Hu Bai’s expression remained serious. "You need to be careful from now on. There will be many eyes on this manor after today’s events. People will want to know where that phenomenon came from, and some of them may not have good intentions."
Li Yan nodded.
"I will also be leaving for a few days," Hu Bai continued. "But I will return on the day of your examinations. I promise I will not miss them."
"Where are you going?"
Hu Bai gave him a small smile. "Somewhere I need to be."
Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "That tells me nothing."
"It was not meant to."
Li Yan sighed. He already knew he would not get a proper answer from him.
"In the meantime, avoid going outside unless you absolutely have to. If you do need to leave the manor, take Hu Biyan with you. Do not wander around alone."
"I know how to take care of myself."
"I know." Hu Bai’s tone remained calm. "But you are a lot more beautiful than you were before, more eye-catching. You will draw the attention of some rather lecherous men, and I would be sad if another man captured my future bride. So be careful."
Li Yan sighed and nodded.
It was not as though he had any intention of going outside in the first place. He knew his current abilities were nowhere near enough to protect himself against someone genuinely powerful.
Rather than going outside and playing the damsel in distress whenever trouble found him, he could stay here, where he was treated with respect.
"I understand."
Hu Bai smiled and walked closer. He stopped beside Li Yan and hesitated before quietly saying, "Pardon me."
Li Yan looked up.
Hu Bai gently cupped his cheek. The touch was brief and careful, nothing like his impulsiveness earlier, and his thumb rested lightly against Li Yan’s cheek.
"The ring is not for decoration."
Li Yan’s gaze dropped toward the ring on his finger.
"If you are ever truly in danger, it will protect you and send a signal to me. You do not have to fear being alone simply because I am not nearby."
There was no teasing in Hu Bai’s voice now.
"If you call for me, I will come."
Li Yan looked at him.
Hu Bai held his gaze for another moment before slowly withdrawing his hand. "No matter where I am."
Li Yan immediately looked away, forcing himself to appear as though Hu Bai’s words had not affected him. "I do not need you to come running whenever I call. I can take care of myself, so you do not have to worry about me while you are gone."
Hu Bai only smiled. There was no teasing in his expression this time, nor did he argue with Li Yan. He nodded, accepting the cold dismissal without making a fuss.
"I know you can," he said. "I am leaving now, then. Take care of yourself while I am away."
Li Yan gave a small nod, keeping his expression indifferent even as he watched Hu Bai stand. He had no reason to feel reluctant about the man’s departure; they were only contractually engaged, and Hu Bai had his own affairs to attend to.
Hu Bai walked toward the door, but before leaving, he stopped beside Hu Biyan. The two men exchanged a few quiet words, their voices too low for Li Yan to hear clearly. Hu Biyan listened without interruption before finally nodding.
Whatever Hu Bai had instructed him about, it seemed important enough that Hu Biyan took it seriously.
A moment later, Hu Bai left.
Li Yan’s eyes remained on the doorway for a few seconds before he finally turned around. "Where did he go?"
Hu Biyan glanced at him. "He has some family matters to attend to."
"Family matters?"
"That is all I know."
Li Yan considered asking more, but decided against it. Hu Bai had clearly not wanted to tell him where he was going, and there was little point in pressing Hu Biyan for information he did not have.
Hu Biyan turned toward the training grounds. "Come. We should continue your training."
Li Yan followed him without protest.
The thought of the mountain trail immediately brought his attention back to the matter at hand. He had only just reached the first realm of Martial Qi, and although the breakthrough had greatly strengthened his body, he knew better than to assume that one advancement had suddenly made him invincible.
"The mountain trail will be different now that you have begun cultivating," Hu Biyan said as they walked. "Your strength has improved, but you still lack practical experience. Knowing how to circulate Qi is one thing; knowing when to use it is another."
Li Yan nodded.
Hu Biyan continued, explaining the trail from the perspective of someone who had already experienced it himself. "The mountain is not difficult simply because of the beasts. The terrain itself can become a problem if you waste your strength. You need to learn when to move quickly and when to conserve your energy."
"What did you do when you went through it?"
"I observed first." Hu Biyan’s answer was immediate. "I did not rush into the mountain simply because I wanted to prove I could survive it. I watched the other participants, studied the terrain, and learned where the dangerous areas were before deciding which route suited me."
Li Yan listened carefully.
That approach made sense. The mountain trail was an examination, which meant the goal was not necessarily to defeat everything in his path. Surviving efficiently would be more valuable than wasting his strength on unnecessary battles.
Hu Biyan glanced at him. "You have one advantage now that you did not have before."
"My cultivation?"
"Yes. But more importantly, your perception should be better after awakening your Qi."
Li Yan’s expression became thoughtful.
He had noticed that already. The world seemed slightly sharper than it had been before, from the sounds around him to the subtle changes in his surroundings. If he could learn how to use that properly, it could prove more useful than raw strength.
"You should not rely entirely on your cultivation, either," Hu Biyan continued. "Martial Qi can strengthen your body, but you still need technique. Tomorrow, I will teach you how to use your Qi efficiently while moving through the mountain."
Li Yan nodded again.
For the first time since learning about the examination, he felt prepared to face it.
He still had no intention of being reckless.
If he could remain cautious, conserve his strength, and make use of the abilities he had only just gained, there was no reason for him to turn the mountain trail into a death sentence.
As they reached the training grounds, Hu Biyan stopped and turned toward him.
"Now, show me how you circulate your Qi."
Li Yan took a breath and prepared himself.
His training had only just begun.