Phoenix

Chapter 19*Revised*

                  The next few months were extremely tiring for the newly young immortals. Even with their newfound amount of seemingly endless energy, they were exhausted. The older immortals pushed them all to their limits and passed them daily. They were to meditate every morning on their elemental powers: life energy for Jiang Yanli, Earth and wind for Nie Huasang, Water and Light for both Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, and Darkness and Fire for Wei Wuxian. 

               The elements were difficult to control, and they were not instinctive. There was even a mishap in which half the mountain froze because Wei Wuxian startled Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen during their meditation for control. It is safe to say that since then, Wei Wuxian has been made to meditate on the other side of the mountain under Baoshan's supervision. No more pranks would be allowed while they trained their elements.

             They were all trained to sharpen their weapon skills while Wen Li taught Nie Huasang and Jiang Yanli how to use their weapons. They were all improving rapidly under the immortal's guidance. The first time Jiang Yanli was able to hold her own against Lan Xichen, they celebrated by throwing a feast in her name. 

             The daggers were light in her hands and small enough to move how she wanted them in the swiftest of changes. It was still difficult for her to parry hits from a sword, but she became good at dodging and moving swiftly around a target. This way of fighting was more for her defense than anything, but they were all proud of her. 

              Nie Huasang was surprisingly efficient with the whip and fan he wielded. Like Jiang Yanli, his bladed fan could measure up to anyone who got too close to the Nie. His whip looked simple, but it could burrow into the ground to discreetly reach a target while being guided by Nie Huasang's energy. 

               He tried it on Wei Wuxian but accidentally grabbed Lan Wangji, making the man faceplant. Nie Huasang ran for his life, deciding he shouldn't practice that with his friends around anymore. Wei Wuxian rolled on the floor, laughing with a chuckling Lan Xichen and a giggling Jiang Yanli. None of them bothered to help the Nie with the enraged Lan Wangji. 

               Then, they had an hour or two of independent studies in Baoshan's library. Jiang Yanli spent that time studying laws, medicinal herbs, and politics to protect her family. Nie Huasang looked into many forms of espionage, battle strategy, and curses. He never wanted his friend to be under someone else's control while he was powerless again. 

              Lan Xichen spent his time learning about different kinds of music and their effects. Lan Wangji studied other pieces of battle music to ensure he could protect his lover from anyone who came for him. He also continued to learn protections from Lan Junjie. Wei Wuxian studied talismans, arrays, and everything he could find about Phoenixes. It was always easier to find vampire information everywhere, plus he had a guide in his head for that.

          There were music lessons for all of them. The immortals passed down songs they had found particularly useful in different situations. There was an hour of experimentation for them and a time for the immortals to check their energies. Then, when the others had some free time, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were forced to meditate and blend their energies. They knew of its success when Lan Wangji accidentally lit Nie Huasang's robes on fire for interrupting an intimate moment with Wei Wuxian to ask a question. 

          Wei Wuxian had pressed himself close to the Nie to see the runes on the paper, and Lan Wangji's jealousy, on top of his aggravation at the interruption, got the better of him. He burned the clothes and paper of the Nie. He could have been seriously hurt had Wei Wuxian not acted quickly and sent snow at it, putting out the flames. Wei Wuxian pouted and refused to speak to his husband for an entire day. He would not forgive Lan Wangji for trying to harm his best friend so easily. The other sulked before apologizing to Nie Huasang for lighting him on fire.