The night dissolved, giving way to a morning where the corridors of Fukun Xueyuan hummed once more with the chatter of disciples. The early sun rays breathed life into the surroundings; birds took flight from their nests, and cotton-like clouds drifted lazily across the azure sky.

  Yung Ke entered the library, but her steps faltered when she saw the Grandmaster’s usual seat empty. Searching the hall, she spotted Grandmaster Kang Jue standing at the main gate, as immovable as a mountain. His eyes were fixed intently on the horizon beyond the gates. Yung Ke approached him, sensing an eerie, profound silence.

  "Master," she spoke softly. "In what deep peace are you immersed? What is it that has kept you standing here since yesterday?"

  The Grandmaster exhaled slowly, his voice carrying an innate dignity.

  "Disciple, when the season for a tree to bloom arrives, the buds open of their own accord. But those that bloom too early or too late fail to bear fruit. My only concern is that the flowers might bloom once the season has passed, rendering them meaningless."

  Yung Ke lowered her gaze toward Jun Wan’s chamber and smiled.

  "Master, you taught me not to worry about an event until it unfolds. Then why do you trouble yourself so, Great Master?"

  Before the Grandmaster could respond, Gu Zong and Han Wuang shi appeared in the distance. A faint smile touched the Grandmaster’s lips, and Yung Ke understood.

  Gu Zong walked ahead, looking visibly irritated, with the little black rabbit following him in tiny, rhythmic hops. However, as they neared, the Grandmaster’s brows knitted together. He sensed something discordant and extraordinary within Gu Zong. Before he could react, the two boys bowed respectfully and entered the academy to join their classes. The Grandmaster remained frozen; what he had felt surpassed all his expectations, yet he remained silent.

  Time passed. The first lecture concluded, and students poured out, exhausted.

  "The Grandmaster gives such long speeches; I was falling asleep!" one complained. Similar whispers echoed through the hall.

  At the tail end of the crowd, Jun Wan emerged, firmly twisting Gu Zong’s ear. Gu Zong writhed in her grip, while Zhuang Hue followed behind, relishing the moment.

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  "Brother, you deserve this!" Zhuang Hue teased. "Where did you run off to? We thought you’d gone to burn down a clan or something!"

  Jun Wan turned her scolding gaze on him. "You keep quiet! You’re becoming as mischievous as Zao. And Zao... if you run away again, I’ll tie you to Han Wuang shi!"

  Gu Zong puffed out his cheeks.

  "Eldest Sister, don't even mention his name. That 'Cold Statue' only knows how to walk and breathe. By tying me to him, do you wish to turn me into a block of stone as well?"

  Just then, Han Wuang shi approached along with Han Lao fang and Han zao shi. Zhuang Hue gestured for Gu Zong to be silent, but Gu Zong ignored Jun Wan’s reaching hand and vanished from the scene.

  Days turned into a week. Gu Zong and Han Wuang shi walked the same paths but were never truly 'together.' They attended the same lectures, yet an invisible wall stood between them. Meanwhile, a metaphorical poison began to seep into the air slowly, silently.

  Gu Zong felt a strange restlessness, a hollow void growing within him. He tried to combat it through meditation. Their shared chamber was divided into two halves; in his section, Gu Zong sat in a meditative trance, yet peace eluded him. In the other half, Han Wuang shi sat quietly with his books.

  One evening, Gu Zong sat by a table where a soul-soothing incense stick burned, yet it had no effect. Suddenly, a copper-tasting warmth filled his mouth. To his horror, blood began to flow from his lips. He touched his chin, his fingers coming away stained crimson.

  Wuang shi saw this. Without a word, he stood up, moved toward Gu Zong, and formed a spiritual seal with his hand. A stream of pure energy surged into Gu Zong’s body. Gu Zong gasped, his trembling frame stabilizing under the influx of light.

  As Wuang shi turned to leave, Gu Zong’s voice cracked: "Wait. No one... no one must know about this."

  Wuang shi paused, gave him a lingering look, and returned to his desk. He said nothing, but his eyes grew misty, and his usually stoic expression softened into one of hidden sorrow.

  Four days later, a special guest arrived at Fukun Xueyuan Master Suo Jing, a renowned expert in medicine and architecture. He was accompanied by Han Juan hao, Ruie gaojun, and Hun zang.

  As they entered the courtyard, all eyes turned toward them. When Gu Zong and Han Wuang shi spotted Han Juan hao, their eyes burned with a suppressed fury.

  Jun Wan, standing beside Gu Zong, reached out to straighten his hair, a silent gesture to calm the storm brewing inside him. Wuang shi watched this tender moment from a distance. Gu Zong looked at Jun Wan and gave her a sweet, fleeting smile.

  Zhuang Hue, observing this entire web of emotions, felt his eyes fill with tears. Han Lao fang noticed Zhuang Hue’s distress and clenched his fists tightly. Meanwhile, a sharp, crooked smirk played on Hanzhaoshi’s lips a look that Han Juan hao acknowledged from afar with a knowing glance.

  Suddenly, Grandmaster Kang Jue’s voice thundered across the courtyard:

  "Listen, everyone! Today, you shall begin a journey to Taylin Peak. Pack your essentials. Your next trial will take place there. Only after passing this test will you truly earn the right to be called disciples of Fukun Xueyuan!"

  The students murmured with a mix of excitement and weariness, a few smiles breaking out. But amidst the chatter, several faces remained deathly still, hidden behind masks of calm as the journey toward their destiny and the impending disaster began.