This was his first time in the core area of the Spirit Ash Institute.
Fu Qian's first impression was that his earlier summary of the institute's culture had been spot-on. It wasn't merely awkward—it was downright repressed.
Compared with its plain, simple exterior, the towering hall before him was excessively ornate.
The moment he stepped through the entrance at the end of the corridor, the place nearly blinded him.
The starry sky? No, the ceiling.
Countless glittering crystals, together with the golden embellishments all around, formed a ceiling that looked like a field of stars no matter where you stood.
The walls were decorated with red and blue tiles and Venetian blinds.
But the most eye-catching feature was the enormous chandelier hanging down from the middle of this dreamlike, hazy scene.
It must have weighed several tons. Its design was unbelievably intricate, and the materials were clearly no ordinary stuff.
It wasn't lit, and it wasn't swaying at all, yet an eerie blue sheen glimmered across its countless facets, roiling like clouds and mist.
In terms of style alone, it was unquestionably the most lavish place in the entire academy.
Compared with the outside, it was like the rich inner world of a socially awkward shut-in—a perfect match for the Spirit Ash Institute.
At that moment, the space was packed with people.
Their remarkably uniform outfits made it clear that they were all senior members of the Spirit Ash Institute.
So this really was an all-hands meeting to reflect on their mistakes. Their attitude was commendable, but was this really a suitable place for some self-reflection?
Never mind anything else—just staring at that chandelier for a whole day would be enough to make anyone's head spin.
Led by Professor Weilong, Fu Qian looked over the many seated figures as they