Morning sunlight spilled over the towering peaks of the Thunder Eagle Academy.
Thin clouds drifted lazily between the mountains, while waterfalls poured endlessly from cliffs high above.
The clear ringing of the academy bell echoed through the valley.
Dong…
Dong…
Dong…
Outer Disciples emerged from every direction.
Some carried wooden practice swords across their backs.
Others hurried toward the cultivation grounds with books tucked beneath their arms.
The academy had awakened.
Among the stream of disciples…
Three familiar figures walked side by side.
Ye Ming.
Ye Luo.
Ye Jun.
Although they had entered the academy together…
The differences in their personalities had already become obvious.
Ye Ming walked with calm confidence.
His posture was straight, his movements composed, and every step reflected years of disciplined upbringing.
Ye Jun's sharp eyes constantly observed his surroundings.
Even while walking…
He instinctively studied the movements of stronger disciples.
Every person was a lesson.
Every mistake someone made became something he silently remembered.
As for Ye Luo…
He was eating.
Again.
A warm meat bun rested comfortably in one hand while another disappeared into his mouth.
Ye Jun looked at him helplessly.
"…Brother."
"We ate less than half an hour ago."
Ye Luo swallowed.
"I know."
"But I became hungry again."
Ye Ming smiled faintly.
"If Father heard this…"
"He would probably send another cart of grain to the academy."
Ye Luo laughed loudly.
"That still wouldn't last me a month."
The three brothers continued toward the training grounds.
Their laughter naturally attracted attention.
Not far away…
Several young female Outer Disciples were arranging medicinal herbs outside the academy pharmacy.
One of them suddenly noticed Ye Luo.
"There…"
"Senior Brother Ye Luo."
Another girl looked over.
A bright smile immediately appeared on her face.
"The one who helped us carry water yesterday?"
"The same one."
"And he refused to accept any spirit stones."
Another nodded.
"He even repaired Junior Sister Lin's broken wooden bucket."
"He spent nearly an hour fixing it."
"He said it was a waste to throw it away."
A third girl giggled softly.
"And he thanked me three times just because I shared two spirit rice cakes."
"He really is different."
Unlike many young disciples who tried to impress others…
Ye Luo never boasted about himself.
He helped people simply because he wanted to.
His smile carried no hidden intentions.
Perhaps because of that…
People naturally felt comfortable around him.
One of the girls gathered her courage.
She quickly ran toward the three brothers.
"Senior Brother Ye Luo!"
Ye Luo stopped walking.
"Hm?"
The young girl held out a carefully wrapped cloth package.
"I…"
"I made these spirit bean cakes this morning."
"My grandmother taught me the recipe."
"I thought…"
"…you might like them."
Ye Luo's eyes brightened.
"For me?"
She nodded nervously.
Without hesitation…
Ye Luo accepted the package with both hands.
"Thank you."
His smile was warm enough to melt away her nervousness.
"I'll treasure them."
The girl covered her flushed face before quickly running back to her friends.
The group immediately burst into quiet laughter.
Ye Jun folded his arms.
"…That's the fourth girl this week."
Ye Luo blinked.
"What?"
"The fourth person who's brought you food."
Ye Luo looked genuinely confused.
"They're probably just being polite."
Ye Ming chuckled.
"No."
"I don't think that's the reason."
Unfortunately…
Not everyone shared that opinion.
Across the courtyard…
Two disciples watched the entire scene.
One wore the plain gray robes of an Outer Disciple.
His expression was sharp.
His name was Han Wei, a disciple from the Han Clan.
Beside him stood Zhao Kang, a broad-shouldered youth from the Zhao Clan.
Both had entered the academy with excellent recommendations from their respective clans.
Yet during the past month…
Neither had received even half the attention Ye Luo seemed to attract naturally.
Zhao Kang clicked his tongue.
"I don't understand."
"He isn't the strongest."
"He isn't the most talented."
"He spends half the day eating."
"So why…"
"…does everyone like him?"
Han Wei remained silent.
His eyes never left Ye Luo.
Finally…
He spoke.
"Because people mistake kindness for strength."
Zhao Kang frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Han Wei's voice remained calm.
