Xieren went to his group, his eyes on the ground but focused on Shizun. While the man looked over his students, Xieren made sure to observe him, wanting to see if he could find Tankian within the man.

Sure, his voice and the songs belonged to that man alone but surely there was some other explanation. Despite that endeavor, a large part of him knew that they were one and the same. Wanted it to be true. Because otherwise, he knew he'd never see his favorite person again.

At this moment, his favorite person was walking among all the groups, watching the older disciples guide the younger ones, giving advice when needed and casually praising them when he saw their hard work and progress.

With every kind word and gentle head pat, Xieren's mood blackened until once again, the others around him started to feel scared and remained silent.

Why was there such a scary person in our group! They cried within their hearts.

When Liang Fei arrived to Xieren's group, he saw how quiet and diligently they worked and felt a surge of pride. It was very hard to keep children quiet when learning, even as the years go by so he was very impressed by it.

Had he known it was purely due to Xieren's malicious aura, he might have thought better of calling him sweet and adorable.

Smiling in his heart, he rested a hand on the group leaders shoulder to praise him for keeping his group quiet. The young man hadn't even noticed and didn't think he'd done anything but stilled preened under the man's praise.

"T-thank you, Master Shao!" He said, bowing to Liang Fei as he walked off. Still feeling all fluffy and warm inside, he turned back to his group, only to find a sea of pale faces. "Eh? What are you guys looking so scared of? Scared Master Shao likes me more? Well-"

He would have continued but then then felt something hit him, making him freeze in place. It was scary, making him want to run and hide. Something was watching him. He tried to find the source but his attention only fell on the small waste in the back, raising a hand and giving a small smile.

"Perhaps Shixiong should continue the lesson before Shizun finds fault in his disciples gloating as opposed to teaching as they are suppose to." He advised, his tone cold and tight, his single gold eye burning with dislike for the people around him

The lesson continued, though Xieren's mood continued to get worse. Liang Fei, blissfully unaware, continued to pet his students, overjoyed at seeing them slowly get better. When his eyes did find Xieren, the intensity of his glare made him miss the time they'd spent together as brothers.

He very much wanted to see the child smile but he couldn't play favorites.

Later, as they went about their run, Liang Fei looked over the crowd and called out to them.

"Alright, since we didn't get to do our run yesterday, I'll be adding another 3 laps to our usual run." He stated, ignoring the resulting groan. He hadn't expected any different to he let the complaint go. "No need to rush but everyone must complete their set, understood?"

"Yes!" With a nod, Liang Fei blew air from between his fingers, letting out a piercing whistle. The first time he'd done it, his students jumped, not knowing where the sound had come from. Now, weeks into this regime, they were used to it and knew what it meant.

As usual, Liang Fei lead the run. Not only cause he wanted the exercise himself but to properly monitor their progress, making himself the goal as opposed to a flag or something.

(AN: I don't know the official means of telling time so I'm just going with hours and minutes, K?)

About a half hour in, those who had started out in the front were slowing down, taking the slow-and-steady route as opposed to those who had started out and were now rushing ahead. The dynamic would switch over the course of the run so Liang Fei didn't comment.

He did, however, look back and comment at the single disciple who managed to keep up with him.

"It's you once again, Xieren." He called out, spinning around to run backwards. The little one was jogging almost defiantly, keeping up but still panting. Liang Fei was impressed, though his face remained static. "For someone who was sick just a day ago, I'm impressed you have kept up with me two days in a row."

Liang Fei, due to his high level cultivation skill as well as his previous experience, had no problem running for long periods of time, so he had lapped his students at least 2 times before they reached their second lap. Both days, Xieren was the black horse, keeping the man in his sights and not letting him out of it.

Xieren, unwilling, preened under the praise, wanting to get close and receive the head pat he clearly deserved more than any of those other people! Instead, he just called out.

"Xieren refuses to lose to anyone!" He watched Liang Fei cock a brow in a way that made him seem amused.

"I see. Then allow me to not treat you like a child then." He said, facing forward again and speeding up, shocking the child. Xieren determined not to lose to this man, sped up as well, trying his best to keep up. Much to everyone's shock, while he was still some distance away from Liang Fei, he was never out of sight, even as he became smaller and smaller.

Xieren gritted his teeth and tried harder, pushing his body more. The sight of Shizun's form getting farther away was painful. He didn't want the man to go so far away. He didn't want his favorite person to leave him behind.

