Chapter 6 – Silent Light Under the Night Sky
The dawn sky gently swept across the rooftops of Suotuo Junior Academy, while morning dew clung to the blades of grass in the rear courtyard. Lu Xingchen stood there again, his body half-shrouded in a light mist created by the friction of spirit energy against the cold air.
Several days had passed since he began refining the techniques he had created. Though the initial results showed great potential, many flaws still remained, leaving him dissatisfied. Today, his focus was on Silent Night Step—a movement technique meant to help him traverse the battlefield swiftly and silently.
He closed his eyes, syncing with the rhythm of his breath. His feet began to move slowly along the ground, following the faint trail of light formed by his spirit power. But each step still left behind too much energy residue—too harsh, too obvious. In battle, that could be a fatal flaw.
"This step must be truly invisible. The night makes no sound, and neither should I."
With full concentration, he tried redirecting the flow of his spirit power from his muscles into the soles of his feet, then dampened the friction as he stepped. His movements began to feel lighter. He adjusted his center of gravity, regulated his pace, and formed a new pattern in his mind.
One... two... three steps.
His silhouette shifted quietly, nearly soundless. Even the dry leaves he touched only stirred slightly, as if brushed by a gentle breeze. This time, he managed three perfect steps before the vibration of his energy broke apart again.
"Almost," he muttered.
From a distance, footsteps echoed. Zhan Wu arrived, carrying two pieces of bread and a small thermos filled with warm milk.
"You're training early again?" Zhan Wu asked, sitting on a stone nearby.
Xingchen wiped his sweat, then accepted the bread with a slight smile. "If the night gives me strength, then the morning gives me endurance."
"That sounds wise, but you're clearly exhausted," Zhan Wu teased.
They chuckled softly. Though they had only known each other for a few weeks, Zhan Wu was becoming a close friend. He wasn't the strongest in the class, but his persistence and courage in facing tough training stood out.
"I saw you disappear once during a fight. Was that... Silent Night Step?" Zhan Wu asked, curious.
"Not perfected yet. I'm still leaving traces of spirit energy," Xingchen replied, pointing to the faint glowing footprints he left behind.
Zhan Wu examined the traces. "But if you develop it further… maybe you could move undetected in the middle of battle. Even sneak behind enemies."
"That's the plan," Xingchen said.
Then he pulled out a small journal from his pocket, showing notes about Starlight Arrow, Silent Night Step, and Mist of Nightlight Formation, which was still in the early stages. Zhan Wu read with interest and said:
"If we're ever in a team, I'll take the front line. You sneak around from behind. Let's start practicing that coordination."
Xingchen looked at him for a moment, then nodded. In his heart, he felt glad. Not many people were willing to team up with someone whose techniques were still half-formed. But Zhan Wu was different. He saw potential, not flaws.
In the days that followed, they trained together. Zhan Wu used a short spear, specializing in physical strength and high defense. When he held enemies off with his Quaking Stone Spear, Xingchen would launch his Starlight Arrow from within the mist.
But the arrow was still weak. It wasn't strong enough to break full defense. So Xingchen tried increasing the spirit pressure during formation.
In the indoor training room, Xingchen focused. He created a swirl of light in his palm, then compressed more spirit power into the projectile form.
"Starlight Arrow—Version Two."
He released the arrow. This time, upon striking the wooden target, it not only scratched but left a small crack.
"Better," he murmured.
But not enough. He knew battle wasn't just about techniques. He needed complete understanding of the energy flow within his body.
At night, Xingchen sat under a large tree behind the academy. He gazed at the stars, then closed his eyes, entering deep meditation.
In that state, he imagined the stars as nodes of energy. He tried aligning his acupuncture points with the pattern of the night sky. His spirit power flowed faster. Gradually, he began to feel a growth of strength from within.
A few hours later, his body trembled slightly. He opened his eyes—a gentle aura enveloped him. His breathing was steady, calm.
"Level sixteen…" he whispered.
That meant he had surpassed most students his age. But Xingchen knew this was just the beginning. His goal wasn't to be the top among students, but to make the Crowned Star Deer a power feared across the continent.
A few days later, they trained in a team formation with three other students: Mei Yun, who possessed the Snow Petal spirit; Qing Fei, an element user with control over wind; and Yao Han, a long-range archer.
During team simulation, they planned their strategy:
Zhan Wu would take the frontline, drawing enemy attention.
Mei Yun would act as healer support.
Qing Fei would generate wind pressure to disrupt enemy formation.
Xingchen would become the silent attacker, moving through mist and darkness.
Yao Han would attack from long range, tracking Xingchen's mist trail.
Xingchen stood at the center of the group and said, "My mist isn't stable yet. But if Qing Fei can help direct it toward the enemy, I can move within it."
Qing Fei nodded. "I can guide the wind. Let's try tomorrow."
These formation drills made Xingchen realize—his personal techniques would become stronger when combined with his teammates'. He began noting down Qing Fei's wind flow, Zhan Wu's spear reach, and Yao Han's attack range.
On the final night of training that week, he completed a new version of Silent Night Step. He added a small twist to his ankle movement, creating a spiral of spirit power that absorbed surrounding sound.
This time, he managed to step seven times without detection—not even by Yao Han, known for his sharp vision.
"Amazing, you're like a shadow," said Mei Yun, eyes wide.
Xingchen only smiled faintly, then looked up. The stars shone brighter that night, as if witnessing his quiet journey.
And in the stillness of the following night, while all the students were asleep, Lu Xingchen remained seated under the moonlight.
Silent Night Step, Starlight Arrow, Mist of Nightlight, Star Resonance—none of them were perfect. But he knew every quiet step he took today was a star's trace that would one day form his own night sky.
Yet beneath that serenity, Lu Xingchen's heart was never truly at peace. He knew strength wasn't just about techniques and training. In this world of spirits, power also meant choice, courage, and responsibility.
That night, before bed, he wrote a short note in his journal:
"Zhan Wu, the stubborn shield. Qing Fei, the gentle yet sharp wind. Mei Yun, the quiet light. Yao Han, the arrow in the shadows. They're not just teammates. They'll be the pillars of my journey."
Lu Xingchen closed the journal, looking once more at the sky. The stars continued to flicker, as if answering his silent call. In his heart, he vowed: to keep moving forward—not just for himself, but for those who believed in him on this path.
Tomorrow, training would be even tougher. But tonight, he fell asleep with a small smile. Because now, his steps were no longer alone.