"The cultivation world isn't built on smiles."
"It's built on power."
"If he wishes to make friends…"
"Fine."
"But if he wants respect…"
"He'll have to earn it."
At that very moment…
A white-robed figure walked silently across the stone bridge above the courtyard.
The disciples below instinctively stepped aside.
Conversations stopped.
Even the instructors offered respectful greetings.
The newcomer wore flowing white robes decorated with deep blue and royal purple patterns.
Above his heart…
A single magnificent golden eagle shimmered beneath the sunlight.
A Core Disciple.
Han Wei and Zhao Kang immediately lowered their heads.
The Core Disciple merely glanced over the courtyard.
His eyes briefly passed over Ye Ming.
Then Ye Jun.
Finally…
They rested on Ye Luo, who was happily sharing his newly received bean cakes with his two brothers.
A faint smile appeared on the Core Disciple's lips.
"Interesting…"
Without another word…
He continued across the bridge.
Far below…
None of the three brothers noticed that one of the academy's elite had just taken a passing interest in them.
The academy was vast.
Countless geniuses walked its halls.
Some would become allies.
Others…
Would become enemies.
And for the Ye brothers…
Their true academy life had only just begun.
The morning lecture ended shortly before noon.
Instead of dismissing the disciples…
Instructor Mo remained standing at the front of the training ground.
His weathered eyes slowly swept across every face.
The courtyard gradually fell silent.
Even the birds perched on the ancient spirit trees seemed to quiet down.
"You have spent one month inside Thunder Eagle Academy."
"You have learned discipline."
"You have learned the academy's rules."
"You have learned the basics of cultivation."
He paused.
"But today…"
"…you will learn your first lesson about the cultivation world."
No one dared interrupt.
Instructor Mo continued.
"Kindness earns friendship."
"Strength earns respect."
"Wisdom earns survival."
"But only cultivators who possess all three…"
"…can walk far."
Those words settled heavily in every disciple's heart.
He slowly raised his hand.
"The academy is not a shelter."
"It is a place that prepares cultivators for the outside world."
"The outside world…"
"…is not kind."
His voice remained calm.
"If someone insults you…"
"Will you endure?"
"If someone challenges you…"
"Will you retreat?"
"If someone stronger covets your treasure…"
"What will you do?"
Several disciples lowered their heads.
No one answered.
"There is no correct answer."
"Only consequences."
He looked toward the rows of Outer Disciples.
"Thirty days from now…"
"The Outer Disciple Trial begins."
"Until then…"
"Every one of you will receive practical combat training."
Several disciples immediately became excited.
Finally…
Real combat.
Instructor Mo clapped once.
From the far end of the courtyard…
Ten senior Outer Disciples walked forward.
Each wore the academy's light gray robes with a single bronze feather embroidered over the left chest.
Unlike the newcomers…
Their movements were steady.
Their spiritual energy was noticeably stronger.
Instructor Mo spoke.
"These are second-year Outer Disciples."
"They will temporarily supervise your training."
"They are also…"
"…your first opponents."
The newcomers immediately exchanged nervous glances.
Fight senior disciples?
One senior disciple stepped forward.
He was tall.
Well-built.
A faint scar crossed the bridge of his nose.
His expression carried obvious confidence.
"My name is Han Wei."
"I'll be supervising Group Three."
His eyes briefly passed over Ye Luo.
Only for a moment.
But Ye Jun noticed.
That glance…
Wasn't friendly.
Another senior disciple laughed loudly.
"Don't worry."
"We won't beat you too badly."
The courtyard erupted with nervous laughter.
Instructor Mo raised his hand once more.
"The academy has one rule."
"You may challenge."
"You may compete."
"You may surpass one another."
"But…"
He looked directly at the senior disciples.
"No disciple may intentionally cripple another."
"Anyone who violates that rule…"
"…will answer to the Discipline Hall."
Every senior disciple immediately bowed.
"Understood."
Training quickly began.
Each group spread across different parts of the enormous practice grounds.
Wooden swords collided.
Spears swept through the air.
Footwork echoed across the stone platforms.
