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After an unknown amount of time, the music gradually ceased.
Feng Xiao collapsed onto the bed, drenched in sweat, his chest heaving violently, each breath bringing a burning pain.
The process of tempering his internal organs with the five tones felt like a raging fire burning within his body, and even his fingertips trembled slightly from the excessive exertion.
"Phew… with the spirit ring's enhancement, this effect really is…" Feng Xiao wiped the sweat from his forehead with a wry smile, his voice hoarse beyond recognition, "Playing the zither is more tiring than smithing."
Feng Xiao gazed at the mottled patterns on the ceiling, waiting for his breathing to calm down.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
Feng Xiao slowly raised his arm, palm facing up, and the Innate Eight Trigrams Plate quietly emerged.
The jade surface of the plate glowed with a warm luster under the candlelight, and those profound patterns seemed to contain the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.
"Could it be…" Feng Xiao murmured softly, a wisp of spirit power gathering at his fingertips, "that it needs a spirit ring to activate?"
The moment his spirit power touched the Eight Trigrams Plate, the profound patterns on its surface suddenly lit up with a faint, shimmering light.
The eight trigrams—Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui—flashed in sequence, connecting into a perfect cycle.
Feng Xiao held his breath, clearly feeling the spirit power within his body being rapidly drawn away like a surging river, while the Eight Trigrams Plate's light grew even more dazzling and brilliant.
In an instant, the Eight Trigrams phantom suddenly expanded to a three-meter radius around him.
Feng Xiao's pupils constricted.
He saw the eight trigrams seemingly come alive, swirling in the void, and the energy fluctuations between heaven and earth became incredibly clear at that moment.
He stretched out his hands, looking incredulously at the trigrams surrounding him—at that moment, it was as if the entire world was within his perception and control.
"It can even… even the free-floating energy of heaven and earth…" Feng Xiao muttered to himself, and suddenly the true meaning of the trigrams, which his grandfather had taught him, flashed through his mind: "Qian represents heaven, Kun represents earth, Zhen represents thunder, Xun represents wind, Kan represents water, Li represents fire, Gen represents mountain, and Dui represents marsh."
With a thought, he tried to guide his spirit power towards the 'Li' trigram.
Immediately, the surrounding free-floating energy, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, was entirely transformed into scorching fire attribute.
The room temperature suddenly rose, and even subtle distorted ripples appeared in the air.
Fine beads of sweat seeped from Feng Xiao's forehead, but they could not hide the excitement in his eyes.
However, the next second, an intense feeling of emptiness swept over him like a tide.
The Eight Trigrams phantom instantly dissipated, and Feng Xiao staggered, sitting back down on the bed, panting heavily with a wry smile: "Transforming attributes according to the trigrams… is another bottomless pit for devouring spirit power.
It's probably not practical to use it for now.
I should still focus on my old friend."
With that thought, Feng Xiao slowly sat up and closed his eyes, entering meditation.
Five years passed like a fleeting white steed, and in a blink of an eye, it was graduation season at Notting Academy.
Inside the academy's auditorium, a beam of morning light passed through the stained-glass window, landing perfectly on the center of the zither stage.
Feng Xiao, dressed in a moon-white long gown with silver thread patterns embroidered into the fabric, appeared exceptionally elegant in the halo of light.
The ancient zither "Fuxi" played its final overtone under his slender fingertips, and two bright yellow hundred-year spirit rings slowly faded into the zither's body.
Amidst the lingering notes, the entire auditorium was silent, then erupted into thunderous applause.
"As expected of Senior Feng…" A female student below the stage whispered in admiration, her eyes shimmering with adoration.
This praise made Tang San, who was standing in the crowd, unconsciously frown.
Xiao Wu, beside him, was quite excited, standing on her tiptoes and looking around: "The zither player is dressed quite handsomely today, isn't he!"
Hearing Xiao Wu's misused idiom, Tang San's slightly furrowed brow immediately relaxed, and a rare smile appeared on his unremarkable face.
"Let's go, Xiao Wu," Tang San said softly, a gentle smile on his lips.
Xiao Wu pouted, complaining as she walked, "Grandmaster is really something.
With so many invitations from high-level Spirit Master academies, he insists we go to some Shrek Academy."
She glanced at Feng Xiao not far away and lowered her voice, "I bet the zither player won't go with you."
Tang San shook his head helplessly, his finger gently brushing the Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist, conjuring a crisp, juicy carrot as if by magic: "Teacher has his reasons for arranging it this way."
He handed the carrot over.
"Hmph!" Xiao Wu said unwillingly, but her eyes immediately lit up.
She snatched the carrot and took a bite, saying indistinctly, "What if the zither player doesn't want to go?"
