That morning, the students gathered early at Master Li's request. His tone had been unusually firm — attendance was mandatory.
Perhaps it was because this was the last day before the end of the first term, or perhaps he simply wanted to ensure everyone was fully prepared for tomorrow — the Feast of Talents, the long-awaited day of presentation and pride.
He questioned them one by one about their progress, and everyone's answers were reassuring...
Everyone's, except for Suo's.
Just when the silence began to grow uneasy, the classroom door burst open — and Suo appeared, his eyes glimmering with mischief.
"Stand up, girl!" he called.
Huo Feng, startled but obedient, rose immediately, still holding a few books she had been arranging.
"Drop what you're holding," he ordered firmly, "and follow me."
Without hesitation, she released the books. They fell to the ground with a soft thud as she rushed toward him, as if pulled by a hidden force.
Suo grasped her hand — right there, before everyone — under Master Li's burning gaze, whose calm eyes flushed with a dangerous red of irritation… and jealousy.
Then, without another word, they vanished into the sky.
They flew beyond the clouds, down toward the earth — a place only they knew, where she would, as Suo promised, learn and understand.
A "brilliant idea," or so Suo thought.
He took her straight to the House of Human Blossoms, a forbidden place that no student was ever allowed to enter. Yet, he insisted — certain that within its walls, she might find the inspiration she sought.
Perhaps there, she could learn the Dance of Grace… from one of the captivating maidens who ruled that realm with beauty and rhythm.
The hall shimmered with music and motion. Dozens of enchanting women swayed like petals in a soft breeze, their movements fluid and hypnotic.
Huo Feng's heart trembled with wonder. She drifted among them like a ghost of moonlight — unseen, yet completely enthralled.
Then, she stopped.
Her gaze fixed on one dancer — the most radiant among them, a woman of ethereal elegance, her every motion delicate, her aura noble.
Huo Feng approached silently… until her spirit brushed against the dancer's.
For a fleeting moment, their souls intertwined — and when she stepped back, Huo Feng had copied her gift.
The maiden, unaware yet inexplicably touched, paused. Huo Feng whispered softly:
"I know you can't see me, but your heart will hear me.
Accept this thread as my thanks.
From now on, no enemy shall harm you — so long as you keep it, and never let it break."
With that, she turned to find Suo — who, unsurprisingly, was far too occupied admiring every dancer that passed before him, his eyes following each graceful sway.
Huo Feng grabbed him by the ear and dragged him out.
He didn't resist — he even smiled, amused by her fiery indignation.
"What is it?" he teased. "Did you blush at their beauty… or burn with jealousy?"
She replied simply, in that innocent, straightforward way of hers:
"They were beautiful — dazzling to behold. Why should I be shy?
And why would I be jealous, when I've just learned the Dance of Moon and Flame from the finest of them all?"
Suo blinked, bewildered.
"You learned it? You barely even saw it!"
Huo Feng's lips curved into a confident smile.
"Have you forgotten? When it comes to learning… I'm the best there is."
He frowned and tugged lightly on her collar.
"Tomorrow, when they all laugh, don't blame me for not warning you."
She pouted, clutching the edge of his robe, eyes wide in mock plea.
"If you help me one more time, I'll pass tomorrow's test with ease.
Come on — dance the Sun and Moon with me!"
Suo laughed, full of spark.
"I know it well — without boasting! But what about you, little moon?"
"Don't be fooled by my innocent face," she said, pulling him along playfully.
"In mere moments, I mastered her daring dance.
I'm just missing one thing — the sun to my moon."
"And what about the music?" he asked, intrigued. "Who'll play the earth between you two? Do you have someone in mind willing to join your act?"
Huo Feng smiled — that sweet, dangerous smile that always carried trouble.
"Of course I do! My dear, kind Master Li. He could never refuse me… like you, oh captivated one."
Suo stopped dead in his tracks, staring at her in disbelief.
"So… you know how I feel, and you've just revealed my secret?"
She shrugged lightly, unbothered.
"Matters of the heart don't concern me right now.
What matters is passing that exam!"
And before he could reply, she took flight — up, up toward the Celestial Kingdom, carrying with her not just ambition and dreams…
but a spark of warmth she pretended not to understand.