NOVEL NEXT Chapter 91: Enemies in the same team
The next morning, the training field was packed.
Sunlight poured across rows of disciples sparring, shouting, and falling over in dramatic fashion.
Li Ming stretched his arms, cracking his neck.
"Alright," he said, "let's start with light training. No explosions."
Bai Guo raised a wing. "You say that every time, descendant."
Lan Yue crossed her arms. "Because every time, you ignore it."
Before Li Ming could respond, a sharp boom echoed from the other side of the field. Dust rose—and from it, Wu Jian stepped out, his aura flaring like a blade unsheathed.
His cultivation pressure made the air hum.
Lan Yue's eyes narrowed. "Third level of Foundation Building?"
Li Ming blinked. "What—when did he—?!"
Wu Jian smirked. "While you were busy making fireworks, I was cultivating."
Bai Guo whispered loudly, "He means meditating in front of the mirror again."
Wu Jian shot him a glare sharp enough to slice feathers.
Li Ming grinned. "Third level, huh? Not bad. Guess we're teammates now, so try not to stab me by accident."
"I don't do accidents," Wu Jian replied flatly. "Just precision."
Lan Yue clapped her hands before the sparks could turn into fire.
"Enough. The tournament's in six days. Whether you like each other or not, you'll fight together—for the sect."
Li Ming sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Sect first, rivalries later."
Bai Guo nodded wisely. "Good attitude. Now let's see how long it lasts."
---
Training Begins
Lan Yue divided the group quickly.
"Wu Jian and Li Ming—pair up. You two need to learn not to hit each other."
Both of them froze.
Li Ming pointed at himself. "Wait, me?"
Wu Jian's eye twitched. "This is punishment, isn't it?"
"Teamwork test," Lan Yue corrected calmly.
The two squared off.
Wu Jian drew his blade, a thin silver arc gleaming in the sun. "Try to keep up."
Li Ming smiled. "Don't worry, I'll go easy—"
Wu Jian moved first, faster than expected. His sword swept low, cutting through air where Li Ming's legs had been. Li Ming backflipped, channeling spirit energy through his palms.
Bang!
A small shockwave blasted them apart, dust swirling.
Bai Guo shouted from the sidelines, "Hey! She said no explosions!"
"It was an accident!" Li Ming yelled.
Wu Jian's lips curved slightly. "You've improved."
Li Ming blinked. "Was that a compliment?"
"Don't get used to it."
They clashed again—fists against blade, spirit energy flaring. The ground cracked beneath them.
Lan Yue watched silently, her eyes thoughtful. "They're chaotic… but in sync."
Xue Yan, chewing a steamed bun nearby, nodded. "Like a cat and a dog that somehow don't kill each other."
Bai Guo puffed his chest. "Ah yes, perfect team chemistry."
After a final clash, both men jumped back, panting.
Li Ming grinned. "Not bad. Maybe we won't die immediately."
Wu Jian sheathed his sword. "Speak for yourself."
Lan Yue nodded approvingly. "That's enough. Take a break."
---
Later That Day
The team gathered under a tree, drinking tea and nursing bruises.
Xue Yan pointed at a distant group of disciples. "Those guys from the Crimson Blade Sect—they fight like wild animals, right?"
Bai Guo shuddered. "I once saw them spar using real blades. Real ones. They call it 'character building.'"
Li Ming chuckled. "Good. I like opponents who don't hold back."
Wu Jian looked at him sideways. "Just don't blow up our platform before the match."
"No promises."
Lan Yue sighed. "You two are impossible."
Li Ming grinned. "That's what makes us strong."
For a brief moment, even Wu Jian smirked.
Just a flicker—but it was there.
---
That evening, as the sun dipped behind the mountains, the five of them stood together watching the horizon blaze orange and gold.
Lan Yue said quietly, "This time, we fight for Azure Sky Sect. Don't forget that."
Li Ming nodded. "No explosions, no running, no mistakes."
Bai Guo whispered, "So basically no fun."
Everyone laughed—
Even Wu Jian, though he tried to hide it.
The air felt lighter. For once, it wasn't about rivalry or pride. It was about the sect.
