Illumination of the Heart

Since the day five years ago when she received the news of her brother's demise, Ai Qilan had resolved to follow in his footsteps and become a priestess of the Empire, embodying courage and integrity as she spread these virtues in the most remote and perilous regions. Yet, she found herself grappling with tumultuous emotions that seemed impossible to untangle. 

She tilted her head slightly to gaze at the seemingly ordinary elder, feeling as though he held the key to her entire existence. 

"What is a Night Watcher?" she inquired. 

"We at Qingluan Academy have many extraordinary beings," Luo Houyuan replied, observing Ai Qilan. He understood that his earlier words had come as a shock to this girl from Xiangshui Province, but he trusted his judgment, for she was one who had earned her recommendation through her brother's honor and had traversed twelve hundred miles to reach Lingxia Lake, driven by her convictions. 

His presence before Ai Qilan was not merely coincidental; it stemmed from the fact that none of the carriages that had lingered by Lingxia Lake belonged to this humble girl. 

"True courage arises solely from the persistence of the heart." 

She had already provided the best interpretation of this inscription, etched upon the ceiling of the stone hall, through her own actions. 

Thus, he regarded Ai Qilan with warmth, patiently and meticulously explaining, "For instance, take me. The outside world refers to individuals like us as guardians of the academy... Every few years, our academy produces a few Windwalkers, a few Star Generals, a few Eagle Lords... and even some Shadow Priests." 

"In simpler terms, the academy, which gathers the Empire's elite each year, is not devoid of talent. Among these geniuses, some, through rigorous trials, become exceptional beings. For example, a Windwalker is the most formidable assassin. Since Director Zhang conferred this title, the Windwalker who emerged from our academy holds the record of successfully assassinating a border general in the royal city of Tangzangguo and escaping unscathed. The position of a border general in Tangzangguo is comparable to that of the heads of the Eight Departments of our Yunqin Empire. As for the Star General, you may understand them as the mightiest warriors, those who slay enemies amidst thousands, shining brightest on the battlefield and instilling fear in their foes. Such individuals possess either extraordinary martial talent or are born sword masters destined to wield flying swords." 

"And the Night Watcher?" After a brief pause, he continued, looking gently at Ai Qilan, "They are those who walk outside the academy, covertly guarding individuals like Windwalkers and Star Generals. Given the formidable and perilous nature of the assassinations targeting these individuals, a Night Watcher often must conceal their identity, observing from the shadows, remaining unknown even to enemies and the very Windwalkers and Star Generals they protect... Therefore, once one chooses this identity, they are largely detached from the glory created by those destined to shine. In fact, most within the academy are entirely unaware of the existence of Night Watchers." 

"What about Eagle Lords and Shadow Priests?" Ai Qilan's body ceased its slight tremor as she looked at Luo Houyuan and asked, "And what about you, teacher? What does being a guardian of the academy entail?" 

"Trust me, you are not suited for anything else," Luo Houyuan said, gazing at Ai Qilan as if his eyes could pierce through her silver mask and discern her innermost thoughts, knowing she had made a decision. He explained with a hint of satisfaction, "Eagle Lords are the pinnacle of stealth; they can smile joyfully even while their hearts bleed, and they may kill friends they have known for over a decade. Shadow Priests are acknowledged by only a few within the academy, while the majority, even in the Yunqin Empire, do not recognize them and wish to eradicate their existence. They execute those for whom there is solid evidence of guilt but cannot be punished according to the laws of the Empire; they are considered traitors and heretics. They are the harshest executioners, yet also the true sages who uphold justice in darkness. Regardless of which of these paths you might choose... your heart is not yet cold enough. Even if you aspire to become a Shadow Priest, walking in darkness while upholding your sense of justice, you must first be prepared to be an observer, a Night Watcher. Otherwise, with your current perspective and temperament, you may find yourself succumbing to darkness. As for me... I have simply endured too much, grown weary of many things, and wish to regard this academy as a sanctuary for my twilight years. I only act when someone disrupts the peace of my home." 

Listening to Luo Houyuan's words, Ai Qilan felt as if a completely different world had opened before her. The concept of a Shadow Priest... a traitor—such unimaginable terms struck her with a force far greater than the hundred steps Lin Xi had taken. Her back was drenched in cold sweat, and her hands and feet felt even colder. 

"Teacher, if you have grown weary of the outside world, why then do you choose me as a Night Watcher to walk in it?" Yet, her gaze had unexpectedly settled into a calm demeanor. 

Luo Houyuan smiled gently, saying, "Because the Windwalkers and Star Generals selected by the academy are true representatives of the academy and embody Director Zhang's intentions. As long as they endure, the academy shall endure." 

