After everyone had witnessed how quickly Huo Feng learned, their admiration for her only grew. Even their respect deepened.But that only gave Mei Ling a wicked idea — to prank her during the next trial.Little did she know… our innocent girl wasn't worth the trouble.For in the end, innocence always has the last word.
Master Li gathered the disciples among the clouds, his voice carrying across the sky like a divine echo.
"These clouds," he began, "are Heaven's blessings to the lower realm. Through their gloom, they warn; through their tears, they bring joy. When we speak, they listen. When we paint, they obey.In this trial, you may choose your own path — but remember, the hardest path is often the truest one."
As usual, Huo Feng didn't understand a word of his cryptic speech.She crept closer and whispered,
"Master Li, I've confirmed it today — you truly are a wise man, especially after hearing such... wise-sounding words.But could you, perhaps, tell me what we're actually supposed to do?"
He smiled that gentle, knowing smile of his, then covered her eyes with one hand.
"Drift through your memories," he said softly, "and stop where your happiest moments shine. There you'll find your answer."
She blinked, innocent as ever.
"I'll try... though I still don't quite understand."
She shut her eyes, trying to summon the warmth of her happiest memories —but Suo's mocking laugh shattered her focus like lightning breaking glass.
"Cloud trimming is an art," he sneered. "It carries symbols and messages for the mortals below.How could you possibly grasp that, little buzzing fly? Don't even try — you'll never be an artist."
Her jaw tightened. She bit her lip and raised her sword, lightning dancing along its edge.Dozens of sparks burst from it as she unleashed a flurry of small thunder strikes upon her cloud.She was fast, reckless, desperate to finish before that arrogant Suo —so reckless that she didn't notice Master Wu Xin approaching.
Her final bolt went astray — slicing through a strand of his hair.
At that instant, his voice thundered across the skies:
"Huo Feng!"
She darted forward in panic, chasing the severed strand as it drifted in the wind,hoping to save it — and herself — from the punishment she surely deserved.She caught it, then flew toward him, so close that their breaths nearly tangled.
She wanted to apologize, to fix what she'd broken.Holding the strand gently between her fingers, she raised it toward him.But that closeness — that reckless nearness —stirred something in him that words could not contain.
Her innocent touch sent a strange, pure tremor through his body,one that reached beyond his flesh — straight into his soul.His heart faltered, his breath grew uneven.The more he fought it, the stronger it grew.
He said nothing. His silence confused everyone —for why was the strict Wu Xin suddenly gentle with her?
He stared at her, eyes soft though his expression stayed stern.His clenched jaw betrayed a storm burning inside him.And when he could bear it no longer, he whispered near her ear, voice trembling with control:
"Step back... before I use my whip to help you."
At last, the trial ended. The disciples returned to their quarters,eager to hear the results and the rumors that would surely follow.
Days passed — one, then two.Everyone studied hard, preparing for what lay ahead.But on the third day, several heavenly elders arrived at the academy,their faces dark with fury and impatience.They came to judge a foolish little sinner — the same girl who had baffled the entire kingdom.
It wasn't the severed hair of Master Wu Xin they wished to punish her for.It was something far greater — the burning of a cultivated field,the lifeline of a humble village now doomed to hunger and ruin.
One elder roared, his voice shaking the hall,
"Do you have any idea what your actions have brought upon that poor village?Was it hatred that guided your hand?"
Another, older and sadder, added,
"You sent strange symbols to them, child... and now their lives are steeped in sorrow."
Huo Feng tilted her head, eyes wide with childish curiosity.She raised her hand, asking permission to speak — as she always did.When Master Wu Xin nodded, she grinned and said cheerfully,
"Their lives won't be sorrowful! And I didn't bring them any misfortune.I simply told them to burn their fields — that was necessary!And once it all turned to ash, I told them to break the dam."
Gasps erupted among her peers.Mei Ling smirked, her voice dripping with mockery.
"So burning their crops wasn't enough for you? You drowned their hope as well?Truly, in cruelty, no one can match you."
Yue snapped back,
"And you'll always be the vile one, Mei Ling."
"Enough!" Wu Xin's voice cut through the chaos.He turned to Huo Feng, eyes imploring.
"I'm certain you have a reason for this, don't you? Tell us the truth."
Before she could answer, Suo stepped forward quickly.
"It was my fault! I provoked her again. She only acted rashly because of me."
Mei Ling frowned, voice sharp as glass.
"Be rational, Suo. Don't let your feelings drive you into punishment alongside her."
Suo glared at her.
"You were there, Mei Ling! You saw everything. Don't let jealousy blind you!"
Her face flushed with anger.
"Jealousy? You accuse me of hiding the truth because you like her?You'd share her punishment out of love? How pathetic!"
Suo stammered,
"No—I'm not defending her because I like her, I—"
A calm voice interrupted him.Master Li had appeared, his eyes shimmering with quiet mystery.
"As for me," he said softly, "I am defending her — because I am quite fond of her.Any objections?"
With a wave of his hand, an illusion unfolded before them —a vision of the suffering village.
There, the king of that land feasted among nobles,celebrating the birth of his son.
"You've all come bearing gifts," the king boomed proudly, "but I desire something greater —the finest lands among you, as tribute for my child. Surely that isn't too much?"
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances.To rid themselves of the demand, they pointed to the very land of the now "cursed" village.
"That land," they said, "is vast and rich. Its harvests are bountiful.It is the most prized among us all."
The old village chief stepped forward, trembling yet cunning.
"It would be our honor, Your Majesty," he said. "Your joy is our blessing.We shall vacate the land tomorrow.But... there is one rumor I must confess — that soil has turned to ruin.Its fields were burned... and the floodwaters took what remained."
The Queen Mother gasped.
"So your land is accursed! Would you bring such misfortune upon the prince?"
The chief bowed deeply, hiding a sly smile —for he had just saved his people through her "mistake."
The illusion faded.Master Li turned back to Huo Feng, warmth softening his gaze.
"And that," he said, "is why you should thank her.Just as the chief did. She saved their lives."
Silence fell.Shame filled the hall — all except for Mei Ling, whose jealousy still burned.She smirked darkly.
"So you escaped one crime, but what about the other?You dared damage our great master's hair — how will you defend yourself now?"
Huo Feng chuckled.
"Did he go bald because of it? It was just a strand.If he wants, I'll give him more."
Before anyone could react, she grabbed a handful of her own hair —and cut it.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.No one knew whether to scold her or admire her absurdity.
She stepped forward, holding the bundle toward Wu Xin with an apologetic smile that felt... oddly deliberate.
"Here. Take it. If you want more, I'll give you all you need."
Master Li burst into laughter, unable to help himself.She was the only one who could make his soul laugh like that.Wu Xin, on the other hand, took the offered hair silently — hiding the faintest smile behind his calm mask.
He asked softly,
"Did you keep the strand you cut from me?"
She nodded proudly.
"Of course not! I kept it right here."She pointed to her chest, just above her heart.
Then, with childlike sincerity,
"If you want it back, I can return it."
Wu Xin looked away quickly, replying in a tone far gentler than anyone expected,
"It will grow back. Keep it... as you wish."
Huo Feng turned toward Mei Ling with a victorious smirk.
"There. The matter's settled. Do you have another charge waiting?"
Mei Ling's fury simmered beneath her cold smile.Her heart ached, twisted by envy.She vowed then and there —in the next trial, she would end this.