Tang San stood in the deepening night, gazing in the direction Ling Feng had disappeared, remaining still for a long time.
That question-"Just how much more do you know about all this?"-and that meaningful smile that offered no answer were like a thorn, pricking lightly at his heart.
Far from dispersing, the fog had only grown thicker.
This person seemed open and candid, yet in truth, an impenetrable veil shrouded him from head to toe. Each time you thought you had touched a fragment of the truth, you discovered it was merely a deeper shadow.
He understood how to apply force in forging, understood the principles of mechanical triggers, and could even propose such astonishing weapon concepts...
This was by no means knowledge an ordinary village boy should possess.
Yet he also happened to possess innate full Soul Power and that hammer suspected of coming from the Upper Three Sects...
Tang San shook his head forcefully, temporarily suppressing his tangled thoughts.
No matter how many secrets Ling Feng held, what mattered most right now was improving his own strength as quickly as possible.
He could not slack off in either cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill or making hidden weapons.
He turned and strode toward the secluded corner of the academy he often visited. Tonight, he needed to properly digest the "inspiration" Ling Feng had given him and try incorporating it into his own designs.
Over the next few days, life at the academy seemed to return to its usual rhythm.
Classes, cultivation, meals, sleep.
Ling Feng maintained his own rhythm as usual, checking in at different locations and collecting rewards both large and small. His Soul Power advanced steadily toward rank thirteen, while his physical strength and spiritual power continued to solidify through the accumulation of various tiny rewards.
A subtle understanding seemed to have formed between him and Tang San.
When they occasionally met in the corridors or on the training grounds, they would nod in greeting, but no longer had any deep conversations. Tang San's gaze still held a probing quality when he looked at him, but it was no longer filled with the direct wariness of before. Instead, it held a deeply concealed hint of regarding him as an equal.
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang occasionally found opportunities to "run into" Ling Feng and exchange a few words on Soul Master theory. His words contained more probing than instruction; clearly, he was still thinking about those "new ideas" after the Soul Hunting Forest.
Ling Feng always managed to offer a few perfectly measured responses, neither revealing too much nor completely hiding his abilities, thoroughly whetting Grandmaster's appetite.
Xiao Wu remained as lively, restless, and carefree as ever, dragging Tang San around and chattering all day. Occasionally, she would also come over to Ling Feng and pepper him with curious questions, seemingly not having taken what happened on the back mountain and at the blacksmith's shop that day too much to heart.
Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents still surged silently.
That morning, just after class ended, the dean of studies strode into the classroom with a gloomy expression and a roll of parchment in hand.
The somewhat noisy classroom instantly fell silent.
Every student sensed something unusual in the air, and their gazes all focused on him.
The dean of studies swept his gaze around the room, pausing particularly on Ling Feng, Tang San, and a few other students with higher Soul Power levels. Only then did he clear his throat and speak in a solemn voice:
"Quiet! An important academy notice will now be announced!"
He unrolled the parchment in his hand.
"The academic year is nearing its end. The academy has decided that, in three days, all students whose Soul Power has reached rank ten or above will be organized to enter the Soul Hunting Forest designated by the empire and obtain their first Soul Ring!"
As his words fell, the classroom first went silent, then erupted in a small commotion.
Excitement and anticipation instantly appeared on the faces of the students who had reached rank ten.
Obtaining a Soul Ring! Becoming a true Soul Master!
This was the moment they had long awaited!
Those who had not reached rank ten, meanwhile, were filled with envy, and even a little dejection.
Ling Feng's expression remained calm, understanding dawning in his mind.
The main storyline was finally about to officially begin.
The Soul Hunting Forest... There were quite a few "good" check-in spots there.
The dean of studies pressed his hand down to signal for silence and continued reading, "Several academy teachers will lead this operation to ensure your safety. The group assignments will now be announced!"
He began reading the list, dividing the eligible students into several groups and announcing the teacher assigned to lead each one.
"Group one, students: Ling Feng, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Wang Sheng... Leading teacher: Teacher Mo Hen."
Hearing this assignment, Ling Feng raised his brows slightly.
As expected, the main cast had basically been grouped together. Wang Sheng and several other work-study students had also managed to reach rank ten.
"Group two..."
The dean of studies continued reading.
When he read out the name of one of the leading teachers, Ling Feng's ears twitched slightly.
"...Group five, leading teacher: Teacher Xiao Li."
Xiao Li?
Ling Feng turned his gaze toward a corner of the classroom.
A tall, brawny young male student with a somewhat gloomy expression sat there. It was none other than Xiao Chenyu's older brother. He, too, had reached rank twenty and needed to obtain his second Soul Ring, but this time, his role was that of an assistant leading teacher? It seemed the academy was giving him an opportunity to gain experience.
As though sensing Ling Feng's gaze, Xiao Li happened to raise his head as well. His gaze crossed the crowd and met Ling Feng's precisely.
Their eyes met.
The corners of Xiao Li's mouth curled extremely slowly into a cold, utterly undisguised arc.
There was not the slightest trace of a smile in those eyes, only a chilling coldness and the mockery of someone looking at prey.
He raised his hand and, seemingly casually, drew a finger lightly across his own neck.
The gesture was full of provocation and menace.
Then he stopped looking at Ling Feng and lowered his head, toying with his fingers, but the sneer at the corners of his mouth became even more pronounced.
It was as though he were saying: The Soul Hunting Forest... Just you wait.
Most of the other students in the classroom were immersed in the excitement of soon obtaining their Soul Rings and did not notice the brief, icy clash in that corner.
But Ling Feng felt it.
Tang San noticed it as well. His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Xiao Li, then at the calm-faced Ling Feng, a trace of gravity entering his eyes.
Xiao Wu pursed her lips and made a face in Xiao Li's direction, clearly having seen that provocative gesture too.
The dean of studies finally finished reading the list, rolled up the parchment, and said sternly, "All students on the list are to assemble in the square on time this afternoon for the pre-entry briefing and preparations! Dismissed!"
The students dispersed in a clamor, discussing it excitedly.
Ling Feng stood up, preparing to leave.
Xiao Li stood at the same time, deliberately taking the aisle beside Ling Feng.
The instant they brushed past each other, an extremely low, malicious sneer drifted into Ling Feng's ear.
"Kid... Plenty of accidents happen in the forest..."
The voice stopped abruptly, and he was already walking away.
Ling Feng did not break his stride. His expression did not change in the slightest, as though he had heard nothing.
But deep within his calm eyes, an exceedingly faint, icy gleam flashed and vanished.
Accidents?
Indeed.
It was just a question of whose head that accident would ultimately fall on.