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After breakfast, Feng Xiao tidied his clothes and left the East Palace under Qian Renxue's reluctant gaze.
In the faint morning light, the streets of Heaven Dou City gradually filled with pedestrians. Feng Xiao strolled along the cobblestone street, his golden academy uniform shimmering in the morning sun. As he passed a breakfast stall, the steaming heat, mixed with the aroma of pastries, wafted towards him.
With his greatly altered appearance, Feng Xiao had shed his former aloof and distant demeanor, gaining a more gentle and refined aura. His handsome profile was particularly striking in the morning light, drawing frequent glances from passersby.
"So handsome!" Scattered whispers continuously came from the roadside teahouses and breakfast stalls.
Feng Xiao smiled faintly, the cuffs of his golden academy uniform swaying gently with his quickened pace. He subtly picked up his speed.
"Big brother, would you like to buy some flowers?"
Feng Xiao paused, looking at the Blue Silver Grass at the girl's feet, identical to Tang San's, his gaze softening. He knelt down and, to the girl's surprise, bought the entire basket of wildflowers. As he stood up, he noticed even more people had stopped to watch.
Shaking his head helplessly, Feng Xiao flicked his fingertips, and a wisp of clear breeze brushed past. His figure, like an illusion, passed through the crowd, leaving only fragrant wildflowers scattered on the ground and even more fervent discussions among the passersby.
When Feng Xiao arrived at the magnificent gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he encountered trouble, as expected.
"Stop!" The gatekeeper, frowning, blocked his path, his cloudy eyes full of vigilance. "This young master looks unfamiliar."
Feng Xiao calmly took out his teacher's badge from his in arms, the gilded surface sparkling in the sunlight. The attendant squinted, repeatedly examining it, then scrutinized the unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar young man before him, up and down.
"This, this... Teacher?" The attendant stammered, unable to speak. The identification was indeed real, but the holder was completely different from the person he remembered.
Feng Xiao smiled gently: "I often play music by the lake."
The attendant trembled all over upon hearing this, his cloudy eyes suddenly widening: "Is it... Teacher Feng?!" He hurriedly made way, but still couldn't help staring at Feng Xiao's face. "Your change is just too..."
Feng Xiao smiled and shook his head, quickly passing through the archway. The familiar campus scenery greeted him, but the students he encountered along the way all looked at him with unfamiliar eyes, interspersed with whispers.
"It seems if I don't summon Fuxi, no one will recognize me," Feng Xiao sighed softly, a helpless curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He lightly tapped his fingertips in the air, and the ancient Fuxi Zither materialized out of thin air, settling steadily into his arms. The spirit power patterns flowing on the zither's body shimmered with a gentle luster in the sunlight, and its seven strings vibrated slightly with his steps, emitting a clear resonance.
He walked slowly along the familiar path. The weeping willows by the lake remained, and a gentle breeze rustled, causing a few willow leaves to fall onto the zither's surface.
Having not played the zither for many days, the moment his fingertips touched the strings, there was a thrill of reunion. The zither's melody flowed out, different from its usual cool and aloof tone; today's tune had a touch of warmth and clarity, making even the ripples on the lake appear exceptionally gentle.
Feng Xiao heard the students' whispers behind him and couldn't help but smile:
"Tsk tsk, people nowadays really follow trends, even their zithers have to imitate Teacher Feng's."
He shook his head and chuckled, his fingertips inadvertently plucking a string, and a clear overtone resonated in the air. The students who were discussing suddenly fell silent, exchanging glances—this zither melody was clearly identical to what Teacher Feng used to play.
Feng Xiao was about to sit on the familiar bluestone where he often sat when a sharp shout suddenly came from behind him: "Stop! That is Teacher Feng's exclusive performing spot; no unauthorized personnel are allowed to occupy it!"
Feng Xiao ignored the reprimand from behind him and walked directly towards the familiar bluestone. Just as he was about to sit down, a fierce whooshing sound suddenly came from behind him—"Impudent!"
A powerful gust of spirit power condensed and attacked him directly. Feng Xiao didn't even turn his head, his fingertips lightly brushing across the zither strings. The Fuxi Zither let out a clear chime, and invisible sound waves rippled out, causing the attacking spirit power to dissipate into nothingness like melting ice and snow.
He gracefully sat down, placing the Fuxi Zither on his lap. When the first note flowed out, the willow branches by the lake fell silent. The zither's melody gradually rose, like a clear spring washing over stones, or like spring rain transforming everything. The students who had been glaring angrily gradually widened their eyes—this fingerwork, this rhythm, was clearly...
"It's Teacher Feng!" A girl suddenly exclaimed, "Although his appearance has changed, this zither music..."
