Yang Feng's eyes were steady, filled with an intensity beyond his years as he looked directly at Miss Xu. "Please, go on," he said, his voice firm yet polite. He needed more answers. Whatever this world was, whatever was happening, he had to know all of it. There was no room for half-truths or vague explanations.
Miss Xu, noticing his determination, nodded quietly. Sunlight filtered through the window of the modest room, casting warm golden light across the wooden floor. Outside, the village bustled with activity, as people prepared for their daily tasks. The soft murmur of the villagers, the laughter of children playing in the distance, and the occasional bark of a dog painted a peaceful picture. But inside, in the stillness of the room, the weight of the conversation between Yang Feng and Miss Xu created a stark contrast to the lively scene outdoors.
"Well," she began, her tone now more serious, "spiritual masters aren't spawned from thin air, they're trained. Every decade, the spiritual academy sends counselors—like the one who came today—to travel through the three spiritual lands. Their task is to visit every registered village and evaluate the potential of the children there. Those they deem worthy are offered a place at the spiritual academy, where they are trained to become full-fledged spiritual masters."
Yang Feng listened carefully, his sharp mind absorbing every word like a sponge. The sunlight streaming in through the window illuminated his thoughtful expression. He imagined the academy she spoke of—a place filled with young talents, eager to harness their spiritual power, to command great beasts. His thoughts briefly returned to his own spiritual beast from his past life. Could this academy rival the training halls of the upper realms?
Miss Xu continued, unaware of the storm of thoughts whirling in Yang Feng's head. "The academy," she said, "is considered a sacred institution. Anyone who joins it is given free training, free shelter, and privileges based on their spiritual ranking. You see, the spiritual academy isn't like a normal school. Once you're admitted, you don't leave until you graduate, unless something very serious happens. You'll live, eat, and train there for years, dedicating your life to becoming stronger, to mastering your connection with your spiritual beast."
Outside the house, the day pressed on—birds chirped in the nearby trees, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze created a backdrop of calm. Yet inside, Yang Feng felt anything but calm. The more Miss Xu explained, the more uncertain he became about his place in this world. This wasn't the life he remembered, and yet, here he was.
Miss Xu paused for a moment, watching Yang Feng's face for any sign of understanding. His expression was calm, but his eyes were calculating. Miss Xu mistook his silence for curiosity, perhaps even excitement about the possibility of joining the academy. She gave him a gentle smile, the sunlight catching the edges of her dark hair as she shifted slightly in her seat.
"Becoming a spiritual master," she continued, "would benefit you greatly, Yang Feng. Spiritual masters are highly respected across all the lands. They're given privileges and protection from the sects they join, and many go on to become leaders, heroes even. You could achieve great things if you pursue this path."
Yang Feng raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress the confusion that swirled in his chest. His mind fixated on a single word she had just said: "sects." In the upper realms, sects were ancient institutions where powerful cultivators trained in secret arts, much like clans. But this world was different—was it the same concept?
"Sects?" Yang Feng said aloud, his voice full of uncertainty.
Miss Xu tilted her head slightly, surprised by his question. "Yes, sects. After you graduate from the spiritual academy, you'll have the chance to join a sect, where you'll continue your training and grow even stronger. The academy is just the beginning. Sects are where you truly learn to master your abilities and rise through the ranks."
Yang Feng's mind spun again, trying to connect the pieces. In his past life, sects were synonymous with power, influence, and strict hierarchy. But this world, with its spiritual masters and beasts, seemed to have its own rules. Still, the concept of a sect felt familiar, and it brought him a slight sense of comfort. At least some things in this world weren't entirely foreign.
Miss Xu noticed his troubled look and gave him a soft smile, reaching out to gently ruffle his hair again. "But you don't need to worry about that right now," she said, her voice light, as though she were speaking to a child. "You're still young, and you'll understand more once you're at the academy. There's plenty of time to learn."
The sunlight flickered slightly as a breeze blew through the open window, rustling the curtains. The warmth of the day should have been comforting, but Yang Feng felt the weight of Miss Xu's words pressing down on him. His mind was a battlefield of questions, and though Miss Xu's explanations offered some clarity, they also raised new doubts. Could this spiritual world truly be his reality now? He had been reborn, but into what exactly? Was this realm completely separate from the upper domains, or was there some connection he was missing?
Miss Xu, mistaking his silence for anxiety, spoke again, her voice gentle but firm. "Yang Feng," she said, "you should know something. You're not forced to become a spiritual master. If you don't want to go to the academy, you can refuse the admission. No one will stop you. No one will hurt you or treat you differently if you choose to stay here in the village."
She paused, her expression softening as she looked at him, perhaps remembering her own youth. "You're free to choose your path. You'll always be a part of this village, whether you go or not."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, Yang Feng felt the weight of them pressing down on him. He could choose. This was not the Azure Domain, where duty and honor dictated every decision. Here, he had a choice, a freedom that felt foreign to him. But could he really stay? Could he, a former prince and immortal, live quietly in a place like this? His mind rebelled at the thought, but he stayed silent, unwilling to show his internal struggle.
Miss Xu's face changed slightly as she looked at him, her brow furrowing in concern. She didn't know what was going on in Yang Feng's mind, but a part of her began to worry. Could this boy, so full of innocence and curiosity, survive in the dangerous world beyond the village? The spiritual world was not kind to those who were weak or unprepared. Miss Xu had seen many promising students leave, only to return broken—or not at all.
Her heart ached as she looked at Yang Feng, imagining him lost in that brutal world, far from the safety of the village. She wanted to protect him, to keep him safe here, where he wouldn't have to face the harsh realities of the spiritual lands.
"I…" She hesitated, her voice catching slightly. "I want you to know, Yang Feng, that you don't have to do this. The spiritual world is dangerous, more dangerous than you can imagine. And…" She glanced away, biting her lip. "I don't know if you're ready for that kind of life."
Yang Feng blinked, surprised by her sudden change in tone. Her usual warmth was still there, but now it was tinged with something else—fear? Concern? He couldn't tell. He had been used to people trying to manipulate him for their own gain in his past life, but this was different. Miss Xu seemed genuinely worried for him.
She looked at him again, her brown eyes wide and soft, full of worry. "You're still young," she said softly, "and you've got so much ahead of you. I only want you to be safe."
Yang Feng didn't respond immediately, his thoughts too clouded to form words. Safe. What did that even mean for someone like him? Could he ever truly be safe, given who he was, what he had been?
Miss Xu, seeing his hesitation, decided to change the subject slightly, her tone lightening. "For now," she said, "why don't we just focus on the present? You don't have to decide anything today. Just take your time and think about it."
Yang Feng nodded again, though his mind was far from settled. He had heard everything she said, but the weight of his past and the reality of his new life pressed heavily on him. The spiritual academy, the sects, the dangers of this world—it was all so much, and yet, he knew he couldn't ignore it.
Miss Xu, noticing the distant look in his eyes, reached out once more, gently rubbing his hair, trying to comfort him. "You'll figure it out," she said softly, though a small part of her hoped he would choose to stay. "You've got time."
But Yang Feng wasn't so sure. Time was something he had thought he had plenty of, once. Now, in this strange new world, time felt like the one thing slipping through his fingers.