Three years after enrolling, Feng Lingtian was nine. Zhong Yue and the others had finally reached level twenty.
Feng Lingtian had been waiting a long time for this day. Ever since obtaining his second Soul Ring in the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range a year ago, he had been waiting. Waiting for Zhong Yue and the others to break through. As though they had agreed beforehand, they had all reached the threshold of level twenty in succession that autumn.
Feng Lingtian sat on the edge of his dormitory bed and spread out a sheet of paper. Zhong Yue leaned over from beside him.
"Who are you writing to?" Zhong Yue asked.
"My brother," Feng Lingtian said.
Feng Lingtian picked up his pen and wrote: Brother, Zhong Yue and the others have all reached level twenty. Let's meet at the entrance to the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range in three days. Bring your people too.
Once he finished, Feng Lingtian folded the letter and put it in an envelope.
Watching beside him, Zhong Yue scratched his head. "Who does Senior Feng Xiaotian have with him?"
"Cheng Luo and Shi Yan," Feng Lingtian said. "My brother mentioned them in his letters. Cheng Luo is a Control System type, with the Wind-Binding Vine Martial Soul. Shi Yan is a Defense System type. His Martial Soul is a bell."
Zhong Yue counted on his fingers. "You, me, Su Mei'er, Lu Hanxiao, Jiang Lin, Su Ran, Ye Qingyu, Bai Yu, Ji Ning-that's nine on our side. Add Senior Feng Xiaotian, Cheng Luo, and Shi Yan, and that makes twelve."
"My brother might bring someone else," Feng Lingtian said. "But he didn't mention it in his letters, so I'm not sure."
Zhong Yue scratched his head. "All right. We'll probably find out once we get there."
Feng Lingtian put the letter away. This Soul Hunting trip was not just about obtaining Soul Rings. More importantly, he wanted to see what these people were like together. Who could work well with whom, who clashed, who suited charging at the very front, and who suited standing at the very back. These things did not show in ordinary training. Only once they truly entered the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range and faced Soul Beasts would they emerge.
The reply arrived the next day.
Feng Xiaotian's letter was short, only a few lines: Got it. Three days from now, at the entrance to the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range. I'll bring my people. Oh, I broke through level forty last month and went hunting for my fourth Soul Ring. It was a close call, actually. I originally targeted a Wind Demon Wolf King over nine thousand years old, but halfway through the fight, the beast broke through right there. I watched its Soul Ring turn from purple to black. Luckily, the two years I spent holding back my level gave me a fairly solid foundation. And since it had only just broken through, its Soul Shock hadn't fully formed, so the impact was considerably weaker than that of a true ten-thousand-year Soul Beast. Even so, it nearly tore me apart. My fourth Soul Skill is called "Wind Demon Avatar." It greatly increases the degree of Martial Soul Possession for a short time, sending both strength and speed soaring. A ten-thousand-year Soul Skill really is different, but it takes a lot out of me too. After using it once, I need ages to recover. I'll show you when you get here.
After reading the letter, Feng Lingtian folded it and tucked it inside his robe. His brother had withstood the Soul Shock of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring. The corners of Feng Lingtian's mouth lifted. He said nothing, but he could not suppress that pride.
The three days passed quickly.
Over those three days, Feng Lingtian shut himself in the pill-refining room and refined another batch of Foundation-Fortifying and Essence-Nurturing Powder. He divided the powder into seven portions and placed them in seven small porcelain bottles. One for Zhong Yue, one for Su Mei'er, one for Lu Hanxiao, one for Jiang Lin, one for Ji Ning, one for Su Ran, and one for Ye Qingyu. Seven people, seven porcelain bottles.
On the day of departure, Feng Lingtian rose early.
Zhong Yue was already waiting beside the training ground, with Su Ran and Bai Yu standing nearby. Su Ran carried a cloth bundle containing the dry rations he had made over the past few days. Bai Yu stood beside Zhong Yue, holding her wind chime, which hung from her wrist on a red cord.
Before long, Su Mei'er arrived. Ye Qingyu followed behind her, cradling her ancient zither. A cloth bag covered its body, leaving only its two gray-green ends exposed.
Su Mei'er walked up to Feng Lingtian, the corners of her mouth curving slightly. "I hear quite a few people are going this time?"
