Lin Fei lay in the guest quarters of the Longevity Hall for two days before the rampaging spiritual energy within his body finally stabilized.
Now he could get out of bed. Stretching his limbs, he felt light and refreshed, as if every meridian and acupoint in his body had been completely opened. There was no trace of obstruction left. His spiritual energy flowed with perfect ease, and the qi within his dantian circulated endlessly, as though he possessed inexhaustible strength.
Shen Jingnian pushed open the door and saw that he was already up. "Lin Fei, feeling better?"
"Yes, Headmaster, much better," Lin Fei replied.
Shen Jingnian stepped forward, took his wrist, and checked his pulse. A meaningful look appeared in his eyes. "You've truly turned misfortune into fortune."
"Headmaster, what do you mean?"
"Do you realize that you've already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm?"
"What?!" Lin Fei stared at his own hands in disbelief.
"It seems the Spring of Eternal Youth was exceptionally effective for you," Shen Jingnian said with a smile. "Others must refine their qi to perfection before their meridians fully open. You, on the other hand—one cup of water and a dip in the spring, and the entire process is complete."
"Then… does that mean I'm at the same level as Senior Brother Liu and Senior Brother Fang? Can I learn more powerful arcane arts now?"
Shen Jingnian nodded but said no more. He simply turned and walked toward the door. "Go freshen up. We'll gather at the main hall shortly. I'll take you to Yunze Academy—the others have already gone ahead."
Lin Fei quickly washed up and changed into clean clothes. Leaving the corridor of the Longevity Hall, he followed the guidance of the Longevity Guards and arrived at the entrance of the main hall. Shen Jingnian and Shen Lan were already there, conversing. Behind them, the shallow pools reflected shifting light across the hall.
"Lin Fei, come here," Shen Jingnian called.
Lin Fei stepped forward. Shen Lan had been watching him the entire time. As he approached, she suddenly reached out and took his wrist. Lin Fei didn't dare move. Her touch was warm, and an unusual heat seemed to seep into him through his skin.
After a moment, she released him, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
"Incredible…" she murmured to herself, then turned to Shen Jingnian. "Brother Yun, what exactly is this child's background? To have his cultivation rise through the Spring of Eternal Youth…"
Shen Jingnian gave a wry smile. "He's an orphan, born with full affinity for the wood element. Perhaps the Spring stimulated his wood-aligned spiritual energy, allowing such rapid advancement."
"An orphan?" Shen Lan snorted softly. "A Foundation Establishment Realm at not even twelve years old—I cannot find another like him in all of Yunmeng."
Shen Jingnian did not respond. He simply cupped his hands. "Lan'er, it's getting late. I should take him to Yunze Academy. We can speak more later."
Shen Lan nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on Lin Fei for a brief moment before she turned and left.
Lin Fei followed Shen Jingnian out of the Longevity Hall to the docking platform outside.
Shen Jingnian formed a hand seal. A streak of light flew from his sleeve and landed on the water, transforming into a massive white crane several zhang in length. Its body was pure white, with black markings on its crown and wing tips. Its beak was hooked, its eyes like red jade. Standing in the water, it was taller than a small boat, radiating a faint spiritual glow.
"Get on."
Shen Jingnian leapt lightly onto the crane's back.
Lin Fei quickly followed, grabbing his hand to climb up. The crane's feathers were soft and warm, like sitting on a cloud.
With a soft command, the crane spread its wings—spanning several zhang—and rose steadily into the air, stirring a gentle wind.
Lin Fei held tightly as he looked down. Yunsheng City shrank beneath them. Eight main waterways spread outward from the Longevity Hall at the center, interwoven with countless canals and buildings, forming a massive pattern resembling a Bagua array upon the water.
Before long, they reached Mirror Lake once more. Below, the lotus fields and open water were clearly divided—vast stretches of green lotus leaves covering the surface, while the clear lake reflected the blue sky and drifting clouds. They flew northeast along the lake. The lotus fields gradually faded from view, replaced by a cluster of islands to the north.
Some islands were covered with elegant academies of white walls and dark tiles. Others held medicinal fields and rustic huts, arranged harmoniously like a secluded paradise.
The white crane descended slowly, landing in the plaza of the largest island at the center. Around the plaza stood buildings with a distinct Jiangnan style—curved eaves, white walls, dark tiles. Students in blue-and-white uniforms paused to watch curiously as Lin Fei and Shen Jingnian dismounted.
A woman in green robes stepped out from the main hall of the academy. She appeared around thirty, with delicate features and a scholarly air—none other than Feng Heng, the head of Yunze Academy.
