Kapitel 4: An Unseen Bond
Li Xian'er stood at her window, her gaze lingering on the path where the masked man had disappeared into the shadows. Her fingers traced the edge of the windowpane as she thought of his touch on her navel, the lingering warmth from their brief encounter still echoing within her. (Why can't I stop thinking about him?)
Her mind returned to the hall earlier that day, where fifteen faces had gazed upon her, none truly seeing her. Each of them had been courteous, polite, and respectful, but she'd felt like nothing more than a name, a title. There had been no connection, no hint of genuine interest. All of it had felt hollow, as if she were a piece on a chessboard moved by others' hands.
She sighed, resting her head against the cool wood of the window frame. "Is this really my fate?" she whispered. (To be the prize of a game I never wanted to play?)
Suddenly, her yang energy flared, pulsing beneath her skin, almost as if it were responding to her frustration. The sensation was different this time—intense, almost overwhelming. Her breathing quickened as the energy within her began to surge, igniting a strange warmth that spread through her body, as if a fire had been lit from within.
Her hand instinctively moved to her navel, pressing down, hoping to steady the pulsing energy. But instead, the touch only seemed to amplify it, sending a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks flushed, heat pooling in her chest as she bit her lip, trying to maintain control. (Why is this happening again? Is it because of my cultivation level?)
But no matter how she tried to focus, the warmth refused to subside. Her hands trembled slightly as she unfastened the first button of her robe, hoping the cool air might help calm the fire inside her. She took a deep breath, her fingers moving to the next button, then the next, until her robe slipped from her shoulders, pooling around her like a soft cloud.
She closed her eyes, feeling the night breeze brush against her skin, the coolness offering a brief reprieve from the heat burning within. Her fingers moved back to her navel, tracing gentle circles, hoping to soothe the restless energy. But instead, the touch only seemed to draw the warmth deeper, sending waves of sensation that made her feel almost weightless.
Just then, a faint sound broke the silence—a quiet shuffle outside her window.
Her eyes snapped open, and her heart skipped a beat. There, standing in the shadows, was the masked man once more, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that took her breath away.
"Y-you… you're here again?" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, her hands frozen in place.
The masked man remained silent, his eyes never leaving hers. There was something unreadable in his expression—a mixture of curiosity, perhaps even concern. He took a step closer, his figure partially illuminated by the moonlight, and Li Xian'er felt her pulse quicken, the warmth within her growing even stronger.
His voice was soft, almost like a whisper in the wind. "I felt your energy again. It was… calling to me."
Her cheeks flushed, and she clutched her robe tighter, trying to cover herself, though her pulse raced with a strange thrill. (He felt my energy? Even from afar?)
"I… I don't understand," she murmured, feeling vulnerable under his gaze. "Why… why do you keep coming back?"
He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "Because," he finally said, his gaze softening, "you're struggling with a power that's greater than you realize. You need guidance… balance."
He reached out, his hand moving slowly toward her navel, stopping just short of touching her. "May I?"
She nodded, feeling her breath catch as his fingers brushed against her skin. His touch was light, yet it sent ripples of calmness through her, grounding the energy within her. The warmth began to settle, ebbing away as he guided her breathing, his presence like an anchor in the storm.
She closed her eyes, letting herself surrender to the sensation, the tension leaving her body as a calm serenity washed over her. It was a strange feeling, as though his presence alone was enough to bring her back to herself.
But just as she began to relax, a sudden knock on the door shattered the moment.
"Miss Xian'er, are you there?" came the voice of the housekeeper, her tone insistent.
Li Xian'er's eyes flew open, and she looked at the masked man in a panic. Without a word, he stepped back, melting into the shadows once more as she quickly pulled her robe back up, straightening her appearance.
"Yes… yes, I'm here," she called, her voice slightly breathless. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before opening the door.
The housekeeper bowed, her expression serious. "Your grandfather has requested your presence again. It appears there is… another proposal to consider."
Li Xian'er's heart sank, the weight of her obligations pressing down on her once more. "Another proposal?" she repeated, barely able to hide the exhaustion in her voice.
The housekeeper nodded. "Yes, miss. This one comes from a family with a rather… unique background. Your grandfather thought it might interest you."
Li Xian'er managed a polite smile, nodding as the housekeeper departed. She closed the door, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. (Another proposal… as if fifteen suitors weren't enough. Do they truly expect me to simply accept whichever one is most convenient for them?)
But as she leaned against the door, her thoughts drifted back to the masked man. She placed a hand over her navel, remembering the warmth of his touch and the calm he'd brought her. (Who is he… and why does he feel so familiar?)
The questions lingered in her mind as she made her way to the main hall once again, her heart heavy with both frustration and a flicker of hope.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein