The White Phoenix

Chapter 23 - More Growth

"A'Ying, concentrate," Wangji said.

"I am trying," He said, "this is dumb, why am I learning to meditate?"

"It allows you to focus on your spiritual energy. It heals you, it will grow as you grow. It allows you to focus on all of your senses, it helps you focus just on yourself," Wangji explained, "now close your eyes and try again."

Wei Ying did as he was told. He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. Wangji instructed him to allow his senses to explore his body. Allow himself to feel the warmth that the energy brings. Feel that energy spread throughout his body, and let it flow through him. Wei Ying felt calm, and he could feel his energy flowing on every single inch of his skin. He began to feel a warmth build inside him. He focused all his energy on that warmth.

It was like this energy was coming to life even more. He started to feel that warmth build up in one specific area of his body, his dantian. That warmth kept building up until finally, he could feel something more alive than ever. He could feel the thrumming of energy radiating off of it. Wei Ying didn't know why, but he felt more comfortable with this warmth. He found it lively but also calming.

As he was focusing, Wangji held onto Wei Ying's wrist to keep checking his vitals. Wangji smiled when he could feel the lively sensation of Wei Ying's new golden core form. Wangji was proud of Wei Ying for focusing and following his every instruction. Wei Ying opened his eyes and looked at Wangji with a smile. Wangji's favorite thing of all time, was Wei Ying's smile.

"You now have a golden core," Wangji told him, "with it, you will have an easier time learning to control your abilities, and help them grow as you do."

"It feels warm," Wei Ying says, "like I won't ever get cold."

"It's supposed to feel that way," Wangji said, "and as you are a fire cultivator, it should always feel warm."

"Do you feel warm?" Wei Ying asked.

"A little bit," Wangji replied and pulled Wei Ying to his lap, "now I feel better. Much warmer."

Wei Ying giggled, "I will always help you feel warm, A'Zhan."

Wangji smiled down at Wei Ying, "now that you have a golden core, I want you to try, to meditate at least once everyday. It would be better if you did it twice a day, but even one will be okay. As I know how well you can concentrate."

"I will meditate twice a day to prove you wrong," Wei Ying said.

Wangji chuckled, "if you say so."

Lan Xichen entered Jingshi and smiled when he saw the two boys cuddling together, "look at you two being all cute," he said.

"Xichen-Ge, I got my golden core!" Wei Ying said excitedly.

"Congratulations, you can start learning new things," Xichen said and looked at Wangji, "sorry to break up the moment, but Uncle wants to speak with you, Wangji."

"Alright," Wangji said, "can you behave for Xichen-Ge while I am gone."

"Be back soon?" Wei Ying asked.

Wangji placed a gentle kiss on Wei Ying's forehead, "you gave my word, I will be right back."

Xichen took Wei Ying and the two chilled at the table while Wangji was away, "I don't like being away from A'Zhan," Wei Ying said, "makes me feel empty."

Xichen wrapped his arms around Wei Ying and pulled him into a hug, "it will be okay, he will be right back. I am here for the meantime."

"Not the same," Wei Ying pouted.

"I am hurt, A'Ying doesn't like me," Xichen said pretending to be upset.

"I did not mean it that way," Wei Ying said with a giggle, "Xichen-Ge is the best GeGe. Always smiling and kind."

"I do not believe you," Xichen pouted, continuing to play with him.

"I'm sorry," Wei Ying said, "Can I make it up to you?"

"Say I am better than A'Zhan," Xichen said.

Wei Ying felt torn, he couldn't say that, "I...can't. I love A'Zhan so much and I cannot compare you both. You are fun to be around but A'Zhan is...special to me...I am sorry," Wei Ying was now feeling upset.

"It's okay, I am just messing with you," Xichen said, "I will never try to make you chose between us. I know you care about us both. A'Zhan is just a bit more important to you."

"I would die for either of you," Wei Ying said.

Xichen did not mean for things to get this serious. Xichen knows how important Wangji is to Wei Ying. Knowing he would put himself in harms way for Wangji, and also him, it felt a bit out there at the moment. Xichen wanted to defuse the situation.

"I know, but please do not ever actually do such a thing. A'Zhan and I would never put you in that kind of situation," Xichen said, "Now, as you have a golden core now, did you want to learn music cultivation like me and A'Zhan?"

"A'Zhan has been starting to teach me the guqin, but I want to learn the dizi. I think it would be fun," Wei Ying said.

"I can teach you the dizi if you want," Xichen said.

"Really?" Wei Ying asked, "Would you please?"

"Of course," Xichen agreed.