Starry Sky

The two walked back without saying a word.

They passed through the South City Gate and followed the road they had come by. The night grew deeper and deeper.

By the time they reached the East Gate of Shrek Academy, it was completely dark.

People still came and went through the gate, though far fewer than during the day.

The student on duty stood by the gate and lazily yawned.

Xue Lingyun raised his head and looked at the sky.

There was not a cloud in the night sky tonight. Stars densely carpeted the heavens overhead, while the Milky Way stretched across the sky, so clear it looked as though someone had drawn it there with a pen.

He stopped and gazed upward.

Jiang Nannan took two steps before noticing he had not followed. She turned around, saw him standing there looking at the sky, then walked back and followed his gaze upward.

"The stars are so beautiful tonight," she said softly.

Xue Lingyun did not reply.

He was not looking at whether they were "beautiful."

Huangji Jingshi had many different applications.

When searching for treasures or probing objects in everyday life, it observed mountains, rivers, earth veins, and the flow of energy. Its range was limited, a localized form of perception.

But observing the stars at night was different. It looked upon the entire sky—upon the destiny stars hanging overhead, the trajectories by which all things moved, and a broader "momentum."

It was said that everyone had a destiny star of their own.

The stronger a person's fortune, the brighter that star would shine.

The powerful figures standing at the peak of the continent, the geniuses destined to stir the world—their stars shone far more brightly in the night sky than those of ordinary people.

As for those who had already fallen, their stars would gradually dim until they were completely extinguished.

Naturally, he had no way to explain any of this to Jiang Nannan.

Only after watching for quite a while did he slowly lower his gaze.

"You like scenery like this too?" Jiang Nannan asked beside him.

Xue Lingyun turned to look at her. Moonlight and starlight mingled across her face, making the gentle smile there appear even clearer.

He was silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "The stars can guide your way."

Jiang Nannan froze for a moment.

"When you feel lost, look up," Xue Lingyun said. "Sometimes, you'll find the answer."

After saying that, he paused, then added, "Everyone has their own star. I was probably able to find you because your star shines especially brightly."

Jiang Nannan was stunned by his words.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, only to realize she did not know what to say.

Her cheeks felt a little warm, and her heartbeat seemed to have quickened slightly as well.

Xue Lingyun said nothing more. He simply looked at her quietly.

After a few seconds, Jiang Nannan lowered her head and softly murmured, "Mm," not daring to look at him again.

The two walked side by side toward the city gate.

Just as they were about to reach it, Jiang Nannan suddenly stopped.

"Xue Lingyun."

He turned back. Moonlight shone from the side, stretching her shadow long behind her.

"What is it?"

She stood there, biting her lip as if hesitating over something. In the end, she merely shook her head. "It's nothing... Thank you for today."

Xue Lingyun nodded and turned to continue walking.

The instant he turned away—something warm suddenly brushed lightly against his cheek.

It was quick, so light it felt like an illusion.

He instinctively halted and turned back.

Jiang Nannan had already retreated two steps. Standing in the moonlight, she smiled and waved at him.

"Take me somewhere else next time!"

With that, she turned and ran through the city gate, her figure quickly vanishing into the night.

Xue Lingyun stood where he was, stunned for two seconds.

He raised a hand and touched his cheek.

In that brief instant, he seemed to have felt something.

Not hostility, not malice—just a... very light touch.

His reaction had been half a beat too slow. He had not had time to do anything.

That suddenly made him think of a question.

What if that had not been affection, but a dagger?

He stood there, slowly furrowing his brow.

Huangji Jingshi's perception usually gave warnings against danger, malice, and killing intent.

But if someone approached and touched him without any negative emotions at all, would his body become as sluggish as it had just now, too slow to react?

It was a question worth considering.

He touched the spot she had kissed, then lowered his hand and turned toward the academy.

The night wind was slightly cool, and starlight spilled over the city gate.

As he walked, he thought, If this sluggish reaction is real, I need to find a way to train it.

His perceptive ability could not rely solely on warnings of malice. What if he encountered someone who was good at controlling their emotions, or someone who had no malice at all... No, why would someone with no malice attack him?

He shook his head, feeling that he needed to think more about that line of reasoning.

In any case, he had gained quite a lot tonight. A piece of ore, an old book, and a... question worth studying.

He touched his cheek, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly before quickly returning to calm.