Within Jia Nan's Inner Academy.
Three days had passed since the Fallen Heart Flame had been sealed.
Although the great battle three days earlier had taken place high in the sky, the ribbons of Dou Qi shooting wildly in every direction and the shock waves from the fighting had still destroyed many buildings in the Inner Academy.
As a result, many students and instructors could still be seen repairing the damaged buildings.
Yet, despite the bustling scene, not a single face bore a smile. Even conversation was scarce; everyone simply worked in silence.
Along a path.
Two figures, one tall and one small, strolled toward them.
Upon seeing the slender man in white, the busy students and instructors on either side stopped what they were doing, bowed slightly, and greeted him respectfully. "Mr. Zhou."
Zhou Changqing nodded in acknowledgment to everyone who greeted him, never tiring of it.
Glancing down at Zi Yan, who walked beside him with a vacant gaze, he chuckled softly. "Little girl, if you're bored, go play. You don't have to follow me."
Roused by Zhou Changqing's voice, Zi Yan shook her head, her twin ponytails swaying. "I'm not that bored. Besides, there's nothing fun to do by myself. I'd be even more bored."
"Hardly anyone in the Inner Academy liked playing with me before, and now they have even less time or inclination. I'd rather follow you. At least we can talk."
"Hehe, all right. Looks like you aren't very popular in the Inner Academy, little girl."
Zhou Changqing chuckled and shook his head.
"Tch!"
Zi Yan curled her lips disdainfully. "That's not it! They're just too weak. They can't even take a little touch, and all they ever do is cultivate, cultivate, cultivate. They're no fun at all."
At that, the corner of Zhou