The familiar melody echoed over the lake, and more and more students stopped to listen. Some noticed that today, Feng Xiao's zither music had a touch more warmth and clarity than usual, but that unique charm was something no one else could ever imitate. Amidst the fluttering willow catkins, the figure playing the zither gradually merged with the Teacher Feng in their memories.
"This zither music really is Teacher Feng's! Is he back?" A girl covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
"Is he really Teacher Feng?" The boy next to her still rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "But his appearance is completely different."
In the crowd, a student wearing glasses pushed up his frames and mused, "I heard Teacher Feng went to acquire his sixth spirit ring this time. Given his age, it's not surprising for his appearance to change due to a Spirit advancement." He looked towards the figure by the lake, "Anything can be faked, but this unparalleled zither artistry—"
The lake surface shimmered with ripples, reflecting Feng Xiao's focused figure playing the zither. Amidst the gentle swaying of willow branches, the once familiar teacher seemed to have never left, merely having taken on a more gentle appearance. The students, without prior agreement, quieted down, afraid of disturbing this beautiful moment of reunion.
Feng Xiao gradually closed his eyes, completely immersed in the artistic conception of the zither music. With each pluck of his fingertips on the strings, he could clearly feel—after advancing to a Spirit Saint, his perception had elevated to a whole new realm.
Past performances, which he had considered perfect, now revealed subtle flaws to his ears. It wasn't that these flaws hadn't existed before, but rather that his former self simply couldn't perceive such intricate levels. The zither music poured out like flowing water; he seemed to "see" the ripples each note created in the air, and "feel" the spirit power fluctuations caused by each vibrating string.
The Fuxi Zither in his arms grew slightly warm, its seven strings glowing with different colored lights. Feng Xiao suddenly realized that this was true harmony between man and zither—not merely controlling an instrument, but a soul resonance with his Spirit. The subtle details he had once overlooked now became areas for continuous refinement.
The students by the lake noticed that Feng Xiao's zither music suddenly became even more ethereal and clear. Though it was the same person playing the same piece, it seemed to be infused with a brand new soul. The willow branches stopped swaying, and even the ripples on the lake formed fascinating patterns with the rise and fall of the zither music. Everyone held their breath, afraid of disturbing the magnificent performance.
As the zither music reached its climax, Feng Xiao's fingertips moved even more nimbly across the strings. He corrected the subtle flaws that had once been imperceptible, making every note perfect. Gradually, he experienced an unprecedented state—the zither music was no longer a discordant sound against the environment, but could blend into all things in heaven and earth at will.
The students by the lake simultaneously showed expressions of surprise. Although Feng Xiao's figure was not far away and the zither music was clearly audible, it gave them a mysterious feeling—the clear zither music seemed to transform into the shimmering ripples on the lake, into the gentle breeze caressing their faces, and even into the rhythm of their breathing. The zither music was clearly at their ears, yet it seemed to come from the distant sky, vast and profound, completely integrated with nature.
A girl instinctively reached out to touch the air in front of her, as if trying to grasp the faint, elusive notes. Even the fish in the lake no longer scattered in fright, but gracefully swam beneath the surface with the rise and fall of the zither music, forming a wondrous sound-painting.
Feng Xiao closed his eyes and concentrated, savoring this profound state. Each time his fingertips brushed across the strings, it was as if he was touching the veins of the laws between heaven and earth. He clearly perceived:
The trajectory of every ripple spreading across the lake surface;
The trembling of dew drops on willow branches, about to fall but not yet fallen;
Even the frequency of distant students' clothes fluttering.
All subtle movements were clearly reflected in his mind as if observing palm lines. The zither music was no longer just sound, but had transformed into a bond connecting all things.
"Harmonize with its light, mingle with its dust, profound yet perhaps existing."
A smile of enlightenment appeared at the corner of Feng Xiao's mouth. The patterns on the Fuxi Zither glowed brightly, and its seven strings vibrated on their own, emitting a heavenly harmony. At this moment, he truly experienced the realm of "great sound is rarely heard"—the zither music seemed to fade, but in reality, it resonated with heaven and earth.
The students by the lake unconsciously sat cross-legged. Although they couldn't clearly hear the specific melody, they felt as if the entire world was playing the most moving movement. Some even found that their heartbeats maintained a perfect resonance with the faint, elusive zither music.
As Feng Xiao's zither music reached a state of perfection, more and more students sensed the anomaly and came to listen. On the lawn by the lake, figures gathered quietly in twos and threes. Some sat with their knees hugged, some leaned against trees, but all maintained a tacit silence.
