As Xing Yue stepped out of the room, the crisp morning air brushed against her face, carrying with it the scent of dew-covered blossoms. the academy grounds were already bustling. disciples murmured among themselves, some stretching their sore muscles while others gathered in groups to discuss the previous day's lessons.
Lan Mei followed her closely, but Xing Yue stopped and turned to her.
"Lan Mei, you don't have to come with me today," she said firmly.
Lan Mei frowned. "why not?"
"you've been helping me a lot, and I appreciate it. but I need to do this on my own, "Xing Yue explained. and said, "yesterday's training taught me something, that I have to find my own way forward."
Lan Mei studied her for a moment before crossing her arms. and whispered, "fine, but don't push yourself to hard in front of Meng Yi. just leave her be."
Xing Yue gave a small nod, understanding Lan Mei's concern. but there was no turning back.
with that, she turned and made her way toward the starry academy. her heart is steady with newfound resolve.
she arrived at the starry academy..
the training grounds of starry academy were alive with activity when she arrived. the senior disciples stood in organized rows, their movements synchronized as they practiced celestial foot work under the morning sun. the air was filled with an unspoken pressure. every step, every breath, every stance had meaning.
all female disciples are gathered at the front hall of the starry academy, and waiting for elder Hua.
disciples are all whispering about, "what will be the training for today...
a disciple whispering with her beside disciple, "don't you think this training is too simple. I don't know, who will be here without the knowledge of this. because, it is a royal academy. all disciples in the academy are from royal families."
then the other disciple answered, "but there is a disciple named Xing Yue. someone whispered that she is from the edge of the starry pavilion, she doesn't even have a family."
then the disciple, "then, how can she entered into the academy. the starry academy only accept disciples from the royal family or else, the disciple need to be related to the masters those are in the starry academy. it doesn't seem like, she had a connection with any master here."
the other disciple answered, "yes, then how can she entered into the starry academy."
in the middle of their whispers, a voice echoed all over the front hall..
"good, looks like no one is absent." elder Hua said.
all disciples wished in a united way, "good morning elder Hua, may you always be healthy."
elder Hua responded, "alright! today, we focus on poise and movement. lets move to our training field in the backyard of the academy.
all disciples are in their way to the training field.
later, all disciples are gathered and stand in line.
elder Hua Qing stood at the front, her presence commanding yet elegant. she began, "poise and movement, it requires your celestial footwork. celestial foot work is not merely about speed. it is an art, a harmony between the body and the heavens."
the disciples listened intently.
she continued, "your steps must be as light as drifting clouds, yet as steady as the noble figure."
she continued, "your movement is stiff, you will falter. if you force your steps, you will lose control. true grace is found in the absence of force."
Xing Yue inhaled sharply..
something about elder Hua's words stirred a memory within her. a voice from her childhood, calm yet firm, teaching her the same principles.
the image was hazy at first, like moonlight reflecting on a rippling lake. but as she closed her eyes, the past became clearer.
she was younger, her small feet stepping carefully over floating lotus petals. the world around her was peaceful, bathed in silver light.
a figure stood before her, clad in flowing robes. their presence was familiar. warm at imposing.
"good, Xing'er. you are beginning to understand," a voice rang out. "celestial footwork is not about controlling your steps. it is about surrendering to the rhythm of the universe. the stars do not force their light upon the heavens, nor does the moon chase the night. they simply exist in harmony."
her younger self nodded, determination shining in her eyes.
the memory faded, but the feeling remained.
Xing Yue's eyes snapped open, her heart pounding.
but, she doesn't remember the person who had taught her this before.
elder Hua announced, the first is cloud stepping.
"you all had to cross a series of floating platforms made of condensed spiritual energy. the platforms made of condensed spiritual energy. the platforms shifted with each step, requiring perfect balance and control." elder Hua said.
Meng Yi stepped forward confidently, her movements are powerful but slightly forceful. she landed on the first platform, then the second, but as she pushed off for the third, the platform wavered beneath her, and she had to correct herself mid-air.
Xing Yue watched carefully.
after all the disciples takes their turn and finally its Xing Yue's turn. all think that she will definitely make fun herself..
later, Xing Yue took her turn.
the memory guided her movements..
her first step was light. then the second. she adjusted her posture instinctively, flowing from one movement to the next. the energy beneath her feet felt natural, as if she had done before.
she reached the final platform with ease.
the disciples exchanged their glances.
even Meng Yi, who had been watching from the side, narrowed her eyes.
elder Hua said glancing towards Xing Yue, "ok, good! lets go to the next part of the training. in this, all disciples required to move in synchrony with spiritual energy flowing through the air. it was a delicate dance. one misstep, and the flow would break.
the disciples spread across the field. as elder Hua raised her hand, threads of silver energy rippled through the air, forming shifting patterns.
the task was to step in rhythm with these currents, becoming one with the movement of the stars.
Xing Yue inhaled and stepped forward.
the energy surrounded her, shifting like moonlight on water. she let herself flow with it, her feet barely touching the ground. each step was effortless, like walking on air.
it seems like, she wasn't learning this for the first time. like, she is remembering..
her past self, when she is a child had walked this path before, under the guidance of a master whose voice she could almost hear whispering in her mind.
"do not force. do not hesitate. just move with the stars." the voice echoed in her mind.
around her, some are struggled, some are hesitated, and some are breaking the rhythm. some disciples are moved too forcefully, disrupting the balance.
Meng Yi gritted her teeth and murmured herself, "how could she do it, she never learn it before. how could it be possible.."
Meng Yi glanced at Xing Yue, irritation flashing in her eyes.
someone murmured, "Xing Yue wasn't just keeping up. she was excelling."
other disciple whispered, "yes! I never thought that she could do it. but, she did.."
elder Hua impressed by her performance..
later they took a break for a while..
after sometime, elder Hua raised her voice to gather all disciples...
for this last exercise," she announced, "you will perform celestial footwork while balancing a droplet of spiritual energy on your finger tips. if your movement is too rough, t5the energy will scatter. if you hesitate, it will fade."
gasps rippled through the disciples.
as the disciples are murmuring in the crowd, Meng Yi stepped forward. a small droplet of glowing energy hovered above her hand. she took a steady breath, then moved with over confidence.
but the moment she moved, a ripple of force cracked through the air. her energy droplet trembled. she corrected herself, force her step to remain steady.
but force was not the answer.
halfway through the end, her energy droplet shattered.
after, so many disciples tried but no one has achieved. finally, its Xing Yue's turn..
as Xing Yue stepped forward, a small droplet of energy hovered above her hand. she took a steady breath and then she moved with confidence in her face without any fear.
her steps were light, flowing seamlessly from one to the next. the energy droplet shimmered but remained intact.
she adjusted her stance, finding the natural rhythm within her body. each step was not just a movement. it was like a message that conveys to the heaven.
she finally reached the end point..
all disciples are in shock, without any words on their faces..
Meng Yi, watching from the side, clenched her fists in jealous..
as the training over..
elder Hua observed quietly. then, she turned to Xing Yue.
"your movements carry the wisdom of the stars," elder Hua said. "but, it's not the ending, there is still more to learn."
Xing Yue nodded her head as answer and bowed her head in respect.
as all the disciples are gathered in line, elder Hua said, "its really a long day today, all are good, don't lose hope on yourselves. as well, don't judge anyone without knowing. we don't know what is under their sleeves. then, the class ends here."
disciples are all wished elder Hua, " thank you elder Hua."
then, the bell rang around the starry academy. all disciples are going to leave the academy. while, they are on their way to leave, Meng Yi pulled Xing Yue back.
they both remained in the starry academy..
.