Shi Lang looked at Crystal, standing before him with her head lowered. She was feeling guilty that something like this had happened on her watch. She was the one who took the initiative to look after the little girl. Now, she had a close brush with a catastrophe.
Shi Lang calmed himself and asked, “What do you want to say about this matter, Crystal?”
The girl did not raise her head and said, “Boss, this is indeed an error on my part. I should have stayed with her.”
Shi Lang waved his hand and asked, “I am not asking you to tell me what you should have done. I am asking what happened, and who is the person who did not intend to let her go even when it was a sparing match?”
Crystal said, “That guy belongs to the Crescent Pelican tribe. So I had the teachers investigate, and it turns out that Shi Tao could fight with guys in higher realms, so this guy, Angelo, approached her for a friendly duel. During the match, when Shi Tao competed with him toe-to-toe. Angelo used a unique technique called the Pelican thrust.
The impact rendered Shi Tao unconscious and almost injured her dantian. Fearing he had created trouble, Angelo rushed to his clan leader in the citadel and is currently coming over with the rest of the high councilmen.”
Shi Lang understood the situation and nodded. He said, “Since this is how it is, I will not say anything. However, the unique abilities of the spirit beasts are not to be used in a sparring session. They are to escape a life-and-death situation.”
Crystal nodded and said, “I apologize, Boss. I should have been careful.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “It was not your fault. However, this must not become a habit. I understand that everyone must suffer a setback now and then. However, this injury could have hampered the cultivation part of my daughter completely. I do not wish for that to happen.”
Crystal nodded, and at this moment, three people appeared around them. Moon Baley and Sabre, the elder from the Tiger clan, appeared. Along with them stood an old lady with a small crescent moon tattoo on her brows. Shi Lang bowed in greeting, and the old lady said, “Although I am a senior, the mistakes of my stupid grandchildren are mine to handle too. I apologize for the pain your daughter has been put through. Please forgive my grandson.”
Shi Lang was embarrassed and said, “Please stand up, old madam. I am a junior. I cannot have you bow to me. This matter was just a mistake, so it is better to let it stay that way. If they had too much power to vent, send them to me. These days I need some help in organizing the library.”
The elders were surprised, and Sabre asked, “Young man, what do you mean by organizing the library?”
Shi Lang sighed and replied, “Senior, all the manuals and records in the library are placed inside without any order. This causes one to be at a loss on how to start reading and from where. In addition, the techniques and experience records were placed in different sections. Thankfully, Senior Unity came forward to lend a hand, and things got sorted quickly. I can now start clearing on the much-needed topic, the bridge of immortality.”
Sabre nodded and said, “We had no idea such a problem existed in the library. Thank you for the hard work.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “I am rather thankful to be given this opportunity and learn more about ancient knowledge and techniques.”
Sabre nodded with a humble smile on his face. Moon Baley nodded and said, “You can come to us anytime. But, for today’s matter, I will ask the youngsters to be careful when sparring with each other.”
Shi lang clasped his fist and said, “As you see fit, senior. I do not mind and have no intention of meddling in their business. However, such actions reflect badly and can sow a seed of negative feelings between the two sides. None of us would like that. The consequences will be very harsh.”
The three elders nodded. After all, they knew that Shi Lang was not threatening them but reminding them of the heavenly oath they had all taken. Other than that, Unity will take action before the heavens did. They could not afford to offend the guardian spirit.
Sabre said, “This needs to be reminded to everyone who intends to ruin this alliance for petty gains.”
Shi Lang was surprised and asked, “Senior, is there something I need to know?”
Sabre shook his head and said, “It is just a hunch, I do not have any concrete details at the moment, but I will inform you once something is up. Do you understand that our two communities’ union will lead to a new era? Some people might not want to change the way things have been and resume supremacy.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Everything in this world becomes stagnant if the essence becomes self-centric. So, I do understand what you mean. Please forgive me for this abruptness Senior, but my daughter has come around. I want to be by her side.”
Sabre nodded, and Moon said, “I will have the infirmary provide her with the best natural treasures to heal.”
Shi Lang bowed in thanks, and after the three elders left, the young man also made his way toward the infirmary. He left a wisp of spiritual energy on Shi Tao’s body to know that the child had woken up. He did not want to do this in the past because it would have been a bit too much of a breach in her life. Shi Lang did not want to do that. Now he had no other choice but to look after her.
The young man walked inside the infirmary and found Shi Tao sitting on a bed with her eyes staring at the void. He did not say anything but came to sit next to her. Shi Tao glanced at him and then turned her head back to keep looking at the void.
Shi Lang poured a glass of water and handed it to the little girl. She was just seven years old. This was the first time she had suffered a setback in battle. Even if she never won against people two realms stronger than her, she had been able to draw against them with fair quality skills. This loss must have left a mark on her mind.
Shi Tao took a deep breath and then took the glass of water before gulping it all down. Shi Lang asked, “So, what have you been thinking about?”
Shi Tao said, “Revising the battle. It was all fine until that guy used his unique technique.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “I understand what you mean, but even if you spend time thinking about that guy, it will not do you any good. So the question is, did you do your best?”
Shi Tao nodded earnestly and said, “Yes, I always do my best when fighting with someone. There is no second doubting that.”
Shi Tao nodded, but the downcast mood was not uplifted. Shi Lang said, “In this life, everyone has to face defeats. Even I faced a lot of them when I was in school. You have met Jenkins, right?”
Shi Tao nodded, and Shi Lang told her the stories of his defeat in the school and then some censored versions of the training camp in Ao.
…
While Shi Lang was helping his princess overcome the obstacle in her mind, Sabre looked at the young men in his clan and said, “Jianhe step forward.”
Jianhe was the young leader of the clan. He was a bit rebellious but very efficient in what he set out to deal with. He stepped forward, and the old man said, “Gather your bunch and find me the names of those against this alliance with the Terrans. Do things silently.”
Jianhe was surprised and asked, “Is there someone who would protest against this alliance? Are they mad?”
Sabre nodded and said, “Power struggles are always happening covertly or overtly. So you do what I told you, and you will understand the secret here.”
Jainhe nodded and left to deal with the task. Sabre looked at the old lady from the Crescent Pelican clan and asked, “Martha, are you sure that it was not your grandson who attacked that child?”
Martha nodded and said, “I can be sure of that. This was not a doing of my grandson because he has yet to master the innate technique hidden inside his bloodline.”
Sabre clicked his tongue and clenched his fists as he said, “Some pebbles can also create huge waves.”
Martha nodded and said, “What do you think about Moon Baley?”
Sabre shook his head and said, “Foxes are cunning but they never intend to harm the Citadel. They are too wise to trigger something like this.”