Instructor Mo walked quietly between the groups, correcting mistakes one by one.
Han Wei stood before his group with folded arms.
"Strength."
He tapped his own chest.
"Begins with balance."
Without warning…
He kicked a wooden training post.
Boom!
The heavy post trembled violently.
Several newcomers widened their eyes.
Han Wei spoke calmly.
"Power means nothing if your stance collapses."
He demonstrated several footwork patterns.
Then ordered every disciple to repeat them.
Again.
And again.
And again.
After only half an hour…
Many disciples were breathing heavily.
Sweat soaked their robes.
Legs trembled.
Ye Jun gritted his teeth.
His breathing had become rough.
Yet…
He refused to stop.
Every correction Han Wei made…
He silently memorized.
Ye Ming remained composed.
Every movement was precise.
Every adjustment happened immediately after receiving instruction.
Even Han Wei couldn't find many faults.
As for Ye Luo…
He completed every exercise.
Every stance.
Every strike.
Every movement.
Then…
He raised his hand.
"Senior Brother."
Han Wei frowned.
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
The training ground became completely silent.
Several disciples stared at Ye Luo as though they had misheard him.
Han Wei's eyebrow twitched.
"…Hungry?"
Ye Luo nodded honestly.
"We've only been training for half an hour."
"I think…"
"…I need lunch."
Several disciples burst into laughter.
Even Instructor Mo, watching from a distance, struggled to hide a smile.
Han Wei's expression, however…
Darkened.
To him…
This wasn't funny.
It felt like disrespect.
"Very well."
His voice became noticeably colder.
"If you still have the strength to think about food…"
"Then run."
He pointed toward the mountain path circling the Outer Disciple District.
"Twenty laps."
"Now."
The laughter immediately disappeared.
Twenty laps…
Even experienced Outer Disciples would think twice.
Ye Jun instinctively stepped forward.
"Senior Brother…"
"My brother didn't mean—"
Ye Luo gently stopped him.
"It's alright."
He smiled.
"I really was hungry."
Then…
Without another complaint…
He began running.
One lap.
Two laps.
Three laps.
The sun climbed higher into the sky.
Most disciples expected him to collapse before reaching ten.
Instead…
He kept running.
His breathing remained steady.
His pace hardly changed.
At the twelfth lap…
Han Wei's confident expression slowly disappeared.
At the fifteenth…
Even the nearby instructors began paying attention.
At the twentieth…
Ye Luo crossed the finish line, wiped the sweat from his forehead…
And looked toward Han Wei with an innocent smile.
"Senior Brother…"
"Can I go eat now?"
For the first time…
Han Wei didn't know how to answer.
Far above the training grounds…
Standing on a distant pavilion…
Core Instructor Gu Xuan had watched the entire scene without saying a word.
His gaze lingered on Ye Luo.
Not because the young man had completed twenty laps.
But because…
His body had recovered far too quickly.
Most disciples would still be gasping for breath.
Ye Luo…
Was already thinking about lunch.
Gu Xuan quietly folded his hands behind his back.
"…Interesting."
"…Very interesting."
Chapter 17 – The Price of Kindness (Part Three)
The afternoon sun hung high above the academy.
Heat shimmered above the stone training grounds.
Many of the new Outer Disciples had already collapsed beneath the shade of the ancient spirit trees.
Some lay flat on the ground.
Others sat cross-legged, trying to circulate spiritual energy to recover their strength.
Heavy breathing echoed everywhere.
Instructor Mo slowly walked among them.
Occasionally…
He corrected a breathing posture.
Sometimes…
He simply observed.
Cultivation…
Was not merely about talent.
It was about understanding one's own body.
Not far away…
Ye Jun leaned against a large boulder.
Sweat dripped continuously from his forehead.
His legs still trembled from the morning's endurance training.
"…I can barely stand."
Ye Ming was only slightly better.
Although he maintained his composure…
His breathing had clearly become heavier.
"The academy's training…"
"…is far harsher than home."
Ye Jun nodded.
"Our clan would've stopped long before this."
Just then…
Both of them turned.
A familiar voice echoed across the training field.
"Senior!"
"Can I have another bowl?"
