Return Journey

Return Journey

The carriage swayed gently. Dugu Yan lounged against the window. After Feng Yao's treatment, the jade green in Dugu Yan's hair and eyes had faded away, leaving her purple hair cascading like a waterfall. Catching sight of Feng Yao absently rubbing the strings of his zither, her red lips curved into a teasing smile. "We're already three miles out of the city, and our great Scholar Feng is still thinking about that little wildcat from Shrek?" She deliberately drew out her words. "Could the heir of the Nine Heart Begonia really be inferior to some little agility-attack girl?"

At once, Ye Lingling's ears turned crimson. The begonia flower she held in her hands snapped its petals shut. "Yan Yan!" There was rare panic in her voice, drawing a burst of soft laughter from the carriage.

Yu Feng toyed with his folding fan and chimed in teasingly. "Exactly. Our Ling Ling is a beauty that countless young noblemen in Heaven Dou City could never obtain, no matter how many thresholds they wore through." He deliberately tapped his palm with the fan ribs. "Last month—"

"Yu Feng!" Ye Lingling shot him an embarrassed glare. Only then did Feng Yao return to his senses, the string beneath his fingers letting out a clear tremor. "You lot..." He shook his head helplessly, though his gaze passed through the swaying curtain toward the outline of Suotuo City, long vanished from sight.

Feng Yao's slender fingers brushed the strings as he said slowly, "I was only thinking..." He looked up at the others, the shifting light outside the carriage window reflected in his amber eyes. "Teacher Qin's days ahead probably won't be easy."

The carriage abruptly fell silent. Yu Feng's folding fan snapped shut. Dugu Yan straightened up, and even the Nine Heart Begonia in Ye Lingling's arms stopped swaying.

"What do you mean?" Yu Feng leaned forward, his brows filled with confusion.

Feng Yao lightly tapped the body of his zither. "Didn't you find the practical training these past few days strange?" His voice dropped very low. "Different teams were mixed together for combat, their tactical coordination repeatedly drilled—Teacher Qin was clearly preparing for Shrek to join Heaven Dou."

"But Teacher Qin has the support of the three members of the Education Committee." Ye Lingling interrupted softly, worry surfacing on her delicate face. "It should be fine, shouldn't it?"

Feng Yao shook his head, a lock of hair falling before his eyes. "If Shrek truly joins Heaven Dou, they won't just take up competition slots meant for noble students. They'll also tear off the last fig leaf of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. This is no longer a situation that a Soul Emperor can influence."

Yu Feng fell silent for a moment, his folding fan tapping out a dull rhythm against his palm. "That's true. How could those spoiled brats who got in through family connections tolerate a group of 'country Spirit Masters' stealing their limelight?"

Ye Lingling's pale fingers gently stroked the petals of the Nine Heart Begonia. Her sigh was as soft as wind passing through hidden orchids. As a student of Moon Xuan, she understood very well what the final outcome would likely be.

Feng Yao's fingers paused over the strings, and he let out a nearly inaudible sigh. "As nobles, you are the ones most unable to act as you please." When he raised his eyes, they were full of emotion. "If Shrek's people are truly allowed to enroll based on their strength, it would be equivalent to tearing open the first breach in the nobles' monopoly. By then, even the three members of the Education Committee might not be able to suppress those people's fury."

Dugu Yan seemed to think of something, and a fierce glint flashed through her purple eyes. "Hmph. Even Little Feng and I have heard plenty of gossip. If people weren't afraid of Grandpa, they'd probably have climbed all over us by now."

"If Shrek's people are pushed out and leave, then Teacher Qin leaving will be inevitable too. We can only wish Teacher Qin good luck." Feng Yao spread his hands helplessly.

Ye Lingling unconsciously rolled a begonia petal between her fingers, her voice so soft it was nearly scattered by the wind. "Should we warn Teacher Qin?"

Feng Yao said quietly, "Some things only become harder to handle once they're said aloud. What methods would those noble lords not resort to for their children's futures? Unless..." He suddenly raised his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them. "Unless Shrek can find a patron like Senior Dugu before enrolling, just as I did. Otherwise, relying on Teacher Qin's passion alone..."

For a time, the carriage was silent, leaving only the sound of wheels crushing gravel. Feng Yao looked out the window, unable to keep a sigh from his face. Only after entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy had he understood that it was more than just an academy—it was an arena for struggles among Heaven Dou's internal powers. A group of Spirit Masters without a clear affiliation would only be excluded.

Ten days later, at first light.

The Imperial Dou Team's carriage slowly stopped before the gilded gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Yu Feng sprang down from the carriage shaft, spread his arms, and took a deep breath. His robes fluttered loudly in the morning breeze. "Ah—such a familiar scent of Canary Flowers. Even the patterns on the stone road feel so dear!"

