The moon hung low in the inky sky, casting a pale glow upon the ancient city of Xianjing. Its narrow streets, lined with traditional wooden structures adorned with vibrant red lanterns, were silent except for the distant echoes of the night watchmen patrolling the city walls. Beyond the boundaries of the city, the dense forests whispered with unseen mysteries, and the mountains loomed like silent sentinels against the backdrop of the starlit sky.
In the heart of Xianjing, within the walls of the illustrious Vermilion Phoenix Academy, Qiuyue paced anxiously in her chamber. The events of the past week lingered in her mind like a haunting melody. The discovery of an ancient artifact, the awakening of latent powers, and the ominous warnings from her mysterious mentor, Master Ling, had left her restless and wary.
