Morning light was thin and cold.
Shadows of locust trees dappled the courtyard.
Behind Xiàng Yuán,
A round-shouldered man in a gray robe stepped forward—
His belly bulging beneath the fabric,
His face full of fat,
Eyes gleaming with a sinister light.
His name: Cáo Jiànyú,
Ranked eightieth on the Hidden Dragon List.
His sleeves still held traces of killing intent.
Below the arena,
A few casual bettors lingered.
Whispers floated—
"Well, that's it.
White Profound just capsized…"
"Heard they tried to fleece the crowd—
Only to get bitten back.
That rumor came from Mr. Knows-It-All."
Cáo Jiànyú's fat eyes narrowed.
He stepped forward suddenly.
The nearby spectators shrank back,
Falling silent.
He snorted,
Slapped Xiàng Yuán's shoulder with a meaty hand.
His voice was low,
But rumbled like muffled thunder—
"White Profound sets the game.
You ants don't get to chirp."
"If you want answers,
Ask if Cáo Jiànyú agrees first."
The crowd fell into hushed silence.
Xiǎo Chén tilted his head,
A cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He asked sideways—
"Who's this lump?"
Shī Tóngbǎi quickly leaned in,
Muttering—
"Cáo Jiànyú—ranked eightieth.
Nickname: Grease Ghost.
Half under White Profound's banner,
Half skimming profits for himself…"
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow.
He tapped the Dragon Soul Spear lightly against the ground.
The sound wasn't loud—
But to those listening,
It cracked like ice.
"So you're Cáo Jiànyú, huh?"
"A proper White Profound name on the list—
And you're here to scare people and dodge payouts?"
"Did you mistake the prize pool for your personal stash?"
Cáo Jiànyú's face darkened.
His eyes spun,
Then he let out a cold laugh—
"Personal stash?
Kid, don't think winning one match
Gives you the right to mouth off in front of me—"
Xiǎo Chén didn't bother with the rest.
He raised his spear,
Pointed directly at the bags of spirit crystals—
"Yes or no?"
"If not,
Don't wave White Profound's name around."
"Tomorrow,
People might stop believing you even belong on the list."
That line
Locked the gaze of every lingering bettor.
Cáo Jiànyú's lips twitched.
Killing intent flickered.
But in the end,
He gritted his teeth—
"…Fine.
You little brat.
You win this round."
He waved a fat hand.
His underlings hauled the heavy crystal bags to the stone steps,
Tossing them down with muttered curses—
"Not a coin short.
Happy now?"
Shī Tóngbǎi watched with gleaming eyes,
Barely holding back laughter.
He quickly tucked the betting slips into his robe,
Calling the crowd over to verify the payout.
Cáo Jiànyú squinted at Xiǎo Chén,
Ran a greasy hand across his belly,
And sneered—
"…This debt's noted.
We'll settle it later."
Xiǎo Chén tapped his Dragon Soul Spear,
Dragging its tail across the ground—
A thin line etched into the dust.
Like slicing open a festering boil—
But leaving it unsealed.
—
The midday sun had yet to rise.
The corridor wind was heavy.
Crystal dust still marked the stone steps.
Xiǎo Chén, Xuán Chén, and Shī Tóngbǎi
Walked the path back to their dorms.
Fallen leaves clung to their feet.
Shī Tóngbǎi gestured animatedly,
About to spill intel on Silver Mirror's inner workings—
When a shadow crossed their path.
Half-hidden behind a gray pillar,
A broad-shouldered figure stood.
A lion crest glinted on his shoulder.
Black hair hung to his shoulders.
His brow was wide—
Like a beast crouched in shadow,
Not yet roaring.
Xiǎo Chén caught sight of him,
Raised a brow,
And asked Xuán Chén quietly—
"Know him?"
Xuán Chén said nothing.
He tapped his talisman sand,
Then nudged his chin toward the side.
Shī Tóngbǎi leaned in,
Face serious,
Voice leaking like a draft—
"That's the real lion.
Teeth out."
"White Shī—head of White Profound Society."
"Ranked seventh on the Hidden Dragon List.
Meridian Mark complete.
Real spear, real blade—he bites."
"Rumor says he climbed up with fists alone.
