The Fire in His Eyes

In the early morning, a gentle breeze from the mountains caressed Lin Xi, Tang Ke, and Bian Linghan. 

As they gazed upward along the gentle slope, the academy buildings, worthy of being called true sky gardens, stood like palaces from the heavens, evoking both admiration and reverence. 

Reverence brings restraint. 

Lin Xi inhaled the natural fragrance of the wildflowers by the roadside, contemplating the meaning behind the words of the middle-aged man that had circulated among the instructors. 

It had been two days since he had declined Zhou Yongxian's invitation, and during these days, the horseback riding and wilderness survival classes had been rather uneventful. The fundamentals of riding posed no particular challenge for Lin Xi, and as for archery, both he and Bian Linghan had been specifically instructed by the one-eyed black-robed instructor to maintain a low profile. The first wilderness survival lesson merely filled in some gaps regarding the journey from Lingxia Lake to Qingluan Academy, teaching the new students of the Zhi Ge system how to set up various types of military tents and the precautions needed for marching in different terrains and environments. They also had the opportunity to taste various edible insects, roots, and leaves in a desolate valley. 

The instructor responsible for this wilderness survival course was named Nan Zhongjie, a middle-aged man with a kind appearance and an unassuming demeanor. Were it not for his black robe, he might easily be mistaken for an ordinary farmer. 

According to him, this introductory course, limited to a single day, was merely an appetizer for the wilderness, and a significant portion of the course would later be integrated with actual training. 

Today's lesson marked the first of the elective courses, and among the numerous options available, the medical care course evidently failed to pique the interest of the majority of the new students in the Zhi Ge system, with only three opting for it—coincidentally, the other two were also Lin Xi's friends. 

Unlike most students who chose elective courses out of interest, Lin Xi approached his selections with a practical mindset. Having clearly understood Dean Zhang's admonitions, he recognized that cultivators were not invincible. Thus, while preparing for combat, Lin Xi was equally determined to be ready for injury... acquiring skills in healing and bandaging could only prove beneficial. 

Moreover, among his four elective courses, two were from the Medicine and Pharmacy system, yet he harbored a secret desire. 

For joining the Medicine and Pharmacy system would likely bring him closer to the tall girl, Gao Yanan, who seemed to carry nothing but herself... Despite having experiences and secrets that spanned an entire world, Lin Xi had little experience in matters of the heart. In high school, he had shyly exchanged notes and arranged outings to the cinema, only for those fleeting connections to dissolve as they pursued different universities. Reflecting on those memories stirred little emotion within him, save for a few innocent recollections; the vague affection he felt then could not compare to the sensation he experienced upon seeing Gao Yanan... It was an extraordinarily enchanting feeling; amidst a crowd of thousands, he could see only her. 

Even now, the mere thought of possibly encountering that tall girl, who, like him, had been chosen to enter the Medicine and Pharmacy system, made the mountain breeze feel even more gentle. 

Bian Linghan walked alongside Lin Xi, attuned to the direction and rhythm of the wind. This slender girl from the water towns of Jiangnan had no extraneous thoughts; she simply felt that walking side by side with Lin Xi and Tang Ke along the tranquil academy path was a delightful experience. 

The architecture atop the academy's peaks lacked any discernible pattern, with various halls scattered across the slopes and cliffs. The serene, winding paths and corridors intertwined seamlessly. However, the assembly points for each course were clearly marked on the course selection list, so Lin Xi and his companions did not meander. They passed through a rice field irrigated by crystal-clear spring water and a quaint cluster of low white-walled, gray-tiled houses, arriving at the gray hall mentioned on the course list, situated on the hillside adjacent to the Zhi Ge system. 

This gray hall had only three stories, but its large windows made it resemble the familiar teaching buildings Lin Xi knew. 

"Mon Bai!" 

At the bottom of the stairs, a chubby boy clad in a yellow robe was looking around anxiously. Upon spotting him, Lin Xi couldn't help but laugh and called out from a distance. 

That timid demeanor could only belong to his other friend, Mon Bai. 

As soon as Mon Bai saw Lin Xi, his face lit up, and he rushed over with a beaming smile. 

"Mon Bai, you chose the medical care course too? Have you gained weight again?" Upon seeing Mon Bai's face, Lin Xi playfully punched him, though he was momentarily taken aback. 

Mon Bai's once fair complexion had darkened slightly, rendering his freckles less noticeable, but his round face and belly were undeniably plumper. 

