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Perhaps this was a command that Ziyuan was reluctant to accept easily, but when she looked up and saw Qianwen's confident gaze, like that of a judge, her doubts faded away. She slowly spoke, asking Qianwen to elaborate on the intricacies involved.
"Do you see the flowers outside?" Qianwen said calmly, walking to the edge of the pavilion's railing, inviting Ziyuan to admire the blossoms.
"For over twenty years, Flower Blooming and Withering has taken place; the old ones have gone, and new ones have come. When have you ever seen flowers that bloom overnight?" Qianwen recalled the moment she shook hands with Lan An, feeling a depth that did not belong to a young hero but rather clung quietly to this child who was barely twenty. Although she had only stepped out once, something had clearly changed within him; his body belonged to him, but his essence was not his own.
"Are you suggesting that..." Ziyuan found it hard to believe. These flowers were cultivated through her and the leader's daily efforts of tilling and watering. Such a scene could only be achieved after a year or more, or at least several months. Before she even had a chance to interact with the recently returned Lan An, it seemed in an instant that Ziyuan understood something.
Seeing Ziyuan's reaction, Qianwen asked if the long-sealed Four Directions Dust Connection Formation could still be activated.
The Four Directions Dust Connection Formation was centered around the central square of the Trial Ground, consisting of four energy storage devices with five-star Vitality in each direction. When activated, it would create a powerful Vitality barrier that ancient seals could not break. Ziyuan shuddered; had such a significant change occurred in just the time it took for Lan An to come and go?
"These devices have been maintained all along; they can be activated with just your command," Ziyuan replied honestly while expressing her concerns.
"You will understand then. After witnessing Flower Blooming and Withering, you will know that no flower matures in an instant, nor does one suddenly transform from taciturn to talkative. However, since you have doubts, why not verify it? Practice brings true knowledge," Qianwen smiled at the puzzled Ziyuan and continued discussing the flowers they had nurtured together for twenty years. Ziyuan had lived and trained here for two decades as well; she had once been a headstrong girl who refused to lose to others during training. Now she no longer judged students solely by their achievements—this could not have been an overnight transformation.
Ziyuan nodded as she took what Qianwen handed her—a box filled with numbered lottery slips.
"Remember, let everyone draw one and say that the previous arrangement needs to be reset. The order drawn this time will be posted officially," Qianwen concluded. Ziyuan seemed to grasp Qianwen's intent even if she did not express it verbally.
Indeed, how could a child whom she had personally handed over to Nameless during the Liangyi Hero era undergo such drastic changes as suggested by the leader?
Lan An was originally a man of few words but was not lacking in understanding. Yet now he carried an unknown confidence after Qianwen's remarks—could it really be as Qianwen said? Ziyuan found no answer within herself.
Yes, we have spent countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters in repeated cycles of Flower Blooming and Withering. From someone filled with passion and grand ambitions, one gradually becomes indifferent after witnessing storms and tempests; no longer surprised by achievements or fame but merely wishing to isolate oneself from external distractions within a small space—a home with a few mats for living. However, once immersed in reality, one finds themselves amidst worldly noise; upon entering certain eaves, they are forever stained by the darkness beneath them and lose their former vibrancy.
It is precisely after Flower Blooming and Withering that we face numerous setbacks and falls before rising again—cultivating patience to cope with ever-changing environments. Just like Ran Xing at present, who has endured three days and nights here and is once again failing to control his Vitality. He slid down from halfway up after having climbed with Nian Yueye's stone statue on his back. Fortunately, after countless falls and recoveries, Ran Xing has become adept at managing his descents using Vitality to cushion himself so he does not injure himself or collide with the statue.
"Not bad, kid! Although you don't understand poetry or songs, you certainly have your own way of understanding things," the statue praised Ran Xing for his remarkable progress over just two or three days. Two days ago, Ran Xing struggled to control his Vitality while navigating through his heart's entrance and exit—resulting in numerous collisions with stone walls that created deep holes—or exerted too much force and launched himself skyward from his own water column of Vitality only to crash heavily against Xia Dengshan's ceiling before falling again.
"Who would have thought? You’re just a stone yet you talk so much," Ran Xing retorted, wanting no distractions from unnecessary chatter. After such a heavy impact against the ceiling stone above him, Xia Dengshan began to show signs of impatience from being disturbed during his sleep.
"I’ve told you several times already! With your meager skills, do you really think you can climb up here? Don’t make me laugh! You’d better stay put; at least you can get some food from me so you don’t starve yourself!" Xia Dengshan declared as he dismissed Ran Xing’s attempts once more.
"Seriously? You’re eating my buns while saying this? I’ve never seen anyone so shameless! It’s simply unforgivable!" Ran Xing shot back defiantly, vowing to make sure he would get back at Xia Dengshan once he got out.
Xia Dengshan laughed heartily; an insignificant Four Aspects Hero dared to speak boldly against him—a Taiji hero! It seemed today would not be a day for him to eat; he would teach this kid a lesson instead.
