mind is to feel the smell of toil and weapons again, and nurture himself to an inevitable being.

Wei Wuxian looked up and was met with a pool of brown striped by golden threads. For the first time in these few months did Wei Wuxian notice the gentle and cottony adoration that was laden in the man's soft eyes. However, being interested in such a detail was the last choice in his mind, he opened his rosy lips to speak.

"What am I supposed to do? " He asked slowly. An obvious confusion was conspicuously flowing around him. No weapon, no instrument for training. What shall he train with?

The former Yunmeng Jiang head disciple missed the sandy training ground where sweet smell of lotuses often lurked in the air...

"Come closer. This ground is all yours. We shall train here everyday. Make sure to feel up this ground and open your heart towards it. Let your soul accept this place as your second home." The man spoke, almost like a teacher.

Wei Wuxian was moved. He closed his eyes, took a breathe, and opened his lids again. His eyes roamed around the delicate void, and started walking around, feeling the overwhelming sensation of every step he took. Much to his surprise, he collided with an invisible wall, and a smile appeared across his face.

After all, this training ground is not as useless as he had assumed it to be. There is a limit of his region, and of course you cannot escape a fight. A faint spiritual energy was guarding the entire place.

He turned towards the man and stared questioningly at him.

"Physical training... For possessing a strong body, accentuated by a strong soul." The man spoke.

"I understand that. How long are we going to stand like this? Are we planning on going for any action or not? I am not interested to waste an ounce of time any further." Like an impatient disciple, Wei Wuxian rambled with a tone of irk.

"Very well. As you wish my... " The man abruptly stopped in the middle of his sentence.

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrow with a sense of curiousity and an urge for the man to carry on, but suddenly a bright energy flashed accrosed, and his eyes were blinded by a sharp light, followed by a sudden heat wave.

After an entire minute could he open his eyes, and a huge earthly ground washed by realistic sunlight, lay before him. A spark and thrill waved inside him, be it from shock or be it from excitement; he embraced the thrill. The smell of soil and the heat of the sun brought a flux of nostalgia, and a pinch of reality which seemed to be lacking for few months in the realm.

"Your own training ground." The man uttered, in a voice that seemed to be softened like liquid honey.

For the first time in these few months did Wei Wuxian smile. Bending down, he picked up a handful of soil and kissed his fist, smelling the earthly musk.

"I will prove myself worthy of this ground." The oath Wei Wuxian took weighed heavier than the mountains, because the oath was imbibed with the gravity of his resolution.

The rays akin to sunlight was beaming with vehement heat. Under it's tormenting energy was glistening with overflowing sweat a drenched body. His body was moving continuously, sometimes in a plank position, sometimes in handstand position, while sometimes in arched position. Currently, he was at his 199th pushup. One more exertion, and there he was - at the finished point, and his body collapsed immediately.

" Commendable." A deep voice praised him with all glory. He kept on taking deep breaths, and did not respond immediately. After catching his breath, he sat up at looked up at the elegantly dressed man gleaming under the sunlight.

" How many days more? I guess I am strong enough now? This body is even stronger than my previous one. It has already been 6 months approximately. And I have even learned all the katas."

Impatience was evident in Wei Wuxian's voice.

" Few moons more." The reply was coaxing. It sounded like he attempted to wheedle Wei Wuxian into going through a few more days of hardcore body training. Not that Wei Wuxian minded bearing the pain. It delights him upon fathoming the fact that his body and soul is growing stronger with every passing day of hard labour and passion.

Wei Wuxian suddenly developed the urge to mock. Few moons more? Who counts days with moons nowadays? This guy cannot be that ancient, could he? Or he really belongs to the ancient century unknown?

" Alright." He replied tersely.

The training went on for what he had contemplated to be few weeks. He would lie if he said he was not enthralled at the other man's skills. His movements were so perfect, so flawless, it was almost hypnotizing. He would come in his loose robes while training, show Wei Wuxian some innovative moves, and all along, his divine physique would stand out with all pride of glory - the inundations on his belly would glisten under the layer of sweat.

Wei Wuxian had to swallow to moisten his dry throat everytime he came across such a scene. And right now, he is trapped in one of those moments. The godly man attacked him mercilessly with scissoring moves, and he effortlessly blocked each of them. But he found it hard to focus when the divine in front of him looked breathtaking - almost like a painting.

A punch landed on his stomach and he staggered back, falling on the ground with a thud. Few drops of scarlet rolled along his chin.

