The morning was bright and sunny.
Liu Ying sat on a large tree, occasionally glancing at the watch on her wrist. It was already 8:30 a.m., but the camp was just beginning to stir, with everyone slowly packing up their belongings to set off.
By the time they had washed up, eaten, and packed away the tents and sleeping bags, it was already 9:30 before they finally started their journey.
Their journey was nothing like the grueling training of ordinary students. For Yang Xiyan and her group, this was practically a vacation. The tasks of clearing out magical beasts and maintaining security were all left to their bodyguards, making it a very leisurely trip.
At noon, the sun grew scorching hot, and everyone took a break. Yang Xiyan took out her sketchpad and began drawing at her leisure, while the others, bored, played cards on a spread-out mat. Life couldn’t be more carefree.
The summer jungle was sweltering, and the only comfortable spots were under the shade of trees. They didn’t resume their journey until around 3 or 4 p.m., walked for two hours, and then set up camp again. The evenings were spent chatting idly.
And so, three days passed.
In those three days, Liu Ying had almost no chance to speak with Yang Xiyan, nor had she found the so-called mastermind. Just staying by their side, she felt like she was starting to rust from inactivity.
Today’s campsite was beneath towering ancient trees or rather, the vegetation had grown increasingly dense, so much so that even during the day, the sunlight barely pierced through, leaving the entire area shrouded in dimness.
At least the breeze was cool.
In the afternoon, Liu Ying was cooking self-heating meals near the campsite when Zi Ye and the others, returning from patrol, saw how lonely she looked and came over to chat.
“You’ll have to get used to it. What we’re doing here isn’t really training for the young ladies, it’s just a trip. We’re just taking the opportunity to graduate,” Zi Ye squatted beside her with a helpless smile.
“It’s fine. There’s a certain charm to this slow-paced life,” Liu Ying smiled understandingly. “Oh, by the way, I’m almost at the meeting point with my classmates, so I might have to part ways with you soon.”
Over the past few days, though Liu Ying hadn’t gotten a chance to speak with Yang Xiyan alone, she had grown familiar with Zi Ye, Anjiya, and the others, and had a rough idea of what their group was all about.
This training expedition was nothing more than a formality for the students of the noble academy. Though they were mages, their aspirations were different from those of typical magic practitioners.
For example, Zi Ye and Anjiya, after graduating, planned to enroll in further studies, focusing on subjects like management or finance. For them, a mage’s diploma was just a way to boost their resumes.
As for young ladies like Yang Xiyan, most would marry, raise children, and manage family businesses.
In short, their goals were different.
Though mages were noble and possessed formidable power, it also meant a higher likelihood of death. But if one merely held a mage’s qualification, they could enjoy the prestige without the same risks.
“You’re leaving?” Anjiya seemed reluctant, her pale blue eyes gazing at Liu Ying blankly. “May the Moon Goddess bless you with a swift reunion with your friends and a safe completion of your trial.”
Anjiya clasped her hands together in prayer for her.
“Yes, I’ll leave tomorrow. I’ll go say goodbye to them later. May the Twin Moon Goddesses protect you as well,” Liu Ying paused slightly. “Oh, by the way, while I was patrolling earlier, I saw students from Feng Yue Academy.”
Liu Ying decided to test their reactions.
“Feng Yue Academy?” Both of them looked puzzled.
Seeing that they didn’t understand, Liu Ying decided not to elaborate further. Feng Yue Academy was the school where Tuoba Yichen attended. If they didn’t know about it, then it probably had no connection to the current scheme. In that case, she might as well look for someone else.
After finishing her self-heating dinner, Liu Ying bid farewell to the two and went to find the little maid, Zhen Meiyi. She got straight to the point, asking where Yang Xiyan was, as she was preparing to leave.
Since Liu Ying was about to depart, the maid didn’t say much and simply pointed in a direction for her to follow.
Liu Ying followed the path, surrounded by towering trees. After walking for about five minutes, she finally caught sight of the girl. All around her were massive trees of various kinds, and she was quietly painting amidst them.
Liu Ying approached from behind, but Yang Xiyan was so engrossed in her work that she didn’t even notice her presence. She was intently focused on her canvas.
Liu Ying studied the painting and found it deeply evocative. At first glance, it depicted only tiny insects on the giant trees, yet there was a profound sense of awe. The resilience of those small lives thriving within the vast, dense jungle.
Yang Xiyan was completely absorbed in her art, oblivious to the person beside her. She was dressed in a simple little dress, though this time she wasn’t wearing high heels but rather a pair of cute sandals. She was deep in thought, contemplating how to proceed.
They say a focused girl is the most beautiful, and for the first time, Liu Ying truly felt that way. It was entirely different from her previous impressions.
At this moment, Yang Xiyan was serene, her emotions plain on her face. When she struggled with a stroke, she frowned in thought; when she succeeded, her eyes sparkled with delight. These were the genuine emotions of an ordinary girl. Lively and endearing, unlike her usual forced air of mature elegance and icy detachment that kept others at arm’s length.
Liu Ying couldn’t bring herself to disturb her and simply stood there, quietly admiring her profile and her painting.
After what felt like a long time, Yang Xiyan finally stretched contentedly, having finished a section of her work. But as her gaze flickered to the side, she caught sight of a familiar face and was so startled that she nearly toppled backward off her chair.
Liu Ying caught her by the back of her neck and steadied her. Yang Xiyan patted her chest in relief. “Y-you! What are you doing here?”
“I found my friend, so I came to say goodbye. But you were so absorbed in your painting that I didn’t want to interrupt,” Liu Ying replied, her eyes warm with amusement. “Though being too absorbed isn’t good. If you’d fallen, it would’ve been heartbreaking.”
