Xiao Long and Chu Yan were walking the halls of the school, their footsteps echoing sharply against the polished marble floor.
The sun was beginning its slow descent, painting the high windows in shades of deep amber and violet.
Usually, after school, the both of them will meet up at a quiet, wind-swept hilltop to practice more, refining Chu Yan's spiritual paths and pushing his physical limits, and Elder Mu would join them halfway through.
The old elder would provide secondary insights, lend his authority to secure better resources, and act as a shield against any prying eyes within the academy.
But now, Elder Mu didn't appear.
The designated hour had long since passed, and the hilltop remained empty save for the rustling leaves of the ancient pine trees.
They got worried, especially Chu Yan.
A deep, gnawing sense of unease settled in his chest. In a world full of cutthroat cultivators and hidden schemes, an abrupt deviation from a routine was never a good sign.
