The faint scent of burning charcoal lingered in the air. Fu Yang looked up as the soft knock at his door broke the silence.
"Come in," he said calmly.
The door slid open. Master Wan stepped inside, his presence steady and composed as always. He gave a faint nod before entering fully. Fu Yang rose to greet him and motioned respectfully.
"Master."
"Sit," Master Wan said lightly, taking a seat on the small bed against the wall. The mattress dipped under his weight as he looked up at Fu Yang, studying his expression carefully. His eyes, sharp but not unkind, carried a quiet depth that often made his disciples uneasy.
"Fu Yang," he said after a moment, "are you well? You've been quiet since returning."
Fu Yang bowed slightly. "Yes, Master. I'm fine."
Master Wan's gaze lingered on him, then softened. "Good. Then I believe you already know why I'm here."
Fu Yang nodded slowly.
"Well then," the elder continued, "let's hear it from you."
Fu Yang drew a small breath and began, his voice calm, as if he were merely recounting routine training events.
"Shi Tian started accusing me, saying I was the one who threw the spear. He was angry and tried to hit me, so I defended myself. Later, a disciple stepped forward, claiming he saw me throw it."
He paused briefly, then continued, "To prove my innocence, I had no choice but to act. When I confronted him, the truth came out—he had lied."
His tone carried no resentment, no emotion—only quiet resignation. Then he added, almost carefully, "Master, if the Academy is pressuring you about this matter… you can punish me. I'll accept it."
Master Wan had been silent all through his disciple's explanation. When Fu Yang finished, the elder stood, his robe shifting softly with the motion. His eyes, dark as polished stone, glinted faintly in the dim light.
"Pressuring me?" he said, his tone carrying a faint scoff. "Who told you that, hm?"
Fu Yang blinked.
"No one is punishing you," Master Wan said, brushing his sleeve aside. "Just rest for now. Later today, you'll all return to the beast forest."
And without another word, he turned and walked toward the door.
Fu Yang watched him leave, the door sliding shut with a dull thunk.
For a long moment, the room was silent again. Then, with a quiet exhale, Fu Yang rose, fastening his robe properly. His movements were unhurried, smooth. Once dressed, he stepped outside.
---
The Academy Grounds
Morning sunlight spilled across the Academy grounds, glinting off frost and steel. The disciples stood assembled in neat rows, their breaths forming faint white clouds in the crisp air. Only Chen Hua was missing, still recovering in the Medicine Hall.
At the front, Headmaster Xiang stood tall, his long grey robe swaying gently in the mountain breeze. His voice carried easily across the courtyard.
"Last night," he began, "we faced a dangerous encounter. One of our disciples was seriously injured. But do not lose heart—these trials are meant to temper your spirit."
He paused, letting the murmurs fade.
"Cin Yan's group," he continued, "faced a Red Winter Wolf—a rare and powerful beast. They succeeded in killing it."
A ripple of surprise ran through the crowd. Some disciples whispered to each other in disbelief.
Headmaster Xiang's gaze swept across them. "All members of Cin Yan's group will be rewarded for this achievement."
Excitement flickered among a few faces, but the Headmaster's next words quickly sobered them.
"However," he said firmly, "remember this—if you encounter danger beyond your means, do not fight. Return and report. Your mission is simple: locate and capture the Spiritual Frogs. That is all. Do not act recklessly."
A chorus of respectful acknowledgments followed.
Then, with a motion of his hand, he dismissed them. The disciples began to gather their gear, preparing to return to the beast forest once more.
As the groups started departing, Headmaster Xiang turned to Master Wan, who stood quietly beside him.
"Tell me," Xiang said, his tone casual but his eyes watchful. "Is your disciple doing well?"
Master Wan's expression remained neutral. "He is."
The Headmaster hummed softly and turned his gaze back toward the departing disciples. Among them, Fu Yang stood out—walking a short distance away from the others, posture straight, black robe fluttering faintly in the wind.
Headmaster Xiang's eyes narrowed slightly.
Master Wan met his gaze with the same calm composure. Neither spoke, but something unspoken passed between them.
Fu Yang, meanwhile, felt the weight of their gazes like a faint prickle at the back of his neck. He didn't look back. He knew exactly how to act.
In a world like this, where cultivators could read truth from posture and deceit from breath, Fu Yang understood one rule well control every expression.
So, he walked as he always did---calm, confident, untouched by fear.
Xiang Xiang watched him go. If Fu Yang had truly been the one behind the spear, he reasoned, a boy his age--barely eleven--would be trembling, avoiding eyes, sleepless from guilt. But Fu Yang's steps were even, his face steady. There were no dark circles, no nervous ticks.
That calmness told the Headmaster enough.
And because Chen Hua held no powerful background or family ties, the matter of her injury no longer seemed urgent. To them, it was an unfortunate accident—not worth delaying their main mission.
The real goal was still the same: the three Spiritual Frogs hidden within the beast forest.
As for Fu Yang—whether Chen Hua lived or died, whether anyone else did—none of it mattered.
His goals were all that mattered.
---
Return to the Forest
The disciples reached the snowy valley once again. The cave still covered in snow loomed ahead, half-shrouded in mist.
The groups began to divide once more, each team preparing to venture deeper into the forest.
But this time, something felt different.
Especially around Cin Yan's group.
A few of the female disciples who had previously avoided Fu Yang now lingered a little closer than usual. Their glances darted toward him when they thought he wasn't looking, and quiet whispers passed between them.
(Author's Note: 🙃 …typical.)
Fu Yang noticed, of course. But he ignored them. He had seen this kind of behavior before—leeches that latched onto strength until the blood ran dry.
These same girls had once thought him cowardly—silent, detached, lacking spirit. But after witnessing him defeat Shi Tian so effortlessly and speak to Cin Yan without even a shred of deference, their opinions had changed overnight.
Now, butterflies fluttered not in their hearts but in their heads.
Fu Yang, an inner disciple at such a young age, strong anda bit handsome—his future was bright. And they wanted to shine in that brightness, even if they had to crawl toward it.
One of them, a girl with soft brown hair, chewed her lip nervously. She had been glancing at him for a while, debating with herself.
Finally, she took a breath and stepped closer.
"Ah, Fu Yang… could you help—"
But suddenly.
"Fu Yang! Come here."
The voice cut through the air before she could finish.
Master Wan stood a short distance away, calling him over.
Fu Yang didn't hesitate. Without sparing the girl a glance, he turned and walked toward his master.
Behind him, the girl froze mid-step, her face flushing crimson. A few of her friends snickered quietly, trying to hide their laughter behind their hands.
"Humph. Bitches," Mo Rian muttered under her breath, her face darkening with irritation. She had seen everything.
Cin Yan, walking beside her, glanced sideways, a faint smile curving her lips. "What did you say?"
Mo Rian blinked and looked away quickly. "Nothing. I'm just tired."
Cin Yan chuckled softly. "Hehe… really now?"
The two continued forward, their conversation fading into the snowy breeze.
And behind them, Fu Yang reached Master Wan's side, who was alone.
But now master wan regreted calling fu yang now.
He has also seen this scene bit because
fu yang wasn't responding, he wanted to tell him at least to talk with them.
Master wan than looked at the girl whose face was still beat red, and then towards his deciple, who was bowing at him.
Master wan than placed his right hand on his forehead than said in a low voice.
"Fu yang, i want you to at least talk with others, and make some friends, being alone only creates more problems."
Fu yang replied." Master if their are more problems than they are best for my growth, isn't it what you said last time. But i will do as you said."
Master wan looked at fu yang. Not knowing what to say and waved at fu yang to return to his group.
Fu yang also bowed and left.