Yang Xiyan straightened her posture, tucking her legs together neatly before looking up at her obediently. “You found your classmate? Are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Mm, tomorrow morning,” Liu Ying said, though in truth, she planned to stay hidden in the shadows. She suspected that her presence might scare the mastermind into hiding, preventing them from carrying out their plan.
Her goal this time was to save Yang Xiyan and, if possible, follow the trail to uncover the enemy who wanted to seal her away eliminating the threat once and for all.
“Leaving tomorrow already?” Yang Xiyan sounded a little disappointed. She had wanted to talk to Liu Ying these past few days, to ask about the legendary Tian Xingzi Academy, but An Leiya and the others always forbade her from speaking with Liu Ying, leaving her no opportunity.
Seeing her crestfallen expression, Liu Ying felt an inexplicable discomfort in her chest. She didn’t want Yang Xiyan to feel this way she wanted to cheer her up. With a resigned smile, she relented, “Is there anything you want to ask? If I know the answer, I’ll tell you.”
“Really?!” Yang Xiyan exclaimed, her stunningly beautiful face alight with excitement and joy, her happiness completely unrestrained.
“Of, of course.” Liu Ying was also startled by her excitement. This girl could actually show such emotions? She quickly sketched a temporary magical chair and sat down.
Yang Xiyan realized her reaction had been too exaggerated. A charming blush spread across her flawless face as she hurriedly composed herself, gazing at Liu Ying with elegant calm. “R-really?”
“Pfft!” Liu Ying couldn’t help but burst into laughter, covering her mouth as she laughed so hard her legs wouldn’t stay together, tears streaming down her face.
This girl was just too adorable, saying it again like that.
“W-what’s so funny?!” Yang Xiyan’s pretty face turned even redder, resembling a ripe peach, as she heard her laughter echoing through the woods. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to stop Liu Ying.
Maintaining her ladylike and graceful posture, her delicate face puffed up slightly. “That… that… I have something I want to ask you.”
Why was this person acting like this? So disrespectful, laughing so heartily.
“Sorry, sorry! You’re just too cute, I couldn’t help it.” Liu Ying gasped for breath, wiping away her tears of laughter before quickly regaining her composure, though her eyes now held a touch more affection when looking at Yang Xiyan.
Cute?
Yang Xiyan was taken aback. Usually, people would praise her beauty, comparing her to fairies or angels, compliments she’d long grown accustomed to. Being called cute was a first, reminding her of how adults used to praise her as a child.
Putting that aside, Yang Xiyan steadied herself and asked slowly, “I just wanted to ask you about Tian Xingzi and such. Are you really a student of Tian Xingzi?” She sought confirmation.
“I am Tian Xingzi’s student,” Liu Ying replied with a smile. The earlier outburst of laughter had actually bridged the distance between them, and she now spoke with the ease of a friend.
“Just as I thought!” Yang Xiyan beamed, her dark, luminous eyes fixed on Liu Ying. “They all say Tian Xingzi’s students are incredibly strong.”
“We are indeed more skilled than students from ordinary schools.”
“Then, do you know Liu Ying?” Yang Xiyan stared intently at her. “You mentioned her last time on the tour bus, didn’t you? Now that I know you’re from Tian Xingzi, then you…”
“Tian Xingzi is vast, several times larger than a typical school almost the size of a city. Normally, it’d be hard to know everyone, but I do know Liu Ying.” Liu Ying looked puzzled. “Do you admire Liu Ying?”
Yang Xiyan placed her right hand over her chest, taking a deep breath before declaring earnestly, “Yes! Sister Liu Ying is my idol!”
“An idol, huh…” Liu Ying’s gaze drifted to the sky through the leaves. She’d guessed right—this girl was her fan. The mask Yang Xiyan had worn on the tour bus was her “Tigress” persona, the alias she used for public events.
Outside of school or home, she rarely went by the name Liu Ying.
“Why is she your idol? She’s not a celebrity.”
“But Sister Ying is even more amazing than any celebrity!” Yang Xiyan’s eyes sparkled. “She’s a once-in-a-millennium genius. At just twelve years old, she defeated the Thunder Dragon and saved millions in the city, earning an exceptional admission to Tian Xingzi as its youngest student. After enrolling, she… she became strong and beautiful, the idol of all young girls.”
Liu Ying: “…”
“She participated in the marriage competition battle and even made two princes jealous…” Yang Xiyan chattered on endlessly, speaking as if she understood everything perfectly. Liu Ying felt her head spinning from the nonstop talk and was grateful she usually wore the “Tiger Girl” mask during events and even more relieved she hadn’t used her real name, Liu Ying.
“Stop, stop, stop!” Liu Ying raised her hand in a halting gesture, cutting off the discussion. With an amused expression, she said, “I do know Liu Ying. She’s a good friend of mine. But she’s not like what you described. She wasn’t so stunning that she made two princes fight over her, and during the marriage competition, she only played a supporting role.”
“Is that so?”
“Mhm.”
“Well…” Finally realizing she had gotten carried away, Yang Xiyan quickly regained her usual poise and elegance, clutching her skirt tightly with flushed cheeks. “Ahem… Liu Ying is incredibly strong, different from the rest of us. I… I was in the center of City A seven years ago, so I’m really grateful she saved me.”
“So she saved you, and that’s why you’re her little fan?” Liu Ying chuckled. If this was about the Thunder Dragon incident back then, she honestly didn’t remember her. After all, she had saved too many people at the time, and girls change a lot as they grow up.
Yang Xiyan shook her head. “That’s part of it, but not all. Sister Ying is both powerful and kind, always helping weaklings like us. I… I want to be someone like her someday…”