Chapter 12 : Steps Toward the Spirit Guidance Department
Ji Lin let out a slow sigh before finally speaking.
All right.
His voice remained calm.
This is very good.
The instant the words left his mouth, he raised both hands without hesitation.
His fingers moved rapidly.
One hand seal after another formed between them in flawless succession.
The movements were smooth.
Precise.
As though every motion had already been completed countless times within his mind before this very moment.
Then, in the next instant—
Several bursts of smoke exploded around him.
The smoke surged outward all at once, rolling through the air before slowly spreading across the surroundings.
And from within that smoke—
Several figures appeared.
Exact copies of Ji Lin.
Every face.
Every posture.
Every detail was identical.
They stood silently in place.
At that moment, Mu En's eyes widened abruptly.
The calm expression he always maintained finally cracked.
Even the composure in his gaze trembled slightly.
He stared directly at the scene before him as though unable to accept what he was seeing.
Then his lips moved slowly.
And when he spoke, his voice carried a rare trace of instability.
Young Master… this… you…
Ji Lin merely lifted one hand lightly.
The gesture was casual.
Unhurried.
As though Mu En's shock was not something worth making such a fuss over.
There is no need for all of this.
His tone remained indifferent.
To me, this is only an ordinary technique.
Then he paused briefly and glanced toward the clones surrounding him.
They stood quietly in place.
Their expressions were calm.
Their bodies carried clear readiness.
Ji Lin's gaze lingered on them for a moment before returning to Mu En.
Very well, Mu En.
These clones will remain here and continue training.
As for me…
A faint light flickered through his eyes.
I will begin training in soul tool crafting.
He looked directly at Mu En as he continued speaking in a steady voice.
So enroll me in the Spirit Guidance Department.
I want to become a soul tool engineer.
Then, without the slightest hesitation, he added, And because of that, Mu En, let us head there immediately.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
And remember this well.
I want the best teachers.
And the best resources.
Mu En immediately bowed his head.
By now, the shock on his face had already disappeared completely, replaced once more by his usual calmness.
As you wish, Young Master.
Without wasting another second, he turned around directly and began walking toward the Spirit Guidance Department.
Ji Lin followed beside him without delay.
Their footsteps were steady.
Fast.
Neither of them wasted time on meaningless conversation.
They soon left the dormitory courtyard behind and crossed the road leading toward the Spirit Guidance Department.
At that hour, the academy remained relatively quiet.
Occasionally, students passed by in the distance.
Soft footsteps and faint conversations echoed lightly between the buildings.
Yet Ji Lin paid no attention to any of it.
He simply continued forward.
His gaze fixed straight ahead without wavering.
Only a few minutes later, they arrived at the Spirit Guidance Department.
Mu En walked directly toward Fan Yu's location.
The search did not take long.
Inside one of the offices, Fan Yu stood together with He Caitou.
The two appeared deeply focused on a discussion.
Papers and soul tool components were scattered across the table between them.
When Mu En approached, Fan Yu immediately lifted his gaze.
A brief silence settled over the room.
Mu En looked at him calmly before speaking.
Fan Yu.
This is my disciple.
I brought him here because he wishes to join your department.
From today onward, you will personally supervise him.
And you are to provide him with every resource the Spirit Guidance Department can offer.
Then Mu En's gaze sharpened slightly.
His voice lowered.
So, Fan Yu…
I am entrusting my disciple to you.
And I trust you will not disappoint me.
At those words, Fan Yu's eyes shifted toward Ji Lin.
He observed him carefully from head to toe.
Calmly.
Silently.
A clear trace of scrutiny hidden within his gaze.
Meanwhile, Ji Lin stood motionless with his hands behind his back, meeting Fan Yu's stare without the slightest change in expression.
After a moment, Fan Yu finally looked back toward Mu En.
His expression settled completely.
Very well, Elder Mu.
There is no need to worry.
I will take good care of him.
He paused briefly before speaking the final words with certainty.
I promise.
And with that, a new chapter of Ji Lin's life began within the Spirit Guidance Department.
The next morning, Ji Lin and Wang Dong'er walked side by side through the academy.
Soft morning light spread quietly across the long corridors and wide courtyards, covering the surroundings in a gentle golden glow.
A cool breeze drifted through the trees, carrying the faint scent of damp flowers.
From the distance came the quiet echoes of students' voices, scattered like broken whispers that blended naturally into the peaceful atmosphere without disturbing it.
Wang Dong'er walked with steady steps beside Ji Lin.
From time to time, his gaze shifted toward the students passing nearby before returning to the road ahead.
As for Ji Lin, he remained calm as always.
His expression did not change.
His eyes stayed steady and indifferent, as though nothing around him was worthy of drawing his attention for even a moment.
But then—
As they continued forward, a figure appeared ahead of them.
And in that instant, the entire scene seemed to slow.
At the far end of the corridor, beneath soft golden light filtering through the branches above, stood a girl whose presence dominated the surroundings without the need for any deliberate action.
She stood tall and slender.
Elegant.
Still.
Yet even within that stillness, an unmistakable aura of authority radiated from her naturally.
Her long crimson hair flowed behind her like burning silk.
The shining strands swayed gently in the wind, intertwining with drifting pink petals that slowly descended from above.
For a moment, it almost seemed as though the air itself had stopped moving just to admire the scene surrounding her.
Several loose strands fell across the front of her face, deepening the mystery in her appearance.
A dark veil covered the lower half of her face, hiding her features beneath it and leaving only her eyes visible.
Sharp.
Quiet.
Cold.
A gaze impossible to ignore.
The outfit embracing her figure was elegant and perfectly fitted, colored in a deep crimson shade that emphasized her grace and balance with almost unnatural perfection.
At her waist extended golden-orange ornaments resembling fiery feathers or blooming leaves, adding a luxurious brilliance to her appearance that made her stand out even further.
The lower part of her dress flowed downward in layered folds that gradually shifted from crimson into pale pink.
Its edges were torn delicately like flower petals.
And when the fabric moved with the wind, it looked as though she carried the shadow of an entire crimson spring behind her wherever she walked.
Around her, flower petals drifted endlessly through the air alongside faint shimmering lights.
At the edges of the corridor, blooming roses seemed to appear naturally as though the scene itself was responding to her existence.
Even the nearby students unconsciously lowered their voices.
The surrounding gazes turned toward her in instinctive silence.
As though her presence alone was enough to make the entire corridor fall quiet.