The brothers exchanged helpless looks.
"…Again?"
Inside the dining hall…
The cooks had already become familiar with Ye Luo.
The elderly chef laughed heartily as he filled another wooden bowl with steaming spiritual rice.
"You've already eaten enough for six disciples."
Ye Luo scratched his cheek.
"I know…"
"But my stomach still feels empty."
The chef shook his head with a smile.
"In thirty years…"
"I've never seen a disciple eat like you."
Another cook added jokingly,
"If you stay here another year…"
"The academy might go bankrupt."
The entire kitchen erupted with laughter.
Ye Luo laughed together with them.
"I'll work hard and repay the academy one day."
The cooks laughed even louder.
To them…
He wasn't troublesome.
He was simply an unusually cheerful boy with an impossible appetite.
Not everyone found it amusing.
Standing quietly outside the dining hall…
Han Wei watched everything.
His brows gradually furrowed.
"…How?"
He had expected twenty laps to exhaust Ye Luo completely.
Instead…
The boy had recovered after one meal.
No.
After several meals.
Han Wei clenched his fists.
"Either…"
"…he's pretending…"
"…or his body is abnormal."
At that very moment…
A calm voice sounded behind him.
"If you keep staring…"
"You'll never find the answer."
Han Wei immediately turned around.
"Core Instructor Gu!"
Gu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back.
His expression remained calm.
Han Wei bowed respectfully.
"I was merely observing a fellow disciple."
Gu Xuan nodded.
"I know."
His gaze drifted toward the dining hall.
"You believe he's hiding his strength."
Han Wei answered honestly.
"Yes."
"No ordinary cultivator should recover so quickly."
Gu Xuan remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Have you considered another possibility?"
Han Wei looked confused.
"What possibility?"
"That…"
"…his body simply isn't ordinary."
Han Wei frowned.
"You mean a special constitution?"
Gu Xuan slowly shook his head.
"I didn't say that."
"I said…"
"…his body isn't ordinary."
There was an important difference.
One was a conclusion.
The other…
Was merely an observation.
Han Wei lowered his head.
"I understand."
Gu Xuan looked toward the dining hall once more.
Ye Luo was happily thanking the cooks for another basket of steamed buns.
No arrogance.
No pride.
No awareness that people were beginning to notice him.
The Core Instructor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Continue observing."
"But do not interfere."
"If there truly is something unusual…"
"…time will reveal it."
With that…
He quietly walked away.
Han Wei remained standing where he was.
For the first time…
His jealousy had been replaced by curiosity.
Far across the academy…
Hidden among towering cliffs…
A massive ancient bell rang once.
Dong—
Its deep sound echoed through every mountain peak.
Every instructor immediately raised their heads.
Instructor Mo smiled faintly.
"It has begun."
A nearby disciple looked confused.
"What has begun, Instructor?"
Instructor Mo looked toward the distant central mountain.
"The annual selection…"
"…for disciples who may enter the Inner Court."
Although none of the newcomers qualified…
Every disciple knew one thing.
If they wished to climb higher…
One day…
They would have to stand before that same mountain.
And prove that they belonged there.
Chapter 17 – Eyes from Above
The news of the upcoming Outer Disciple Trial spread throughout Thunder Eagle Academy.
For the new disciples…
It was an opportunity.
For the senior disciples…
It was entertainment.
For the instructors…
It was an examination.
The largest martial arena in the Outer Court gradually filled with disciples.
More than a hundred Outer Disciples stood in neat rows beneath the morning sun.
On the surrounding stone platforms…
Second-year Outer Disciples sat with folded arms.
Higher still…
Several Inner Disciples had arrived to observe.
Their pure white robes trimmed with bright blue immediately caught everyone's attention.
Three silver feathers embroidered across their chests glittered beneath the sunlight.
Every Outer Disciple instinctively lowered their voices.
Inner Disciples.
To them…
These were already experts.
Then…
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
A cold breeze swept across the arena.
Every instructor stood.
Even the proud Inner Disciples immediately rose from their seats.
A graceful young woman slowly walked onto the highest observation platform.
Her flowing white robes blended beautifully with deep blue and royal purple embroidery.
