The academy, once filled with laughter and cultivation debates, had descended into complete chaos.
Screams echoed through the air.
Students ran in panic, some dragging the injured behind them, others clutching their weapons with trembling hands. Blood stained the stone pathways. From every direction came the deafening roars of beasts, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
Some cultivators fought bravely, forming defensive lines. Others froze in terror, unable to move as death approached.
Bai-Xue and Cai-Hang stood in the middle of the chaos, stunned by the sudden change.
"W-What is going on...?" Cai-Hang whispered, her voice shaking.
She grabbed a passing disciple by the arm.
"Tell me! What happened here?"
The disciple's face was pale as death. His breathing was uneven.
"The forest...!" he gasped.
"All the beasts from the forest have gone mad and attacked the academy! Many people are injured—some are already dead! Even the security formations... they've collapsed!"
Cai-Hang's pupils shrank.
"The security formations... broken?"
She staggered half a step back.
"That's impossible. Those formations were personally reinforced by the royal ancestors. No one should be able to break them!"
Her chest tightened.
"This isn't just an attack..." she murmured.
"This is a disaster."
She immediately turned toward Bai-Xue and grabbed her hands tightly, as if afraid she might disappear.
"Bai, don't be scared, okay?" she said quickly.
"I'm here. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you."
Bai-Xue looked at her worried expression and gave a small, awkward smile.
"I'm fine," she said softly, nodding.
"Don't worry about me."
Just then, heavy footsteps thundered toward them.
A group of armored soldiers rushed over and instantly surrounded the two girls, weapons raised and alert.
"First Princess Cai-Hang!" one of them shouted.
"We've been searching for you everywhere. Please follow us immediately. We must escort you to a safe zone!"
Cai-Hang frowned.
"Safe zone?"
Her gaze hardened.
"My safety isn't the priority right now."
She pointed toward Bai-Xue.
"Take her away first. Escort Bai-Xue to the safest place in the academy."
Then she barked another order,
"And send word to my brother immediately! Tell the Crown Prince that Princess Bai-Xue and I are still inside the academy!"
The soldiers hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, Princess!"
Cai-Hang turned to Bai-Xue again, forcing calm into her voice.
"Bai, we'll go somewhere secure. This place is too dangerous."
Bai-Xue nodded and followed silently as the soldiers escorted them away.
As they moved through the academy's inner passages, Bai-Xue's eyes subtly scanned the surroundings.
When I entered the academy earlier...
There was a crack on one of the protective stones.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Could this attack be connected to that crack?
Soon, they arrived before a massive underground door engraved with ancient runes.
Cai-Hang explained quickly,
"This is a sealed safety chamber. It's built deep beneath the academy and protected by countless layers of formations. Even high-rank beasts can't break in."
Before Bai-Xue could reply—
BOOM!
A violent impact shook the walls.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
The soldiers instantly drew their weapons.
"We'll check outside!" one of them shouted.
They rushed out, leaving only Bai-Xue and Cai-Hang inside the chamber.
Cai-Hang took a deep breath and smiled nervously.
"It's fine," she said, trying to sound confident.
"My brother will arrive soon. Everything will be under control."
Moments later—
"AAAH—!"
Screams echoed from outside.
Cai-Hang's expression changed completely.
She clenched her sword.
"Bai, stay here," she said firmly.
"I'll go see what's happening."
Bai-Xue hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Please be careful."
Cai-Hang turned and ran out.
Silence returned.
Bai-Xue exhaled slowly.
"She left me in safety..."
"...while she walked straight into danger."
She shook her head with a faint sigh.
"What an innocent fool."
She pressed her fingers against her forehead.
"Tsk... I guess I don't have a choice."
She stepped outside.
The moment Bai-Xue emerged, her gaze froze.
A terrifying presence surged through the air.
A three-headed lion-dog beast, its eyes glowing crimson, lunged straight toward Cai-Hang. Its killing intent was overwhelming, crushing the air itself.
Cai-Hang stood frozen for a brief moment—then raised her sword.
Her hands trembled, yet she did not retreat.
"I won't run..." she whispered.
"I'm the First Princess."
But Bai-Xue saw the truth clearly.
She can't win.
Not even if she risks her life.
From the shadows, Bai-Xue spoke quietly.
"When you know facing a problem will only lead to death..."
"...running away isn't cowardice."
She sighed.
"It's survival."
Her eyes turned cold.
Bai-Xue could not allow Cai-Hang to see her power.
If she did, everything would be exposed.
So she raised her hand silently.
A massive fireball condensed in her palm, flames swirling violently, distorting the air.
With a flick of her wrist—
The fireball shot forward.
BOOOOM—!
The beast was engulfed in blazing flames, its agonized howls echoing before it collapsed into ashes.
Cai-Hang stared in shock.
The sudden flames...
The burning monster...
Her vision blurred.
She collapsed.
Bai-Xue appeared beside her in an instant, catching her before she hit the ground.
She carried Cai-Hang back into the sealed chamber and laid her down gently.
Without another glance, Bai-Xue turned and left.
"Fighting random beasts won't solve anything," she muttered.
"I need the source."
Her eyes sharpened.
"Darky," she called softly.
"Come out."
A dark figure emerged beside her.
"Dark Moon," Bai-Xue asked calmly,
"Tell me what's happening."
"Master," Dark Moon said grimly,
"These beasts are not acting on their own. They're being controlled."
"Controlled?" Bai-Xue's gaze darkened.
"By whom?"
"I can't see the controller," Dark Moon replied.
"But they're trapped inside a powerful illusion."
"Then break it."
"Yes, Master."
Dark Moon attempted to tear through the illusion—
Then suddenly collapsed.
"Darky!" Bai-Xue said sharply.
"I'm fine," Dark Moon replied weakly.
"But I can't break it. There's another force here... something powerful. I can feel it, but I can't locate it."
Bai-Xue straightened.
"Enough," she said quietly.
"I'll look myself."
Her pupils glowed as Divine Vision activated.
The academy unfolded before her eyes.
She saw bravery.
Cowardice.
Sacrifice.
Desperation.
Then—
She turned her gaze toward the forest.
At its heart...
A small, blooming purple flame, pulsing calmly.
Bai-Xue smiled faintly.
"So it's you."
Without hesitation, she stepped toward the forest.