The next morning dawned with golden light drenching the academy. Birds chirped cautiously near the forest's edge, careful not to stray close to the sacred grounds.
Within the dense forest bordering the academy, something stirred—an enchanting presence, both playful and ancient.
Leaves rustled, and from the depths emerged a girl.
She looked no older than seventeen, with crimson eyes that held endless mischief. Her silver-white hair flowed behind her like silk, and nine furry tails gently swayed behind her. Wearing a short robe stitched with celestial thread and forest vines, she walked barefoot, unbothered by the world's mortal weight.
She was Meiling, a member of the mythical Nine-Tailed Fox Clan—an extinct race... or so people believed.
She stood before the grand gates of Heaven Defying Academy, tilted her head, and giggled. "Interesting… It has awakened again."
A ripple passed through the barrier surrounding the academy, scanning her presence. But instead of denying entry, the gates slowly creaked open welcoming her.
She walked in confidently.
Back at the courtyard, Yuvan was practicing his formations. Rika sparred with Bala under Elder Han's guidance, while Ashwin meditated quietly under the ancient flame tree. The Divine Ranking Board remained silent—no new movements since the clash with Lin Fei.
Then the scent of blooming moonflowers wafted in.
Yuvan looked up and saw her.
"Wha—?"
She stood at the center of the courtyard, her tails lazily flicking through the air. Everyone froze.
Rika blinked. "A fox… girl?"
Meiling waved cheerfully. "Good morning, mortals!"
Ashwin narrowed his eyes. "She broke through the outer array… How?"
Even Elder Han's expression turned serious. "A Nine-Tailed…?"
Meiling's eyes sparkled. "Shhh. Don't call me that. I'm just a simple illusionist~ Here to apply as a student."
Elder Han bowed slightly. "You are too powerful to be a student, Lady Meiling."
Suddenly, a voice echoed from under the tree. Calm, familiar, and slightly amused.
"She is here to learn something she lacks."
Everyone turned.
The young man—Dao Ancestor Dev Yadav in disguise—sat up and looked at Meiling.
"Welcome to Heaven Defying Academy. You may stay, but don't play tricks on your fellow students."
Meiling pouted, "You never let me have fun…"
"You've already seen too many worlds fall from your illusions," he said, eyes briefly flashing with cosmic insight. "Perhaps here, you can create illusions that protect instead of destroy."
Meiling's expression softened, and she bowed. "Understood, Dao Anc— I mean, Teacher."
The students gasped internally.
Teacher?
Ashwin stood up. "She knows him?"
Yuvan whispered, "She's not ordinary… Her aura hides deep karmic scars."
That night, Meiling's name was added to the student registry—Rank Unknown.
No cultivation stage. No battle record. No known Dao.
Yet the Divine Ranking Board shimmered slightly, as if confused.
It couldn't classify her.
Later, as the moon rose high, a few students saw visions in their dreams—illusions of the Dao, realms of origin, and truths of their past lives. When they awoke, some had breakthroughs, some cried, and some simply stared in silence.
Rika murmured, "She… is terrifying."
The academy welcomed yet another unpredictable force.
And at the center of it all, under the ancient tree, the man watched.
"Illusion... may sometimes show reality more clearly than truth itself."