That day, something very strange happened at Heart of Fire Academy.
The cherry blossom trees within the academy grounds seemed to be reacting to an unseen force, their branches swaying rhythmically even when there was no wind. Petals drifted down in soft waves, only to be replaced moments later as the blossoms bloomed again. It was an unnatural cycle—cherry blossoms bloomed and withered, withered and bloomed again, repeating like a breath that never settled.
Students across Heart of Fire Academy quickly noticed the bizarre phenomenon. What should have been a calm, peaceful scene had turned into something almost surreal, as if the entire courtyard was caught in a strange temporal rhythm. Whispers spread from one group to another, each more confused than the last.
Shui Yue'er stood beneath one of the cherry blossom trees, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She grabbed Shui Bing'er's arm and pointed upward repeatedly, unable to contain her amazement.
"Sister, look, look, it's blooming again, oh, it's blossoming again…"
"This is so magical!"
"Why do the cherry blossoms in the academy wither and bloom again approximately every two hours?"
"What exactly happened?"
"And, Sister, look at the opening and closing of these cherry blossoms, doesn't it look like the fluttering of little butterflies when we're nervous? It's so shy!"
Shui Yue'er lowered her voice as she leaned closer to Shui Bing'er, her cheeks slightly flushed from excitement and wonder.
Shui Bing'er frowned slightly, observing the scene with a more cautious gaze, though even she could not hide her curiosity. The phenomenon was clearly beyond normal explanation.
Meanwhile, concern began to spread among other students.
"Hm? Oh, right… Teacher Xin! Could something have happened to Teacher Xin?!"
"Xiao Wu, do you know how Teacher Xin is doing?"
Several students gathered outside the Heart of Fire Pavilion, their voices filled with worry as they addressed Xiao Wu, who stood guard at the entrance.
Xiao Wu had not closed her eyes for several days and nights. She remained firmly stationed at the pavilion door, her expression tired but unwavering, as if she would not allow even the slightest disturbance.
"I don't know," she replied firmly, though her voice carried fatigue. "But Teacher Xin said that no one is allowed to enter before he comes out."
The students exchanged uneasy glances.
"How many days has it been? There's no movement inside at all. Xiao Wu, aren't you worried whether Teacher Xin and the others succeeded or failed?"
Another student added hesitantly, "Who said there's no movement? Yesterday, I saw from afar that the Heart of Fire Pavilion was shaking slightly!"
"That must be the wind, right?"
"Alright, stop talking. Teacher Xin is doing something very important, and we really can't go in and disturb him."
Xiao Wu's tone was firm, leaving no room for argument, though a trace of worry still lingered in her eyes.
But just then, the atmosphere shifted.
The gate of the Heart of Fire Pavilion suddenly emitted a low humming sound before slowly opening, as if responding to some completed process within.
Everyone immediately turned their attention toward it.
A figure appeared at the doorway—his face strikingly handsome yet visibly exhausted, carrying a faint expression of resignation. There was a strange sense of detachment about him, as though a banished immortal had accidentally fallen into the mortal world. He let out a soft sigh.
"Xiao Wu, take good care of this Ninth-Grade Azure Lotus Rabbit. Nourish it daily with the remaining blood ginseng. When it's used up, go to the flower garden to get more."
"Hm, Nana, after your teacher wakes up, you go and take care of her for a while."
Then, with a weary sigh that seemed to carry the weight of countless unseen struggles, he added, "Alas… Teacher Xin…"
The students' worry deepened instantly.
"Teacher Xin! Are you alright? Are you too tired?"
Xiao Wu's expression darkened as she stepped forward slightly, her voice trembling with suspicion and disbelief.
"Xiao Wu, what exactly is Teacher Xin doing in there with that smelly Supreme Pontiff?!!!"