Xiao Yun's Night Visit to Shui Yuntian

The night was as black as ink, sparse starlight reflected upon Phoenix Nest Lake.

When Xiao Yun returned to Shui Ruoyan's apartment, his hand paused slightly as he pushed open the door. The room was pitch-black, with no lights, no voices, not even the sound of breathing.

He stood at the doorway, his Spiritual Sense spreading like spilled mercury and instantly enveloping the entire Skywater Academy.

It was empty.

More than half of the dormitory buildings that were usually filled with students now stood vacant.

Only a few rooms still had their lights on, housing injured students and the instructors who had stayed behind to care for them.

Shui Ruoyan's apartment was empty. Yao Yuerou's apartment was also empty. Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er's dormitory was likewise deserted.

Xiao Yun frowned slightly.

His Spiritual Sense continued to spread, sweeping across the Teaching Area, the Training Area, and the library... At last, in the direction of the headmaster's office, he caught a familiar aura.

Shui Yuntian.

She was alone.

Xiao Yun turned, his figure blending into the night. Moments later, he appeared outside the window of the headmaster's office.

The window was open, and light spilled from within, casting a dim yellow glow across the ground. He lightly leaped inside and landed without a sound.

Shui Yuntian sat behind the writing desk, with a map spread before her. It was covered in dense markings, circles, and annotations drawn in red ink.

Her face was somewhat pale, and her eyes held exhaustion, though she still appeared fairly composed. Hearing the movement, she raised her head. When she saw Xiao Yun, her tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Young Master Xiao." She rose to her feet, her voice hoarse. "You're back."

Xiao Yun nodded and sat across from her. "What happened?"

Shui Yuntian sighed, pushed