The trials of the Dragon are a clever ruse for Heavenly Dragon sect to have a legitimate way to get rid of disciples it deems 'undesirable'.
The trials consist of a series of challenges of ever increasing difficulty, where the disciple is supposed to either surpass them or die trying -- their death being regarded as proof of their guilt.
What they are guilty of exactly is left up to the sect masters' whims.
In Xi Zirui's case, he's being accused of collaborating with a known spirit creature, responsible for the destruction of a human village, and the death of several humans.
No one brought up any suspicions of him being a spirit animal himself, but that doesn't mean no one is thinking about it.
Han Chang doesn't strike him as someone who needs a valid suspicion to frame someone.
Su Xueyi frets like a mother hen as soon as he learns of the news.
"You're my disciple, how can they have decided on something like this without consulting with me first?" His Shizun has been pacing the length of his pavilion in barely restrained indignity since they returned from the Martial Hall.
"Shizun doesn't need to worry, this disciple will handle the trials and honor Shizun," Xi Zirui says, taking a sip of his tea while sitting down at the table.
Across from him Han Yu frowns, his handsome features twisted in consternation.
"Shixiong...no one has survived the trials of the Dragon."
Xi Zirui shrugs. "I'll be the first," he says, and means it.
Su Xueyi gives him a look of put upon disbelief, but doesn't comment further on it, rubbing his temples with a sigh. "I'm afraid this is retaliation for insisting on keeping you here during your convalescence. Sect leader wanted to have outside physicians examine you."
Xi Zirui's fingers tighten on the porcelain cup, he's glad Su Xueyi stood up to Han Chang, if that's the case.
Han Yu shakes his head. "No, this is all because I insisted on becoming Shizun's disciple against father's wishes."
Su Xueyi walks by Han Yu and pats his shoulder comfortingly, opening his mouth to start in on another round of 'it's my fault, actually'.
Xi Zirui can already picture the two of them self-flagellating themselves all night long, and he has no patient for it.
"It's no one's fault, and this disciple will prove his innocence by making it through the trials unscathed." He gets up to his feet and bows to Su Xueyi. "Goodnight Shizun, please sleep well and don't let this matter trouble you."
Su Xueyi looks like he wants to argue some more, but in the end only nods, shaking his head as if he can't believe the bad hand that has befallen his disciple.
Xi Zirui stops on the the doorway, and tilts his head sideways towards Han Yu, the long waterfall of his hair obscuring one side of his face. "Shidi, a word."
---
Han Yu follows after him like an eager puppy, staying a few paces behind Xi Zirui but unable to hide his pleasure about being summoned for a private conversation.
Xi Zirui leads him all the way to his quarters, not saying a word until they're both inside.
As soon as Han Yu closes the door behind him, Han Yu pushes him against it, lifting himself on his tiptoes until their eyes meet.
"You said you liked me," Xi Zirui says, whispering the words against Han Yu's lips and watching his pupils shrink. "Are you willing to help me?"
Han Yu nods his head eagerly, his lips parting on a silent gasp
Xi Zirui releases the front of his robes and steps away for a moment, letting the illusion that hides his true appearance drop so that Han Yu has an unimpeded view of his red fox ears and swinging tail.
"You know what I am," Xi Zirui says, a statement not a question.
Han Yu nods again, drinking in the view of Xi Zirui's true form hungrily.
It shouldn't surprise Xi Zirui that he likes it -- several humans do. You can hate something and want to fuck it anyway. Humans seldom experience cognitive dissonance in that regard.
"Have you heard about one of the ways foxes can increase our qi, and expand the scope of our abilities?" Xi Zirui asks.
Han Yu's dry throat clicks, and he nods again.
Xi Zirui isn't going to make it that easy for him.
"What have you heard?" he asks, flattening his ears against his head and lifting his chin.
He doesn't think he'll need to, but if push comes to shove he'll have no issue in using his allure to put Han Yu under his thrall. Humans have taken so much from him, he should be allowed to take from them too.
"That, uh, that you can use dual cultivation to feed your inner sea and become more powerful," Han Yu says, his tongue peeking out from between his lips to wet his bottom lip.
Xi Zirui was right, he won't have to do anything. Han Yu will come willingly to his bed, or anywhere else Xi Zirui calls him to.
"That's right," Xi Zirui says, finally turning away from the door, walking leisurely towards his bed.
He plays with the muslin white canopy hanging from one of the posters, and then shoots Han Yu a suggestive look from under his lashes."Can you help me find someone? A person I can trust, who won't reveal my true nature."
The result is immediate.
Han Yu crosses the room in two long strides and pushes Xi Zirui down into the bed, restraining his hands beside his head.
"Why not me, shixiong?" he whines, his voice watery and pleading. "I've liked shixiong for such a long time, I'll do everything shixiong wants."
Xi Zirui cranes his neck to the side, sucking his lower lips between his teeth as if in deep contemplation. "I might need a lot of qi... does shidi have the stamina? Maybe shidi isn't up to the task..."
Han Yu groans and covers Xi Zirui's body with his own. "For as long as I can remember, all my spring dreams feature shixiong. I'll kill for the privilege, if shixiong tells me to."
Those words, and the intensity in Han Yu's gaze send a shiver down Xi Zirui's spine. He throws his arms around Han Yu's neck and pulls him down into a heated kiss, giving up the pretense and rewarding Han Yu for such unfailing devotion.