The plane slowly descended into the Sea of Clouds.
Ning Qing sat by the window, looking out at the vast Sea of Clouds. Beyond its edge stretched an azure sky. She gazed at it calmly, her profile so exquisite that even the female classmate beside her could not resist stealing glances. Ning Qing merely pretended not to notice.
For an instant, behind that azure sky, she seemed to glimpse the heavy, invisible Plane Barrier, supporting this world while sealing it in.
And where were the Deities?
She could not help wondering.
Cloud and mist gradually obscured her view.
Ning Qing looked away.
The classmate beside her looked away too, only to steal another glance when she saw Ning Qing close her eyes.
The plane landed.
The class assistant traveling with them stood and said, "The academy has arranged a bus. It's waiting outside the terminal. If you checked luggage, collect it and head out quickly. If you need the restroom, please be quick about that too. Once we're back at school, you're free to do as you like."
Everyone answered together, then got up and filed off the plane.
Ning Qing took a suitcase from the overhead compartment and pulled it toward the cabin door. Only when she passed the class assistant did she say,
"I'm not going back with everyone."
"Hm? Why not?"
"Because I'm not going back to school."
"Oh. All right."
The class assistant was a young woman in her twenties, only a few years older than they were. Ning Qing's natural field of frost was more than she could handle, and she had some inkling that Ning Qing enjoyed certain privileges at school. She did not dare press her, adding only,
"Then stay safe..."
"Thank you."
"Oh!"
The class assistant felt unexpectedly honored.
Everyone knew those