And as the sun disappeared, Li Ming smiled faintly.
"Tomorrow," he said, "we train harder."
-----
The next morning, the training grounds were alive with energy. Birds flitted above, disciples shouted commands, and the air hummed with cultivated power.
Li Ming stretched his arms and looked around. Bai Guo perched on his shoulder, wings slightly ruffled. "Descendant," he said, "today we see how badly Wu Jian can ruin you."
Li Ming rolled his eyes. "We're teammates, remember? Don't sabotage me—or I'll—"
He didn't finish, because Wu Jian suddenly appeared, sword drawn, eyes cold as ice. "Move aside, Li Ming. Today, I train seriously. No distractions."
Li Ming frowned. "Wait—you said you were my teammate!"
Wu Jian's smirk was icy. "I am. Just… precision teamwork. You don't need to know the details."
Lan Yue's voice rang out from the training tower. "Focus, both of you. Teamwork drills start now. Keep your energy controlled."
Li Ming's shoulders tensed. Controlled energy had never been his specialty.
Bai Guo muttered, "This is going to be fun… or painful."
Wu Jian lunged first, his blade slicing through the air. Li Ming rolled, channeling spirit energy into his legs to propel himself into a backflip. Sparks of golden Qi arced off the ground as he landed.
"Not bad," Wu Jian said, circling. "But you move too recklessly."
"I like moving recklessly!" Li Ming replied, launching a small burst of Qi toward a nearby training dummy. The dummy exploded into a puff of smoke.
Bai Guo facepalmed. "Descendant… why is everything you touch so dramatic?"
Lan Yue sighed, watching from above. "It's going to take more than explosions to make these two work together."
Li Ming noticed Wu Jian narrowing his eyes, analyzing him. He took a deep breath and let his Qi flow into a controlled strike this time, aiming not to hit Wu Jian but to test their synchronicity. Wu Jian's blade met his Qi mid-air, redirecting it seamlessly.
Li Ming grinned. "Hey, we didn't hit each other!"
Wu Jian's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Impressive… for a beginner."
Bai Guo clapped his wings. "The chaos chicken approves. Actually, wait… not chaos this time. Teamwork chicken!"
They repeated the drill, each strike more precise, each movement smoother. Slowly, the clash of energies became a dance of cultivation, not just reckless attacks.
Hours passed. Sweat dripped. Muscles ached. And yet, a strange kind of satisfaction grew between the two rivals-turned-team-members.
Finally, Lan Yue raised her hand. "Enough for today. Rest. You'll need all your strength for the Crimson Blade Sect."
Li Ming collapsed dramatically on the grass, panting. "I feel… alive… and slightly bruised in places I didn't know existed."
Wu Jian sheathed his sword. "You've improved… more than I expected."
Li Ming blinked. "That… was almost a compliment."
Xue Yan appeared with a basket of buns, ignoring Wu Jian. "Eat something. You two are ridiculous."
Li Ming grabbed one and inhaled it. "Fuel of legends!"
Bai Guo sneered. "Fuel of chaos. Delicious chaos."
Lan Yue approached, looking at the group. "Tomorrow, you'll spar as a full team against Crimson Blade's five strongest. Remember: coordination is key. Not explosions, not random Qi bursts, not—"
"Not me dying!" Li Ming interjected.
Lan Yue rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched. "Exactly."
The team sat quietly for a moment, watching the sun dip behind the mountains. Even Wu Jian, who rarely relaxed, leaned against a tree, eyes closed, as if storing energy for the battles ahead.
Li Ming whispered to Bai Guo, "Do you think we can really win against them?"
Bai Guo smirked, feathers ruffling. "If we don't blow ourselves up first, yes. And if you control your… enthusiasm, descendant."
Li Ming grinned, raising a fist. "Then let's make sure we're the ones standing at the end. No matter what."
The sky darkened, and the first stars began to twinkle. For the first time, Li Ming felt true excitement for teamwork, even with his rival at his side.
Tomorrow, the real challenge would begin.
But tonight? Tonight, they laughed, trained, and prepared—because chaos and cultivation often go hand in hand.
To be continued...