Chapter Three: The Art of Commanding Objects

"Second Senior Sister, are you finished here?"

In the distance, Fang You and Eldest Senior Brother Zhang Zhiheng walked slowly toward Zhou Ling'er.

"A mere ancient vine spirit is nothing to speak of," Second Senior Sister Zhou Ling'er replied, her arms folded across her chest, her manner somewhat aloof. She looked at her junior brother Fang You, and then at Zhang Zhiheng, who, after his recent battle with the centipede demon, now wore torn and ragged clothes, appearing quite disheveled.

"It seems Eldest Senior Brother's opponent was rather formidable," Zhou Ling'er remarked with a cool, sidelong glance.

"Indeed, indeed! That centipede demon was incredibly resilient. Eldest Senior Brother, he—"

"Junior Brother Fang," Zhang Zhiheng interrupted, "what's most important now is to regroup with all the disciples participating in the trial and return together to report to Master Mao. Let's not waste words here."

Fang You paused, as if suddenly understanding something, then laughed loudly, "Understood, understood!"

"Now only Little Junior Sister is left. Although she excels at controlling objects, her mastery is still imperfect. Should she encounter a powerful foe, she might be in danger," Zhou Ling'er observed, her tone cool but her words betraying concern for her fellow disciples.

"Little Junior Sister should be in the forest over there. We don't know what sort of opponent she faces, but surely Master wouldn't give her too difficult a trial," Fang You said as he glanced toward the forest.

"Let's hurry," suggested Zhou Ling'er.

"Yes!"

Elsewhere in the ancient forest, Little Junior Sister walked alone, clutching a dainty sword in her hands, trembling as she went.

"I'm so scared. I wonder how Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, and Third Senior Brother are doing. With their abilities, they should complete the trial, right? Oh, never mind, I should worry about myself first. I've always been too playful, never practiced my sword arts properly. Now that I'm really out here, it's truly frightening."

As she spoke, she moved cautiously through the shadowy woods, glancing warily around. The forest was unnaturally dark, sharp bird cries occasionally piercing the silence, and a chill night breeze made her shiver.

Not far ahead, a tree spirit wandered in the moonlight.

"I heard someone from Mount Mao is coming to subdue me. Thinking about it, I haven't done anything wrong—just played a few tricks on passersby now and then. After all, I'm a great demon; if I don't act the part, the others will look down on me. I'd better run for it. After over six hundred years of cultivation, finally growing from a sapling to this—can't let Mount Mao destroy my progress!"

Suddenly, at a bend in the path, Little Junior Sister came face to face with the tree spirit.

"Ah, a demon!" she cried, retreating in terror. "Don't touch me, don't touch me!"

"Ah, a Daoist!" The tree spirit was startled, but seeing the frightened girl before him, seemed to relax. Stroking his wooden chin, he thought, "This Mount Mao novice hasn't trained long. I should be able to escape."

"Take this! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Little Junior Sister shouted, brandishing her sword and stabbing wildly at the air.

"Uh..." The tree spirit watched, puzzled, then composed himself. "She must be gathering power for some great technique. Stay calm—if the enemy doesn't move, I won't move, either."

"Now for my big move!" Little Junior Sister declared, raising her voice.

"Oh no, she's making a move!" The tree spirit watched her warily.

"Art of Object Control: Mind follows will, will follows heart. Sword, heed my command!" Focusing her thoughts, she sent her sword flying through the air straight at the tree spirit.

"Though starting with her biggest move is baffling, I should play along for a couple of exchanges. Just don't hurt the little Daoist, or Mount Mao might come after me—that would be bad news." The tree spirit muttered, shielding himself with his branches and vines.

The sword struck the vines, and the tree spirit seized the chance to wrap the sword tight.

"My sword! What do I do now?" Little Junior Sister cried out in panic, at a loss as her sword was ensnared.

"What now? Just give her back the sword and run? That seems undignified for a demon. But she doesn't appear to have any other tricks—this is awkward."

The tree spirit, having planned to exchange a few blows before escaping, found himself stuck after capturing her artifact in a single move.

"Little Junior Sister, how's your trial going?" came Fang You's voice from a distance as he approached.

Behind him followed Zhang Zhiheng and Zhou Ling'er.

"Third Senior Brother?" Little Junior Sister called out, sounding aggrieved.

"Third Junior Brother," Zhang Zhiheng admonished as he walked, "this is her personal trial; we must not interfere, or Master will punish not just her, but us as well."

"A little help won't hurt. I know Little Junior Sister's abilities—she might be in danger," Fang You said with a laugh. "You don't tell, I don't tell—who would know?"

"Eldest Senior Brother is right," Zhou Ling'er agreed. "Master sent us down the mountain so we could learn to solve problems independently. This trial is for her own growth. We mustn't interfere."

Fang You hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, alright, I get it!"

"Did she call for backup?" The tree spirit, seeing the three Daoists approach, thought, "Perfect excuse to make my escape!"

"Third Senior Brother!" Little Junior Sister called again.

Feigning fierceness, the tree spirit said, "So, Mount Mao Daoist, can't win so you call for help? What a fine trick. Next time, fight me one-on-one if you dare! Hmph!"

With that, he threw aside her sword and fled into the woods.

"Did I just drive off a demon?" Little Junior Sister called her sword back, and it floated neatly into its scabbard.

"Looks like she did it herself—no need for us to worry," Fang You said as he approached.

"I'm afraid the demon was just scared off by our arrival," Zhang Zhiheng remarked with a sigh.

"As long as the task is done, let's return and report," Zhou Ling'er said gracefully, hands folded at her chest.

"Third Senior Brother, I was so scared just now," Little Junior Sister said as she hugged Fang You.

"No need to be afraid, Yue'er—your Senior Brother is here," Fang You comforted her.

"Enough—save the flirting for when we're back on Mount Mao," Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister said, unable to bear the sight.

"Alright, let's go!"