Wang Yan turned toward the carriage and slightly cupped his hands.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
A polite, calm, and composed female voice replied from within the carriage:
"You're welcome. Please take care of yourself."
The curtain did not lift.
The carriage moved on, leaving only the faint, lingering echo of the konghou music.
Wang Yan stood still, letting the melody settle in his mind. The violent surge that had threatened to consume him was now gone—not through force, but through harmony.
Slowly, realization dawned.
"If music can guide and calm killing intent…"
"…then understanding the essence of music is the only way to control it completely."
Wang Yan stood still for a moment, the faint echo of the konghou lingering in his mind.
He turned to a passerby nearby.
"Is there… an academy for music in this city?"
The passerby bowed slightly.
"Yes, young sir. It is called the Harmonic Court Academy. Admission is very strict—only nobles are allowed."
Wang Yan nodded once, expression calm but determined.
"I understand."
Without another word, he began moving through the city streets, following the directions toward the Harmonic Court Academy. His mind was already focused. The music had shown him a new path—if he could master it, he could finally control his killing intent fully.
Step by step, he walked toward the academy, each movement measured, every thought resolute.
.....
Wang Yan finally reached the gates of the Harmonic Court Academy. Its tall, elegant gates stood proudly, inscribed with golden characters, and guards in ceremonial uniforms stood on either side, watching every visitor carefully.
He approached, intending to enter, but one of the guards stepped forward, arms crossed.
"State your name and purpose. Admission is strictly for nobles," the guard said firmly.
Wang Yan's calm demeanor didn't waver, but his eyes darkened slightly.
"I wish to enter," he said simply.
The guard raised an eyebrow. "As I said, only nobles are allowed. You cannot—"
Before the sentence could finish, a faint ripple of killing intent escaped from Wang Yan, subtle yet unmistakable. The ground seemed to grow colder, and even from a distance, the air thickened.
The guards froze. Their faces went pale.
Wang Yan took a single step forward, his aura growing heavier.
"Move aside," he said quietly, but the command carried a weight that made it impossible to disobey.
The guards' hearts pounded. Every instinct screamed danger, yet no technique or weapon had been used—only the pressure of Wang Yan's intent. One by one, horrified, they stumbled back, then turned and fled from the gates without looking back.
Wang Yan stepped inside the gates of the Harmonic Court Academy, his eyes calm, yet every step carried the quiet weight of his presence.
Immediately, several guards appeared, blocking his path. Among them were the two who had earlier fled from his killing intent, their faces pale and hesitant. Behind them strode a figure of authority, radiating immense presence.
"You cannot enter," the authority said firmly. "Leave now, or we will take action."
Wang Yan's expression remained unchanged.
"I wish to enter," he replied simply.
The authority's eyes narrowed.
"Very well. Then we will not hold back."
Without hesitation, the guards and the authority released their soul links. The guards were only Soul Ancestors, but the figure of authority revealed his true strength—a Soul Emperor.
Anger flashed in Wang Yan's eyes.
This time, he did not release a slight surge—he unleashed full-scale killing intent. Two massive, dragon-shaped auras manifested, coiling and roaring outward, their presence overwhelming.
The surrounding area chilled instantly. Every living being within the academy felt the weight of death pressing on their bones, a silent horror that froze the blood in their veins. The square outside seemed smaller under the immensity of his aura.
The Soul Emperor and the guards staggered, the ground beneath them trembling under the pressure.
Then—music arose.
A soft, ethereal sound from a konghou cut through the oppressive killing aura. Slowly, the dragons' roar of intent receded, Wang Yan's breath steadied, and clarity returned.
The authorities, shocked but cautious, stepped forward, ready to confront him. One of the academy's teachers, who had produced the music, emerged gracefully.
"You cannot enter like this," the teacher said politely but firmly. "Someone with such killing intent, no background, cannot be allowed into the academy."
Wang Yan stood silently, listening.
Then, a beautiful, familiar voice rang out from the side, calm, polite, and composed:
"Teachers, may I request that this young man be allowed admission?"
All heads turned toward the source of the sound. The authority figures' expressions softened instantly, respect clear in every gesture.
Wang Yan also looked toward the source of the sound. There, one could see a stunning young girl, around sixteen or seventeen years of age, radiating elegance and refinement far beyond her years. Her light blue hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders, contrasting beautifully with a silver robe that shimmered subtly in the light. Every movement was delicate and poised, her serene expression making her beauty almost otherworldly.
"Greetings, young miss ," one of the senior teachers said, bowing slightly. "If you vouch for him, we will honor your request."
She inclined her head gracefully. "Please, let him become familiar with the academy code," she said politely. Her words were calm, courteous, yet carried the weight of her top-tier status and prominent background.
The authorities nodded and stepped aside, honoring her request.
Wang Yan's eyes followed her as she began to move away. He stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Thank you," he said, his voice calm but sincere. "You helped me once before, and now again. I am grateful."
The young lady paused for a moment, offering a gentle, polite smile in acknowledgment, then continued on her way.
Wang Yan watched her for a moment, then voiced a quiet thanks once more before turning back toward the teachers. They nodded respectfully and guided him to register officially with the academy, handing him the necessary documents. Soon after, they provided him with his timetables, and preparations were made for him to begin his studies the following day.
End of chapter.