No tricks.
All grit."
Xiǎo Chén curled his lip,
Hoisted his spear to his shoulder.
Xuán Chén flicked his fingers,
Eyes like ice.
Xiǎo Chén glanced over,
Snorted—
"Head of White Profound,
And this is how you greet people?
Blocking the path?"
Bái Shī
stepped slowly from the shadows.
His footfall snapped a dry branch hanging from the eaves.
He stopped two paces away,
Eyes never touching Shī Tóngbǎi—
Only raised a finger,
Pointing twice—
"Xiǎo Chén, Xuán Chén."
Shī Tóngbǎi flinched,
Shrank his neck,
And whispered—
"Uh… senior brothers, I'll just… go finish my registration…"
He vanished into the crowd.
Xuán Chén met Bái Shī's gaze without fear,
His voice calm—
"What does the White Profound leader want with us?"
Bái Shī folded his arms,
Lion crest flickering faintly.
His tone was flat—
Like stone pressing against wind.
"That was a fine arena match.
White Profound didn't lose.
Neither did you."
"That mess with Cáo Jiànyú—
It needed cleaning."
Xiǎo Chén narrowed his eyes—
"If you're not here for Cáo Jiànyú,
Why block our path?"
He flicked his finger,
Tapping the stone step—
The sound like a beast's tooth cracking bone.
"Silver Mirror is watching you.
I'm watching Silver Mirror."
"Now—
Let's make them sweat a little more."
Xuán Chén let out a cold laugh—
"So this is pressure.
You're treating us like blades."
Bái Shī smiled faintly.
His crest gleamed like teeth.
His voice rasped—
"You're walking the path.
I'm just offering advice."
Xiǎo Chén snorted—
"Heh.
The mighty White Lion needs us to wipe his blade?"
Bái Shī tapped his finger again,
Voice like bone being gnawed—
"Not wiping.
Just proposing a collaboration."
"Silver Mirror wants you.
I want Silver Mirror."
"If you want to shake them—
Someone has to grab the blade back."
Xuán Chén let his talisman sand fall silently from his sleeve—
"What do you want us to do?"
Bái Shī lowered his voice.
The lion crest half-hidden in the wind—
"Help me—
Break one of Sītú Jìng's teeth."
"Pull it fast,
And you'll walk far."
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow,
Tapped his spear tail to the ground—
"Walk far,
So we still have a road to walk, right?"
Bái Shī looked at them,
Lion crest like fangs.
He laughed coldly—
"Remove the thorn behind you—
Then raise your blade forward."
"You understand."
With that,
The lion's shadow sank into the stone step's shade,
Without a glance back.
The corridor fell silent.
Only dry leaves turned on the stone,
Crackling softly.
Shī Tóngbǎi
peeked out from behind the gray pillar,
Like a boneless mouse.
He scurried up,
Grinning uncontrollably.
He leaned in,
Whispering—
"That 'pull a tooth' line—
He wants you to peel back Sītú Jìng's mask,
Make Silver Mirror flinch first."
He paused,
Then added—
"Senior brothers,
Everyone says White Profound and Silver Mirror are fire and water—
Neither clean."
"But if you ask me,
Between the two,
Bái Shī is more reliable than Sītú Jìng."
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow—
"Oh? Why's that?"
Shī Tóngbǎi thumped his chest—
"I've been at Ao Tian for years.
Seen all kinds."
"Bái Shī has guts.
No schemes.
Just too loyal to his brothers."
"He's bad at managing his men—
That's why they use White Profound's name to bite people."
"Cáo Jiànyú is a rotten tumor.
But Bái Shī couldn't bear to cut him loose.
That's how this mess grew."
Xuán Chén glanced at him,
Talisman sand sliding silently through his fingers—
"You've got a decent eye.
Seems your years here weren't wasted."
Xiǎo Chén chuckled,
Tapped Shī Tóngbǎi's shoulder with his spear—
"Alright.
Back to the dorm.
Too many ears around."
—
Inside the dorm,
Betting slips lay scattered on the desk.
Shī Tóngbǎi muttered names and numbers,
Sorting who owed what.
Xuán Chén sat by the window,
Tapping the table with his fingers.