"That's his loss," Tang San said calmly, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards Feng Xiao.
As they spoke, the three of them happened to meet in the backstage corridor.
Six years had left their mark on everyone: Feng Xiao held his ancient zither, his moon-white robes gently fluttering in the draft of the corridor, looking like a noble young master who had stepped out of a painting.
Although Tang San was not as tall as Feng Xiao, the strong muscles he had developed from years of smithing and forging made his school uniform bulge; Xiao Wu had grown from a little girl into a graceful young woman, her waist-length scorpion braid swaying gently in the wind, adding a touch of liveliness.
Feng Xiao looked at Tang San and Xiao Wu approaching, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "I didn't expect Student Tang and Xiao Wu to also attend the academy's graduation ceremony."
Tang San heard Feng Xiao's distinctly different address and subtly frowned: "It's been six years.
I brought Xiao Wu to see it before we leave."
His tone was flat, but his gaze unconsciously swept over the ancient zither in Feng Xiao's arms.
Feng Xiao keenly sensed the hidden meaning in Tang San's words and tentatively asked, "Student Tang, this is…"
"Teacher asked me to invite you to Shrek Academy with me," Tang San said directly, his tone neither sincerely inviting nor politely courteous, but rather with a subtle hint of resistance.
Feng Xiao was first taken aback, then smiled knowingly: "Please thank Grandmaster for his kindness, but…" He gently stroked the zither's body, "I already have arrangements for the academy."
Tang San's tense shoulders relaxed imperceptibly, and even his view of Feng Xiao became a little more agreeable: "I will inform Teacher."
He nodded, his robes stirring a gentle breeze as he turned.
Xiao Wu chewed on her carrot, her gaze darting between the two, her pink scorpion braid swaying gently as she tilted her head.
She always felt there was some undercurrent between the two that she couldn't understand, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.
"Feng Xiao, aren't you going?" Xiao Wu blinked her big eyes, her face full of regret, "I was still thinking of continuing to collect protection fees from you later."
Feng Xiao glanced meaningfully at Tang San, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He took a heavy brocade pouch from his exquisite spirit tool at his waist and casually tossed it to Xiao Wu.
"Since we've met, this small token of appreciation is for Sister Xiao Wu to buy snacks on her journey," Feng Xiao said with a light smile, "Thank you for your 'care' all these years."
Xiao Wu took the brocade pouch, weighed it in her palm, and immediately beamed: "You're still the most generous!
Those noble children are so stingy when they pay protection fees."
Tang San, standing by, hesitated to speak, his expression slightly awkward.
He couldn't very well stop Feng Xiao from giving money, so he just cleared his throat: "Alright, Xiao Wu, the message has been delivered, we should go."
"Farewell," Tang San cupped his hands towards Feng Xiao, his tone stiff.
Feng Xiao bowed gracefully in return: "May we meet again."
His wide sleeves traced an elegant arc in the morning light.
Tang San practically dragged Xiao Wu away quickly, their backs appearing somewhat hurried.
Xiao Wu, while being pulled along, didn't forget to turn back and wave the brocade pouch in her hand at Feng Xiao, her pink scorpion braid bouncing happily in the sunlight.
Watching their retreating figures, Feng Xiao gently plucked a zither string, producing a clear, ethereal overtone.
He thoughtfully stroked his chin, a playful glint in his eyes.
Feng Xiao watched Tang San's hurried departure and couldn't help but shake his head.
He suddenly understood why, in his previous life, despite possessing such astonishing talent for Hidden Weapons, Tang San still fared so poorly in the Tang Sect—Tang San's entire cunning and calculation were probably used on secretly learning unique skills and researching Hidden Weapons.
Feng Xiao shook his head slightly, casting these thoughts aside, and slowly returned to his dormitory.
Pushing open the familiar wooden door, the empty room was already neatly tidied, with only the setting sun outside the window casting its last ray of light onto the bed.
"It's time," he murmured softly, his fingertips brushing the thin layer of dust accumulated on the window sill.
Six years had ultimately transformed into just a few simple items of luggage within his spirit tool.
Gently closing the door, Feng Xiao walked towards the teahouse in the city.
Nuoding City, at dusk, was just lighting up, and the familiar shop signs along the streets swayed gently in the evening breeze.
Six years had passed, and Manager Ning's teahouse had long become his most peaceful refuge in this city.
Pushing open the carved wooden door to the teahouse's backyard, the familiar aroma of tea wafted over him.
Manager Ning was meticulously wiping a set of celadon tea ware, asking without looking up, "Leaving?"
Feng Xiao's fingers traced the tea table where he often sat; the wooden grain still retained the accumulated tea stains of years.
He looked towards the deepening dusk outside the window and said softly, "It's time to see a wider world."