"Headmaster Shen, you've had a long journey," Feng Heng greeted with a slight bow.
Shen Jingnian returned the gesture. "Headmistress Feng, you're too kind. This is Lin Fei. He had a small incident a few days ago, so I'm only bringing him now."
Lin Fei bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Headmistress Feng."
"No need for formality," Feng Heng said, her gaze resting on him as she sized him up before nodding. "The Sovereign has already informed me. Please, come with me."
Under the curious gazes of the academy's students, Feng Heng led them across the plaza, past the main hall, and into a quiet rear courtyard.
The main room was a tea chamber, simple yet elegant. A pot of tea steamed gently on the table, its fragrance blending with the fresh scent of the surrounding greenery.
"Please, have a seat," Feng Heng gestured.
Shen Jingnian sat down after a polite exchange. Lin Fei stood beside him, listening quietly as they spoke—mostly about teaching philosophies and courteous formalities. He couldn't join in, so he simply listened patiently.
After a few cups of tea, a knock sounded at the door.
Feng Heng set down her cup. "Qingshuang, come in."
Soft footsteps approached as a young girl entered.
She wore a blue-and-white dress, her long hair tied into a high ponytail with a white ribbon trailing to her waist. Oval face, distant brows, and lightly tinted lips—her beauty was cold and refined. As she entered, her gaze briefly passed over Lin Fei without pause.
Lin Fei recognized her immediately—she was the girl he had seen among the lotus fields.
"Headmaster Shen, this is a student of our academy—Shen Qingshuang," Feng Heng introduced.
Shen Qingshuang bowed slightly. "Greetings, Headmaster Shen."
Shen Jingnian looked at her, his expression softening. "You are Mengli's daughter?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Your mother… is she well?" he asked, hesitating.
"I have never met my mother," Shen Qingshuang said calmly. "I was raised by my grandmother."
"…I see." A trace of bitterness crossed Shen Jingnian's face, but he said no more.
Sensing the awkwardness, Feng Heng quickly spoke. "Qingshuang, take Lin Fei to Guanlan Island. The other students from Jumu Academy are staying there."
Shen Qingshuang bowed slightly. "Understood."
She turned to Lin Fei. "Please follow me."
Without waiting, she walked out of the courtyard at an unhurried pace. Lin Fei quickly followed.
They walked one after the other through the academy. Along the way, many students greeted Shen Qingshuang respectfully.
"Senior Sister Shen."
"Junior Sister Shen, out today?"
She merely nodded slightly, rarely even glancing at them. She walked at a steady pace, always maintaining a small distance from Lin Fei—as if an invisible barrier separated them.
Lin Fei followed behind, wanting to speak several times, yet unsure what to say.
They soon left the academy and arrived at the island's shore. A stretch of reeds swayed gently in the breeze, rustling softly. Through the thinner patches, a simple wooden dock extended into the water, where several small boats drifted quietly.
Shen Qingshuang untied one of the boats and leapt aboard lightly, steadying it with a bamboo pole.
"Come up," she said calmly.
Lin Fei jumped on. The boat rocked, and he nearly stumbled, quickly grabbing the edge for balance. Shen Qingshuang didn't look at him. With a gentle push of the pole, the boat drifted away from the shore.
The water was calm as a mirror, reflecting the sky. A white egret startled from the reeds and soared into the blue above. Shen Qingshuang stood at the bow, silent, her white dress fluttering softly in the breeze like willow branches in the wind.
Lin Fei sat at the stern, watching her profile. After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke.
"Senior Sister Shen."
She did not turn. "Mm," she replied faintly.
"I'm new here and unfamiliar with everything," Lin Fei said. "May I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Are all these islands part of Yunze Academy?"
"Yes."
"Do they each have names?"
She was silent for a moment before answering one by one. "Where we started is Yunlan. That one is Bibo. Ahead is Guanlan. There are two more—Qiyun and Taohua."
Lin Fei memorized them, then asked, "Are you the granddaughter of the Sovereign of Yunmeng?"
She did not answer. Her expression grew slightly colder.
Lin Fei did not press further.
The boat drifted steadily forward, approaching another island. Dense bamboo groves covered it, with a few houses faintly visible within.
The boat docked gently. Shen Qingshuang stepped ashore and tied the rope. Lin Fei followed, about to thank her when she turned to leave.
"Senior Sister Shen," he called.
"Mm?" She looked back.
"How old are you?"
Her bamboo pole paused briefly on the water.
After a moment of silence, she replied calmly—
"Thirteen."