Rebound

27

Wuxian noticed that he couldn't really practice using resentment in seclusion. The place they were didn't have anything he could draw from. So Wuxian said he'd have to wait until they were out of seclusion. He was even willing to spend time in the Burial Mounds again just to practice. Wangji said it wasn't necessary though as he didn't want Wuxian back in that place if he could help it. For now, they continued to train as they have been.

This time, Wangji refrained from using his guqin to fight. The two wanted to be evenly matched so they used their swords. While using their swords, they used other elements and charms as help. Wuxian shot a fire ball from his hand and it went straight to Wangji. Lan Wangji twirled and with the tip of Bichen's blade, he slashed through the water barrier around them, causing it to move directly towards the fire ball Wuxian shot. It quenched on impact.

A clash of swords rang within the barrier. The two trained so much that they knew each other's tricks and movements. If plan A didn't work then the other already had an idea of how plan B would go. It was like that all the way to plan Z. The two were at an impasse as usual. All they could do was call it a tie and work on new moves.

"How much longer do you think we'd be here?" Wuxian asked Wangji.

"Don't know," Wangji replied, "if you feel we have train enough for now, I imagine we can leave. We just need to find out how."

Wuxian nodded, "I would like to go back to training outside, get some fresh air. Maybe even sleep in a proper bed. Also, I am starving."

Wangji smiled, "well, we will get out soon."

Wuxian nodded. As they wanted, the platform started to rise and the water moved back into the pool. They were free to go. They knew that they were away for at least a few years but they weren't sure exactly how long. The two stepped out of the secluded area and luckily it was evening so the light didn't hurt their eyes too much.

"Welcome back," Baoshan greeted the two as they walked out of a clearing and into the main courtyard.

"We missed you," Wuxian said.

"I am not entirely sure if I believe that but I will say I missed you too," she said, "you two have been away for seven years."

"Seven years...I didn't think it was that long," Wuxian said.

"It was, but I imagine you used that time to really explore yourselves," Baoshan said.

"We did, though I didn't get to test out the resentful energy side of me as the secluded area didn't have anything to draw from," Wuxian said.

"You can work on that out here," Baoshan said, "but I imagine you want an update on things since you two have been away."

"We do, how about we talk about it over something to eat," Wuxian suggested.

"Absolutely," Baoshan said.

Baoshan got some people who live on the mountain to cook. Upon sitting at the table. A'Yuan finally gets to see Wuxian and Wangji again. The little toddler was now about ten or so and he was just the right age to start cultivating and training.

"My Little Radish has grown so much," Wuxian said.

"Xian-Gege, I missed you," A'Yuan said and hugged him. He then hugged Wangji, "I missed Rich-Gege too."

Wangji smiled, "you can call me Ji-Ge."

"Ji-Ge," A'Yuan said.

"Are you hungry?" Wangji asked him.

"Yes," A'Yuan said and sat down with them, "Baoshan has been teaching me cultivation."

"I heard, we can help you too when you need it," Wuxian said.

"I know you two just got out of seclusion, but how do you feel about running that obstacle course again?" Baoshan asked.

Wuxian sighed, "we can but there are things that Lan Zhan does better than me."

"Instead of running it as a competition, why not try something different," Baoshan told him.

"You want us to work together this time," Wangji said, "you want to see how much we have come since being in seclusion."

"Yes, let us test out your bond, hmm," she said.

So after they ate, A'Yuan sat with Baoshan as Wangji and Wuxian went through be obstacle course again. They worked together this time. As they reached the final obstacle, the tall pillar with spikes to climb but water pouring down like a waterfall, and traps that could be set off at any given moment, they really had to show if they were really in sync.

Wangji saw that Wuxian was struggling again. Mostly because the water was cold as ice. This cold never bothered Wangji but he realized that Wuxian gets cold easily and it was a weakness. They were now immortal but these weaknesses still exist. So Wangji created a hand seal and the water that was pour down Wuxian's section slip apart. It gave Wuxian a moment out of the cold water.

Wuxian hung there for a moment until he realize Wangji had helped him. He pulled himself up onto a peg and stood on it. The water pouring down on either side of him but it didn't hit him. Wangji hopped over and stood on a peg next to him, "Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yeah," Wuxian answered, "why didn't I think of that?"

"Sometimes when a person is cold, their minds tend to go blank. I am used to the cold but I have long figured out that you don't do well with it," Wangji said.

"When you carry resentment all the time you tend to feel cold often," Wuxian told him, "I carry both energies now but I still get that chill from the resentment. It chills you to the bone like nothing else ever cold."

Wangji nodded, "let us reach the top together," he said as he took Wuxian's hand.

Wuxian nodded and they began to climb the pillar again. This time, Wangji helped Wuxian climb. Wangji had incredible strength and used it to help Wuxian climb. Wuxian used his nimble feet to dodge the oncoming arrows and other attacks that come their way. They soon reached the top together.

"Thank you," Wuxian said.

"No need to say they between us," Wangji said, "we do better when we work together."

"We do, don't we," Wuxian said and placed a kiss on his cheek, "I look forward to our future together."

"Mnn," Wangji nodded, "we will find out who is behind everything."

"I know," Wuxian said, "I am just glad to have you here with me."

"And I am glad to be here with you too," Wangji said.