The New Year holiday came to an end, and Lin Fei was about to return to Jumu Academy.
On the agreed day of return, Lin Fei rode a spirit beast—a white wolf—together with Li Dong to the academy's mountain gate. From afar, he saw a carriage parked by the roadside. The curtain was lifted, and the Lu brothers were stepping down.
"Lu Zhenhuan! Lu Zhenyu!" Lin Fei waved and called out.
Lu Zhenhuan glanced at him but gave no response, calmly adjusting his sleeve. Lu Zhenyu, however, gave a slight nod as a greeting.
Soon after, a woman in a brocade robe with her hair in a bun stepped down from the carriage—it was their mother, Lu Yan. Seeing Lin Fei and Li Dong, she smiled. "Little friend Lin Fei, we meet again."
"Greetings, Madam Lu," Lin Fei said, bowing.
Lu Yan smiled and nodded, then turned to her sons. "Since you've run into each other, the three of you should head up the mountain together."
As Lin Fei passed by, she added gently, "Make sure to communicate more with our Zhenhuan and Zhenyu, and improve together."
"Of course," Lin Fei replied.
Lu Zhenhuan and Lu Zhenyu had already started up the mountain. Lin Fei quickly followed. After a few steps, he turned back to wave goodbye to Li Dong, only to see Lu Yan speaking softly with him. Their expressions were calm, revealing nothing of their conversation. Li Dong simply nodded slightly, as if responding.
A trace of doubt flickered in Lin Fei's mind, but he had no time to dwell on it and hurried to catch up with the two.
Along the way, Lin Fei tried to chat with the Lu brothers, talking about interesting things from the New Year. Lu Zhenhuan remained indifferent, occasionally replying with a simple "mm." Lu Zhenyu spoke a little more, but only in short phrases like "not bad" or "about the same." After a few attempts, Lin Fei gave up trying to make conversation, and the three walked the rest of the way in silence back to the dormitory.
Pushing open the door, Lin Fei saw Li Chen already inside. He was squatting on the floor making his bed. Hearing the noise, he looked up and greeted him energetically.
"Xiao Fei! You're finally back!"
"Li Chen, you got here so early?" Lin Fei laughed, tossing his bundle onto the bed.
"Haha, just half a day earlier than you." Li Chen patted his shoulder. His gaze fell on Lin Fei's waist, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "That is…?"
Lin Fei proudly patted his belt. "New Year gift. A magical artifact belt from my uncle."
Li Chen stepped closer, felt the texture of the belt, and tested it with spiritual power. He nodded. "Very nice. It should be a mid-level artifact."
"Huh? How do you tell the level of an artifact?" Lin Fei asked curiously.
"My grandfather told me before," Li Chen said. "For storage artifacts like this, it mainly depends on how many compartments they have." He pointed at the runes on the belt. "I just tested yours—it should have four compartments. Each compartment can store a type of item: herbs, ores, talismans, weapons, silver coins, or food."
"Then how much can I store?"
"That depends on your cultivation level. At our Qi Refining stage, each compartment can probably hold seven or eight jin. But as your cultivation improves, the capacity increases. At higher levels, storing dozens or even hundreds of jin won't be a problem."
"I see." Lin Fei looked down at his belt, finally understanding its true use. When Li Dong gave it to him, he had only said it could "store things," without explaining in such detail.
"Look at mine." Li Chen rolled up his sleeve, revealing a brown leather bracer.
"What's that?"
"A Hundred-Treasure Bracer. It's also a storage artifact," Li Chen said proudly. "Mine has five compartments."
"Then we can carry a lot of things when we go out in the future."
"Exactly. With this, we can explore all kinds of places—even remote ones."
The two smiled at each other and began tidying the room, organizing their belongings and bedding.
The new semester had begun just like that.
…
Life soon returned to its usual rhythm—spirit technique classes, cultivation method lessons, and doing chores in various places on the back mountain.
After reaching the Qi Refining stage, Elder Meng's cultivation classes became somewhat different. For example, Lin Fei, who practiced Lingyan Technique, was assigned a special training area for movement skills. There stood rows of plum blossom stakes of varying heights, the tallest reaching three or four zhang, each stake barely wide enough for a single foot. A slight misstep would mean falling.
Lin Fei had already trained his Lingyan Technique to the third or fourth level. Walking across the stakes felt as steady as walking on flat ground. His body was light and agile, and he could even leap and maneuver between them, drawing attention from others.
As for spirit techniques, his "Wood Release: Wooden Man Technique" had become highly proficient. After watching his practice, Elder Li nodded. "In a few days, you can go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose another technique."
Meanwhile, Li Chen, Hu Mei, Zhou Ping, and the Lu brothers—who had also reached the Qi Refining stage—had all learned new techniques. Li Chen practiced "Earth Release: Rolling Stone Technique," Hu Mei practiced "Water Release: Water Arrow Technique," Lu Zhenhuan practiced "Metal Release: Falling Gold Needles," and Lu Zhenyu practiced "Fire Release: Blazing Flame Technique." Only Zhou Ping had learned two techniques—Falling Gold Needles and Blazing Flame—apparently choosing not to pick a new cultivation method and instead using his opportunity on techniques.
…
On the weekend of the first week, Lin Fei went to Huanxi Valley.
In early spring, the stream still carried the chill of melting snow, but fresh green shoots had already sprouted along the banks. Several junior students crouched by the stream washing herbs, their occasional laughter echoing softly.
Lin Fei found the familiar flat stone he often used, rolled up his sleeves, and began washing the herbs he had gathered.
