Yang Feng followed the man Ming Ling had assigned to guide him through the vast grounds of the Spiritual Academy, his eyes scanning the environment with quiet curiosity. The academy was grander than he had imagined, though it paled in comparison to the Azure Domain he once called home. Still, it held a certain charm that he couldn't deny. The sheer scale of the place, the energy humming through the air, and the endless streams of students moving about—everything had its own rhythm, its own life.
As they walked, Yang Feng noticed the uniforms everyone wore. The students, both male and female, were dressed in robes of orange and blue, the colors standing out vividly against the stone walls and lush greenery of the academy. Each student had a small badge pinned to their chest—different insignias that likely denoted their status or class. Some of the badges gleamed with intricate designs, while others were simple, marking out the different ranks within the academy.
The academy was alive with activity. Boys and girls mingled freely, some laughing and chatting in small groups, while others sparred in the open arenas scattered around the campus. Yang Feng watched as two students, their faces serious with concentration, exchanged blows in a flurry of movements within a stone-walled arena. Their robes fluttered as they moved with precision, the sounds of their clashes drawing the attention of passersby. Crowds gathered around the arenas, observing with keen interest as the sparring matches unfolded.
As Yang Feng continued to walk, his eyes caught sight of students gathered around food stalls. The smell of roasted meat and freshly baked buns filled the air. He saw others eating together, sharing meals and laughing in camaraderie, their plates heaped with colorful dishes. The sight was reminiscent of simpler times, reminding Yang Feng of moments in his previous life when he would train and eat with his peers.
But his gaze always came back to Sing Yun, the man tasked with keeping an eye on him. Sing Yun walked ahead, his expression stern, eyes focused on the path in front of them. Despite his relaxed demeanor, Yang Feng could sense the caution in the man's movements. There was no doubt in his mind that Sing Yun was more than he seemed. For now, though, Yang Feng kept his thoughts to himself.
A slight breeze ruffled Yang Feng's hair as he considered using his double pupils. The temptation to observe the academy with heightened clarity and insight was strong. He was curious about the energies flowing around him, the power dynamics between the students, and the hidden secrets that might be lurking within the walls of this prestigious institution. His eyes began to narrow, and he felt the familiar tingle of energy as he prepared to activate his unique vision.
But before he could focus, something sharp and fast cut through the air, heading directly for him. Instinctively, Yang Feng's body reacted. With lightning speed, his hand shot out, and his fingers caught the object in mid-flight—an arrow. The tip of the arrow quivered between his two fingers, the fletching still vibrating from the velocity of the shot.
Yang Feng's heart remained calm, but his mind sharpened with an edge of suspicion. His dark, calculating eyes swept toward the direction from which the arrow had come, his gaze filled with malice. Someone had launched this attack from a considerable distance, and yet, as far as he could see, no one was there. The area from which the arrow had been fired was empty—too empty, as if whoever was responsible had already vanished into the shadows.
Sing Yun, who had been walking ahead, immediately turned at the sound of the arrow being caught. His eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly moved toward Yang Feng, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. "How did you…" Sing Yun began, clearly caught off guard by the boy's reflexes.
Yang Feng, however, smiled casually, pretending as though nothing serious had happened. He twirled the arrow in his fingers and shrugged. "I've trained in archery before," he lied smoothly, his tone light and unbothered. "When you've practiced long enough, you learn a few tricks. Catching arrows in flight is one of them."
Sing Yun stared at him for a moment, clearly unsure of how to respond. It was clear that Yang Feng was no ordinary boy, and this demonstration of skill only reinforced that fact. But instead of pressing the issue, Sing Yun's gaze shifted toward the direction the arrow had come from. His eyes narrowed slightly as he muttered to himself, "Isn't that the direction of the medicinal garden?"
Yang Feng's ears perked up at the mention of the medicinal garden. He glanced at Sing Yun, his curiosity piqued. The medicinal garden? Why would anyone shoot at him from there?
Both of them turned their attention to the area where the arrow had originated. The space beyond the courtyard was shrouded in trees and plants, the faint outline of what seemed to be a lush garden hidden just out of sight. The garden was known for its rare herbs and healing plants, tended to by specialized students who were studying the art of alchemy and herbal medicine. It was a peaceful place, far removed from the usual bustle of the academy—a place where one would least expect an attack to originate.
Yang Feng's mind raced. Was this a mere accident? Or was someone intentionally targeting him? The academy was filled with students from all walks of life, many of whom were fiercely competitive. He had no shortage of enemies in his previous life, and he wouldn't be surprised if someone had already noticed his presence here. But the idea of being attacked so soon, before he had even officially enrolled, was unexpected.
As Yang Feng considered the possibilities, Sing Yun's voice broke through his thoughts. "We should be cautious," Sing Yun said quietly, his eyes still trained on the distant garden. "This academy may seem like a place of learning and growth, but it has its dangers. Not everyone here is what they seem."
Yang Feng nodded in agreement, though he said nothing. He twirled the arrow one last time before tossing it to the ground, his mind still on high alert. Whoever had fired that arrow was skilled, but not skilled enough. Yang Feng had caught the arrow without difficulty, but that didn't mean the threat was over. If anything, this was just the beginning.
As they continued to stare at the direction of the medicinal garden, an uneasy silence settled between them. The air seemed thicker, the wind having died down to an eerie stillness. Something—or someone—was watching. But for now, all they could do was wait and see what the next move would be.
Yang Feng glanced one more time at Sing Yun, noting the man's tense posture. He had suspected that this journey through the academy would be filled with challenges, but he hadn't expected them to come so soon.
The academy was supposed to be a place of learning and growth, but as he stood there, gazing at the distant garden from which the arrow had come, Yang Feng realized that this place, like every other realm he had traveled through, held its own share of dangers and mysteries.
And now, with his arrival, those dangers were beginning to stir.