"Kiddo! Speaking like that to your elder will earn you some discipline! Aren’t you afraid your delicate backside will turn red?" Xia Dengshan laughed uncontrollably. After years of wandering the world, this was the first time he encountered someone so stubborn yet admirable; however, there was still some lack of respect for teachers that needed correction!
He sealed the hole, letting that kid curse as much as he wanted. Eventually, he would tire himself out and bow his head in submission. Xia Dengshan chuckled to himself, leaning against the rock wall while perusing a pamphlet of gossip from Peach Blossom Town that he had somehow acquired, humming a little tune as he waited for this guy to come out and apologize.
"It seems I've become a burden to you," the statue muttered to itself, urging Ran Xing not to worry about it and to conserve his Vitality for when he needed it most.
"Don't say that! Abandoning friends or leaving a fellow down-and-out partner to fend for themselves is not the way of a hero! Teacher Nian Yueye, please don't say such things!" Ran Xing was quite annoyed by this defeatist talk. However, he couldn't afford to let his emotions spiral into an argument with the statue about who was the real burden. It was better for him to calm down and think of a way out.
"But taking me along will only drain your Vitality faster. You can't..." The statue continued to argue, unwilling to let its heavy, trapped body drag Ran Xing down with it.
"I've told you before, Teacher Nian Yueye, don't say things that make everyone unhappy!" Ran Xing struggled to control his anger. Although he understood the statue's good intentions, he also knew that if he let his emotions run wild, he would need an outlet for the turmoil within him. So, Ran Xing chose not to respond further.
Taking a slow breath, Ran Xing sat cross-legged on the ground. As his breathing steadied, it felt as if this time—after countless failures—he finally sensed his inner Vitality flowing like a river he had once touched. It was a gentle caress, slowly gliding through his fingers...
With each breath and heartbeat, that familiar sensation began to accelerate, turning into a torrent. He extended his hand, gathering a robust mass of Vitality in his palm. Though his eyes were closed tight, he could feel the strength and flow of the Vitality in his hand; it was under his initial control—not flooding over nor merely dripping away—but rhythmically swirling in his grasp.
At that moment, Ran Xing stood up without hesitation, shouldering the statue once more. He began trying to break through the damned stone above him, eager to tear apart that scoundrel who masqueraded as a hero while trafficking in human lives!
As Ran Xing released his Vitality, the statue emitted a shocked murmur. This time, instead of climbing up, Ran Xing directly struck the ground with both hands full of Vitality. Using the reaction force, he aimed to propel himself and the statue skyward! He wasn't worried about smashing the statue into pieces!
"Are you crazy, Ran Xing? This is too risky!" The statue exclaimed in disbelief. But Ran Xing was resolute; the Vitality in his hands continued to gather and release at an increasing speed. Below him, splashes of Vitality erupted like water; indeed, as Ran Xing had envisioned, it felt like a giant hand lifting him and the statue higher and higher.
With that, Ran Xing lifted his head as if delivering a final verdict from a judge; it seemed he was about to warn Xia Dengshan outside that his end was near!
As the splashes broke forth, they shattered the last vestiges of life in the Trial Ground's mountain water garden, leaving only Meng Jiang and Ziyuan along with Qianwen's serious face behind the scenes.
"Everyone listen up! Due to new arrangements today, we need to redraw lots for new groupings. It's simple: line up according to your hall order. After drawing lots, find others with matching symbols to form new groups. Is that clear?!" You Long's voice was short and powerful; what answered him was a chorus of eager responses.
The news of reordering elicited no significant reaction from anyone as they followed You Long's lead to grab their new lot numbers and select new opponents.
"What’s going on?" You Long asked as Meng Jiang's students cast puzzled looks at him. However, without exception, they were all silenced by You Long's questioning gaze.
When it came time for Lan An at last, Ziyuan, You Long, and Qianwen stood in a line since only Ran Xing had yet to draw lots. Although Long Shan within Lan An still did not understand what had injured him—the Four Aspects Hero—he had some inkling about whom he would be facing.
Lan An slowly approached and extended his hand but was stopped by Ziyuan for the first time.
That hand rested on Lan An's right arm.
"Even though your opponent is clear-cut, don’t let your guard down!" Ziyuan advised with a nod from Lan An in response.
In that moment, Ziyuan completed some kind of probing technique before retreating beside Qianwen. You Long approached with a box in hand; meanwhile, Long Shan remained puzzled—if they had clarified their opponents already, why proceed? Leaving recklessly would be against the rules; it truly felt like being bound hand and foot!
Lan An reached out and touched the slip of paper inside the box, then held it up for everyone to see. His opponent was Ran Xing, one of You Long's subordinates, and the only hero not present at that moment.
After a moment of sighs and murmurs, everyone began to disperse in an orderly fashion under the guidance of their respective Hall Masters, leaving only Qianwen and Ziyuan behind.
It seemed that no matter how fast or slow Flower Blooming and Withering occurred, it could not undergo significant changes in such a short time. Ziyuan gradually began to understand what Qianwen had been trying to convey.
What was the result of this fleeting insight that kept Qianwen and Ziyuan lingering for so long? Perhaps only heaven and earth, along with the two of them, truly knew.
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