Suddenly—
A soft knock at the door.
Xiǎo Chén raised a brow,
Hand on the handle,
Muttering—
"Why's everyone showing up today…
Brother, maybe we need a new sign."
He cracked the door half open,
Brows lifting—
"Who is it—"
Outside the threshold,
A figure stood.
The breeze slipped through the gap.
She wore a deep violet robe,
Gold thread tied at the hem.
Moonlight carved her silhouette like a blade.
Xuānyuán Dié stood a few steps away.
Her posture straight as a spear,
Shoulders sharp and cold.
Black hair swept across her cheek in the wind.
Her eyes locked onto Xiǎo Chén,
Gaze cold as frost.
Her voice was flat—
But carried a force that brooked no refusal—
"Xiǎo Chén."
Xiǎo Chén
felt a jolt in his chest.
Before he could react,
Xuānyuán Dié's voice pressed down—
Cold and sharp—
"Starting today,
After every class,
You come find me."
"I'll teach you how to make that move…
Cut one inch deeper."
"If you dare skip—
Try me."
Before her words finished,
Her gaze flicked to Xuán Chén—
A hunter's glance,
Measuring prey.
"He…"
She paused,
Swallowed the rest,
Then turned back to Xiǎo Chén—
"Remember."
Her violet robe swirled.
She walked a few steps,
Then raised her hand—
Signaling him to follow.
Xiǎo Chén smiled like he'd swallowed a bitter pill,
Hoisted his spear,
And muttered to Xuán Chén—
"Brother…
I'm off to suffer.
Talk later."
Outside,
The wind curled through the corridor.
Xuānyuán Dié's retreating figure
Split the hallway light into two cold shadows.
Xuán Chén looked up,
Watching her lead Xiǎo Chén away.
His lips didn't move,
But his thoughts whispered—
"This wind…
Carries more than one blade."
"Her sword hides in bone.
Her nature—well seen."
—
He closed the door,
Sat down,
Talisman sand circling his fingers.
Just as he reached for tea—
Knock knock.
Shī Tóngbǎi peeked in,
Eyes darting,
Glancing down the corridor before whispering—
"Senior brother…
Bái Shī just left,
But Silver Mirror still has people lurking."
"They don't look friendly…"
Xuán Chén looked up—
"…You've dug into Sītú Jìng yet?"
Shī Tóngbǎi's eyes flicked,
Voice low—
"I've been keeping tabs."
"Word is,
Sītú Jìng holds half of Silver Mirror's ledgers."
"He's got three close aides—
One's an Inner Court steward,
One handles supplies,
One liaises with outsiders…"
"Want me to dig deeper?"
Xuán Chén
fixed his gaze on him,
Flicked his talisman sand,
Voice low—
"…What's your take on Sītú Jìng?"
Shī Tóngbǎi's eyes spun,
He pursed his lips,
Lowered his voice—
"Senior brother,
I've never seen him fight myself…"
"But word inside says—
His mind's like a bone-scraping blade."
"Doesn't talk much,
But every word cuts without bleeding."
"The higher-ups like him
Because he shields the academy."
"The lower ranks fear him
Because he's untouchable."
"There've been whispers—
Anyone who crosses Silver Mirror
Ends up barred from the academy gates."
Xuán Chén lowered his gaze,
Thought for a moment,
Tapped the desk twice.
A chill slowly rose in his chest—
"…No wonder Shī Tóngbǎi says Bái Shī is more reliable."
"This one grips Silver Mirror's fangs—
But never shows his true bone."
His voice rasped,
Almost to himself—
"…But White Profound
Still isn't ready to be trusted."
He looked up again,
Voice calm—
"Clean up what needs cleaning—
White Profound, Silver Mirror…"
"They've both got mouths to shut."
Shī Tóngbǎi shrank his neck,
Grinned nervously—
"Junior—no, senior brothers—don't worry."
"I'll seal those mouths tight."
"Anyone dares bite,
I'll crack their teeth first!"
"This life's yours to use—
Just save me a bone broth when there's meat to chew!"
Xuán Chén's talisman sand slid to the table's edge,
Leaving a faint trace—
A thread of dark sand,
Hidden in the wood grain,
Silent and still.