"The food at the academy is too delicious..." Mon Bai explained bashfully, covering the spot where Lin Xi had playfully struck him. 

Lin Xi, Bian Linghan, and Tang Ke couldn't help but burst into laughter. 

"What required courses do you have in the Internal Affairs system... are they not very demanding?" Knowing Mon Bai's temperament well, Lin Xi spoke without hesitation, tugging at the yellow robe he wore. "You should be cautious; if this continues, your clothes will soon feel tight." 

"Lin Xi," Mon Bai brightened at the mention of the Internal Affairs courses, disregarding Lin Xi's teasing. "I've discovered that the Internal Affairs system is not inferior to the Medicine and Pharmacy system. In the future, I might only need to study some classics to see if I can develop better cultivation methods." 

Lin Xi chuckled and patted Mon Bai's shoulder in understanding. 

After these several days, he had learned that the Internal Affairs system focused on the mysteries of cultivators' bodies and sought to explore more powerful cultivation techniques. Such research-oriented disciplines were reportedly scarce in most academies, leading to fewer opportunities for battlefield participation. 

For the timid and unambitious Mon Bai, the reason for choosing the medical care course was now quite evident. 

"How many students in the Internal Affairs system opted for this course?" 

"Only me." 

"Ah?" 

"They think the essential courses like Internal Sensitivity and Classical Literature are already rather dull, so they don't want to choose another tedious subject. Most have opted for courses in your Zhi Ge system instead... Lin Xi, hearing you just now, I feel a bit regretful. Had I known, I would have chosen something more engaging." 

"Why?" 

"Since the day before yesterday, haven't all the new students begun their trials in the Testing Valley? You see my physique... even if I wear a voice-changing mask and change into different robes, won't I still be recognized?" 

"Pfft!" 

As Lin Xi and Mon Bai bantered while entering the gray hall of the Medicine and Pharmacy system, Lin Xi couldn't contain his laughter at Mon Bai's worried expression. 

Suddenly, however, Lin Xi's smile faltered. 

For just to his left, in a classroom they passed, rows of students dressed in gray robes from the Medicine and Pharmacy system sat neatly. 

There were many students in the classroom, and in front of them stood a lecturer in a black robe. Yet, in a single glance, Lin Xi's eyes landed on a corner of the room where Gao Yanan sat. 

Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, casually tied behind her. Even clad in the seemingly drab gray robe, her features transformed into a breathtaking landscape in Lin Xi's eyes. 

A small bump on her left cheek, likely from an insect bite, was slightly red, yet it added an endearing charm to her alabaster complexion. 

"Don't worry; if anyone recognizes you, we will certainly recognize you too. If anyone dares to harm you, we will come to your aid," Tang Ke and Bian Linghan were laughingly comforting the visibly distressed Mon Bai, oblivious to Lin Xi's unusual demeanor. 

But at that moment, a peculiar crimson hue flickered in Lin Xi's eyes. 

This flash of red emanated from outside the classroom where Gao Yanan was, soon transforming into a bizarre spectacle. 

"Lin Xi..." Tang Ke, Bian Linghan, and Mon Bai finally noticed Lin Xi's anomaly, but a single glance caused their faces to pale in unison. "It's on fire!" 

That eerie red, akin to a large banner suddenly unfurled, erupted from a building not far from the gray hall! 

In an instant, everyone within the gray hall was stirred, not just the new students of the Medicine and Pharmacy system like Gao Yanan, but even the black-robed lecturer at the front of the class paled slightly. 

"Fire!" 

With an utterance of those two simple words, the black-robed lecturer, whom Lin Xi had barely glimpsed, shot forth like an arrow. 

Simultaneously, from the upper floor, another black-robed instructor descended from the air, resembling a black lotus leaf swaying in the wind, landing gracefully. 

… 

As Lin Xi, Tang Ke, and the others rushed out of the gray hall, the two black-robed instructors had already approached the fire scene at an unimaginable speed. 

The buildings in that area were all wooden, mostly three stories high, interconnected to form several large courtyards. In the brief moment, thick smoke billowed skyward, and giant tongues of flame surged from the windows. 

"Are there students in class?" 

Lin Xi inhaled sharply as he spotted numerous students frantically fleeing from the inferno. 

"Are there elective courses being held?" 

The sight of several familiar new students from the Zhi Ge system fleeing from the flames instantly prompted Lin Xi's realization. Those students, clad in various academy attire, were all newcomers from different systems.