"We'll know when we get there," Feng Lingtian said.
Su Mei'er raised an eyebrow and said nothing more. Today she wore a narrow-sleeved teal school uniform, its cuffs drawn tight, neat and practical. Feng Lingtian noticed a scarlet ribbon tied around the ends of her hair, very close to the color of her second tail.
Lu Hanxiao and Jiang Lin arrived together. Lu Hanxiao walked in front, his figure slender, carrying a natural silence. Jiang Lin walked beside him, light brown eyes quietly looking ahead, his face expressionless.
Ji Ning arrived last. He emerged from the dormitory building in his teal school uniform, quiet as though he had yet to wake fully, though his eyes were clearly alert.
The first time Feng Xiaotian mentioned Ji Ning to Feng Lingtian, he had said only, "Hummingbird. Very fast." Only after witnessing Ji Ning's speed himself did Feng Lingtian understand what his brother meant by "very fast." Ji Ning's speed was not the sheer diving speed of a peregrine falcon, but an agility that caught people off guard.
The nine of them passed through the junior academy gates and followed the main road toward the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range.
Two hours later, Feng Lingtian spotted several figures standing at the entrance to the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range in the distance.
Feng Xiaotian stood at the front. The fifteen-year-old boy stood tall and straight, three wind-patterned badges pinned to the collar of his teal school uniform. Three people stood behind him.
Seeing Feng Lingtian, Feng Xiaotian stepped forward to meet him and reached out to ruffle his younger brother's hair.
"You've grown taller," Feng Xiaotian said.
Feng Lingtian's lips curved upward. "So have you, Brother."
Feng Xiaotian smiled, his gaze sweeping over the people behind Feng Lingtian. It paused briefly on Zhong Yue, then Su Mei'er, then Lu Hanxiao, before finally settling on Jiang Lin.
Feng Xiaotian withdrew his gaze, turned sideways, and tipped his chin toward the three behind him.
"Let me introduce everyone first." Feng Xiaotian did not speak loudly, but everyone heard him clearly.
He looked at Cheng Luo first. "Cheng Luo, the same age as me, three months younger. Third year at the intermediate academy, level thirty-five, Control System type, Wind-Binding Vine Martial Soul. Level-eight Innate Soul Power. Control System types demand more mental power and Soul Power control than power attack-types, so his level is a little lower than mine. But in terms of control ability, he ranks among the intermediate academy's top three."
Cheng Luo nodded to everyone, a faint hint of a smile on his lips. "Cheng Luo."
Feng Xiaotian then looked at Shi Yan.
Standing there, Shi Yan was half a head taller than Feng Xiaotian, his arms a size thicker than most people's, like a wall. His stance differed somewhat from the others-Cheng Luo stood relaxed, Lu Qing stood steady, and Shi Yan stood slightly braced. It was not nervousness, but habit. The habit of always being ready to withstand something.
"Shi Yan." Feng Xiaotian's tone changed slightly from when he introduced Cheng Luo. It sounded less like he was introducing a teammate of equal standing and more like someone he had guided for a long time. "Two years older than Lingtian. Level twenty-one, Defense System type. His Martial Soul is a bell with wind patterns engraved on its body. Level-six Innate Soul Power."
Feng Xiaotian paused.
"His Martial Soul itself has no wind attribute, but that wind pattern finally persuaded the academy to relent."
Hearing this, Zhong Yue nodded thoughtfully. He knew Godwind Academy's admission requirements-wind attribute, or at least something related to wind. The wind patterns on Shi Yan's bell just barely qualified him.
"I met him the year I enrolled," Feng Xiaotian said. "He was in the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range with his younger sister, facing a Wind-Patterned Python around five hundred years old. He was alone, with no teacher and no medicinal powder, relying entirely on that bell of his that hadn't even fully formed to withstand the python head-on. I gave him a dose of Foundation-Fortifying and Essence-Nurturing Powder to stabilize his meridians. Only then did he successfully absorb his first Soul Ring."
Feng Xiaotian did not mention Shi Yan's parents, nor why he had been in the mountains with his younger sister. Those were Shi Yan's own affairs.
