Elder Huyan's gaze lingered a moment longer before he turned away, his tone returning to calm instruction.
"For now, your focus remains the same. Continue your practice. The trials will not wait for answers."
He waved his sleeve, and the disciples dispersed. The plaza slowly emptied, leaving only faint echoes of footsteps and murmured speculations.
Tian Lei stayed back for a moment, watching the elder's retreating figure. Something about Huyan's composure felt too measured, too deliberate—like he was hiding more than he was saying.
"'The mountain is alive,' huh…" Tian Lei muttered under his breath. "Seems like he knows exactly what's breathing under it."
When he returned to his chamber, he found a sealed message scroll resting on his table. The wax bore the insignia of the Third Hall—a personal mark of Elder Huyan.
He frowned slightly, breaking the seal. Inside was a short note, written in sharp, precise characters:
