The vortex of feathers swirled wildly, colors flashing like fragments of moonlight. Then, with a sudden burst, it exploded outward, scattering mist and light across the lake. From within that storm, a foot stepped out, gentle yet deliberate, followed by a calm figure emerging from the glowing tornado.
Li Xuan blinked rapidly, his eyes widening as the world around him shifted. The cold forest had vanished; in its place stretched the familiar lake, shining beneath the soft glow of the moon. Mist rose lazily from its surface, curling around his ankles as the last feathers dissolved into the air and drifted toward his palm, merging into his skin like glowing embers fading into ash.
He took a slow step forward. The air here felt warm, almost comforting, as though he had never left the fire pit outside his home. The lake reflected the sky in perfect stillness with only his faint ripples disturbed it.
He expected as usual for her to come and they chat but today her presence seemed distant even though she was the one who summoned her .
He stopped at the edge, the moonlight spilling across his face. In the middle of the lake, a faint glow radiated from within illuminating his face
Without hesitation, he sat down, rolling up his trousers. The water was warm against his skin, smoother than silk. He swung his legs lazily, watching the ripples widen in circles.
The small light began to rise from the lake, shimmering like molten silver. As it neared the surface, it flared gently, brushing his arm with warmth that seeped into his bones.
Then, instead of light breaking free, an illusory hand stretched out from beneath the water, reaching toward him.
Li Xuan froze only for a heartbeat, instinct taking over before thought could stop him. He reached out, grasping the hand firmly. It was surprisingly warm for something that had been under water for so long.
The next moment, the hand pulled him with startling strength.
He barely managed a breath before he was yanked forward, plunging into the lake. Water rushed around him in a blur, bubbles spinning past as he sank. His eyes opened in shock—and widened further when he saw her.
It was not the same mysterious beauty she saw within the lake but somehow resembled her
"You won't die," she said softly, her voice clear despite the water. "Allow yourself to breathe."
Li Xuan hesitated, uncertain if he should trust her. But something in her tone, something ancient and certain, made him obey.
He opened his mouth cautiously only to realize no water entered. He could breathe, normally, as though the lake itself had turned to air.
His eyes widened in awe.
The woman's hand tightened slightly, pulling him deeper. The light of the moon faded above them as they sank deeper into the darkness of the lake .
Then, ahead of them, another vortex of light appeared and swallowed them both
When Li Xuan opened his eyes, he was standing on solid ground again. But it wasn't the forest, nor the lake. It was a vast dome filled with a dim, golden light with just a small pool of water and some trees.
The woman who had held his hand was no longer there. Instead, her body dissolved into fine mist that floated across the room, gathering into a crystal that hung suspended in the air.
Li Xuan turned in awe. There were six of those crystals in total, each one fixed above a tall stone pillar surrounding a lotus-shaped platform at the center. The light they gave off bathed everything in a serene, dreamlike glow.
"High-grade soul crystals,"
Compared to the presence of the academy masters or the eight heads of the major families in mingdu state, Li Xuan couldn't see anything that could manage the pressure emanating from the six high grade crystals .
Intrigued by cheap things?
Li Xuan nearly jumped as a familiar voice echoed behind him .when he turned ,this time she was more clear despite her ghostly form and looked more of a human.
"This is the first time you called me. I hope everything is all right."
The woman tilted her head slightly, studying him. Her eyes scanned his figure, pausing as though reading something hidden beneath his skin.
"Huh !Among all humans I've met, you are…" She paused, lips curving slightly.
"Stupid."
Li Xuan didn't take offense. Instead, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"You think so? well the good thing is that I used to insults and so this is your home "
She followed his gaze up towards the dome above , it glowed with a translucent barrier, keeping the water outside at bay.
"'Home,'" she echoed softly, floating upward until her feet no longer touched the floor. "More like a lonely wasteland."
Li Xuan's smile deepened. "
"Well now you have me , don't worry giving me food . I have eaten"
Her brow arched slightly.
"I don't think in spirit form,I would need food or be able to make some . But if you want ,there are slugs you can eat in the pool"
She pointed towards the pool .
" hmm ,so why call me here ? I don't think you are actually taking me in , I think I am old enough now "
That earned him a sideways glance as the corners of her lips twitched.
" How come you have grown up over night . Don't you think you overestimate your own capabilities "
Li Xuan frowned. "Then why summon me?"
The woman hesitated. For a moment, her eyes softened as if she wanted to say something true. But then, with a small sigh escaped her lips and she looked away.
" I am just an old woman stuck in the spirit form without anything to do , sometimes I can get bored and tired of staring at nothing . Maybe you could entertain me besides you resemble someone who displays emotions very well "
" you mean .... like an actor "
She just sighed and lifted her hand, touching his shoulders .
"Sorry , I am not a fan of people who pretend.Your body is contaminated with disastrous poison,that is the main reason why I summoned you here
Li Xuan blinked, genuinely confused. "What?"
"Indeed you overestimate yourself,just look at your veins ," she said, circling him.
He glanced down. At first, nothing seemed wrong but when he narrowed his eyes, allowing spiritual energy to circle his pupils,he noticed the thin lines of faint purple tracing along his skin where his veins ran, too small to notice before.
He clenched his fists as realization struck.
Feng Lei.
That fool. Of course he would try to poison him after losing but it was strange how he couldn't sense the pollution within his own body .
"Just a fight with an idiot," Li Xuan muttered.
"Was it those morons you ordered to undress?" she asked with a smirk.
He looked up sharply. "What—how did you....
His eyes widened as understanding dawned.
"So it was you who made those Zhao family brats obey every order I threw at them "
Her smirk deepened. "Shouldn't you kneel when thanking someone properly?"
Li Xuan hesitated, then sighed. The pressure radiating from her was heavy, almost divine. Ever since he first met her by the lake, he thought she was just a wandering spirit. But now, seeing this, feeling her presence,he knew she was something else entirely.
He bent both knees and lowered his head, pressing his palms together.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
For a moment, silence filled the dome. Then she said, almost casually as she looked down at him .
" You are challenging powerful men without fear, aren't afraid they would harm you or your family . You realize that you are digging your own grave by your stupid actions"
Li Xuan frowned once again .
" But if I don't step up and fight them,then my Li family would be stepped over by those Zhao family brats and they will never stop until the last of my family members are crushed to the dust ."
She sighed with a quiet understanding.