Chapter 8: Passing by

Shun Lee sat under the tree, fingers gliding over his guitar strings as he sang, "How can I miss someone you've never met?" The melody was lighthearted, carrying a hint of longing but delivered with a smile.

As Shun Lee's voice filled the air, he let himself drift into the song's rhythm, singing with a carefree, almost playful energy. The lyrics flowed effortlessly, each note carrying a trace of nostalgia and joy, as if he were sharing a piece of his past. Lost in his own little world, he didn't notice when a girl slowly approached, her gaze fixed on him with quiet fascination.

She leaned against a nearby tree, fully captivated by the melody. Her expression softened as she listened, her eyes half-closed, a faint smile appearing as if the music had drawn her into a place only she could see. She didn't move, not wanting to break the spell his music had cast around them.

But mid-song, Shun Lee glanced up and froze, his voice trailing off. The girl stood just a few feet away, looking as though she'd been there forever, absorbed in his music. Heat crept up his cheeks as he realized he had an unexpected audience.

Quickly, he snapped his guitar close to his chest and muttered, "Uh... sorry, I didn't realize someone was... there."

The girl's smile widened, a bit of amusement in her eyes. "Don't stop on my account. That was... really nice."

Her calm gaze made him even more flustered. "Uh... thanks," he stammered, suddenly self-conscious. "I... I should go."

Before she could respond, he turned and hurriedly walked away, embarrassed beyond words. He heard her call out, "Wait!" but he kept moving, not daring to look back, feeling like he'd made a complete fool of himself.

By the time he'd reached the main campus, the sky was already dimming into shades of orange and purple. His stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since lunch. He sighed, shaking his head at the entire scene, and headed for the cafeteria, his thoughts still lingering on the thought of someone listening to his voice.

Thankfully, he'd arrived before the dinner rush. The cafeteria was mostly empty, and he was able to get his food without much hassle. He ate quickly, enjoying the peace of the nearly deserted space, though he couldn't help but replay the scene in the park over and over in his head, cringing at how he'd run off.

When he finished, he returned to his dorm, only to find it still empty. His roommates, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi, hadn't come back yet. Sighing, he sat on his bed and put his guitar down while letting his thoughts drift.

He'd need to figure out a way to earn money soon. Breaking through with his martial soul was close—he could feel it, like a flame burning just beneath the surface, waiting to ignite.

"A job, maybe?" he muttered to himself, tapping his fingers on the guitar absently. "Or maybe I could busk somewhere... although I'm not sure how popular that would be here."

He ran a hand through his hair, mind buzzing with possibilities. Whatever he chose, he'd need to act fast—if he missed his chance to progress, it could be months before he got another opportunity.

As Shun Lee lay on his bed, his mind wandered back to the song he'd played earlier. A thought crept in—why not just "borrow" songs from his past life? There were countless songs he remembered, each with its own story, and he couldn't help but wonder if those melodies would resonate here as well. But a wave of hesitation washed over him.' Would they even be appreciated in this world? And more importantly, did he really want to take credit for someone else's work?'

The lingering guilt of possibly passing off those songs as his own made him pause. Sure, they could bring him recognition, but at what cost? He sighed, torn between practicality and his own principles. After a moment, he set the idea aside with a shake of his head. "Maybe one day," he muttered, "but not now."

Deciding he'd ponder it another time, he settled down to cultivate instead. Gradually, he felt his soul power rising, growing warmer and more concentrated as he focused. He lost track of time in the rhythm of cultivation, until suddenly a breakthrough surged through him like a quiet wave, steady and satisfying. When he opened his eyes, he felt lighter and more energized—he'd reached level 16 soul power.

A small, satisfied smile crossed his face as he took in the achievement. Glancing around, he noticed that his roommates had returned at some point and were also immersed in their own cultivation. Not wanting to disturb the tranquil atmosphere, Shun Lee quietly lay back, letting the comfort of his breakthrough settle over him. Soon, he drifted off into a peaceful sleep, feeling a sense of accomplishment that gave him some hope for the days ahead.

