Shadows of Doubts

Lingtian Academy, without a doubt, was one of the most exquisite places Zi Qian had ever laid eyes on. Despite its primary purpose as a school for demon hunters, it possessed a beauty that extended beyond its intended objective. Behind their shared dormitory, a pristine cold spring glistened, not meant for bathing, especially in the frigid weather. As snowflakes gently descended, one landed on Zi Qian's head, sending goosebumps throughout his body. Nonetheless, he walked towards the spring amazed by its beauty. Sitting on the edge of the spring, he couldn't help but soliloquize, his voice laced with clear disappointment, "I was not supposed to be here. This is not what I wanted." His gaze fixated on the crescent bright moon and the stars that adorned the night sky and illuminating the surrounding. Innocently, he began to play with the snow, dipping his slender fingers into the cold water. Each touch created ripples on the spring's surface, forming a serene and mesmerizing display. This serenity soothed his wavering kind and he just closed his eyes for some inner peace. However, the piercing cold seemed to seep into his very bones, and in response, he shivered involuntarily. His teeth also chattered and his breath formed misty clouds in the frigid air as he as he clutched his arms around his body, attempting to keep himself warm.

Suddenly, Zi Qian felt something heavy resting on his shoulder, and as he turned, acting on a sudden impulse, he found Wei Yang there. With great care, Wei Yang wrapped a white, thick cloak around Zi Qian, ensuring he would stay warm. "Why are you sitting in the cold with such thin clothes, young master?" Wei Yang inquired, his concern evident in his eyes. Zi Qian was taken aback by the genuine worry etched across Wei Yang's face. It was a reminder of how his actions had often caused concern for those around him. He chuckled softly and replied, "I was just enjoying this beautiful scenery."

Wei Yang, however, remained unwavering, "But young master, you should be careful. Ever since you were a child, you've been sensitive to the cold."

As the cold winds continued to nip at Zi Qian, he sneezed, a clear sign that Wei Yang's worries were not unfounded. " i guess i should have listened to you," he regretted his impulsive decision. With great care and worry, Wei Yang helped Zi Qian to his feet and gently escorted him back to their shared room. Despite Wei Yang's concern, Zi Qian's sneezing persisted. Soon, Wei Yang hurried out of the room, leaving Zi Qian confused by his sudden departure. Peeking toward the adjacent bed, he realized that Shen Xiao Yang was nowhere to be seen. "Where could he have gone at this hour?" Zi Qian wondered, his thoughts briefly interrupted when Wei Yang returned with two bowls in his hands. Surprised, Zi Qian asked, "What's this?" Upon closer examination, he realized that Wei Yang had prepared porridge and soup, to help him combat the cold and avoid falling ill in that chilly night. Happy to see that, Zi Qian gave Wei Yang his rare eye smile and said ," You are indeed the best Wei Yang," Flustered by Zi Qian's comment, Wei Yang's cheeks turned a shade of red, and a soft, heartfelt smile graced his face. He watched with warmth in his eyes as Zi Qian began to devour the nourishing soup and porridge, grateful for his bodyguard's considerate gesture.

While still munching on his food, his mouth stuffed with porridge, Zi Qian couldn't help but inquire, "Have you seen Shen Xiao Yang?" His question emerged between bites. The atmosphere in the room shifted as Wei Yang's smile disappeared, replaced by a look of concern. His eyes narrowed, and he hesitated before replying, "No, young master." Zi Qian paused, setting aside his food as he noticed Wei Yang's reluctance. His expression turned serious, and he pressed further, "Tell me." With a deep breath, Wei Yang bowed while on one knee, his voice laced with genuine worry. "I find him suspicious, young master. For your safety, I implore you to stay away from him." The weight of Wei Yang's words hung in the air ," I find him suspicious too!"

"By the way, did you find out about the Zhao Clan?" Xue Zi Qian inquired, looking at Wei Yang with a glimmer of hope.

Wei Yang's expression remained dismayed as he replied, "Young master, are you sure they were from the Zhao Clan? Because no information has been obtained about them."