Wiping at the tears that he refused to let fall, the child failed to notice the obstacle in his way until he tripped and fell, hitting the ground hard.

As his consciousness quickly faded, he could hear Shizun calling out to him, his tone concerned and panicked.

Xieren was kind of happy to know he was the source of the change.

***

Xieren dreamt of dark places and panicked voices. They were all talking but he couldn't understand them, all the words overlapping one another. A single voice, female, called out to him, asking that he just live, if nothing else, live freely.

He wanted so much to see the source of that calm and sweet voice, feeling love and warmth from her in ways he had always dreamed. It was like being swathed by the sun.

Even as he begged for the voice to remain with him, her voice began to fade, the panicked voices getting louder as screams replaced her once calm voice.

Then he was left in darkness.

There was no sound or light, but he knew he was not alone. He could feel the glares of foes unseen watching him, waiting for their chance. Xieren wanted to harden his heart, to ensure they didn't seep into him. Yet he could already feel them trying to burrow in, finding the cracks in his armor.

He wanted to scream but knew that doing so would only lead to his demise.

Just as he was about to give up, he heard something. The something was faint but it was something. Just as he took notice to it, it got louder. A melody that was calm as the woman's voice but deeper.

He could faintly hear the crackling of a nearby fire accompanying the melody, giving Xieren a sense of warmth that chased the bitter cold away. He followed that melody, not wanting to let it slip away.

As he followed, the darkness faded, chasing away those entities who wanted his body and soul. They could find no more cracks and fled.

Xieren opened his eyes, the first sight greeting him was the leaves of a tall tree. At first, he could only see the leaves shake as the branches swayed in the unheard wind, his hearing having not caught up just yet. Slowly, to him, the world of sound returned to him, gracing him with the whistle of the wind.

And a hummed melody.

Looking over, Xieren found himself lying on the grass beneath a tree with Liang Fei sitting beside him. The man's gaze was on a book in his lap, his attention steady and firm on the words contained within.

Yet, as usual, he couldn't help but hum to himself. Xieren briefly wondered how the man could hum a melody and yet remain focused on the words in front of him at the same time.

(AN: I know I can't do that.)

Just then, Liang Fei noticed he was awake and turned to him, closing the book.

"Ah, you're awake." He placed the book down and turned to help Xieren sit up.

"Shizun." Xieren looked around, seeing they were back to their starting point, Shizun's courtyard. The man had his own area that overlooked most of the sect. Due to his contribution and the reputation of his family, he was allowed to have an entire courtyard to himself. "What..."

"You tripped over a rock and fell." He explained, missing the flush of embarrassment that was evident on Xieren's face. The young boy was mortified.

He'd tripped?! And of course Shizun would just casually say it rather than give Xieren just a little face.

"I-I see." He mumbled, covering his face. "This disciples thanks Shizun for-"

"Honestly, I was pretty shocked since it was a very obvious rock so you shouldn't have missed it." He continued, really not knowing when to stop. "Perhaps you just weren't paying attention?"

(AN: No, it was the dastardly, Rocky the rock! An antagonist featured in everything from anime to horror movies. Hence the cameo here.)

"Please stop...." Xieren begged, curling up with embarrassment.

"Ah, so you admit to not paying attention?" He asked, his brow cocked curiously.

"N-no, I was but-" His excused was cut off by Liang Fei.

"A proper cultivator keeps track of his surroundings." He stated, his tone gentle yet firm. Had he been the original, he'd have been mocking the boy but somehow, Xieren knew Shizun wasn't being serious. Especially when he continued. "He doesn't trip over rocks. Even as spectacularly as you."

"Shizun is too mean!" He whined, really wanted to make the man stop teasing him. Seeing his distress, Liang Fei sighed, wishing he could pet him.

Unfortunately, he was 'Shao Liang Fei' now so he couldn't pet the child. But could do the closest thing. He used his book to gently hit Xieren on the head, gaining his attention once more.

"But I'm glad you weren't' hurt." He said, letting out a breath. Looking up at the man, Xieren saw his earnest concern and felt his hatred just the slightest bit. His Shizun...

"...Shizun really is too much." He mumbled, hiding his red face in his hands. His Shizun can't be this...nice~

"Am I?" He asked, confused at the response. Had he said something wrong? Mentally shrugging it off, he stood up. "Then perhaps I shouldn't share any juice with you."

