Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Training Grounds.
"Xiao Hai." Yang Yunhai, who was in the middle of binding a teammate in training, suddenly heard someone call him. He immediately stopped and looked toward the voice. It was Qin Ming, standing just outside the training field, signaling to him. Beside Qin Ming stood a faculty mentor who had previously gone around the field to find him.
With his awareness sharp from constant training, Yunhai had already noticed their arrival.
"Seems like that mentor is here for you. Probably a summons from the Education Committee," said Dugu Yan, who had also noticed and nodded.
As another control-type soul master in the team, her position was closest to Yang Yunhai, along with Ye Lingling.
"I'll head over then. Yan-jie, you guys keep training," Yang Yunhai nodded, withdrew his martial soul, and jogged over.
He quickly arrived in front of the two.
"Student Yang, the Education Committee sent me to bring you. His Highness the Crown Prince and Sect Master Ning are here," said the faculty mentor standing next to Qin Ming.
Looks like the investigation team is back, Yang Yunhai speculated. He nodded slightly and replied politely, "Alright, I'll go at once. Thank you, teacher, for guiding me."
He then turned to Qin Ming, "Instructor Qin, I'll be going for now."
"Go ahead," Qin Ming replied with a smile.
Not long after, in the Education Committee's office.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Sect Master Ning," Yang Yunhai greeted politely upon entering the office.
After some polite exchanges, he sat down on the sofa.
Seeing this, Qian Renxue leaned forward slightly, her expression somewhat serious as she stated the purpose of the visit, "Brother Yang, please forgive Qinghe's bluntness. Over the years, have you ever tried to learn about your origins? For example, who your parents are, or where they might be now?"
"Your Highness must be joking. I've been an orphan since I was a child," Yang Yunhai replied calmly, shaking his head.
"Besides, didn't that child die by the roadside outside Nuoding City years ago?" He had no intention of acknowledging any connection or letting innocent people get involved. So, distancing himself completely was the best choice. It also prevented others from using that as a weakness against him.
The room fell into silence, including Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi.
Yang Yunhai's words made it clear,he would not acknowledge those so-called biological parents.
It made sense, too. The location where Yang Yunhai was abandoned by his parents had already been investigated. It was overgrown with weeds, bordering a forest,essentially a desolate wilderness. Wild dogs, stray cats, venomous snakes,predators were not uncommon.
If Chang Gongtai had been even slightly late, Yang Yunhai might really have been eaten by animals.
So when he said that the child had died by the roadside, he wasn't exaggerating. His parents' abandonment was essentially a death sentence,perhaps even crueler than a direct killing.
"It was Qinghe who was too abrupt. I hope Brother Yang can forgive me," Qian Renxue bowed slightly, apologetic.
This young man is decisive,worthy of great responsibility, she thought silently.
"It's nothing. What's past is past. People must always look forward," Yang Yunhai replied casually with a wave of his hand.
Qian Renxue finally smiled, "Brother Yang is right."
"There is another matter," she continued after a pause, looking directly at him. "According to recent information, the Spirit Hall may already be aware of what has recently happened to you. They might seek to make contact with you."
"No matter. Sooner or later, it would happen anyway," Yang Yunhai remained calm. "I've been alone all my life. I train hard not just to avoid falling behind and to walk further down the path of soul masters. More importantly, I want freedom,to go where I wish, see the famous mountains and rivers across the continent, and live life on my terms."
"That way, it's not in vain to have lived at all."
"So as for joining any soul master faction,at least for now,I have no interest."
If not for Chang Gongtai's family, he likely would never consider joining the Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue thought. His sincerity was evident. A tragic past had filled him with distrust and caution. Aside from Chang Gongtai's family, only the world's beauty seemed real to him. That's why he pursued freedom, dreaming of traveling the entire continent.
Understanding this, a soft smile formed on her face. She was somewhat pleased he wouldn't choose to join Spirit Hall, but also genuinely moved by his ideals.
"Brother Yang, you're truly carefree."
Good acting, Qian Renxue, Yang Yunhai thought, cupping his hand in a half-bow. "Forgive me for the jest."
"Spoken from the heart,no need to apologize," Qian Renxue said, making a gesture that she understood.
"Indeed, Nephew Yang is a man of character," added Ning Fengzhi with a smile.
Then followed a period of casual conversation.
They asked if he was satisfied with life at the academy, how he got along with his teammates, and so on. Eventually, Qian Renxue smiled and said, "It's getting late. I won't keep Brother Yang from his training any longer."
With that, they made a few final polite remarks and left with Ning Fengzhi.
Yang Yunhai said goodbye to the three Education Committee members and returned to the training grounds to resume his daily academy life.
Until two days later, at dusk.
"Rumble!" Thunder echoed in the valley as cool raindrops began to fall.
"I thought it wasn't going to rain at all this month," Yang Yunhai opened his eyes from meditation amid a patch of Blue Silver Grass. Looking up at the sky, he couldn't help but complain.
He'd been in Heaven Dou City for quite a while, yet hadn't seen a single drop of rain. It was starting to make him doubt reality.
Though he knew that being further north meant fewer rainy days than Nuoding City, still,no rain the entire month of March?
Shaking his head, he stood up and quickly walked to an open area.
Elsewhere, Zhu Zhuqing, who had just climbed down from the rock wall, noticed that Yang Yunhai wasn't heading toward the cabin but running into the open. She looked confused.