"Focus." The commanding tone took Wei Wuxian out of his trance and he looked up at the towering figure. Something hot and boiling curled in the pit of his stomach and his heart jack rabbited. He felt himself at loss.

"Sorry... I was... " The man didn't let him finish. "You were diverted. This is not what is expected from you. Focus and stay determined." Wei Wuxian hanged his head down, feeling ashamed of himself. He could not believe what is just happening.

I have a purpose. And, the purpose is not a light one. So...

He sprinted up on his feet and counter-attacked with such sheer force that the other man was forced to stagger. Good. A desire to take revenge boiled within him and he agilely volleyed unpredictable moves, gradually pushing the other on the ground, clearly accentuating his win.

He got fixated on his spot. The adrenaline rushed through his body. Did I really defeat him?

He expected to witness a humiliated face, but what he really came across is a conceited visage - pleased from brim to brim. His stomach churned.

The man rose up. "Congratulations... " Clearly he wanted to say more, but deliberately stopped himself. Wei Wuxian wants to him to finish his sentence.

"Thank you." He knows he sounds smug, and he let his usual stiffness slip. Only for today. "So, am I now ready to build my core?" He asked. It might sound like a child's play that he has been able to topple that man for the first time, but this is exactly what he has been striving to do since the very beginning of their training.

And today, the day finally came. The other man is nothing like the cultivators he witnessed in the mortal world. He is far beyond the usual cultivators and martial artists he had know. Their strength is nothing compared to his. He is divinely powerful.

"Yes. You are. We will start the next stage few days later. You need rest."

Wei Wuxian nooded and stared at him.

He looked so ethereal. Bathed by the soft sunlight, his dream-like body was gleaming with the accumulated precipitation. Every curve of his body emanated divine vigour. It was a kind of body one would die to possess. Contrast to his sharp cut, well built body, and equally chiseled face, his eyes were too gentle.

Wei Wuxian doesn't know what is probing him to do so, but he started taking slow, measured steps towards the man, as if something is controlling him like a puppet, only that the urge is looming inside his very own confounded heart.

What am I doing? This shouldn't happen.

But he cannot tear his eyes away from the ethereal figure. It felt like he is hypnotized. He knows he might look creepy and the man must feel uncomfortable under his eerie gaze, but clearly the other seemed not to faze even a little. As if he is waiting for Wei Wuxian to approach him. His eyed were telling so.

His consciousness left his company and his subconscious whims took control of him. He stood in front of the other - almost too close. Feel him - something urged him.

Feel him?

He raised his hand and ran it across the other man's face, sliding his butterfly touch along the manly neck and then the sturdy, tight chest, then the enthralling abs... the cold to touch navel...

He looked up to lock his gaze with a pair of inexplicable eyes. "What happened?" He knows he sounds silly. Touching another person in an utterly inappropriate way and then asking them what has happened...clearly a sign of insanity.

"Nothing." Why does he sound so pleased? As if he has been waiting for Wei Wuxian's touch for ages?

"My name is Wei Wuxian. Call me Wei Y-" He couldn't continue. His lips stopped, but his hand didn't. It travelled up and settled over the hard chest under which lies a soft heart throbbing like a rolling boulder.

Consciousness began to drip over him and his mind slowly recovered. No. No. This is not supposed to happen. Never in his life had he been this dreaded by his own feelings. A strong yet utterly weak string of denial was constricting his heart.

He understood long ago that he has started trusting the man without hesitancy he initially had. He no more felt uncomfortable in his calming company. Whenever he felt distressed, the same soothing energy would coax him to peace, and he knows where the energy comes from. His propinquity with the other has long ago passed the barrier of distance he had created.

And he knows, his heart is being treacherous to him.

I cannot loose myself. Not again.

He withdrew his hand, and immediately started missing the warmth of the toned skin. The golden stripes that had appeared in the man's eyes few moments ago, disappeared.

A sharp bell rang. The training was over.

He felt giddy.

" Thank you for your assistance." The two bowed to each other and silently approached the exit of the training ground. Something cold touched his face and a finger brushed along his bruised lips. Wei Wuxian showed no reaction- silently taking the treatment.

The day opened a new door inside his heart and he felt afraid. Inner conflict didn't feel this vehement since a long time.

Loosing oneself?
Is it snap of a string
Or blooming of a zing,
That bind and tether us
With a soulful bonding?
Perhaps both.
Some are pondered over,
Some are meant not to be.
Better I hold myself
And never loose my string.

Is our protagonist going to resolve his feelings or keep denying them?

Let's see what happens!

Do you trust the mysterious man?