THE REAL PROTEGE

Once everyone had settled onto plush velvet sofas and intricately carved armchairs adorned with embroidered cushions, Butler James glided in with practiced elegance, followed closely by a procession of servants bearing trays of steaming tea. Ceremoniously, they placed the delicate cups in front of each guest. The room fell into a reverent stillness, the air heavy with expectation.

Ling Li, positioned at the center like a queen surveying her court, possessed an enigmatic aura, her hair cascading around her shoulders like a flowing river, her expression an inscrutable mask.

"Alright, everyone, listen up," she declared, her tone transforming from warm hospitality to unforgiving steel. "I will be entering seclusion for ten days."

The room erupted in a tumult of emotions.

Gasps swept through the gathering like a gust of wind. Murmurs intertwined, some voices rising in protest. But none echoed louder than that of Four Eyes.

His face darkened instantly, the color draining from his cheeks. He had barely survived two weeks without his wife. They had just reunited. And now — again?

His fingers tightened around the teacup, knuckles blanched in a silent struggle.

Ling Li stood unyielding, an anchor amidst the storm.

"The 'Eye' is about to open in a month," she continued, her voice unwavering, commanding attention with every syllable. "I want everyone to be at their peak by then. I will be refining pills to strengthen your body's constitution. This is non-negotiable."

Fatty leaned toward Chatty, voice a conspiratorial whisper, "She's going full alchemist mode again."

Chatty's eyes widened in response, brimming with disbelief. "Ten days without her? Chu Yan is going to combust."

But Ling Li remained resolute, unfazed by the undercurrents of panic.

"Before that," she announced with an edge of urgency, "we must address Solaris."

An enveloping silence swept over the room, heavy and charged.

"He is badly injured this time. This is the perfect moment to eliminate him. While I'm in seclusion, El Padre, El Capitan, Shi Min, and the First and Second Shah will lead the hunt."

El Padre nodded solemnly, a weight of responsibility on his shoulders. El Capitan flexed his fingers, the anticipation crackling in the air. The Shahs, lingering in the shadows, shared a charged glance, their seals beginning to shimmer faintly, whispers of power rippling through the air.

"Solaris dared to attack in public," Ling Li said, her voice rising, fierce as a tempest. "Risking the lives of the innocent. That is forbidden. Martial artists retreat from the world. This is a consensus among cultivators and families alike. Even foreign supernatural entities respect this boundary. Solaris broke it. He or anyone like him must cease to exist. They are thorns to the martial artist realm."

Shi Min rubbed his chin, brow furrowed in contemplation. "Then we should return to the arena. There may be traces left behind."

Ling Li nodded gravely. "Oh, and bring your Paps. He'll assist you in locating Solaris."

All eyes turned expectantly to Four Eyes.

He blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"

Ling Li's lips curled into a playful smirk as she stepped closer, a warm presence enveloping him. "Oh, come on. You've leveled up so much. I witnessed your training with Shinsei. Your black aura — it's matured."

Her confidence was palpable. She turned to the rest of the room. "Chu Yan, with his black aura, can trace Solaris. Once he locates him, the Shahs will use their teleportation skills to take you directly to the target."

The air thickened with disbelief, an electrifying silence enveloping the assembly.

Even Mushu raised a single, inquisitive eyebrow.

Fatty, distracted, dropped his dumpling plushie from the sofa with a soft thud.

Chatty whispered in astonishment, "Chu Yan has a black aura now?"

Pharsa's eyes narrowed, intrigue igniting a spark within.

Jack scribbled frantic notes furiously, intent on capturing every moment of his boss.

Four Eyes cleared his throat, slicing through the tension. "Ehem… I haven't used this skill in the field. I'm still learning."

Ling Li stepped beside him, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder — a grounding touch in the swirl of chaos. "I have confidence in you."

Her contact anchored him, her words unwavering as a mountain.

Four Eyes searched her face, seeking affirmation amidst the storm brewing within. Ling Li met his gaze, steadfast and resolute.

In that moment, amid the tempest of uncertainty, Four Eyes nodded, determination blooming within him. "Solaris dared to hurt his family.' He silently thought.

"I'll do it." He said resolutely.

Ling Li's voice sliced through the gentle hum of conversation like a sharp blade, resonating with an authority that commanded immediate attention.

"Then that's settled," she declared, her piercing gaze scanning the assembled allies, each of whom hung on her every word. "My next focus will be on Ren."

Ren, poised beside Shun, felt a jolt of instinctive awareness surge through her. She met her mother's gaze, her eyes wide and filled with both respect and determination.

"I've arranged for you to train with Shensei," Ling Li continued, her tone unwavering. "He will teach you the needle techniques — not merely for healing, but also for self-defense."

A collective wave of astonishment rippled through the room, faces turning to Ren, who blinked in surprise.

"Needles?" she echoed, trying to fathom the implications.

Ling Li nodded, her expression a mix of seriousness and encouragement. "In the realms of alchemy, medicine, and poison, they are bound together like siblings. You've already grasped martial arts, firearms, and swordplay. But as a woman poised to stand beside Shun — the future President of this nation — employing overtly powerful symbols could draw unnecessary attention. It's too political, too dangerous."

Ling Li stepped closer, the air thickening around her as her voice softened, yet retained an unyielding edge. "The needle technique is subtle. It embodies elegance and can be deadly when the moment calls for it. You'll learn how to preserve life — and, if necessary, to extinguish threats."

Ren felt her throat tighten, her fingers nervously curling around the warmth of her teacup. "I understand," she whispered.

Shun's hand enveloped hers, a blend of pride and protectiveness flickering in his eyes. "You'll be brilliant," he said, his voice filled with unwavering belief.

Ling Li pivoted to address the rest of the room, a magnetic presence that drew their full attention.