Ye Lingling gracefully stepped down while lifting her skirt. Not far away, Dugu Yan cast Yu Feng a sidelong glance. "Are you thinking about that count's daughter who plays the harp, or that marquis's daughter who keeps sending you pastries?" A wisp of Jade Phosphor Snake Poison suddenly sprang from her fingertips, gleaming dangerously beneath the sunlight.

"I've been wronged!" Yu Feng snapped his folding fan open and hurriedly covered half his face. "This is my sincere love for the academy!" Yet the eye exposed above the fan guiltily darted toward the academic building.

Feng Yao gently brushed the strings of his zither, puzzled. "Strange. I don't think I've ever seen any young lady take the initiative to seek him out?"

Dugu Yan gave a derisive snort, mockery flashing through her jade green snake eyes. "Which of those noble young ladies isn't shrewd?" She wound a lock of purple hair around her fingertips. "On the surface, they offer a handkerchief or send a box of pastries, but behind the scenes, they calculate more than anyone else—either they want the Yu Family's noble title, or they covet the excellent bloodline of his Martial Soul. What powerful female Spirit Master would ever take a liking to him?"

"Is it really that bad?" Feng Yao looked stunned, his amber eyes widening slightly. At that moment, Feng Yao's worldview was thoroughly overturned. But thinking carefully, wasn't Liu Erlong also the product of such circumstances?

Feng Yao continued in disbelief, "That can really happen?"

Dugu Yan smiled disdainfully. "It's not just him. As long as someone is a direct descendant of a sect, there are plenty of people rushing to throw themselves at them." She suddenly lowered her voice. "Why do you think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect insists on recruiting outsiders into the sect?"

Feng Yao thoughtfully stroked the body of his zither, secretly sighing to himself. Yu Xiaogang really is pure-hearted. His abilities may be lacking, but all these years, he never went around sowing seeds.

Dugu Yan narrowed her dangerous snake eyes, a faint glow of Jade Phosphor Snake Poison flowing between her fingers. "Little Feng, don't you dare learn from certain butterflies." Her final words carried a chilling edge.

Feng Yao abruptly came back to himself, a chill running down the back of his neck. He quickly waved his hands. "Sister Yan, you jest..." His dry laugh and head-scratching motion froze halfway through, because Dugu Yan's nails had already taken on an eerie jade color.

"What's wrong with learning from me?" Yu Feng had just craned his neck to retort when he instantly wilted beneath Dugu Yan's murderous glare. "Such an excellent example as me really isn't easy to imitate." He shrank his neck and muttered under his breath, "You're protecting him so much. Anyone who didn't know better would think..."

"What nonsense are you talking about?!" Dugu Yan's voice abruptly rose. "I'm doing this for Ling Ling—" She suddenly faltered, a suspicious blush appearing on her cheeks.

In the distance, Ye Lingling, holding the Nine Heart Begonia, paused. She then quickened her pace and left, though the tips of her ears were red enough to bleed.

"If you dare talk nonsense again," Dugu Yan said as the snake poison on her fingertips condensed into sharp blades and gestured beneath Yu Feng's crotch, "I'll have Grandpa give you a little 'operation.'"

Yu Feng snapped his folding fan shut over his vital area, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Mercy, heroine!" He looked to Feng Yao for help, only to discover that the other had already fled three yards away with his zither in his arms. Feng Yao was looking up at the clouds, pretending to be detached from worldly affairs.

Qin Ming clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. His gentle gaze swept over every young face. "Everyone worked hard during this exchange." A faint smile rested on his lips. "You are specially granted tomorrow as a day off. Rest well." As he spoke, he waved to them. "Gather at the training ground at the hour of the dragon the day after tomorrow."

"Yes, Teacher!" Yu Tianheng was the first to clasp his fists in acknowledgment.

Dugu Yan stretched lazily, her purple hair gleaming like satin in the sunset. "Finally, I can sleep in~"

Feng Yao held his zither and gave a slight nod. Yu Feng snapped open his folding fan and was just about to speak when he suddenly met Dugu Yan's warning stare. He hurriedly made a gesture of sealing his mouth and slunk away.

Qin Ming watched the students disperse, the smile on his face gradually fading. He looked toward the Education Committee, concern flashing through his eyes.

With nothing else to do, Feng Yao wandered to the Mimicry Training Ground of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, his fingertips brushing the Soul Guidance Lamp Posts along the way. After all these days of study, he had finally grasped the mysteries of the Mysterious Heaven Skill. He also understood how it differed from ordinary Meditation Methods.

Feng Yao arrived at a place he knew well and slowly closed his eyes. With his eyes shut, he sensed the Soul Power surging around him. Meditation used one's Martial Soul as a bridge to communicate with the energy between heaven and earth; how much one could absorb depended entirely on individual aptitude. It was like scooping water with a ladle—the greater one's talent, the bigger the ladle.

