2 chapters will be uploaded on daily basis i.e. 14 Chapters will be uploaded every week apart from the bonus chapters.
1 Bonus Chapter will be uploaded for every 50 Power Stones or 1000 Collections.
All interested readers can read advanced chapters on: Free Members of Patreon can read 10 Chapters ahead of Webnovel for FREE.
[email protected]/Kingdom_Of_Ink
×××××××××××××××
The night was as dark as ink, and the bright moonlight streamed through the dome of the Ni Tai Training Field, casting a silvery glow on the ground.
Feng Xiao quietly watched the familiar figure standing under the moonlight; although he had seen her thousands of times, his heart still rippled.
He slowly walked forward and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind.
The person in his arms had golden hair like a waterfall, shimmering with a soft luster under the moonlight, and her familiar subtle fragrance lingered at his nose.
Feng Xiao rested his chin on her shoulder, feeling their body temperatures intertwine.
Qian Renxue leaned gently against Feng Xiao's chest, her slender fingers unconsciously intertwining with a strand of his hair.
The two embraced quietly like this, letting the moonlight flow over them, as if even time had become gentle.
After an unknown amount of time, Feng Xiao suddenly chuckled and feigned surprise, saying, "Today's Xue'er is exceptionally generous."
Qian Renxue looked up, her exquisite face and golden eyes slightly wide. "In your heart, am I such a jealous person?"
Feng Xiao lowered his head and leaned close to her ear, his warm breath caressing her sensitive earlobe. "Of course not."
His voice was filled with an unyielding fondness. "It's just that Xue'er's jealous look," he said, his fingertips gently caressing her flushed cheek, "makes me truly feel that I am loved."
"Smooth talker." Qian Renxue turned her face away, but could not hide the curve of her lips. "The noble etiquette and worldly wisdom Moon Pavilion taught you, you've used them all to coax me."
Qian Renxue gracefully turned in Feng Xiao's arms, her gilded long hair tracing a beautiful arc under the moonlight.
She clenched her slender fist and lightly, yet firmly, punched Feng Xiao's chest, just enough force to slightly indent the muscle beneath his clothes.
"Now," she lifted her exquisite chin, a cunning glint in her golden eyes, "it's time for you to report your results."
Her fingertips slowly moved up Feng Xiao's lapel, finally resting on his lips. "The jealousy I've felt this past month, I must collect some interest."
Feng Xiao gently stroked Qian Renxue's waterfall-like golden hair, his voice as soft as the night wind. "That old fox, Ning Fengzhi, naturally won't easily show his stance in front of outsiders.
However," he gently drew circles on her shoulder, "I can feel that he is already tempted.
As for how far it can go, that depends on fate."
After a pause, he added, "Actually, Supreme Pontiff's strategy is not without reason.
If we eliminate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School with a thunderous force, it can both deter various forces and unleash Spirit Hall's war potential, paving the way for future great endeavors."
Before he finished speaking, Qian Renxue suddenly straightened up, two small flames igniting in her golden eyes. "Whose side are you on?"
Her slender finger poked Feng Xiao's chest. "You're not allowed to speak for that woman!"
Feng Xiao caught her restless hand and kissed her palm. "I will, of course, always be on Xue'er's side."
His voice was gentle yet firm. "It's just… there might be a misunderstanding between you two."
His fingertips gently caressed her tense back. "If she were truly as unbearable as you think, why would Grandfather Qian entrust her with the position of Supreme Pontiff?"
The moonlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the embracing couple.
Feng Xiao's reassurance gradually relaxed Qian Renxue, but her slightly furrowed brows still showed her unwillingness to yield.
Qian Renxue gazed at Feng Xiao, complex emotions surging in her brilliant golden eyes.
She certainly understood these principles, but whenever she thought of Bibi Dong's cold gaze directed at her, her chest felt a piercing pain as if slashed by a sharp blade—what kind of reason could make a mother so heartless towards her own flesh and blood?
"I don't care," she turned her face away, her voice carrying a rare stubbornness, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, "in short, you are not allowed to defend her."
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about her." Feng Xiao smiled dotingly, his fingertips gently brushing Qian Renxue's slightly reddened eye corners.
He now understood—how could Qian Renxue not know that Bibi Dong might have her difficulties? It was just that she could not choose to forgive; the matter between mother and daughter, after all, was something Bibi Dong owed her.
He pulled Qian Renxue closer into his embrace, feeling her slightly trembling body.
Some wounds could not be healed by reason.
Until Bibi Dong personally gave an explanation, this proud girl would never easily compromise.
Qian Renxue's fingertips lightly wrapped around a strand of Feng Xiao's hair, skillfully changing the subject. "Based on your understanding of Ning Fengzhi, how far will he go in the end?"
Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly. "Are you so sure he will choose Spirit Hall?"
"I've been undercover by his side for many years, so naturally, I understand School Master Ning better than others." Qian Renxue's lips curved into a confident smile, her golden eyes sparkling with insight.
"Since even you can sense his wavering heart…" Her slender fingertips traced Feng Xiao's palm, "with the financial resources of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, what they lack least is the confidence to experiment."
Feng Xiao nodded thoughtfully.
Indeed, if wealthy people realize the value of something—once they identify the value of something, they often show astonishing generosity.
"If that's the case…" He lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, producing a crisp sound, "Ning Fengzhi will most likely choose a gradual approach.
It's unrealistic for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to directly submit, but gradually giving concessions to stabilize Spirit Hall is very possible."
A glint flashed in Feng Xiao's eyes. "As for how much they give up, that will depend on School Master Ning's negotiation skills."
Qian Renxue understood and lightly pursed her lips, her gilded long hair shimmering under the candlelight. "That's the nature of merchants, always has been.
Ask for the moon, then settle for the stars."
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy is opening tomorrow." Qian Renxue leaned on Feng Xiao's shoulder and softly stated her plan. "The imperial family plans to recruit a batch of instrument Tool Spirit Master talents, and they want to invite you to be a mentor.
What do you think?"
Feng Xiao played with a strand of her golden hair, smiling casually. "It's the same whether you herd one sheep or a flock.
If someone can comprehend, I wouldn't mind teaching."
He paused. "However… I'm only responsible for playing, not for answering questions."
"That's enough." Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction. "The academy has no shortage of Spirit Master theory teachers.
Your approach is also very simple…" She lightly tapped Feng Xiao's chest. "How far one can go depends on 'comprehension'."
Suddenly, she smiled slyly. "Since that's the case, you're also invited to perform a piece at tomorrow's opening ceremony."
"As you command…" Feng Xiao gently agreed, but then suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "However… how much do you plan to pay me, Xue'er?"
His warm breath brushed her sensitive earlobe.
In an instant, a soft touch, like flower petals, fleetingly brushed Feng Xiao's lips.
Qian Renxue had already quickly retreated, her gilded long hair tracing a beautiful arc in the air, only her slightly reddened ear tips betraying her shyness.
Qian Renxue slightly turned her flushed face away, her gilded eyelashes trembling slightly. "It's… time to cultivate." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum, yet carried an undeniable meaning.
Feng Xiao chuckled softly, his fingertips brushing her warm earlobe. "As you command, my Young Master."
As his words fell, not long after, a faint spirit power aura emanated from around both of them, intertwining into a brilliant glow under the moonlight.
The next day, dawn broke.
In front of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, carriages and horses bustled, and the gilded gate shone brightly in the morning sun.
Students in various lavish robes arrived in an endless stream, their conversations filled with youthful vigor.
Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, decorating the entire academy like a celebration.
In the central square of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, colorful flags fluttered and voices buzzed.
On the white marble platform, twelve gilded school flags unfurled in the morning breeze.
Thousands of students stood in neat rows below, their new uniforms gleaming uniformly in the sunlight.
In the VIP section, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, in a moon-white robe, was conversing in a low voice with Ning Fengzhi, occasionally revealing a gentle smile.
Suddenly, a clear and melodious zither sound drifted from the sky.
Everyone looked up and saw Feng Xiao, dressed in white, holding the ancient zither "Fuxi," descending from the sky.
With each step he took, a zither sound resonated, and an invisible force condensed in the void, transforming into an invisible staircase.
Exclamations rose and fell among the student ranks, and young eyes were filled with shock and admiration.
"Tsk tsk, this kid's ability to put on a show is exactly like yours." Gu Rong crossed his arms, winked at Chen Xin beside him, and transmitted his voice: "You step on sword qi, he steps on sound blades, both are just flashy tricks."
Chen Xin heard this, coughed lightly with his fist to his lips, and a rare hint of embarrassment flashed across his usually stern face.
Feng Xiao's robes fluttered, and he descended gracefully like an immortal onto the center of the ceremonial stage.
He elegantly flicked his sleeve and sat down, his slender fingers hovering above the zither strings.
"Zheng—"
With a gentle pluck of his fingertip, a clear zither sound rippled out.
In an instant, the entire square fell silent, as if even the wind had stilled.
All the students unconsciously held their breath, as if their minds had been captivated by this zither sound.
Feng Xiao's fingertips lightly plucked and strummed, and the melodious zither music flowed out like a clear spring.
He slowly closed his eyes, yet the World around him became increasingly clear in his mind—every trace of wind, every tremor of a leaf, transformed into invisible Context, slowly unfolding in his heart.
