As Shi Min left the room, the empty tray cradled in his hands, the scent of herbs lingered in the air, weaving a tapestry of love and devotion. The twins nestled beside their mother, cocooned in warmth and serenity.

It was a quiet moment — a simple instance in the grand design of life.

And yet, it was everything.

Ling Li drifted into a peaceful slumber, only awakening moments before dinner, just as the sound of laughter and chatter from her fellow trainees enveloped the air, heralding their return.

Four Eyes emerged from the steamy confines of the shower, droplets still glistening on his skin, when he noticed Ling Li stirring from her cozy cocoon of blankets.

"You're awake? Were you that exhausted? Butler James mentioned you skipped lunch, it's good that Shi Min made you some soup," he inquired, concern etching his features as he settled beside her, towel in hand, gently drying his freshly washed hair.

"I'm totally okay! With a bit of rest, I can recharge my energy swiftly. I'm back to full strength now," Ling Li asserted, her voice imbued with confidence.

"Glad to hear it, because I need you at your best tonight," Four Eyes murmured, leaning in to place a soft kiss on her neck. A shiver of warmth cascaded down Ling Li's spine, catching her off guard.

"You! You! You! Hmph! Let's go eat, I'm absolutely starving!" she declared playfully, shoving Four Eyes aside as she scrambled to her feet and dashed out of the room, her energy suddenly renewed.

With an amused shake of his head, Four Eyes chuckled as he watched Ling Li dart out like a startled rabbit.

As the couple entered the bustling dining hall, a vibrant scene unfolded before them. The long table was animated, filled with their family, friends, and disciples, as culinary delights were being served alongside merriment and hearty laughter.

The Table of Tales: Training with the Seven Shah

The brightly lit dining hall atmosphere thrummed with warmth and camaraderie. The air was rich with the aromas of spiritual cuisine, dishes infused with the essence of cultivation. Ling Li, seated at the head of the table, radiated a commanding presence, her maturity and poise like a beacon. Beside her, Four Eyes settled into his chair, freshly scrubbed and quietly observant, a content smile adorning his face.

Fatty, already half-consumed in his third bowl of nourishment, leaned back with a heartfelt sigh of satisfaction. "I swear, Shah Pyrrha, the Shah of Flame nearly roasted me alive today! We spent the afternoon running through flaming rings while chanting resistance mantras. Shah Pyrrha said, We warriors need forging in flame to be invincible! I thought I'd lose my eyebrows for good!" he exclaimed, animatedly gesturing.

Laughter erupted around the table. "You still have them," Lily teased, "although they look a tad… crispy."

Rubbing his forehead, Fatty replied, "I'm telling you, he's merciless! But I can feel the difference. My qi flow feels smoother, and my stamina has doubled."

Shun nodded emphatically, his eyes alight with the thrill of shared experiences. "Shah Liora, he said he is the Shah of light. Shah Liora alsa mentioned that he specializes in perception, clarity, and breaking through barriers. For the whole day, he had us breaking through illusions today. He conjured up a false battlefield and had us navigate it blindfolded. I walked smack into a tree," he shared, a grin of embarrassment spreading across his face.

"You did?" Chin Chin giggled, her eyes widening. "Did it hurt?"

"Only my pride," Shun quipped, winking.

Lily chimed in, her voice brimming with excitement. "Shah Aeris taught us aerial footwork today. He said speed and qi-lightened movement should be learned to fight like the wind, untouchable and ever shifting. I floated for three whole seconds before landing flat on my face!"

"You floated?" Chin Chin gasped, her admiration palpable. "That's incredible!"

"Not so incredible when you crash into a bush," Kim Kim muttered, nursing her elbow.

Across from Ling Li, Shi Min wore a serene smile, his aura still glowing faintly from the earlier acupuncture session. His eyes, however, carried a keen sharpness. He looked at Jack and asked, "Little Jack, what did you learn today?"

"Ehem, I was with Nicu and Ailun. Master Veyron, ah, he is the Shah of Dusk. After he finished giving instructions to Master Chu Yan, he confined Micu, Ailun, and me in a shadow dome for meditation. Complete isolation — no sound, no light. It was… intense," he ventured thoughtfully.

"What did you discover?" Lily asked, curiosity piquing.

Jack paused, gathering his thoughts. "I confronted my fears. My doubts. And then… clarity emerged. I found my path forward."

Ling Li's gaze softened; she recognized the evolution within him — not just in physique, but in spirit. He was transforming.

Four Eyes leaned in closer, eager to share his own experiences. "Shah Kael put me to the test this afternoon, sparring against three disciples without any aura or enhancements. Just pure swordsmanship. I haven't felt this drained in years."

"But you still beat them, didn't you?" Fatty inquired, an eyebrow raised.

Four Eyes shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "Eventually. They were surprisingly good. Kael's training is honing my instincts to a fine edge. He is worthy of his title, The Shah of Steel."

Chin Chin raised her hand excitedly. "Can I train too?"

Ling Li's smile brightened. "Soon. You and Kim Kim will start with needle techniques. Then we'll discover where your affinities lie."

"Yay!" Chin Chin clapped in delight. "I want to be just like Big Brother!"

Kim Kim nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling. "Me too! I want to learn everything!"

Chatty, added with earnestness, "Shah Thalos had me balancing on shifting terrain while reciting cultivation formulas. It was far more challenging than it sounds."

Chatty groaned, rolling his eyes. " Then, I just got kicked by Fatty during sparring. Then Madam made me fight without Cannonball. I dropped my sword within a minute."

Another outburst of laughter filled the room.

"You're making progress," Ling Li affirmed with a nod. "But you depend too heavily on external resources. It's essential to learn how to stand on your own."

Chatty nodded earnestly. "I will strive to do better, Madam."

The conversation flowed like the delicious spirit-infused broth, weaving stories and laughter between mouthfuls of fluffy steamed lotus buns and roasted phoenix root. While the food nourished their bodies, it was the sharing of experiences that nourished their bonds.