Tianqi Academy—renowned as one of the Empire's most prestigious institutions—had long enjoyed a reputation of scholarly excellence. Yet, since ancient times, academies were not merely sanctuaries of knowledge, but also breeding grounds for ambition and intrigue. Among its corridors walked sons of noble clans and favored heirs of powerful ministers. Though the academy's façade promised the pursuit of truth and wisdom, beneath it seethed rivalry, manipulation, and power games.
Li Ze's status was unremarkable. A humble scholar with no noble lineage or powerful family, he stood out precisely because of his candor and fearlessness. And it was these very qualities that caught the attention of Shen Yunwang—a lecturer and overseer at Tianqi Academy. Though outwardly refined and scholarly, Shen harbored a deep strategic mind and wielded influence not to be underestimated.
On his very first day, Li Ze felt the invisible pressure that saturated the academy's air. Everything within seemed to resist him. He was not one of those privileged sons of high society, nor did he intend to bow to the rigid social walls surrounding him. Yet what lay before him could not be ignored.
As he passed through the grand gates of the academy, he did not find the warmth of books and kindred minds. Instead, a chilling formality and subdued tension filled the space. The students walked with lowered heads, as if afraid of being noticed.
"Li Ze, you've finally arrived."
A familiar voice called out. Li Ze turned and saw Shen Yunwang standing by a side entrance, a subtle smile on his face—as if he had been waiting all along.
"Sir Shen." Li Ze greeted him with a slight bow, a bit restrained in demeanor.
Shen waved him off lightly. "No need for formalities. Come, there's something I want to show you inside."
Following Shen deeper into the academy, Li Ze quickly realized the campus layout was far more complex than it appeared. The corridors twisted and turned, the walls lined with ancient texts and paintings. At times, hushed scholarly debates echoed from nearby halls. Yet the deeper they went, the heavier the air became. The closer they drew to the academy's core, the more Li Ze could sense the concealed danger and tangled forces within.
At the entrance of a side hall, Shen came to a halt and turned to Li Ze.
"You stepping in for that mother and daughter the other day—that did me a favor."
Li Ze nodded cautiously, still puzzled. "Why did you step in to help them, sir?"
Shen's smile was faint, but there was weight behind his words. "Because you saw the truth of this world."
Li Ze blinked, confused. "I only acted because I couldn't bear to watch injustice unfold."
"Do you realize," Shen's gaze darkened, "how deeply this Empire has decayed? If you walk through this world blind to its rot, you'll be swept under like the rest. But your choice the other day—it set a precedent."
A chill ran down Li Ze's spine. Shen's words rang with a clarity that stirred something in him. The Empire might look serene on the outside, but beneath the surface, treacherous currents surged, ready to devour the careless.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Li Ze asked, voice low.
Shen held his gaze, his tone layered with something more personal now. "You, Li Ze, have the awareness to peel back this darkness. That makes you either a pawn—or a disruptor. Either way, you won't remain ordinary."
Then Shen sighed lightly, shifting the topic with subtle gravity.
"Since you can already see the cracks in this world, it's time you didn't miss an opportunity."
Li Ze frowned. "What opportunity?"
"To join the Qingyun Society," Shen said evenly, though with a note of urgency.
The Qingyun Society? The name struck Li Ze like a thunderclap. He had already heard whispers of it—an elite and enigmatic faction within the academy, rumored to wield great influence over not only the academy itself but Tianqi City beyond. Backed by unimaginable power and political interests, it was more than just a student group—it was a gateway to the core of the Empire's true workings.
Noting the change in Li Ze's expression, Shen gave a small, knowing smile.
"If you truly wish to understand the Empire, if you wish to change it, the Qingyun Society is your best chance. Its reach stretches across this academy and into the veins of power. Without it, you will remain powerless."
"But joining Qingyun is not without its cost," Shen continued. "Its members aren't mere students. Each one is backed by an intricate web of alliances and agendas. Join them, and you risk becoming a pawn. The question is—can you survive the game?"
Li Ze hesitated, his heart in turmoil. But his eyes grew firm.
He was no longer just a common scholar concerned with exam results and personal prospects. He had crossed into this world for a reason—surely not to submit to its corruption.
After a long pause, he finally lifted his gaze.
"If joining the Qingyun Society is the only way to uncover the truth of this Empire—then I'm willing to try."
Shen Yunwang smiled faintly, as though he had been waiting for this answer.
"Very well. Then tomorrow, you'll come with me to meet the Society's leader."