Manager Ning slowly looked up, his world-weary eyes gazing deeply at Feng Xiao: "Which academy do you plan to go to?
If you need any help before you leave, just say the word."
"How about Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Feng Xiao said half-jokingly, his fingertips gently tapping the rim of his teacup.
Manager Ning paused, the teapot suspended in mid-air.
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled broadly: "If you truly wish to go…" He filled two cups of clear tea, the aroma wafting between them, "All I need to do is recommend you to Sect Master, and let alone Heaven Dou Royal Academy, even Spirit Hall Academy would be no problem."
Feng Xiao took the teacup, watching the tea leaves unfurl in the amber-colored tea: "You know…" He took a small sip, a smile playing on his lips, "I'm someone who can't stand being restrained, so I won't trouble School Master Ning."
"Very well," Manager Ning clinked his cup, the porcelain making a crisp sound, "Young people should indeed go out and explore."
Manager Ning took a small sip of clear tea, then suddenly leaned down and took an exquisite envelope from beneath the counter.
At the gilded seal, a violet wax stamp shimmered with a luxurious sheen in the setting sun, its delicate harp emblem faintly visible.
"This is…" Feng Xiao was slightly startled.
"A letter of recommendation from Moon Pavilion," Manager Ning said, a mischievous glint in his eyes, as he pushed the envelope over.
"Six years ago, when you first came to apply, I knew that this small teahouse would ultimately not be able to keep you."
Feng Xiao took the envelope, and as his fingertips touched the delicate Texture on the wax seal, he suddenly felt a sense of trance.
Six years of time flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern—from the bewildered youth, clad in rags and holding an ancient zither, to the renowned zither player of Nuoding City today.
Feng Xiao understood that Manager Ning knew him very well, and might even have guessed where he was going, or even which academy he would attend.
"Uncle Ning…" Feng Xiao's voice unconsciously tightened a little, his fingers clutching the envelope slightly harder.
"Go on," Manager Ning had already turned to greet a new customer, leaving only a free and easy back, "Remember to say hello to Lady Yue Hua for me."
The setting sun cast long shadows of the two.
For six years, Manager Ning had been both boss and like a father and teacher.
Although he said little at this moment, his reluctance was unspoken.
As dusk deepened, Feng Xiao walked out of Nuoding City's gate.
He paused and looked back, the three characters "Nuoding City" on the city wall particularly striking in the evening glow.
His fingers unconsciously stroked the envelope in his inner chest pocket.
Feng Xiao rented a simple carriage and slowly proceeded along the official road towards Heaven Dou City.
The wheels rumbled over the gravel, producing a rhythmic creaking sound, accompanied by the clatter of horse hooves, exceptionally clear on the quiet official road.
He leaned against the window, his slender fingers unconsciously tapping the "Fuxi" zither case, his gaze slowly drifting with the passing scenery outside the window.
At dawn on the third day, the carriage was passing through an ancient oak forest.
Feng Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.
From deep within the dense forest ahead, faint spirit power fluctuations and sounds of fighting could be heard.
"Whoa—" The carriage suddenly screeched to a halt.
Feng Xiao lifted the curtain, only to see that the coachman had already abandoned the carriage and fled, his figure faintly visible in the morning mist.
Feng Xiao frowned slightly, his figure darting like a ghost towards the source of the sound.
Pushing aside the dense bushes, he saw five or six black-clad figures in a clearing in the forest, surrounding and attacking a black-clad young woman.
The girl was about sixteen, her tight-fitting attire outlining her slender figure, but what was most striking were her sharp, cat-like eyes.
Although in a difficult situation, her movements were still agile, and a black spirit cat phantom faintly appeared behind her.
"Zhuqing, don't waste your effort," the leading black-clad woman sneered, a hint of mockery in her voice, "Just come back with me obediently."
Feng Xiao's pupils constricted: "Zhu Zhuqing? What a coincidence?"
He unhesitatingly summoned "Fuxi," and two bright yellow spirit rings suddenly lit up.
With a gentle pluck of the zither string, a high-pitched sound wave instantly exploded in the forest.
Wherever the sound wave passed, the black-clad figures clutched their heads and staggered, and even Zhu Zhuyun, who was leading them, changed her expression drastically, her body swaying.
Killing intent surged in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, her sharp claws gleaming with cold light.
Feng Xiao quickly shouted, "Hurry and go! This dizzying effect won't last long!"
With that, he flashed, already leaping onto the carriage he had arrived in.
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, a flicker of unwillingness in her beautiful eyes, but she still decisively turned and, with a few leaps, caught up with Feng Xiao.
"Giddy up!" Feng Xiao cracked the whip, and the carriage immediately shot forward like an arrow from a bowstring.