"...'Juice'?" Xieren echoed, unfamiliar with the word. Never had he heard of the word yet it sounded so natural when Shizun said it.

"Un, I made some juice for everyone." He said moving out of sight. Seconds later, a large block of ice was pushed forward, bringing with it many questions.

Not about the block of ice. Shizun was an ice elemental so it wouldn't be strange for him to have made it. It was everything else about the block. In the center was a crudely dugout hole filled with cups.

The questions were about the cups themselves. Moving closer, he took one, curious about them. Sniffing it, Xieren unconsciously let out a sigh, feeling relaxed by the minty scent. He turned back to Shizun.

"This is 'juice'?" He asked, taking one for Shizun as well. They sat back down and watched as some of the disciples passed them by. He waited until Shizun drank, still a bit wary even as his instincts told him the drink would be fine.

"Kind of." He replied vaguely, taking a sip. "I had to make do with what I had so it's a little different." Liang Fei really did want to make juice but the ingredients he stole- found!- in Zhihao's pantry weren't anything he was familiar with so he just winged it. So far, he'd only managed to make something vaguely lemonade-y so until he could learn more, it'd have to do.

Xieren wasn't sure himself what he meant but seeing that Shizun hadn't died drinking it (and the fact it smelled nice too), he took a sip as well.

It was sweet and minty and nice~

In unison, they both let out a breath, though only Xieren was happy. Liang Fei was just disappointed he failed to make the juice he was used to.

(AN: You know, the one that's 70% sugar and will probably kill you in 20 years.)

As they relaxed under the tree, Xieren tried to resolve the issues in his heart and mind. Knowing that Tankian and Shizun were the same was hard to fathom. On one hand, Shizun is Shizun, so he was a bastard but then again, Shizun was also Tankian, who was his favorite person.

The thought that they were both the same person, gave him a migraine.

He sang like Tankian and shared the same pretty violet eyes as him. The notion that the original never had violet eyes never occurred to the child since the two rarely met. The only thing missing was the scent.

Turning to him, he noted that Shizun still had his Shizun scent, the one that smelled of earth and spring water, not the Tankian scent. He was sad the scent was gone but there was little he could do.

"Did you eat breakfast?" Shizun asked, noting that Xieren had stopped eating, opting to now stare intensely at him. The pout was cute but he'd rather not be stared at so intensely. It was kind of scary.

Just then, Xieren remembered something from before. The Soup from before. The red pot was the same as the soup he'd woke up to. The soup left by the person who cared for him when he was sick.

He wanted to ask so many questions, wanting to reveal that he knew Shizun was Tankian but he couldn't get the words out. Before, they were on somewhat equal footing, allowing him to say what he wished and to be answered in kind. But things were different now.

They were no longer Tankian and Xieren.

Sadly, he put the thought of telling him his discovery. Whether Shizun was the one to care for him or not, he knew he'd deny it. Shizun was his Master, not his friend. He was probably annoyed by him, being so clingy. With a sad pout, he went back to his 'juice'.

"Does Shizun like spicy food?" He finally asked, unable to remain silent for much longer. Liang Fei was just confused, not sure why he'd been asked. Then he thought of the soup he'd made. Perhaps he was curious about the soup.

"Me? No, not really but it is what I'm more used to eating." He explained, taking a sip. "So I don't dislike it."

"Someone made it for you?" He asked, curious since he hadn't expected an answer at all.

"No, I usually made it for someone else." He shook his head. Again, Xieren was shocked.

"Shizun cooks?" He'd never heard that. He knew very little about Shizun but he knew the man was from an honorable family. Did people from noble clans cook for others usually?

"That person was terrible at cooking so who else but I could?" He replied, a bit amused. He'd always used to cook for his little sister since she was a disaster in the kitchen. She'd burn pots and then bawl her eyes out when smoke came from her creations.

To get her to eat the food he'd made, which was terrible at first, he had to mask the taste with peppers and spices, so she grew to prefer spicy food to anything else. Since they ate together, he too had to eat the spicy food, so it'd just become a habit to make food that way. Even friends commented on his taste.

He'd just recite the phrase his sister had always said. 'If it doesn't feel like your tongue wants to curl up and die, it isn't spicy enough.'

Seeing the distant look in his eyes, Xieren began to regret asking about it.

"D-do you care for that person?" He asked before he could stop himself. The answer he got was just what he expected but was not what he wanted.

