Three days later, the list of students selected for the study trip to the Yunmeng Kingdom was announced.
The notice board in the academy square was packed with people, layer upon layer, without even a gap. Lin Fei and Li Chen squeezed their way in with difficulty, standing on tiptoe to search through the dense list of names.
Fifth Year: Han Yue, Deng Qian.Fourth Year: Zhao Wuji, Su Qinghe.Third Year: Huang Su, Meng Yao.Second Year: Liu Xiangru, Fang Zijing.First Year: Lin Fei, Li Chen.
"Haha, we both made it!" Li Chen threw an arm around Lin Fei's shoulders, grinning from ear to ear.
Lin Fei couldn't help but grin as well, his heart filled with delight. The two boys jumped up and down in the crowd, drawing plenty of attention.
Lu Zhenhuan and Lu Zhenyu stood at the edge of the crowd. Seeing the two of them so excited, their expressions darkened. Without a word, Lu Zhenhuan turned and left, his sleeve sweeping through the air. Lu Zhenyu glanced at Lin Fei, then silently followed his brother, disappearing into the crowd.
At that moment, a round figure squeezed through the crowd, drawing complaints from nearby students.
"Stop pushing!""Ugh, so annoying.""Excuse me! Excuse me!"
"Lin Fei! Li Chen!" It was Liu Jinfa, who had finally pushed his way in. He was panting, but his face was beaming. "I saw the list! You both got selected! That's amazing!"
He grabbed their hands, as excited as if he himself had been chosen.
"I knew you could do it! When you get to Yunmeng Kingdom, make sure to see and learn as much as you can—and tell me all about it when you come back!"
Lin Fei nodded with a smile. "Of course."
Liu Jinfa pulled out a few pieces of pastry from his clothes and stuffed them into their hands. "Eat these on the way—don't go hungry. My mom just made them, osmanthus cakes. They're really fragrant."
Li Chen took one and bit into it, speaking through a mouthful. "By the way, where's Zhou Ping? Haven't seen him."
Liu Jinfa looked around and lowered his voice. "Zhou Ping… he never planned to join this trip at all."
Lin Fei was stunned. "What do you mean?"
"I heard that when they first announced the selection, Zhou Ping went to the principal himself and said he didn't want to participate. No idea why—he just didn't want to go."
Lin Fei paused, recalling Zhou Ping's always expressionless face. While others fought hard for the opportunity, he had given it up voluntarily.
What exactly was he thinking?
"Maybe he just doesn't like traveling far," Li Chen said casually, taking another bite.
As the three of them talked—
"Lin Fei!" a clear voice called from behind.
Lin Fei turned around and saw Hu Mei standing not far away, smiling at him.
She was wearing a light green dress today, her long hair flowing gently in the breeze.
"Congratulations," she said as she walked over, her gaze passing over Lin Fei and Li Chen.
Lin Fei scratched his head and smiled. "Just got lucky."
Hu Mei pressed her lips together, a trace of disappointment flashing in her eyes, quickly hidden by a smile. "Too bad I didn't make it," she said softly. "Otherwise, I could've seen what Yunmeng Kingdom is like."
Lin Fei didn't know what to say. Li Chen spoke first. "It's fine. There'll be more chances. If I get picked again next time, I'll give my spot to you."
"Then thank you, Li Chen."
Li Chen's face suddenly flushed slightly, as if embarrassed. Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly declared loudly, "Hu Mei, don't worry! When I go to Yunmeng Kingdom, I'll definitely bring you back a gift! What do you want?"
Hu Mei was amused by his sudden boldness. Her eyes shimmered as she thought for a moment. "I've heard the lotus seed cakes from Yunmeng Kingdom are famous. Bring me a box to try."
"No problem!" Li Chen patted his chest confidently.
Hu Mei then looked at Lin Fei, tilting her head. "What about you? What will you bring me?"
Lin Fei paused, then said half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Then I'll have to pick something even better than Li Chen's. I won't tell you yet."
Hearing that, Li Chen suddenly became competitive. "Xiao Fei, how can you be so sure your gift will be better than mine?"
"We'll see when the time comes," Lin Fei replied confidently.
Watching the two of them so serious, Hu Mei smiled like blooming peach blossoms. "Alright, I'll be waiting for both your gifts."