The morning sun was just beginning to seep through the curtains when Shun Lee groggily stirred to the noise of his roommates scrambling around. Slightly opening his eyes, he saw Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi hurriedly dressing as though someone was chasing after them.

"What's...going on?" Shun Lee mumbled, still half-asleep.

Wang Jinxi turned to him, a slightly panicked look in his eyes. "It's already 7:30! Class starts soon, and we're going to be late if we don't hurry!"

Shun Lee's eyes widened as the realization jolted him fully awake. "What?! Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" he exclaimed, stumbling out of bed in a rush. He nearly tripped on his own sheets, hitting the floor with a soft thud. He scrambled to his feet, grabbing his uniform and racing to the bathroom to wash up. Behind him, his roommates exchanged a glance and chuckled.

"We tried to wake you up but you said five more minutes." Wang Jinxi spoke and watched Shun Lee slammed the door.

"Looks like we've got ourselves a hopeless roommate," Zhang Yanxi muttered with a helpless smile.

"Let's go ahead," Wang Jinxi said, raising his voice slightly so Shun could hear. "We're heading out first—don't get too lost on your way to class!"

Shun Lee could only grunt in acknowledgment, splashing water on his face to wake himself up properly. Within minutes, he had dressed, grabbed his belongings, and sprinted out of the dorm. The academy's campus still felt like a maze to him, and the unfamiliar paths did nothing to help his already flustered state. He had to stop several times, asking other students for directions, who were also hurrying to their own classes.

Finally, he arrived outside his classroom, his breathing heavy and face flushed from the frantic dash across campus. Peering through the door, he saw that the teacher was already there, and it seemed she'd just finished the morning introductions. With a deep breath, Shun Lee tried to straighten himself and slipped into the room, drawing the attention of every student—and the teacher.

All eyes were now on him, but his gaze was immediately captured by the teacher standing at the front of the room. She was stunning, her long purple hair cascading over her shoulders, contrasting with the sleek, professional outfit she wore. Her eyes, sharp and cold, were trained intently on him.

Feeling the weight of her gaze, Shun Lee's voice came out a bit too quiet. "Um…my name is Shun Lee, and my martial soul is a Smart Watch." He attempted a smile, though the intensity of her stare made him falter.

The teacher, whom he now recognized as Ye Yinglou, raised an eyebrow. "You're late on the very first day, Shun Lee. Care to explain why?" Her tone was calm but laced with clear disapproval.

Shun Lee's mind raced, trying to think of an excuse that wouldn't dig him deeper into trouble. Finally, he remembered his breakthrough from the night before. "Uh...I apologize, Teacher Ye. I was…up late cultivating, and I, uh, had a small breakthrough." He tried to sound sincere, hoping his words didn't sound too much like an excuse.

Ye Yinglou's expression softened, if only slightly, as she studied him. "A breakthrough, hmm? While dedication to your cultivation is commendable, you'll find that punctuality is also important here at Eastsea Academy," she said, her tone still firm but less icy. "Now, find your seat."

Relieved, Shun Lee muttered a quick "Thank you," and scanned the room for an empty spot. He quickly noticed his roommates, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanxi, already seated, grinning at him with barely concealed amusement.

As he made his way over to a nearby seat, he glared at them playfully. "Thanks for waiting for me," he muttered under his breath as he sat down.

Wang Jinxi snickered, leaning over. "We tried to wake you, but you were out cold. Not our fault you slept like a rock."

"Yeah, maybe work on those wake-up reflexes if you're going to stay up late cultivating," Zhang Yanxi added, clearly enjoying the situation.

Shun Lee rolled his eyes, suppressing a chuckle of his own. Despite his embarrassment, he couldn't help but feel grateful for his roommates' lightheartedness; it made the whole ordeal feel a little less mortifying.

As he settled in, Ye Yinglou's poised voice broke the silence in the classroom as she introduced herself once again, her tone unwavering and authoritative. "My name is Ye Yinglou, and I'll be your instructor for this term. You're all fortunate to be part of this class, which, I must say, holds the highest potential we've seen in new students—perhaps even in the history of this academy."