The cool water flowed between his fingers. Focused on his task, he didn't notice someone approaching from behind.
"Lin Fei."
A familiar voice called out. He turned around and saw Hu Mei standing behind him, dressed in a light pink dress. Her long hair flowed over her shoulders, her features delicate and bright, her face full of a cheerful smile.
"Hu Mei? It's you."
Hu Mei walked over and crouched beside him. She extended her hand, revealing a small string of bells tied together with a red cord—three copper bells in total, gleaming softly in the sunlight.
"For you," she said with a smile.
Lin Fei was taken aback. He accepted the bells and gently shook them. A crisp sound rang in his ears.
"This is…?"
"These are protective bells from our Immortal Fox Forest. They bring good luck," Hu Mei said, raising her wrist to show an identical set. "I have one too."
Lin Fei looked at the bells in his hand, warmth rising in his heart.
"Thank you. I'll take good care of it."
"Don't just keep it—wear it," Hu Mei said.
"Oh, okay." Lin Fei held out his wrist, and Hu Mei tied the bells onto it.
"Did you only give one to me?" Lin Fei asked.
"Yes," Hu Mei nodded, then rolled her eyes playfully. "Do you have a gift for me?"
"Uh…" Lin Fei scratched his head. He hadn't thought about bringing her a gift.
"Hmph, I knew you hadn't," Hu Mei said, pretending to be annoyed.
Lin Fei glanced at his artifact belt and suddenly had an idea. "My brother gave me this artifact belt for the New Year—how about I give it to you?"
Hu Mei burst into laughter, her smile radiant. "Haha, I was just teasing you. No need to be so serious."
"That won't do. You gave me a gift—I should return one."
"No need. When you feel like it in the future, you can give me something then."
"Alright." Lin Fei shook the bells on his wrist. "Hu Mei, why did you give me a gift?"
Hu Mei tilted her head, thought for a moment, and smiled. "Because we're friends. Isn't it normal for friends to give gifts?"
Lin Fei was momentarily stunned by her adorable expression. "Yeah, we're good friends. Just wait—I'll definitely prepare a big gift for you someday."
They both laughed, then crouched side by side by the stream, washing herbs and chatting. Lin Fei listened as she talked about spring in Immortal Fox Forest—how the mountains were covered in flowers of pink, white, and purple, and how sometimes the clear ringing of bells echoed through the air.
…
That night, in the dormitory.
Lin Fei lay on his bed, holding the string of bells and gently shaking them. The crisp sound was especially pleasant in the quiet night.
Li Chen turned over and looked at the bells.
"They're pretty. Where did you buy them?"
"I didn't buy them," Lin Fei said. "Hu Mei gave them to me."
Li Chen paused for a moment. "She gave them to you? Why?"
"Yeah. Because we're good friends."
Li Chen said nothing more and turned to face the wall.
Lin Fei found him a bit strange but didn't think much of it. He put the bells away and closed his eyes.
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, illuminating the two boys.
…
During the second week's spirit technique class, Elders Jiang, Chen, and Li were explaining techniques.
Suddenly, two people approached the training ground—Principal Shen Jingnian in front, followed by a middle-aged man in green robes whom Lin Fei had never seen before. The man was lean, with a stern face and sharp, eagle-like eyes. His steps were steady and silent.
The three elders immediately stopped teaching and turned to greet them. Principal Shen gestured for them to continue, then stood at the side with the man, observing silently.
Lin Fei noticed that the man's gaze swept over everyone, lingering for varying lengths of time, always expressionless. When his eyes fell on Lin Fei, Lin Fei was performing a combination of the Binding Technique and Wooden Man Technique—vines burst from the ground and wrapped precisely around a wooden post three zhang away, while the wooden man rushed forward and knocked down three posts in succession. The man's gaze lingered briefly before he gave a slight nod and looked away.
Until the class ended, neither Principal Shen nor the man spoke a word. They simply turned and left.
Lin Fei couldn't help asking Elder Li, "Elder Li, who was that person with the principal?"
Elder Li glanced at him. "Such curiosity at your age." But after a moment, he added, "He's from the Senluo Hall. Not one of our academy's teachers."
Lin Fei said nothing more, but he had a faint sense that something was about to happen.
…
On the third day, during the cultivation class, Elder Meng surprisingly did not arrange any training.
Standing before the group with his hands behind his back, he scanned the students and said in a deep voice, "By order of Principal Shen, everyone is to gather at Minglun Hall."
The students exchanged puzzled looks but quickly lined up and headed there.
The hall was already filled with people, including senior students—hundreds of them. Lin Fei and Li Chen found seats toward the back, looking around curiously.
On the stage, Principal Shen stood with his hands behind his back. Beside him were Elders Jiang, Li, and Meng, along with several instructors Lin Fei didn't recognize. The green-robed man from before also stood to the side, still stern and silent.
Once everyone had gathered, Principal Shen stepped forward and spoke slowly.
"Today, I have an announcement."
The hall fell silent.
"After spring begins, the academy will organize an exchange trip to the Yunmeng Kingdom," he said. "From first to fifth year, two students will be selected from each grade—a total of ten—to travel with several instructors for observation and study."
A wave of discussion broke out.
"Yunmeng Kingdom? I heard it's all marshland…"
"Only two from each grade? That's so few!"
"They must be the top students…"
Principal Shen raised his hand for silence and continued, "Selection criteria—performance in spirit technique class, cultivation class, and miscellaneous duties. The final list will be announced in three days. Those selected must prepare well over the next half month and not slack off."
With that, he turned and left, leaving the students buzzing with discussion.