"More than anything in the world." He replied, staring up at the cloudless sky. His tone low and sad. "But that person is lost me so perhaps it's wishful thinking to continue to as I am."

Xieren was somewhat happy to hear this person was perhaps not around but couldn't help but also feel guilty. He disliked hearing Shizun talk so affectionately about another but felt bad at feeling glee. Shizun was clearly saddened by the distance so to take joy in it was horrendous.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He mumbled, looking away. "I've never lost anyone like that so... I have no words to give." Liang Fei, seeming to have returned to the present blinked at the child and let out a groan.

"Ah, look at me, venting to a child." He sighed, scratching his head with exasperation. "Please forgive this master for showing such a shameless display."

"I'm not upset!" He proclaimed, truly happy beyond words. He hadn't thought about it much but to be someone Shizun trusted enough to tell his feelings to was a good feeling. Like he was being relied upon. "I promise not to tell anyone!"

"As your master, it's shameful to place my burdens upon you." He said, trying to explain himself. Liang Fei hadn't expected he'd do such a thing. He was usually fairly quiet about his own problems, keeping them inside as to not be a bother to others.

To have been so honest with this child was... surprising to say the least.

"It's not a problem!" Xieren continued to insist, staring up at Liang Fei. "If Shizun has any concerns, please feel free to 'vent' to this disciple! He practically begged, wanting to be of use. "This disciple won't tell a soul!"

To be the sole person Shizun bares his concerns to... He refused to share this with anyone. This would be his alone.

Liang Fei, seeing that Xieren refused to let this go just sighed and gave up trying to talk him out of it. At that moment, he realized that this little one was stubborn. Way more than he'd ever thought.

Whether the trait was a positive one or negative, he'd later learn to just give in to Xieren's demands since it saved him a lot of stress.

"That doesn't really help but thank you for your words." He sighed, drinking his juice. "Now finish your juice, you need your energy."

"Yes!" Xieren was happy. Shizun hadn't technically said no so that was as good as a yes, right? Surely that was the case. Just as he was basking in the happy fluffy cloud, reality crashed into his paradise.

The others had finally finished their laps.

"Ah, your classmates have finally arrived." Liang Fei said, finishing his juice and standing up. 
"Go serve the drinks while I get everything else." Before he could get a response, Liang Fei left, leaving Xieren alone to greet the other disciples.

Xieren was very reluctant to do so, since he generally disliked everyone save for a few. To serve them drinks was distasteful but...

Shizun had asked him to...

With a bubble of happiness erupting in his heart, he went over to get the drinks. All the cups were resting in a hole dug into the ice, keeping them cool despite the heat. The hole itself was crude and jagged, as if a blunt object was used to dig into it as opposed to the block being formed with the hole.

(AN: The return of El kabong! Perhaps one day, he'll use the sword as something other than an blunt object.)

He couldn't be sure but despite his fellow disciples disliking him, they all seemed happy to see him. It was probably because he was there holding a cold drink meant for them after a long run but Xieren was happy to have these bastards near subservient to him even as he served them. The look of relief and gratitude evident on their face as he presented the cup was enough to almost make him smile.

Almost.

Just as the last person got their drink, Shizun returned, in his hands was a tray of something sweet smelling. Xieren wasn't sure what it was but everyone else seemed to. Rushing over, they circled about him, begging for a treat.

"Students! Be good and wait your turn." He gently scolded, though everyone got noticeable more quiet. "Line up and you'll get one.

Immediately, everyone got in line, from the youngest to the oldest, all obediently following his instructions. Xieren was curious but not daring enough to try and get a treat. Those around were bound to try and steal his treat.

After some time, everyone got a treat and went back to a spot to relax. Frowning, Xieren wondered why everyone was just sitting around in Shizun's courtyard.

"Hey, bro!" Just then, Xuejie ran up to him, covered in sweat and smiling from ear to ear. "Did you get a candy?"

"Candy?" Xieren frowned with confusion.

"A sweet treat?"

"Ah! No, not yet." He said, continuing to watch as Shizun walked back to his home.

"You should hurry then." He insisted. "We only get them during break."

"Break?" That was new.

"Yeah, Shizun always lets us have a break after we run." He explained, munching on his candy.

"So everyone just stays in this courtyard?" He grumbled, looking over the yard and seeing everyone just lounge about. Quickly, everyone was talking among themselves and relaxing. "Every day?"