Upon her chest…
A single golden eagle shone proudly.
A Core Disciple.
She was the youngest Core Disciple in Thunder Eagle Academy.
The most talented disciple of her generation.
Many of the new disciples had only heard stories about her.
Today…
They finally saw her in person.
She neither smiled…
Nor looked arrogant.
Her calm eyes simply overlooked the entire arena.
The pressure she unconsciously emitted caused many Outer Disciples to become nervous.
Ye Ming quietly whispered,
"So…"
"That's a Core Disciple…"
Ye Jun swallowed unconsciously.
"The gap…"
"…feels enormous."
Even before fighting…
They understood the difference.
Only one person remained exactly the same.
Ye Luo.
He quietly finished the last meat bun in his hand.
"…I'm still hungry."
Ye Jun nearly choked.
"We're about to begin the assessment!"
Ye Luo scratched his cheek.
"I know."
"But hunger doesn't wait."
Ye Ming couldn't help smiling.
On the highest platform…
The Core Disciple's gaze briefly swept across the crowd.
She wasn't searching for anyone.
She was simply observing.
Her eyes paused for only a heartbeat on the three brothers from the Ye Clan before moving away again.
Nothing about them appeared extraordinary.
Not yet.
A loud voice echoed across the arena.
"Instructor Mo arrives!"
The veteran instructor stepped onto the central platform.
Behind him…
Four other instructors followed.
Among them…
Walked a beautiful middle-aged woman dressed in elegant deep-blue robes embroidered with golden clouds.
Unlike the combat instructors…
Her expression was gentle.
Yet her eyes were exceptionally sharp.
She was Instructor Lan Xinyue.
One of the academy's Body Cultivation instructors.
Many disciples respectfully bowed.
Instructor Mo raised his hand.
"The preliminary assessment begins today."
"This is not the final tournament."
"It is merely a chance…"
"…for us to understand each of you."
He pointed toward dozens of enormous black stone pillars arranged around the arena.
"Each disciple will display."
"Strength."
"Speed."
"Endurance."
"Reaction."
"No rankings will be announced today."
"We are only observing."
One after another…
The disciples stepped forward.
Some displayed impressive sword techniques.
Others demonstrated excellent movement.
A few possessed remarkable spiritual control.
The observing instructors occasionally nodded.
Occasionally…
They simply made notes.
When Ye Ming stepped forward…
His performance immediately drew attention.
His movements were clean.
Disciplined.
Every strike landed precisely where intended.
Instructor Mo nodded approvingly.
"A solid foundation."
An Inner Disciple quietly remarked,
"That young man has clearly received excellent clan training."
The Core Disciple on the platform merely watched in silence.
Then…
Ye Jun's turn arrived.
His swordsmanship wasn't as polished.
Several mistakes appeared during his footwork.
But every time he stumbled…
He immediately corrected himself.
He adapted astonishingly quickly.
Instructor Mo smiled.
"He learns during battle."
Instructor Lan Xinyue nodded.
"His instincts are excellent."
Finally…
Ye Luo walked forward.
Several disciples laughed quietly.
"The glutton."
"I wonder if he brought food."
Ye Luo awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Instructor Mo pointed toward the largest endurance stone.
"Carry it."
"Walk from one end of the arena…"
"…to the other."
The stone weighed nearly three hundred kilograms.
Most disciples struggled even lifting it.
Ye Luo bent his knees.
Wrapped both arms around it.
Then…
He lifted it onto his shoulder.
Without shouting.
Without exploding with spiritual energy.
Without using any visible technique.
He simply…
Walked.
One step.
Another.
Another.
His breathing became heavier.
Sweat covered his forehead.
Yet…
His pace never slowed.
Halfway across the arena…
Several instructors exchanged surprised glances.
Instructor Lan Xinyue's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Strange."
She wasn't surprised by his strength.
She was surprised by his body.
His muscles moved with remarkable efficiency.
His breathing adjusted naturally.
His bones appeared capable of supporting far more weight than his cultivation should allow.
She quietly wrote a single sentence into her observation scroll.
'Abnormally efficient body. Continue observing.'
