The fire burned, wood crackled. Deng Dandan and Chun were sitting opposite each other, around them some of the villagers, be it Chun’s drinking and gambling buddies and women and men who worked hard on the day and are simply looking for leisure.

“Yun Ip Chun?” Xiu appeared, a tray balanced on her arms with drinks stacked on top. “I have your drinks here.”

“Ah, thanks Xiu!” Chun said, lazily taking two drinks.

“Why are you serving him?” Deng Dandan said. “Is he guilting you to do that?”

“Hey, stay out of it.” Chun slurred.

“What did you say to me, you drunken mess?” Dandan hissed.

“P-Please don’t fight!” Xiu said, a bit flustered. “I don’t mind.”

“You have any water there?”

Xiu jumped, almost spilling the tray.

“Oops, sorry.” Zen said, trying to balance her.

“Mister Wang!”

“Mister…?”

“Wang Zen, you’re back!” Chun said.

“Where have you been for the past 3 days?” Dandan said.

“Training,” Zen said, finding an empty spot to sit down next to the fire.

“I’ll fetch you water!” Xiu said, running away before Zen could protest.

“So have you done it?” Chun said, leaning in with a smirk. “Are you now a master rank Metal Elementalist?”

“Of course he’s not, Idiot.” Dandan said.

“And anyways, even if he was, there is no guarantee that he would be a metal elementalist. None of us choose what Element we have an affinity to.”

“Oh come on, don’t be like that.” Chun said.

“Why did you choose to lie and say you are Metal Elementalist?” Old Man Xiu said.

“Well, its easier to hide. Any other element and I would be expected to shoot it out of my fingers or something.” His happy voice suddenly grew quiet and serious. “My father was a Metal Elementalist and he did amazing things, he was an amazing man. I’ve always wanted to be like him, so much so that I took up smithing weapons in his workshop and I’d always imagine the day I would be a Metal Elementalist like him, when I would do amazing things and be an amazing man like my father.”

“That… is so beautiful!” Xiu said, crying while walking towards Zen with a bottle of water.

“Uh…” Zen was confused as Xiu gave him his water while crying.

“Aw, come here!” Chun hugged both Zen and Xiu. “Don’t worry buddy, you’re going to be a Metal Elementalist like your daddy!” Chun also began crying. “Ooh, or even better, you might become a Steam Elementalist!”

“Steam is not an element, Idiot.” Dandan said. “Do you boys know anything? There are only six elements, fire, water, earth, wind, wood and metal.”

“I used to think so too,” Chun said, “Then I fought that Steam Snake guy.”

“Steam is a reaction. Lao told me its formed when from someone who has affinity with both water and fire.”

“Chun,” Zen awkwardly said, since Chun was still hugging him and Xiu, which squeezed their faces together. “Could you please let us go.”

Chun let them go and both Xiu and Zen grew red in the face.

“Wait, so for Zen to be able to create Steam, he needs to have both fire and water?” Chun slurred.

“Mhm,” Dandan nodded. “It is incredibly rare for a cultivator to have two element affinities.”

“Bah!” Chun half said, half burped. “I believe in you, Zen. Become the Steam Guy!”

Chun then collapsed, held up by Xiu and Zen. They placed him gently on the floor.

“I need to get stronger or I’ll be off the team.” Zen said. “How close is Lao to recovering?”

“Very close,” Old Man Xiu said. “The healer said he is surprised she has not regained her sight back, since her eye poisoning was much milder then yours.”

Zen touched his eyepatch. “My vision is also close to returning. I’ll need to step up my training.”

“Why don’t you train near the waterfall westward from here.” Old Man Xiu said, pointing towards the direction. “That is where I got strong, strong enough to leave the village with my wife.”

Zen nodded. “I’ll head there now, hopefully when next you’ll see me, I’ll be a Master Rank, or I will be off the team.”