"Un." Xuejie nodded, not even noticing the glare the crowd was receiving.

"I see."

Xuejie stared at Xieren, confused as to why this person was so bothered by that but shrugging it off. After Xieren got a 'candy', he too remained in the courtyard, wanting to recapture that pleasant moment he and Shizun had before.

It was hard to do with others being so noisy and annoying.

***

Over the next few days, Xieren took greater notice of Shizun and his actions. As told, their daily tasks were fairly consistent. They ate breakfast and then met Shizun in his courtyard where they did some simple exercises and then were split into groups. After that, they went for a 5 lap jog around the sect grounds followed by a hour long relaxation break.

During that time, most chose to either eat their lunch in the courtyard and talk or go elsewhere. Xuejie ran off to do whatever he did while Xieren spent that hour watching Shizun.

Shizun always remained in his courtyard, his eyes always on some book or scroll though he'd briefly look up if things got too loud. He watched over his disciples like a parent watching over his children.

Xieren was more interested in studying the man, trying to find the similarities between him and Tankian. Much to his chagrin, they were very much the same person.

He'd had some doubts but Shizun's habits were the exact same as Tankian's. The quiet humming when he was deep in thought, the tapping of his fingers to whatever melody was going through his head and the way his brows furrowed when he saw something he wasn't familiar with.

This day, Shizun was talking with another disciple, helping them with whatever unimportant stuff they wanted. Watching from a distance, Xieren glared at that person, wanting them to burst into flames and get away from Shizun.

Not because he was upset but because when others were around, Shizun didn't hum and Xieren very much liked the listen. The melodies were fun and unique, making him hum a few note himself when alone.

The time he spent listening to Shizun was his favorite throughout the day.

Yet now he had to listen to unimportant people nag Shizun instead. Watching them, the two disciples sat near Shizun's feet, holding up a book to him.

"Shizun!" They called out, gaining his attention. "Shizun, do you know what this means?"

"Show me." He replied, taking the book. After a moment of reading, his brows furrowed. Xieren recognized it as his confused face. "Music notes?"

"Yes, we have to learn these melodies for a test soon but we don't know what this is." One explained, looking concerned. They were clearly confused and in need of help but Xieren felt no pity for them, only annoyance.

Who doesn't understand simple stuff like this?

"I can show you." He grumbled, revealing himself to them. The two disciples looked shocked but quickly rolled their eyes.

"You know theses melodies?" One asked, clearly skeptical. The both knew that had Shizun not been there, less kind words would have been said. Not that Xieren cared any. Had Shizun not been around, he'd have never gotten involved at all.

"I do." He replied vaguely. He actually knew most of the melodies, if not all of them. He'd memorized them before when he was looking through them to find the songs Tankian would hum. He never found a single one but wanted something to practice with so he could eventually play those melodies.

He never got around to trying though.

The two still looked unconvinced but Liang Fei was pleased. Xieren was reaching out to others! Such progress. To foster this was the job of a teacher so-

"Xieren, why don't you show them how the play?" He suggested, missing the flinch that all three disciples displayed. "It'll be good for you."

Good for who?! All three of them thought in unison.

Truthfully, the two disciples did indeed need help but they wanted it to be from Liang Fei, otherwise they'd have just asked a senior. Yet Master had suggested they ask the waste?!

On the other hand, Xieren was pissed. He'd just wanted the two to go away. Thinking it over, he couldn't say he'd gone about it the right way but still, he'd rather they not be around him either.

Unfortunately for them, their teacher was blissfully unaware of the tension between them and suggested they work together anyway.

Sighing, they walked off together, each of them unhappy.

Liang Fei was just happy to see his students helping one another and went back to his own reading.

Later on that day, Xieren found himself alone, as usual. The time now was used almost solely for chores so most of the disciples were scattered about. Xuejie worked in the kitchen and Xinyi worked with Elder Zhihao, so Xieren was alone.

He wasn't happy about it though.

His mood was still sour from his 'tutoring' session. As expected, the two complained the whole time, even as he was earnestly trying to help. While he'd done so solely to get it done faster, neither seemed to care. As such, by the time their lesson had finished, break was over and they all had to leave for their formal lessons.

Since Xieren was a lower rank than everyone else, his lessons were just being sat in the library and told to read a book. Such a task was difficult for one who only knew a few words. He'd gotten better since Tankian had taught him to read more but it was dull in comparison. He'd rather be taught by him than just given a book to memorize.

