January arrived, and the weather grew ever colder.
Even the most active young witches and wizards were reluctant to venture outdoors in weather like this. They preferred the warmth of the Grand Common Room or their own house common rooms.
They could warm themselves by the fire or enjoy the warm sunshine on the beach.
But no matter how the temperature outside changed, the Room of Requirement always remained as warm as spring.
Bare-chested, Zhang Xiao balanced upside down on one hand. Sweat slid down his body, and a puddle had already formed on the floor beneath him.
His muscles formed graceful contours, and his skin glistened beneath the lights as the sweat reflected their glow.
In front of him, the Recording Stone Zhang Chengdao had sent was playing a recording.
In the recording, the Young Celestial Master's long sleeves fluttered, a breeze lifting his hair. As Yuan Ting Yue Zhi, he carried himself like a true master.
"Xiao Xiao, within Huaxia, our Daoist Order can draw upon the power of the Heavenly Court..."
He had just watched this recording, and the sight of the Yellow Turban Warrior cutting through the crowd had made his blood boil with excitement. He had immediately done another set of exercises.
Especially his father's cry of "Warrior, come forth!" and the opening that had torn through the clouds. It simply couldn't have looked any cooler!
Still hungry for more, Zhang Xiao watched the short recording again. Then he pushed off with his supporting arm, his body floating up from the floor before he landed lightly on his feet.
Not jealous. Not jealous at all. It was only the Fifth Rank, wasn't it?
*This Daoist Master reached the Seventh Rank at thirteen. Even if I coast until eighteen, I could make the Fifth Rank through