The morning dew gradually dissipated, and the willow shade shifted angles with the moving sun. When the midday sun shone directly on the lake, Feng Xiao's fingertips finally drew out the last long overtone on the strings. The lingering sound rippled across the lake, lingering for a long time.
He slowly opened his eyes and realized that hundreds of students had gathered around him. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on their focused faces. Feng Xiao smiled faintly, and just as he was about to speak, his stomach protested with a growl—it turned out that, without realizing it, it was already noon.
Soon, Feng Xiao went to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy cafeteria as usual, carrying his tray and choosing a quiet corner. As he was intently enjoying his lunch, a clear, familiar voice came from behind him:
"Are you... Xiao Feng?"
Feng Xiao looked up, and what met his eyes was Ye Lingling in a long, sky-blue dress. The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, revealing a warm smile: "Couldn't recognize me, could you, Sister Lingling?"
Ye Lingling's clear eyes, like autumn water, widened slightly, and the tray in her hand almost slipped. She quickly walked closer, carefully examining Feng Xiao's changed face: "It really is you!" Her voice held undisguised surprise. "This time acquiring a spirit ring, why even your appearance..."
Feng Xiao chuckled and moved aside, making space for his senior. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm patches of light on the table between them.
"You're..." Ye Lingling frowned slightly, her sky-blue eyes carefully scrutinizing Feng Xiao. Although his appearance had changed drastically, those smiling eyes and the slight upturn of his lips when he spoke were still the familiar young man she knew.
"Just like they say," Feng Xiao chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, the sunlight gilding his newly formed contours. "I was young, and the spirit ring I absorbed was too overbearing, so I ended up like this."
Ye Lingling nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly pursed her lips and smiled: "The change is indeed significant." She gestured with her hand, "Your shoulders are broader, and your features are more defined..." Her fingertip lightly tapped the corner of his eye. "Most importantly, this appearance looks much gentler. I'm really curious what Yan Yan's expression will be when she sees you."
Feng Xiao looked around upon hearing this: "Speaking of Sister Yan, where is she?" His tone held a hint of confusion.
Ye Lingling gently shook her head, her silver hair swaying slightly with the movement: "I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, I only know that Senior Dugu took her away."
A hint of understanding flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes, and he nodded: "Since Senior Dugu called her away, it must be for an important matter." He picked up a piece of tender fish, "But the senior should have told Sister Yan about my change."
Ye Lingling pursed her lips, as if wanting to speak but ultimately remaining silent. She lowered her head, stirring the food on her plate, lost in thought.
"Eat quickly," Feng Xiao said with a smile, lightly tapping the edge of her tray with his chopsticks, making a crisp sound. "If you keep spacing out, your food will get cold."
Ye Lingling's slender fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of her tray, her voice so soft it was almost swallowed by the cafeteria's noise: "Xiao Feng... have you already chosen the Crown Prince?"
Feng Xiao's hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly. He looked up, meeting her worried gaze. After a moment of silence, he nodded frankly: "Yes, I have. What's wrong, Sister Lingling?"
Ye Lingling suddenly leaned forward, her silver hair sliding from her shoulder. She lowered her voice: "Choosing the Crown Prince at this time might not be appropriate." Her eyes scanned the surroundings vigilantly. "Do you know what happened in Heaven Dou City a few days ago?"
Feng Xiao feigned ignorance and shook his head, but his chopsticks tightened imperceptibly in his hand. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, casting fragmented shadows on his lowered eyelashes, concealing the fleeting glint in his eyes. Ye Lingling didn't notice that Feng Xiao's thoughtful expression was reflected in the glass window behind her.
Ye Lingling's fingertips unconsciously clutched her napkin, her voice even lower: "Tang Hao... died in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Do you understand what this means?"
Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow, deliberately showing a surprised expression: "Spirit Hall? Even if it was truly their doing, they wouldn't act rashly within Heaven Dou City, would they?"
"I'm not sure what Spirit Hall is plotting," Ye Lingling shook her head worriedly, her silver hair swaying lightly with the movement. "But they dared to ambush Tang Hao within Heaven Dou territory—" She suddenly grabbed Feng Xiao's wrist, "I'm afraid you'll get caught in this storm."
Feng Xiao felt the cool touch on his wrist and smiled gently: "Don't worry, Sister Lingling." He lightly patted the back of her hand. "Thanks for the reminder, I'll be careful. Besides..." He pointed to the teacher's badge on his chest, "I just had a breakthrough not long ago, so I won't be leaving Heaven Dou City anytime soon."
Ye Lingling then released his hand, nodding with a sigh of relief: "That's good." Sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting a faint line of light between her tightly furrowed brows. Feng Xiao lowered his head and took a sip of soup, concealing the complex expression that flashed in his eyes.