Ming Ling hovered high above Wu Lin village, his crystalline eagle cutting through the sky with the elegance of a polished blade. Its wings shimmered in the sunlight, casting prismatic beams across the quiet village below. From his vantage point, the village looked like a collection of wooden huts scattered amongst the trees, a peaceful place hidden in the folds of the mountain. He adjusted his gaze, narrowing in on the village square as the eagle descended gracefully toward the earth.
As they neared the ground, the eagle let out a majestic cry that reverberated through the village, drawing the attention of its inhabitants. Children playing in the square looked up with wide eyes, their voices filled with awe as they pointed at the approaching figure. "Spiritual master! Spiritual master!" they cried out excitedly, their shouts echoing through the narrow streets.
Ming Ling's eagle touched down with a soft thud, its sharp talons sinking into the dirt of the village square. The air around it shimmered with lingering traces of light energy, its crystalline feathers glinting under the sunlight. Ming Ling dismounted with practiced ease, his tall, imposing figure clad in simple yet elegant robes that denoted his status.
Villagers began to gather, whispering among themselves in hushed tones as they watched the spiritual master with a mixture of curiosity and reverence. A few children crept closer, still calling out excitedly, their small hands waving in the air.
Ming Ling, however, barely acknowledged them. His focus was elsewhere. His sharp eyes scanned the gathered crowd before he spoke, his voice carrying with the authority of someone who was not to be ignored. "Where is the village elder?" he asked, his tone curt yet not unkind.
The villagers hesitated for a moment, casting glances at one another, before an older man stepped forward and offered a respectful bow. "I will take you to the visitor house, esteemed spiritual master. Some of us will go and inform the elder right away."
Ming Ling gave a slight nod, motioning for the man to lead the way. As they walked, villagers darted off in different directions, eager to inform the village elder of the important guest who had arrived.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over Miss Xu's garden. The scent of herbs and flowers filled the air, their fragrance carried by the gentle breeze. Inside the modest house, Miss Xu was tending to her tasks when a loud, panicked voice shattered the calm.
"Village elder! Village elder!" a villager cried out as he rushed through the garden gate, panting heavily. His face was flushed with urgency, sweat beading on his forehead. "A spiritual master has arrived! He's waiting at the visitor house and wants to speak with you!"
The village elder, who had been seated nearby, rose from his chair at once. His weathered face, lined with years of wisdom and responsibility, remained composed despite the news. "Understood," he said, turning to Miss Xu who stood by, her hands still stained from the herbs she had been handling. "Miss Xu,please excuse me. I will attend to him at once."
Miss Xu nodded and quickly set about preparing the meal, her movements swift and efficient. The elder, meanwhile, adjusted his robes and straightened his posture before making his way toward the visitor house, where Vice Principal Ming Ling awaited him.
The visitor house, though modest, was built with care, its wooden beams sturdy and well-crafted. Ming Ling sat inside, his posture straight and dignified as he waited. His eyes remained sharp, his expression unreadable. There was no need for pleasantries—he was here for a purpose.
The door creaked open, and the village elder entered, his footsteps soft on the wooden floor. He offered a respectful bow, his hands clasped in front of him. "Vice Principal Ming Ling," the elder greeted, his voice calm but tinged with awe. "It is an honor to welcome you to our humble village. I did not expect someone of your stature to visit us."
Ming Ling's gaze remained fixed on the elder, his expression unchanging. "I am not here for small talk," he replied, his tone firm but measured. "Your request was received, and the principal is making the necessary preparations. However, I am here to see the one you call the Sun-Ranker."
The village elder's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly composed himself, offering another bow of gratitude. "Thank you for coming so swiftly, Vice Principal. The boy you seek, Yang Feng, lives in the small hills within the forest."
At the mention of the name, Ming Ling's brow furrowed slightly. "Yang Feng, is it?" he murmured, almost to himself. He stood from his seat, his robes rustling as he rose to his full height. "Let's see if the rumors about him are true."
Without another word, Ming Ling strode past the elder and out of the house, his presence commanding attention even in his silence. He mounted his crystalline eagle once more, its wings shimmering as it prepared for flight. The village elder watched in awe as the massive beast took to the skies with a powerful flap of its wings.
As the eagle soared into the air, the village elder called out, "Goodbye, Vice Principal Ming Ling! May the heavens bless your journey!"
But before the words could reach Ming Ling, he and his eagle had already vanished into the clouds, leaving nothing behind but a swirl of dancing winds. The villagers below marveled at the sight, the sheer speed and grace of the spiritual master and his beast unlike anything they had ever seen.
Meanwhile, back on the small hill nestled within the forest, Yang Feng stood in stunned silence, staring at his father, Bai Feng, who had just been weeping moments before. The emotions in the air were still thick, like a dense fog clinging to their surroundings. Bai Feng, after wiping the tears from his eyes, had urged his son to follow his own destiny, to go to the spiritual academy and embrace the path laid out before him.
Yang Feng's heart raced, the weight of his father's words bearing down on him. His mind struggled to process everything that had just happened, the sudden shift in his father's demeanor, the tears, the heartfelt plea for him to follow his own path. It was all so overwhelming.
Out of instinct, Yang Feng found himself replying without fully thinking, his voice barely above a whisper. "Okay..." The word escaped his lips, and as soon as it did, a strange sense of finality settled over him.
Bai Feng, still standing with a look of determination in his eyes, nodded firmly. "Good," he said, his voice steady now. "Remember, Yang Feng, this is your path. Don't let anyone else dictate it for you."
Yang Feng, still dazed, couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him. Why had his father reacted so strongly to hearing about his spiritual beast? The villagers had celebrated him, sure, but none of them had shown the same level of emotional attachment. Was there something Bai Feng knew? Something he wasn't telling him?
Before Yang Feng could ponder these thoughts further, the air around him suddenly shifted. A gust of wind whipped through the trees, swirling the fallen leaves in a chaotic dance. The sky darkened momentarily as clouds gathered, casting shadows over the hill.
Yang Feng's eyes widened in surprise as he stepped outside the cabin, the wind tugging at his clothes. And there, descending from the sky on the back of a crystalline eagle, was a man dressed in flowing robes of silver and white, his presence commanding and undeniable.
The eagle touched down with a soft thud, its wings folding gracefully as the man dismounted. He stood tall, his piercing gaze locking onto Yang Feng with an intensity that made the air around him seem even heavier.
"Are you Yang Feng?" the man asked, his voice deep and unwavering.
Yang Feng stared at him, his mind racing once again as the pieces of this strange puzzle began to fall into place.