"Afterward, I brought him back to the academy. I spent a long time wearing them down, and in the end, he stayed on my personal recommendation. He doesn't take up an official academy place. I'm responsible for guiding him. For over two years, I've overseen his cultivation. From level ten to level twenty-one, every step has been firmly planted."
Shi Yan stood there, his lips moving as though he wanted to say something, only to swallow it back. In the end, he scratched his head and gave everyone an honest, simple smile.
"My name's Shi Yan. Whatever Brother Xiaotian tells me to do, I'll do. If anything needs taking head-on, call me."
When he said "Brother Xiaotian," his tone was natural, as though he had been calling him that for a long time. It was not how a teammate addressed his captain. It was how someone addressed the person who had given him a helping hand.
Feng Xiaotian said nothing, only reaching out to pat Shi Yan on the shoulder.
Feng Xiaotian's gaze fell on the last person.
"Lu Qing," Feng Xiaotian said. "Third year at the intermediate academy, level thirty-seven, power attack-type, Wind Scythe Martial Soul. Level-eight Innate Soul Power. Three years older than Lingtian, one year younger than me."
Lu Qing stepped forward. He was slightly shorter than Feng Xiaotian, but broad-shouldered, standing there like a firmly rooted tree.
Feng Xiaotian looked toward Lu Hanxiao. "Lu Qing is Lu Hanxiao's older clan cousin. They trained together for a few years as children. Later, Lu Qing enrolled a year after me and entered the intermediate academy. He was the first person I thought of when putting this team together. The Wind Scythe Martial Soul has a wide attack range and high speed. It can break through head-on or cut in from the flank. He can coordinate with Agility Attack System types or serve as the main attacker himself."
Lu Qing's gaze passed over the others and settled on Lu Hanxiao.
"Hanxiao," Lu Qing said, his voice low but steady.
Lu Hanxiao looked at Lu Qing in silence and nodded. "Brother Qing."
Lu Qing withdrew his gaze and nodded to everyone. "Lu Qing. I look forward to learning from you all."
Su Mei'er raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze lingering on Lu Qing before she glanced at Lu Hanxiao. Standing there, Lu Hanxiao held his back a little straighter than before.
Feng Xiaotian clapped his hands. "All right, everyone's here. Before we enter the mountains, report your levels so we know where we stand."
Feng Xiaotian spoke first. "Feng Xiaotian, level forty-two, power attack-type."
Feng Lingtian followed. "Feng Lingtian, level twenty-three, Agility Attack System type."
Zhong Yue puffed out his chest. "Zhong Yue, level twenty, Defense System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Su Mei'er's lips curved slightly. "Su Mei'er, level twenty, Control System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Lu Hanxiao fell silent for a moment. "Lu Hanxiao, level twenty, Agility Attack System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Jiang Lin's voice was soft. "Jiang Lin, level twenty, Control System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Ji Ning remained as quiet as ever. "Ji Ning, level twenty, Agility Attack System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Su Ran smiled gently. "Su Ran, level twenty, Food System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Holding her ancient zither, Ye Qingyu spoke softly but clearly. "Ye Qingyu, level twenty, Support System type, preparing to obtain my second Soul Ring."
Holding her wind chime, Bai Yu lowered her head. "Bai Yu, level nineteen and a half, Support System type."
Lu Qing's voice was steady. "Lu Qing, level thirty-seven, power attack-type."
Cheng Luo wore a smile. "Cheng Luo, level thirty-five, Control System type."
Shi Yan scratched his head. "Shi Yan, level twenty-one, Defense System type."
All thirteen had reported their levels. Feng Lingtian silently noted them-seven needed their second Soul Rings, along with himself, his brother, Lu Qing, Cheng Luo, Shi Yan, and Bai Yu. Three above level thirty to hold the line, one at level nineteen and a half to provide support, and seven aiming for their second Soul Rings. The lineup was clear.
Feng Lingtian took several small porcelain bottles from inside his robe.
"My brother just mentioned Foundation-Fortifying and Essence-Nurturing Powder," Feng Lingtian said. "It's a medicine I refine myself. When obtaining a Soul Ring, the Soul Shock left behind by the Soul Beast impacts the meridians, making absorption extremely dangerous. Foundation-Fortifying and Essence-Nurturing Powder can stabilize the meridians before absorption, reduce the impact of Soul Shock, and improve the chances of successful absorption."
