The night hung heavy over Wu Lin village, a stillness settling in the air as the moon cast its pale light across the landscape. The stars were scattered like diamonds against the velvet sky, but the beauty of the night was overshadowed by the figure standing on the edge of a high cliff, silently watching over the village below.
The man stood tall and unmoving, his black cloak billowing slightly in the cool breeze. His hood concealed his face, but the aura of power that surrounded him was undeniable, as though the very air trembled in his presence. His eyes, hidden beneath the shadow of his hood, were fixed on the small, quiet village below.
Without a sound, the man reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing his face for the first time. It was Bai Feng, his expression as serious and intense as ever. His eyes, sharp and focused, gleamed in the moonlight as he gazed down at the village where the winds howled. His features were strong and defined, with a hint of weariness, as though the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
For a long moment, Bai Feng simply stood there, staring out over Wu Lin village, his thoughts a mystery. His eyes then shifted upward, locking onto the moon that hung full and bright in the night sky. The silver light bathed the land in a tranquil glow, but in Bai Feng's heart, there was no peace. He clenched his jaw slightly, his gaze unwavering as he watched the celestial body above, as though searching for answers in its distant light.
The moon reflected in his eyes, and for just a moment, a flicker of something crossed his face—regret, perhaps, or something deeper. But as quickly as it came, it vanished, replaced by the same cold determination that had carried him through two decades of absence.
With a heavy sigh, Bai Feng pulled his hood back up, concealing his face once more. He turned away from the village, his cloak sweeping the ground as he began walking in the opposite direction, leaving Wu Lin behind. His footsteps were silent, as though the earth itself dared not make a sound beneath his feet.
As Bai Feng disappeared into the distance, a sound broke the silence of the night—a long, mournful howl echoed across the landscape, rising up toward the moon. The howl was unmistakable—the call of a wolf, its voice filled with sorrow and longing. Bai Feng paused for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the sound, then continued on his way without looking back.
The wolf's howl lingered in the air, a haunting melody that seemed to follow Bai Feng as he vanished into the night.
Back at the spiritual academy, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The principal and Ming Ling sat in the office, the flickering rays of the sun casting long shadows across the room. The conversation had shifted, the air growing heavier as soon as the name "Bai Feng" had been mentioned.
The principal had gone silent, his eyes locked onto Ming Ling's. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the weight of the name hanging between them like a dark cloud.
"You don't seriously think it's him, do you?" Ming Ling asked, breaking the silence. His tone was skeptical, but there was a hint of uncertainty beneath his words.
The principal didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the surface of the desk. "It's hard to say," he said finally, his voice low. "But the power you sensed in Wu Lin village, the presence of that cloaked man... It all points to one person."
Ming Ling frowned, shaking his head as he stared out the window. The wind had picked up, rustling the trees outside, the branches swaying under the force of the gusts. "Bai Feng has been gone for two decades," he said quietly, almost as though he were trying to convince himself. "Why would he return now? And why would he choose a place like Wu Lin village to make his reappearance? It doesn't make sense."
The principal narrowed his eyes, his gaze intense. "Does it not make sense?" he asked. "Think about it. Yang Feng is no ordinary boy. He has a wolf spirit, just like Bai Feng. He's a Sun Ranker, just like Bai Feng. And the surname... Feng. You can't tell me that's a coincidence."
Ming Ling remained silent for a moment, considering the principal's words. He couldn't deny that the similarities were there. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed plausible. But it was still hard to accept. Bai Feng was a figure of legend, a name that carried both awe and fear. To think that he had been watching over Yang Feng from the shadows—it was almost too much to believe.
The wind howled outside, rattling the windows as if urging them to acknowledge the gravity of the situation.
"I still think it's unlikely," Ming Ling said finally, though his voice lacked the certainty it once had. "Bai Feng wouldn't just return like this. And if he did, why hasn't he made his presence known? Why hide in the shadows?"
The principal sighed, leaning forward on the desk. "Maybe he has his reasons. Maybe he's waiting for something. Or maybe... he's protecting Yang Feng from something we don't yet understand."
Ming Ling turned to face the principal, his eyes serious. "If Bai Feng is truly involved, then we need to be careful. We don't know what his intentions are, and we can't afford to make any mistakes. For now, it's best that we stay as far away from Yang Feng as possible. Let him prove himself, let him grow. But we can't interfere."
The principal nodded slowly, though his expression was troubled. "Agreed. We'll keep our distance. But if Bai Feng is truly back, we may not have the luxury of avoiding conflict for long."
Ming Ling's eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the principal. The man's fists were clenched, his knuckles white as though he were bracing himself for a battle that had yet to come.
The principal's voice was steady, but there was a fire in his eyes as he spoke. "Whoever it is—Bai Feng or anyone else—if they challenge the spiritual academy, I'll face them head-on. No matter how powerful they are."
Ming Ling couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for the principal's resolve, though he knew the gravity of what they were dealing with. He placed a hand on the principal's shoulder, his own gaze hardening with determination.
"Then we face them together," Ming Ling said, his voice firm.
The two men shared a moment of silent understanding, their resolve solidifying in the face of the unknown. Outside, the wind continued to howl, the day growing darker as the sun climbed higher in the sky.
Whatever challenges lay ahead, both men knew that they could not afford to falter. The name of Bai Feng was a specter from the past, one that carried with it both power and danger. And now, as that specter loomed ever closer, they could only prepare themselves for what was to come.