A gentle breeze stirred through Lingxi Hall. The sandalwood incense lay still, and a warm, peaceful atmosphere slowly suffused the hall.
Bai Bing sat upright on a meditation cushion atop the dais. Her cool gaze rested gently on Yang Jing before her, her expression calm and composed as she instructed him, "For the coming days, set your other affairs aside. Rest quietly, sort out your loose ends, and make a clean break from all miscellaneous matters within and outside the sect. Then simply wait for your admission to the academy."
Yang Jing paused at her words, stopping just as he was about to bow and take his leave.
His gaze focused slightly. After turning the matter over in his mind and hesitating briefly, he finally looked up at Bai Bing on the dais and spoke respectfully, a tentative note in his voice. "Master, there is still something on my mind. May I be so bold as to ask you about it?"
The hall was silent. Bai Bing watched him quietly, as though she had already seen through his thoughts. A faint smile crossed her exquisite, cool features. Before Yang Jing could speak, she gently voiced his concern. "I know what you are thinking. You wish to ask whether you can bring Sun Ningxiang of Yunxi Peak along when you enter Pingtian Academy, do you not?"
With a single sentence, she laid bare the secret wish in his heart.
Yang Jing had always been steady and reserved, his resolve firm. He had long since cultivated the composure to watch Mount Tai collapse before him without his expression changing. Ordinary storms could scarcely disturb his emotions or alter his countenance.
Even he considered himself strong-willed and unflappable, rarely losing his composure.
Yet now, with his master so plainly piercing through to his