Nothing more.
No conclusions.
Only an observation.
The assessment finally ended.
Most disciples immediately rushed toward the dining hall.
Ye Luo…
Was the first to arrive.
Before the cooks could even greet him…
He smiled brightly.
"Uncle!"
"I'm hungry!"
The elderly cook laughed helplessly.
"You just finished the assessment!"
Ye Luo nodded seriously.
"That's why I'm hungry."
The kitchen burst into laughter.
High above…
Instructor Lan Xinyue happened to witness the scene.
She watched quietly as bowl after bowl disappeared before the cheerful young disciple.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
She didn't laugh.
Instead…
She asked the cook,
"Has he always eaten this much?"
The cook sighed.
"Since the day he arrived."
"I've worked here for twenty-eight years."
"I've never seen anything like it."
Instructor Lan Xinyue remained silent.
As Ye Luo happily thanked the cooks before carrying extra food back for Ye Ming and Ye Jun…
A thoughtful expression appeared in her eyes.
She wasn't looking at a glutton.
She was looking at a mystery.
And somewhere in the back of her mind…
A question quietly formed.
"Is that appetite merely hunger…"
"Or is his body demanding something no ordinary disciple can yet understand?"
Chapter 17 – Eyes Behind the Records
The afternoon sun slowly descended behind Thunder Eagle Mountain.
Golden light bathed the tiled rooftops of Thunder Eagle Academy, while countless disciples returned to their residences after a full day of training.
The practice grounds, noisy only moments ago, gradually became quiet.
Yet…
Not everyone was resting.
Deep within the academy…
Beyond the Outer Court…
Past the Inner Court…
A solemn stone hall stood atop a quiet hill.
Ancient pine trees surrounded the building, their branches swaying gently in the evening breeze.
Above the entrance hung a dark plaque carved with three golden characters.
Hall of Instructors.
Only instructors, elders and invited guests were permitted to enter.
Inside…
A long table carved from thousand-year ironwood stretched across the center of the hall.
Oil lamps burned steadily.
Scrolls and jade records were neatly arranged before each seat.
One after another…
The instructors entered.
Instructor Mo.
Instructor Shen.
Several combat instructors.
Alchemy instructors.
Weapon instructors.
Finally…
Instructor Lan Xinyue quietly took her seat.
She wore the same elegant deep-blue robes as before.
Not a single wrinkle disturbed the flowing fabric.
Her long black hair was tied neatly behind her head with a jade hairpin.
Her calm expression never changed.
She simply listened.
An elderly man carrying several thick ledgers hurried inside.
His beard was almost completely white.
Ink stains covered both sleeves of his robe.
Unlike the cultivators present…
He carried no weapon.
Instead…
He carried numbers.
Everyone respectfully greeted him.
"Steward Qian."
The old man sighed dramatically before placing the heavy ledgers onto the table.
"Managing the academy becomes more expensive every year."
Several instructors laughed knowingly.
The meeting officially began.
Instructor Mo opened the discussion.
"This year's Outer Disciples…"
"…are promising."
He placed several name slips onto the table.
"Ye Ming."
"Excellent foundation."
"Disciplined."
"Suitable for future leadership."
Several instructors nodded in agreement.
Instructor Shen added,
"He possesses confidence."
"But not arrogance."
"A rare quality."
A note was quietly written beside Ye Ming's name.
Continue Observation.
The next name.
"Ye Jun."
Instructor Mo smiled slightly.
"His foundation is average."
"But his adaptability is exceptional."
"He learns from every mistake."
Instructor Shen nodded.
"Such disciples often progress faster than expected."
Another note was added.
Potential.
More names followed.
Some talented.
Some ordinary.
Some disappointing.
Lan Xinyue remained silent throughout.
She neither praised nor criticized anyone.
She simply listened.
Eventually…
Instructor Mo looked toward her.
"Instructor Lan."
"You've spoken very little today."
"Did any disciple attract your attention?"
The room became quiet.
Lan Xinyue thought for a moment.
Then answered simply.
"Yes."
Everyone looked up.
"Ye Luo."
Several instructors exchanged puzzled glances.