Feng Lingtian handed out the porcelain bottles one by one.
Zhong Yue accepted his with a grin. Su Mei'er took hers, her slender fingers gently closing around the porcelain bottle as her lips curved slightly. Lu Hanxiao accepted his bottle and nodded silently. Jiang Lin tucked his bottle inside his robe, glancing at Feng Lingtian with his light brown eyes without speaking. Ji Ning accepted his and quietly put it away. Su Ran took his bottle with a gentle smile. Ye Qingyu accepted hers with both hands and said a very soft "Thank you."
Seven people, seven porcelain bottles.
Looking at the porcelain bottles, Cheng Luo's smile deepened. "Foundation-Fortifying and Essence-Nurturing Powder. People at the intermediate academy have occasionally mentioned it, saying there's someone at the junior academy who's very skilled at pill refining. So it was you."
Feng Lingtian nodded without saying more.
Feng Lingtian suddenly took two steps forward, then turned to face everyone.
His gaze swept over Zhong Yue, Su Mei'er, Lu Hanxiao, Jiang Lin, Ji Ning, Su Ran, Ye Qingyu, and Bai Yu. These eight were the people he knew best from his three years at the junior academy.
"Before we enter the mountains, there's something I want to make clear." Feng Lingtian did not speak loudly, but everyone quieted down.
Feng Lingtian looked at them. "When I enrolled three years ago, I was already thinking about something. I want to compete in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Not to make up the numbers, but to win."
Zhong Yue froze for a moment. Su Mei'er's eyebrows lifted slightly. Lu Hanxiao watched Feng Lingtian in silence, and a ripple finally stirred in Jiang Lin's light brown eyes.
"But I can't do that alone," Feng Lingtian said. "The tournament requires seven people. Not just any seven people, but seven people who can entrust their backs to one another. For three years, I've watched you cultivate, watched you fight, and watched you give everything you have in every training session."
Feng Lingtian paused. "You're the teammates I care about and admire most. If you're willing, I want to work toward that tournament together with you."
The silence lasted only a moment.
Zhong Yue was the first to grin. "Do you even have to ask? Of course I'm willing!"
Su Mei'er's lips curved slightly, amusement in her eyes, though she deliberately slowed her words. "After you've said all that, wouldn't refusing make me seem terribly unwilling to give you face?"
Lu Hanxiao nodded without speaking. But his back straightened even more than before.
Jiang Lin was silent for a moment, and the layer of pale golden light in his light brown eyes brightened slightly. "I'm willing."
Ji Ning remained as quiet as ever, saying only, "Okay."
Standing beside Ye Qingyu, Su Ran said gently, "I'm a Food System type, so I'm no good at fighting, but leave the logistics to me."
Ye Qingyu's voice was soft but clear. "My zither music can help everyone."
Holding her wind chime, Bai Yu lowered her head and smiled. "My chimes too."
Feng Xiaotian stood nearby, watching the scene, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting.
Only once everyone had finished did Feng Xiaotian speak.
"What Lingtian said is what I want to say too." Feng Xiaotian's gaze settled on Lu Qing, Cheng Luo, and Shi Yan. "Lu Qing, Cheng Luo, Shi Yan. You three are the people I trust most at the intermediate academy. I brought you here today not to be sparring partners, but to become part of this team too."
Lu Qing nodded. His gaze unconsciously shifted toward Lu Hanxiao for a moment. Lu Hanxiao stood there without looking at Lu Qing, but his stance-Feng Xiaotian noticed-had relaxed slightly. It was not carelessness, but the ease of knowing there was someone behind him he could rely on.
Cheng Luo's smile deepened. Shi Yan scratched his head and said in his simple, earnest way, "I'll follow Brother Xiaotian."
Feng Xiaotian then looked at the eight people behind Feng Lingtian. "I trust my brother's judgment. If he says you can do it, then you certainly can. From today onward, we're not the junior academy and the intermediate academy. We're one team."
Thirteen people stood at the entrance to the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range, afternoon sunlight filtering through the canopy and falling on each of their shoulders.
Feng Xiaotian reached out and ruffled his younger brother's hair. "Let's go. Into the mountains."
The thirteen had officially joined up.