As for the Mysterious Heaven Skill, he slowly assumed the Five Hearts Facing Heaven Posture, his breathing gradually synchronizing with the fluctuations of Soul Power around him. Through breathing exercises and the circulation of Soul Power within his body, it drew the energy between heaven and earth into him. The ever-growing energy nourished and opened his Meridians, using the body as a cauldron and Soul Power as the guide. Faint blue pathways lit up within his Meridians, like the veins of a galaxy.

Feng Yao suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam bursting from them. "Marvelous! Meditation is like drinking alone from a stream, while internal cultivation draws rivers into the body!"

The Mimicry Training Ground's simulated environment suddenly fluctuated violently. Feng Yao gave a soft laugh. It seems I should test the depth of this 'river' today.

A ring of icy blue Soul Power ripples suddenly erupted around Feng Yao. To his surprise, under the enhancement of the simulated environment, the Mysterious Heaven Skill's circulation efficiency was more than fifty percent higher than usual.

"Interesting," Feng Yao murmured, the fluctuations of Soul Power around him flickering in rhythm with his breathing.

Time flowed away like water, and in the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

"Hah—"

Within the Mimicry Training Ground, Feng Yao abruptly opened his eyes. A fierce wave of Soul Power swept outward like a tide. He slowly exhaled a breath of impure air, a bright gleam flowing through his eyes. "Level thirty-nine."

Over the past two months, ever since replacing his ordinary Meditation Method with the Mysterious Heaven Skill, his cultivation speed had advanced by leaps and bounds. Without relying on any Spirit Bones, he had broken through four levels in two consecutive months solely due to the technique's properties. If word of such progress got out, it would surely leave many people dumbfounded.

After washing up, Feng Yao casually headed for the academy Cafeteria. Morning light passed through Gothic arched windows, scattering mottled shadows over his shoulders. Just as he was getting food, he caught sight of a familiar figure from the corner of his eye—a girl in black sitting alone in a corner, her cat ears trembling faintly in the morning light.

"Miss Zhuqing?" Feng Yao approached in some surprise.

Zhu Zhuqing looked up, a slight ripple passing through her cold eyes. "Morning." She gave a brief explanation. "I arrived yesterday."

Feng Yao understood. Counting the time, Shrek's people really should have arrived in Heaven Dou City by now.

Feng Yao's fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of his tray, but his gaze remained fixed on the Cafeteria entrance. Zhu Zhuqing keenly noticed his unusual behavior and asked in some confusion, "What is it?"

Feng Yao came back to himself. A faint smile rose at the corners of his lips, but the complicated emotion in his eyes did not reach them. "Nothing. I just didn't expect to run into you here."

Feng Yao lightly plucked a string, gazing thoughtfully at Zhu Zhuqing as he slowly asked, "Have everyone from Shrek settled in properly?"

Zhu Zhuqing's tone was as calm as though she were discussing the weather. "Mm. It's just that Mu Bai beat up a noble yesterday evening." She lifted her teacup, the surface of the water reflecting her icy eyes.

"It seems Miss Zhuqing expected this already?" Feng Yao raised a brow slightly, gently stroking "Fuxi" in his arms.

"The dealings of the Star Luo Imperial Family are far filthier than this." A mocking curve touched Zhu Zhuqing's lips, while her nails unconsciously left several shallow scratches on the tabletop. "At least the nobles here still put on a show and follow the process."

Feng Yao chuckled upon hearing that. "It seems I worried for nothing." He looked toward the fallen leaves drifting outside the window, his voice gradually lowering. "It is a pity that I am insignificant and powerless. I fear I cannot be of much help..."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Feng Yao, and the coldness in her gaze softened slightly. "It's fine."

Feng Yao watched Zhu Zhuqing's departing back as the girl in black quickly vanished into the morning light and the crowd. He lowered his head to look at the breakfast on his tray, already slightly cool, and a helpless curve formed at his lips.

After eating, Feng Yao did not head toward the place where he usually played his zither. Instead, he found a secluded spot by the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and quietly played.

Before long, Feng Yao stood in a secluded spot at the academy gates, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the strings as his gaze followed the retreating figures of Qin Ming and Shrek's group. The blazing sun stretched their shadows long, casting a web of intersecting darkness before the gilded gates.

"People even the three members of the Education Committee couldn't protect..." Yu Feng approached while waving his folding fan, then suddenly lowered his voice. "I heard Prince Xue Xing personally stepped in, and he even brought Poison Douluo."

"Grandpa owes Prince Xue Xing a favor. He told me not to get involved in these matters." Dugu Yan appeared at his side at some point, complex light flickering in her eyes.

"We couldn't have changed anything anyway. Cultivate well. We'll meet them on the competition stage someday." Feng Yao smiled.

Dugu Yan and Yu Feng nodded. The three of them watched Shrek's group depart, their faces filled with mixed feelings.

I just went to take a shower and forgot to set the timer. Sorry.