…
After the list was announced, there was still half a month to prepare. Lin Fei planned to use this short time to further improve his cultivation.
His Wooden Man Technique had already reached a high level of mastery. The wooden figure, the same height as him, could now be summoned within three breaths. It moved swiftly and could carry out simple attack and defense commands. After watching his practice, Elder Li nodded repeatedly, saying he could go to the Scripture Pavilion again to choose a new technique.
That evening, Lin Fei went alone to the Scripture Pavilion to return his scroll.
The door to the first floor was half-closed, with dim yellow light glowing from inside. Lin Fei pushed the door open and saw Elder Wu sitting behind a table, slowly flipping through an old book.
"Elder Wu," Lin Fei stepped forward and placed the scroll of Wood Release: Wooden Man Technique on the table. "I've come to return the scroll."
Elder Wu looked up, took the scroll, and recorded it in his ledger. His gaze lingered on the scroll before he looked up again, sizing Lin Fei up.
"Last time you renewed it was before the New Year break. You're returning it now?"
"Yes," Lin Fei replied.
A hint of surprise flashed in Elder Wu's eyes. "You've already mastered it?"
"More or less," Lin Fei nodded.
"Show me."
"Here?" Lin Fei glanced around. The bookshelves filled the space—though not small, performing the technique might require quite a bit of room.
Elder Wu smiled slightly and waved his hand. The long tables in the center of the hall silently slid aside, revealing an open space.
"That's enough," he said.
Lin Fei took a deep breath and walked to the center. Closing his eyes, he formed hand seals as spiritual power surged from his dantian through his meridians into his hands.
"Wood Release: Wooden Man Technique!"
Within three breaths, a wooden figure the same height as him burst from the ground. Its body was covered in wood grain, its features clear, its joints well-defined—standing like a silent guardian.
Lin Fei opened his eyes and moved it with his thoughts.
The wooden man walked a few circles across the space. Its steps were much steadier than before. With another push of spiritual power, it suddenly accelerated and threw a punch, the force producing a faint sound.
It followed with blocking, dodging, and shifting movements. Though not yet fluid, there was already a clear structure to its actions.
Elder Wu watched silently, his gaze fixed on the wooden man.
Lin Fei continued, commanding more complex sequences—rapid punches, side dodges, low sweeping kicks. The wooden man executed them all. Though less flexible than a real person, it already showed a basic combat awareness.
"That's enough," Elder Wu said suddenly.
Lin Fei withdrew his spiritual power. The wooden man froze in place as if lifeless. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he looked at Elder Wu.
Elder Wu did not speak immediately. He stood up, walked over, and tapped the wooden man. "Solid structure, stable energy distribution, smooth operation, responsive to will," he murmured.
Finally, he looked at Lin Fei with a trace of approval. "For a Qi Refining student to reach this level in three months is already good. Excluding the New Year break, you've done it in one month."
He paused. "Your talent in Wood techniques is indeed rare."
Lin Fei scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "I just practiced a few extra times each day."
"A few extra times?" Elder Wu chuckled. "That alone doesn't explain this level."
He said no more, turning to a higher shelf. After searching for a moment, he pulled out a yellowed scroll.
"Come here," he beckoned.
Lin Fei stepped forward. Elder Wu handed him the scroll. On it were five words—Wood Release: Thousand Vines Hand.
"This…" Lin Fei was startled.
"This technique is normally only for Foundation Establishment students," Elder Wu said slowly. "But given your talent with Wood techniques, and how quickly you mastered the Wooden Man Technique, you may try it."
Lin Fei opened the scroll. Inside were hand seal diagrams and dense annotations. Thousand Vines Hand—by channeling spiritual power, vines grow from the palms. It can attack or defend, flexible and versatile, capable of binding enemies or striking like whips.
"After casting, vines will grow from your hands and strike the enemy," Elder Wu explained. "It's more flexible than Binding Technique. Even Foundation Establishment students take two to three months to get started. If you can master it at the Qi Refining stage, that's your ability."
Lin Fei's eyes lit up. He quickly clasped his fists. "Thank you, Elder Wu!"
Elder Wu waved him off, sat back down, and picked up his old book again.
"Train well. Don't waste your talent."