Zi Qian pressed the issue, adamant in his belief. "No, I didn't misunderstand. I saw the eagle mark on them, and they were well-versed in using poison."

As Wei Yang bowed and prepared to leave, Zi Qian found himself in distress, laying on his back on the bed, gazing at the ceiling. "I've read about them in that book. It's a shame I didn't bring it. What if they are imposters?" he muttered to himself. " But why was I only the one to be abducted," Zi Qian was lost in his own thoughts.

After a few minutes, the door creaked open, and Shen Xiao Yang reentered the room. Zi Qian couldn't help but ponder the enigmatic newcomer's presence. Time passed, and Zi Qian's mind raced , he tossed around on the bed until he finally succumbed to a deep slumber.

As he opened his eyes,Zi Qian found himself in a dark and desolate place, a dimension where time stood still. A multitude of tiny, red, fog-like glimmers swirled around him, creating a sense of suffocation and dread. Struggling to breathe, Zi Qian clutched his chest, the familiar ache intensifying. His actions revealed a glowing seal on his body, an intricate mark that has been in his body since long. The seal consists of a central circular pattern with intricate runic designs and symbols. This central circle is surrounded by a series of concentric rings, each containing more symbols and runes. But what was more terrifying that he does not even know the reason of this seal in his body. Even though he was uninterested in study and wanted a carefree life, he tried his best to find answers about the seal but in vain.

In the eerie darkness, a voice called out, terrifying and wicked. "Zi Qian! Zi Qian, you've finally come!" it exclaimed with a malevolent laugh. "Come to me!"

As the red fog dissipated, a man gradually approached, initially shrouded in shadows. As he drew nearer, his features became discernible—a man of around 23 to 25 years, dressed in red attire adorned with unsettling jewelry. His hands were covered in ominous, black gloves, his eyes glowed a malevolent red, and his unkempt hair framed his face. Most disturbing of all was the large scar that marred his visage. The scar on the man's face was a prominent and old scar that ran from the upper left side of his forehead, crossing diagonally down to his right cheek. It was a jagged, raised scar with a texture that showed it's been there for a long time. The scar tissue had a rough and slightly discolored appearance, contrasting with the surrounding skin, which is smooth and fair thus giving the man a creepy look. He bent down to Xue Zi Qian's level and looked into his eyes. "Such a young man, but it's a pity that you are going to die soon." With those chilling words, he summoned his magical weapon, a sword, and lunged at Zi Qian. Zi Qian closed his eyes in fear, but he could feel someone shaking him and calling out, "Wake up! Wake up!"

Startled, Zi Qian opened his eyes to find Shen Xiao Yang beside him. He wiped away the beads of perspiration on his face, realizing that it was just a nightmare. He was still panting from the fear that had gripped him in the dream. "Young Master Xue, are you alright?" Xiao Yang asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "You were muttering strange, inaudible words in your sleep. Did you have a nightmare?" Xue Zi Qian's eyes widened as he processed the fact that Xiao Yang was speaking more than he ever had before except for the time when he introduced himself. Xiao Yang seemed puzzled by Zi Qian's reaction. "Are you alright?" he asked again. "I touched your forehead earlier, and you have a fever. I made you some herbal soup. It's still the middle of the night, so I could only find these herbs in the backyard, but it should help with your fever." Xiao Yang gently removed the wet towel from Xue Zi Qian's forehead. Zi Qian closed his eyes for a moment, relishing the relief the cool cloth brought from his feverish state. "Are you alright?" he asked again. "I touched your forehead earlier, and you have a fever. I made you some herbal soup. It's still the middle of the night, so I could only find these herbs in the backyard, but it should help with your fever." Xue Zi Qian remained silent, his mind still racing from the vivid nightmare. After Xiao Yang left to return the water basin and towel, Zi Qian slowly sipped the herbal soup. Unbeknownst to him, two figures lurking in the dark observed him from an open window. "The target is here," one of them whispered. "Sect Leader Xue made a grave mistake sending his son here," said another in a feminine voice with a sense of foreboding.