A thunderous announcement suddenly shattered the tense silence, drawing every eye toward the grand podium where a commanding voice echoed across the bustling lobby.
"Attention, all nobles!" the voice boomed, resonating with authority.
Immediately, the chatter ceased. Nobles straightened, their conversations hushed, as all eyes turned toward the speaker.
From the center of the podium, Bing Kua, the head of the cultivation school, stepped forward with calm confidence. His voice was steady and commanding, yet warm with sincerity.
"Welcome, nobles. Today is a day of great significance—one that will be remembered in history—for we gather here under the Emperor's divine guidance," he announced. His gaze swept over the assembled crowd, commanding attention. "As you can see, the skies above are clear—no clouds, no storms—an auspicious omen. Today marks the formal beginning of Feijing's inaugural cultivation school."
He paused briefly, allowing his words to settle, then continued with a tone both firm and inspiring. "My name is Bing Kua, and I am honored to serve as the head of this institution. For years, the Emperor has dedicated himself tirelessly to uniting our provinces. For too long, division has weakened us. But through this school, he seeks to forge a new path—one of unity, strength, and lasting prosperity for generations to come."
A quiet moment of anticipation hung in the air before Bing Kua's tone softened, becoming more inclusive. "Starting today, you will come to see each other as equals. Any form of discrimination or prejudice will be strictly forbidden. We are forging a new future together."
"Each of you will be assigned a room—simply remain in line, and a mentor will come by with a box. Inside, you'll find slips of paper—draw one, and that will be your designated room. Take this day to familiarize yourselves with your surroundings and your new home. The first class begins promptly at 8 a.m. tomorrow."
As his final words echoed, the lobby slowly regained its energy, the tension transforming into purpose. Nobles began moving with renewed focus, ready to settle into their new lives.
Later that evening, Yifong and Kai found themselves assigned to the same dorm building, though in separate rooms. Donghua was assigned nearby, both buildings nestled within a quiet, scenic part of the school grounds. As they moved to settle in, Donghua headed toward his own quarters, leaving Yifong and Kai to their dorm.
The dorm was a sprawling two-story structure centered around an expansive open-air hot spring—accessible to all residents for bathing and relaxation. Yifong was assigned to the first floor, while Kai's room was upstairs.
Kai glanced around nervously, a mixture of anticipation and caution flickering in his eyes. "We should wait until everyone has finished bathing," he suggested softly. "I'm still skeptical about how the artemisia stelleriana works. Mei mentioned it dissipates during a full moon, but what if the water touches it and it all fades away? I don't want to risk it."
Yifong nodded in understanding. As night descended, casting a blanket of stars across the sky and illuminating the bright moon overhead, the two headed toward the hot spring.
Yifong gestured toward the steaming water. "Go ahead. I'll guard the door for a bit before I join you."
Kai began to undress, but as he did, his gaze suddenly fell on a strange spiral symbol etched into his left arm—the same one marked by the poison. His breath hitched. His fingers trembled slightly as he reached out to touch it, feeling the unfamiliar texture beneath his fingertips.
"What… what's going on?" he murmured, eyes narrowing with confusion. "This wasn't here this morning."
Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. His heart thumped wildly. Instinctively, he slipped into the water, submerging his arm quickly to hide the mark, then closed his eyes and tried to appear relaxed. He leaned back onto a smooth stone slab outside the rim, controlling his breathing, pretending to enjoy the bath.
"Are you finally coming in? This hot spring's really nice," he called out softly, voice steady despite his racing thoughts.
For a moment, he listened. The sound of footsteps entered the water, then—silence. No reply. Only the gentle lapping of water and the muffled sounds of movement stretched into an uneasy calm.
Kai opened his eyes, the steam curling into the air and fogging his vision. The mist obscured the face of the figure in the water. Slowly, he shifted his position, inching closer to get a better look.
As the fog thinned, he finally recognized the face and said softly, "Oh, it's just you, Jiang Wei."