Sighing, he leaned on his broom, looming over the lawn he'd been sweeping. He was close to done but the wind kept messing everything else. At this time, he wished he was a wind elemental so he could get it done faster. Unfortunately, his element was fire so no such luck.

If he was a higher rank, he could burn the leaves but his task was to collect them.

"Annoying~" He grumbled, scowling with satisfaction. But then something happened.

"Xieren, don't slouch." A voice called out, bringing with it both glee and unease. Turning, he saw Shizun walking over, his stride smooth and sophisticated. Xieren couldn't help but admire it.

"Shizun." He greeted, his tone a bit wary since he still wasn't sure on his feelings yet. He felt at war with himself and the man in question showing up all the time didn't help.

"Don't slouch." He repeated, walking closer. "Stand up straight, with pride. You are one of my students so don't show yourself to be lesser."

Xieren nodded, not completely understanding but wanting to make the conversation go forward. He doubted Shizun would let the matter go until he agreed. He was curious as to why he was being sought out.

Satisfied, Liang Fei turned to the side, revealing another disciple standing behind him. The young man looked tired and uncomfortable, as if he didn't want to be there. Shuffling about, the boy looked at anything but the two people in front of him.

Xieren wasn't sure who this person was but for Shizun to bring him, there must be a reason. That reason was revealed when Shizun pushed him forward.

"I think you have something to say, Fan Qui." He said, standing beside the young man. Fan Qui remained silent, clearly not wanting to stay silent. "Or perhaps you wish to return to copying manual..."

"N-no, I'll say it!" He cried, looking reluctant but stepping forward. With a aggrieved look on his face, he looked Xieren straight in the eyes and spoke. "I'm... I'm sorry about before."

"Before?" Xieren had no clue what this kid was talking about. Who even was he?

"You are being too vague." Liang Fei stated, mistaking the meaning of Xieren's response. "Apologize properly."

An Apology? Was that what this was? Xieren had never gotten one so he wasn't sure but why was he apologizing?

Fan Qui, looking like he swallowed a lemon, bowed his head slightly and spoke once more.

"I'm sorry I insulted you and dismissed your earnest apology." He said, louder and with more force. "It was wrong of me to do that."

That's when it hit him. He was the kid who'd mocked him for getting distracted after recovering from his cold. It'd been a while, so Xieren had forgotten about the incident. It was just one of many. But he received an apology.

Looking at at Shizun, he saw the man look over the scene with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. He'd clearly set this up.

"Good. Next I hear of you bothering others, you'll be doing your apology in front of everyone, understood." He said, staring down at Fan Qui, who sullenly nodded his head, staring at the ground.

"Now go and resume your chores." He said, petting Fan Qui.

As the boy enjoyed his head pats, he felt a hot glare burn into his skull. Looking over, he saw Xieren's less than happy face and chose to run away rather than continue to be glowered at.

Watched the child run off, Liang Fei didn't think anything of it. Children were hard to predict and pretty wild so of course he's just run off. Just as he was about to leave, Xieren spoke up.

"Shizun." He called, looking annoyed. Liang Fei felt like sighing. Was he still disliked, even after getting his bully to apologize? Must he do more? "This disciple was diligently doing his chores." He pointed out, pouting.

Liang Fei... wasn't sure why he was being told this. Did he think of his intervention as a distraction from his chores? That made sense, he figured, proud of his mature young disciple.

"Than I won't keep you from your task." He said, turning to walk away. "But don't forget to stand up straight." Before another word couldn't be said, Liang Fei was gone, moving surprisingly fast despite just walking.

Thus, he left Xieren standing there, his frustration growing by the second. He'd wanted a head pat for his hard work but somehow, his hint had been ignored. Or perhaps Shizun had missed it?

Either way, he hadn't gotten what he wanted even as the other disciple did! And so many others. Throughout the time he'd watched Shizun, the man casually gave out head pats with every complement.

Good job. Head pat.

Good job. Head pat.

Good job. Head pat.

Yet Xieren got none. Even when he did well, Shizun never touched him, not even a shoulder tap. He was the odd one out. Others had noticed it too. Other people might have gotten discouraged and give up but Xieren was not that kind of person.

He was a very stubborn and determined child.

He was going to get a head pat if it killed him!

"I'm just not working hard enough..." He said, standing up straight and proud, like Shizun had said.