"The cheerful one?"
"The disciple who keeps eating?"
Someone chuckled softly.
Lan Xinyue ignored the laughter.
"He carried three hundred kilograms farther than expected."
"His breathing recovered unusually quickly."
"And…"
She paused.
"…his body's efficiency doesn't match his current cultivation."
Silence filled the hall.
Instructor Mo frowned slightly.
"You suspect a hidden physique?"
Lan Xinyue slowly shook her head.
"No."
"I suspect nothing."
"I merely observed."
Before anyone could continue…
Steward Qian suddenly cleared his throat.
"There is…"
"…another matter concerning that disciple."
Every instructor turned toward him.
The old steward slowly opened one of the thick ledgers.
His wrinkled fingers carefully flipped through several pages.
Finally…
He stopped.
"I originally thought…"
"…someone had made a mistake."
"So I checked it myself."
He produced another ledger.
Then another.
Then another.
Four ledgers now lay open across the table.
Every page…
Contained the same name.
Ye Luo.
Instructor Mo blinked.
"So many records?"
Steward Qian sighed.
"Food records."
The hall became strangely quiet.
He adjusted his spectacles before reading aloud.
"Spirit Rice…"
"Three hundred and forty-seven bowls."
"Spirit Beast Meat…"
"One hundred and twenty-six portions."
"Nourishing Bone Soup…"
"Sixty-two servings."
"Medicinal Grain Cakes…"
"Ninety-eight."
One instructor burst into laughter.
"Surely…"
"…that cannot belong to one disciple."
Steward Qian closed the final ledger.
"It does."
"It has all been verified."
"The kitchen staff personally confirmed every entry."
Another instructor asked in disbelief,
"Has he been taking food away?"
"No."
"He eats it there."
Someone else joked,
"Perhaps he's feeding a hidden spirit beast."
Steward Qian shook his head.
"The cooks watched him finish every meal himself."
The laughter slowly disappeared.
Lan Xinyue quietly reached for the ledger.
Her beautiful eyes moved across every carefully recorded entry.
Breakfast.
Lunch.
Dinner.
Occasional midnight meals after intense training.
Everything…
Had been documented.
She noticed something.
The portions increased…
Only after strenuous physical training.
Her fingers lightly tapped the table.
Interesting.
One combat instructor frowned.
"This is excessive."
"If every disciple ate like him…"
"The academy's food reserves would be exhausted within months."
Another nodded.
"We should restrict his meals."
Before anyone else could speak…
Lan Xinyue calmly placed the ledger back onto the table.
"No."
Everyone looked at her.
"If his body truly demands this much nourishment…"
"Then reducing his food now…"
"…may harm his cultivation."
The hall fell silent once more.
Someone asked,
"What if he's simply greedy?"
Lan Xinyue answered without emotion.
"Greed leaves traces."
"This boy leaves none."
"He thanks the cooks."
"He wastes nothing."
"He returns every bowl."
"He shares food with fellow disciples."
She looked around the table.
"That is not gluttony."
"That is hunger."
Real hunger.
The kind produced…
By the body itself.
Steward Qian scratched his beard.
"So…"
"What should we do?"
Lan Xinyue slowly closed the ledger.
"For now…"
"Nothing."
"Continue feeding him."
"Continue observing him."
"If his appetite continues to grow…"
"…then we will have our answer."
Instructor Mo looked thoughtfully at the name written across the ledger.
"Ye Luo…"
He murmured quietly.
"What exactly are you hiding?"
Far below the instructors' hall…
Completely unaware of the discussion taking place above…
Ye Luo sat beneath an old maple tree.
His academy robes were freshly washed.
His hair had already been retied neatly after training.
A warm smile rested on his slightly rounded face as he carefully divided a basket of steamed buns.
One for himself.
One for Ye Jun.
One for Ye Ming.
He looked toward the empty path leading back to the Ye Clan and chuckled softly.
"When Little Fu joins us one day…"
"I'll need to save one more."
The evening breeze carried away his laughter.
High above…
The instructors searched for answers.
Down below…
The boy at the center of their discussion simply hoped his younger brother would one day enjoy dinner with him again.