As the zither music reached its climax, a miraculous scene appeared:
Birds from all directions flew in, gathering like pilgrims, circling and singing above the square.
Several nimble kingfishers even boldly landed on Feng Xiao's shoulders, nodding gently with the melody.
At the same time, Blue Silver Grass sprouts emerged from the ground, their slender leaves swaying gracefully with the music, as if performing a natural dance.
Everyone in the audience held their breath in unison, their eyes filled with amazement.
They felt as if they were in a dream, not daring to make even the slightest sound, fearing they might break this miraculous scene.
Ning Fengzhi transmitted his voice to Qian Renxue: "Qinghe, Little Feng's zither skills, I'm afraid even Madam Yue Hua would have to admit inferiority."
Qian Renxue nodded with a smile, but her gaze thoughtfully fell on Ning Rongrong in the front row below the stage.
The young girl was staring intently at the figure on the stage, an unusual glint sparkling in her glazed eyes.
As the last note slowly dissipated into the air, the entire audience remained immersed in the lingering melody, no one daring to break the silence.
It wasn't until the kingfishers reluctantly flapped their wings and departed, and the Blue Silver Grass stopped swaying, that a tide of applause suddenly erupted, thunderous cheers resounding through the clouds.
Feng Xiao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze like flowing starlight.
He gracefully stood up, his robes moving without wind, and turned to face the thousands of students below the stage.
"From today," his clear voice, like the gentle chime of a jade chime, clearly reached everyone's ears, "I, Feng Xiao, will serve as the Instrument Spirit exclusive mentor for Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
His gaze was like a torch, sweeping over every young face below. "The Great Dao is simple; those with affinity…" His fingertips lightly brushed the zither strings, producing a clear trembling sound, "will naturally comprehend its marvels."
This performance pushed the opening ceremony to its peak.
With the lingering sound, everyone seemed to see the infinite possibilities of the Instrument Spirit.
After the ceremony, Feng Xiao, holding "Fuxi," slowly came to the lakeside.
He still sat on the familiar zither platform, his fingertips gently caressing the strings, as if savoring the lingering melody.
Gradually, the zither music resumed, but it was more casual and natural than during the ceremony, flowing like a clear spring, like a gentle breeze.
At this time, the lakeside was already crowded with students, all of them incredibly quiet.
They stood or sat, but their gaze was tightly fixed on Feng Xiao.
Even those aristocratic youths who were usually arrogant couldn't help but show reverence at this moment.
Several students with Instrument Spirits found that their Spirits involuntarily manifested, resonating wonderfully with the zither music.
Even more astonishing was that the light emitted by these Spirits flickered and changed with the rhythm of Feng Xiao's zither music.
Chen Xin and Gu Rong did not leave, but remained hidden in a different dimension, silently observing everything.
Chen Xin's Seven Kill in his hand also trembled involuntarily, as if echoing the profound zither music; Gu Rong, meanwhile, thoughtfully stroked his chin, a sharp glint in his eyes.
Qian Renxue leaned against a carved pillar of the vermilion-lacquered corridor, her gilded folding fan opening and closing leisurely between her slender fingers.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips, and her translucent, glass-like golden eyes shimmered with an unfathomable light.
Sunlight filtered through the Hollow pattern of the fan's ribs, casting dappled shadows on her warm, jade-like face, adding a touch of mysterious charm.
Feng Xiao's eyes were slightly closed, his slender fingers moving fluidly over the zither strings, his entire being seemingly resonating with heaven and earth.
His spirit power transformed into strands of clear light, blending harmoniously with natural spiritual energy, forming a hazy aura around him.
The sun was directly overhead, and the zither music gradually stopped.
Feng Xiao lightly flicked his wide sleeves and slowly stood up.
The lingering sound, however, lingered like wisps of green smoke, refusing to dissipate above the square.
The students snapped back to reality, their gazes towards the zither platform having changed from initial amazement to deep reverence—the realm displayed by this young mentor had already surpassed their imagination.
Ning Rongrong stared blankly at the dreamlike scene before her, a trace of imperceptible loneliness flashing in her beautiful, glazed eyes.
She unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt, a vague sourness rising in her heart—just like when she was a child, and her father gave the snacks that were originally exclusively hers to other children, that feeling of being wronged.
The continuous exclamations around her made her even more annoyed.
What was supposed to be "special guidance" exclusively for her was now being shared by so many people, leaving her heart feeling like it was stuffed with cotton, and she had no desire to practice Heart Separation Control.
This grand spectacle was destined to become a legend passed down for centuries at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
And Feng Xiao's name would surely echo throughout the entire Spirit Master's World, spread by the word of mouth of these witnesses.