Red Mountain Academy had officially entered its holiday break. The once-bustling campus now lay quiet and serene.
"Yang'er," Lin Ximeng said softly, her voice filled with reluctance and concern, "you'll be studying in Donghai (East Sea) City now—please, stay safe."
Fang Yang nodded obediently. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll take good care of myself."
Lin Ximeng suddenly remembered something and frowned. "By the way, Yang'er—do you have enough money? Donghai City's prices are quite high…"
"I'm all set," Fang Yang replied with a smile. "Tower Master Liu Yang gave me ten million, and the dean added another one million—they're all in the card."
As a Core Disciple of the Spirit Pagoda, his soul spirits were provided free of charge by the organization—no expense to him at all.
Hearing this, Lin Ximeng's expression softened. A gentle smile touched her lips.
She turned and pulled a delicate blue box from her bag. Opening it revealed two sleek soul-guided communicators.
"Wow!" Fang Yang's eyes lit up. "Mom, did you get a bonus? These are the latest-model soul-guided communicators!"
These were the newest generation—wristband-style devices, about two fingers wide, designed to clamp snugly around the wrist for easy, portable use.
Each unit alone cost tens of thousands of Federation credits—not counting the call fees.
Lin Ximeng tapped his forehead playfully and fastened one communicator onto his wrist. "I originally planned to give you pocket money—but since you're loaded, I got you this instead. I'll keep the other one, so we can stay in touch anytime."
The metallic band automatically adjusted to his wrist, cool and smooth against his skin.
Suddenly, Fang Yang threw his arms around her in a tight hug, his voice muffled against her shoulder:
"Thank you, Mom! I love you!"
Lin Ximeng froze for a moment—then her eyes grew warm and misty. She patted his back gently.
"You silly boy… I've already saved my number in it. Call me anytime you miss me."
Finally, Fang Yang pulled back and looked at her earnestly.
"Mom, take good care of yourself while I'm away."
"Mm… I will…" she whispered.
…
Donghai City!
The second-largest coastal metropolis in the Sun Moon Federation—and a major hub for maritime trade, shipping, and oceanic resource development.
Thanks to its strategic location and abundant marine wealth, the city supported over three million residents and thrived in prosperity.
Beyond its economic might, Donghai City also boasted ancient heritage. While modernized, its architecture preserved a classic, time-honored aesthetic.
For centuries, the Sun Moon Federation had prioritized the preservation of historical structures—so within this ancient city, buildings over a thousand years old stood side by side with modern marvels.
---
Donghai Soul-Guided Train Station
A long, resonant whistle echoed as a deep-blue soul-guided train glided smoothly into the platform.
Once it halted, the doors hissed open—and passengers poured out like a tidal wave.
The platform instantly erupted into chaos: travelers dragging suitcases, merchants lugging bundles, staff waving arrival signs—a sea of bodies jammed every inch.
Amid the crowd, two nine-year-old boys stood out.
One had black hair and dark eyes, his features refined and handsome.
The other bore soft black hair and bright, alert eyes.
They were Fang Yang and Tang Wulin, newcomers to this coastal metropolis.
"Wulin, it's so crowded—I can't even tell which way is north!" Fang Yang stood on tiptoe, but saw nothing but a forest of heads.
Tang Wulin wiped sweat from his brow. "I can't find any signs either. Should we ask that enforcement officer over there?"
As they spoke, Fang Yang noticed a girl nearby—her hair tied in pale blue twin tails, about their age.
"Wulin, wait here. I'll ask her."
He hurried over. "Excuse me—do you know where the Donghai Academy shuttle departs from?"
The girl turned—and revealed a strikingly beautiful face.
When she saw Fang Yang, her eyes gleamed slightly.
"You're heading to Donghai Academy? My brother's in Senior Division, Year 2. I'm going there too—come with me!"
"That's amazing—thank you!" Fang Yang beamed.
He turned and called out brightly: "Wulin! Over here!"
Tang Wulin jogged over. When he saw the blue-twin-tailed girl beside Fang Yang, curiosity sparked in his eyes. "Fang Yang, who's this?"
The girl's twin tails swayed as she turned. She extended her hand with a friendly smile.
"Hi! I'm Xu Xiaoyan."
"I'm Fang Yang, and this is my good friend Tang Wulin," Fang Yang said, shaking her hand.
Wait—
Fang Yang's heart skipped.
Could this really be Xu Xiaoyan from the original story? Just by chance?
He quickly masked his surprise, keeping his expression calm.
Xu Xiaoyan seemed to notice something—but only winked playfully.
"Come on! The shuttle stop's just ahead."
Led by her, the trio weaved skillfully through the throng.
Soon, they arrived at a signpost bearing four bold characters: "DONGHAI ACADEMY."
Behind the sign sat several teens in blue athletic uniforms—around 17 or 18 years old.
One young man stood out—tall, poised, with the same pale blue hair as Xiaoyan… but radiating an entirely different aura.
His eyes swept over them, voice laced with suspicion:
"Xiaoyan? What are you doing here?"
"Brother, I—" she began.
But he cut her off, arms crossed, gaze sharpening as it landed on Fang Yang and Tang Wulin.
"You two—what's your business with my sister?"
Before the words fully left his mouth—three soul rings erupted beneath his feet:
Yellow, Yellow, PURPLE.
A Three-Ring Soul Elder!
The pressure forced Tang Wulin to stumble back half a step, face paling.
Fang Yang said nothing. He simply took one calm step forward.
"Hm?" Xu Xiaoyu's eyes narrowed in surprise.
At that motion, two deep violet soul rings rose from Fang Yang's feet—like twin purple moons orbiting his body.
"Thousand-year soul rings?!"
"And TWO of them?!"
Gasps rippled through the onlookers—disbelief written across every face.
Xu Xiaoyan covered her mouth, her pale blue eyes wide with shock.
As the second daughter of the Donghai Xu Family, she might dislike cultivation—but she knew well what two thousand-year rings meant.
Monstrous talent!
Xu Xiaoyu's pupils contracted.
He'd assumed his Soul Elder aura would easily intimidate these newcomers into submission.
But now—he was stunned to find he couldn't suppress this boy with only two rings.
Because Fang Yang emanated a presence…
one that made his very soul tremble.
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