"Do you wish to become a Night Watcher? Though I have discerned your intentions, I must remind you that true strength arises from within. I am confident in my ability to train you into a genuine Night Watcher, but you must understand... from the moment you become a true Night Watcher, you will often find yourself in the shadows, with most unaware of your existence. When the time comes for you to reveal yourself, it will be when true danger approaches, and you may have to pay with your life. The wealth and glory, even the accolades inscribed in the annals of the Empire that our academy students pursue, may very well be beyond your reach." Luo Houyuan's smile gradually faded as he looked at Ai Qilan, asking with utmost solemnity. 

Ai Qilan nodded earnestly, declaring, "I am willing." 

"Do you wish for me to protect him? Is it possible he could become a Star General?" After nodding, Ai Qilan took a deep breath and glanced toward the direction Lin Xi had departed, her expression complex. 

"You must protect all such individuals, not just him alone. Yet for him, a Star General... perhaps it is more than that," the elder's eyes flickered with an inscrutable meaning. 

"More than that?" Ai Qilan was once again stunned by the elder's words. The one labeled as the worst Chosen One in the history of Qingluan Academy, the one she had accused of lying beyond the yellow walls, was surprisingly held in such high regard... bearing such a significant mission? 

As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness began to envelop the Trial Valley and the entire Qingluan Academy, yet Ai Qilan's heart remained illuminated. 

The Yunqin Empire... or more precisely, the true Qingluan Academy, from this moment forth, would lack one steadfast priestess dedicated to spreading faith and justice in the most perilous and marginalized places, yet it gained a Night Watcher who harbored light and justice within her heart. 

... 

... 

The dining hall of the newly established Zhi Ge Department was as filled with food as usual, yet it felt significantly quieter than before. 

Since the commencement of various courses, Lin Xi had not exhibited any particular talents, instead becoming one of the "failures" ranked towards the back. Not only Qiu Lu, but at least half of the students in the Zhi Ge Department had begun to harbor disdain for Lin Xi, even feeling indignant that someone so mediocre could qualify as one of the few Chosen Ones of Qingluan Academy. 

Moreover, Lin Xi was an ordinary bumpkin hailing from Lulin Town. For the majority of students destined to embark on careers after leaving Qingluan Academy, standing beside those who were bound for brilliance was far preferable to associating with those fated to fall into obscurity. Yet, the one who seemed to be on the verge of falling into dust had returned to their sight with such formidable strength. Qiu Lu, with his prowess, had been utterly powerless against Lin Xi, and the blow that struck Qiu Lu's nose had thoroughly stunned them. Even now, many were silently contemplating... was his mediocrity merely a result of his humility and low profile? 

Heavy footsteps echoed at the entrance, and a somewhat limping Lin Xi appeared at the door of the dining hall, drawing the attention of all present. 

Having endured relentless stabbings from black long spears within the stone hall, Lin Xi appeared quite disheveled, with purplish-red marks adorning his face. Although he had only sustained one injury, the toll on his spirit was far greater due to the exertion of his unique abilities... After two rounds of trials, especially the first, he had pushed himself to the brink, nearly succumbing to unconsciousness from the pain. Thus, the torment had rendered him visibly weary, his complexion alarmingly pale. Yet, to many, his presence transformed into a mixture of confusion and reverence. 

Seeing him in such a state for the first time, nearly everyone assumed he had been beaten into this condition, yet at this moment, most instinctively thought he had achieved this through his own training. 

Lin Xi did not acknowledge the curious gazes of his classmates. His philosophy was quite simple: those who did not favor him need not be given much attention. He merely smiled at Tang Ke, Li Kaiyun, Bian Linghan, and Hua Jiyue, who were waiting for him at a table, and as he sat down beside them, he remarked, "So, did I manage to uphold your honor?" 

"Just eat, Chosen One!" Hua Jiyue feigned annoyance, pushing a platter of roasted meat toward him. 

Li Kaiyun looked at Lin Xi, his eyes betraying genuine shame: "Lin Xi, with a friend like you, how can I ever face you in the future?" 

As Lin Xi grasped a piece of roasted meat, he was momentarily taken aback by Li Kaiyun's expression: "Your words seem rather profound; I can't quite grasp their meaning." 

"As your friend, sitting here today and witnessing their gazes, I indeed feel a sense of pride and satisfaction," Li Kaiyun, a humble bumpkin who was unaware he had caught the attention of "Qin the Mad," looked at Lin Xi, his eyes shining with a peculiar light. "Today, from you, I truly saw glory. As your friend, I basked in your radiance. You, as the Chosen One favored by the academy's professors, train harder than I do... If I amount to nothing in the future, wouldn't that bring embarrassment to you?" 

"Ah... cough..." Lin Xi nearly choked. He patted his chest for a moment before chuckling, addressing his friend who held the most sincere beliefs, "Kaiyun, you're thinking too far ahead."