Who doesn't seek shelter when it starts raining and thundering?
As she watched, Yang Yunhai sat cross-legged. Suddenly, boom!_,a thick bolt of lightning struck his back.
"Yunhai!" Zhu Zhuqing's face went pale, heart tightening as she screamed and ran toward him.
"Zhuqing, don't come!" Yang Yunhai shouted quickly. "I'm cultivating,it's fine."
He hadn't mentioned to the three Education Committee members or Zhu Zhuqing that he could cultivate by drawing lightning.
Apparently, he held quite a high place in her heart.
"Cultivating?" Zhu Zhuqing stopped, clenched her fist near her chest, and still looked worried.
"The rain's about to get heavier. Head back to the cabin. Don't worry about me," Yang Yunhai said, halting his lightning drawing momentarily.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, then chose to trust him, turned, and ran back to the cabin. She stood silently under the eaves and watched.
Boom! Another bolt of lightning struck Yang Yunhai, lighting up his entire body, arcs of electricity dancing across his skin. Eyes tightly shut, brows furrowed.
Bolt after bolt followed, his brows knitting tighter, skin reddening, veins bulging on his forehead.
"So this is what Yunhai has endured all these years?" Seeing the shocking sight, Zhu Zhuqing gained a deeper understanding of him,and felt his unwavering determination to grow stronger.
Facing lightning head-on,how much courage did that take?
I'm still not working hard enough, she thought, biting her lip.
She had been using Yang Yunhai as a role model lately,seeing him train so diligently pushed her to do the same. Slowly, she had grown used to this rhythm: watching him grow stronger while she worked hard herself. It made life feel full, and gave her hope.
She believed that if she kept going like this, she could control her own destiny.
And looking at the figure bathed in lightning in the distance, her eyes lit up.
In that moment, she had to admit,she truly wanted to keep walking beside him, growing stronger together. That feeling of mutual support was what she had always longed for.
I must try even harder, she thought, lips pressed into a determined line.
Boom! Another bolt struck. Then,
"Cough, cough…" Yang Yunhai suddenly relaxed, coughing softly and clutching his chest.
"Yunhai!" Zhu Zhuqing couldn't stand still anymore. She ran through the rain and quickly arrived by his side.
"Are you alright?" She knelt beside him, reaching out to support his shoulder.
"I'm fine," Yang Yunhai shook his head, then turned to her and smiled. "Suddenly feels like it was all worth it."
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively lowered her head, trying to hide the flush on her cheeks.
"The rain's getting heavier, let's head back before we catch a cold," she said quietly, eyes drifting to the side.
Could this be a sign? Yang Yunhai perked up. That shy expression,he had never seen it on her before.
Emboldened, he turned and grabbed her hand gently. "Zhuqing..."
Zhu Zhuqing's body trembled, her soaked form outlined by rain.
"W-what is it?" Her heart pounded, body tense, voice soft.
Yang Yunhai didn't reply. He simply looked at her, until she glanced up briefly, then quickly looked away, trying to pull her hand back. Then,
"Ah!" she gasped as he pulled her into an embrace by the shoulder.
Her sharp chin landed on his shoulder, her cool back pressed close against his chest.
"Yunhai, d-don't..." she whispered weakly, hands pressing gently against his chest, not daring to resist too hard.
Yang Yunhai stayed silent, only hugging tighter.
Zhu Zhuqing was quiet. After a moment, she relaxed, gently wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder, lost in thought.
She remembered their first meeting,how frightened and confused she had been, even wishing to die. But then, learning the truth about Shrek Academy from Yang Yunhai, and hearing about Dai Mubai's decline, she felt strangely relieved.
Her desire for freedom outweighed her confusion. She had wanted to join Shrek, defeat Dai Davis and her sister, and end everything. But hearing her sister's true intentions from Yang Yunhai left her shaken. She realized everything she planned might've been a mistake.
Her sister hadn't wanted to control her, but to free her,from the Star Luo Empire, from political power, from a forced marriage. She just wanted Zhu Zhuqing to live a new life.
From that moment, she felt reborn,her heart lightened.
And from then on, she felt gratitude and admiration toward Yang Yunhai. He helped her see the truth and avoid a wrong path. She started to acknowledge the man who had saved her,and touched her heart.
With nowhere else to go, she chose to follow him, to try understanding him.
Over time, she had to admit, she was getting lost in his world. His diligence and discipline inspired her. Their time training, cooking, cleaning together,it all brought her a deep sense of peace and joy.
Though brief, only a month or so, it was deeply fulfilling.
Thinking of all this, she hugged him tighter.
Splash splash The rain poured harder, soaking their clothes. Black and blue hair mingled.
The air was silent,quiet enough to hear each other's heartbeat. Yet also noisy, with raindrops hitting the ground like a drumbeat.
Thunder rumbled above, clouds thick and dark.
But inside, everything felt peaceful. Nature's symphony seemed to wash away all distractions.
"Yunhai, we should go back inside," Zhu Zhuqing whispered gently, patting his shoulder.
"Mm," Yang Yunhai finally loosened his arms, slightly pulling away. He looked at her face, the rain tracing her features with a soft glow, and smiled.
"But I'm carrying you back." With that, he slid one hand under her legs and lifted her gently.
"Okay," Zhu Zhuqing replied softly, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Step, step, step Yang Yunhai moved quickly, water splashing beneath his feet.
A few days later, the rain stopped,and March neared its end...
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