A quiet murmur of curiosity spread through the room as Ye Yinglou's words hung in the air. Shun Lee, still catching his breath and adjusting to the flow of the class, perked up at the mention of history. 'What did she mean by that?'

Seeing the confusion in the students' expressions, Ye Yinglou's eyes flicked over them, her gaze piercing as always. "Some of you are nearing a breakthrough to Soul Grandmaster level," she continued, her voice as calm as ever but carrying a certain weight. "A level that many only dream of achieving at your age. This is a remarkable feat."

The mention of Soul Grandmaster made Shun Lee freeze for a moment. 'Soul Grandmaster?' He knew it was a significant milestone in the cultivation world, one that separated the truly exceptional from the average, but hearing it from his teacher felt surreal. This class have such prodigies?

He glanced toward his roommates, expecting a response, and found them both barely containing their amusement. Wang Jinxi had a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, while Zhang Yanxi simply arched an eyebrow, looking as calm and unfazed as ever. Shun Lee, still processing what Ye Yinglou had said, couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. 'Were his roommates on the verge of a breakthrough as well?'

Ye Yinglou seemed to notice the reactions in the room, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly, though her voice remained steady. "Don't let that praise inflate your egos," she warned, her tone almost a challenge. "While you have great potential, it comes with great responsibility. You will be held to the highest standards, and you should expect nothing less than rigorous instruction and assessments. Prepare yourselves—both mentally and physically—for what's to come."

Her words struck a chord with Shun Lee. The gravity of the situation began to sink in. He had always known that Eastsea Academy was renowned for its high standards, but hearing Ye Yinglou speak with such authority made it all the more real. They weren't just here to learn the basics; they were being groomed to be among the elite, to be the best.

Shun Lee felt uneasy as he knew that fighting was a common thing in this world so he opted to have a morning routine during his 3 years but he knew that it wasn't enough to be top fighter in this world much less in his class.

Across the room, some of the students appeared undaunted, their expressions filled with resolve, while others seemed a little more apprehensive, much like Shun Lee. It was clear that this class wasn't for the faint of heart.

Wang Jinxi leaned over slightly, whispering to Shun Lee with a wry smile, "So, you ready for this? I'm sure we'll make it through just fine, but I'm curious to see how you hold up with all this pressure."

Shun Lee chuckled nervously but nodded. "I'm ready. It's just... a lot to take in all at once."

Zhang Yanxi, who had been silent until now, gave a small, knowing smile. "You'll get used to it. Just don't let it overwhelm you."

Ye Yinglou continued, her gaze scanning the room once again. "I trust that all of you understand what's at stake here. This academy isn't just about learning techniques; it's about shaping the future of our martial world. If any of you fail to meet these challenges, you'll be left behind. And I don't tolerate mediocrity."

The weight of her words settled heavily on the class, and Shun Lee felt the full force of her expectations. The competition here was going to be fierce, but it also meant that the potential for growth was boundless.

"Now," Ye Yinglou said, her voice softening just slightly, "let's begin by going over your individual progress and goals for the term. We'll start with you, Shun Lee."

Shun Lee stiffened, suddenly aware that the attention was back on him. His heart raced as all eyes turned toward him, but he did his best to keep his composure. He rose to his feet, straightening his uniform, and gave a brief nod to Ye Yinglou.

"My goal is to improve my cultivation and… travel around the world while experience the way people live in different cities." Shun Lee said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I aim to break through to Soul Master soon."

Ye Yinglou gave him a measured look yet a hint of surprise flashed through her eyes. "Hm... Quite ordinary, Very well. Let's see if you can keep up with the others. The path to Soul Master is long, but with your determination, it may not be as difficult as you think."

Shun Lee nodded, feeling both reassured and challenged by her words. He knew this was just the beginning, but the future was already set in stone and knowing some important details made him knew that making breakthrough till Soul Saint would be a breeze.