Back at the Celestial Beast Academy, Lan Meishan lay awake in the darkness of his sleeping chamber.
Emerald serpent eyes glowed faintly as he stared at nothing, his hands clutching the sides of the duvet pulled tight around his body. There was a haunted look on his face. His lips parted as he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, fingers running through his midnight-dark hair. Then, he reached for his glasses at the side of the bed, slid them on, then stood.
Pulling a large black robe over his night clothes and boots, he left the chamber and walked toward his cultivation quarters.
With a gentle push, the doors opened beneath his palm, emerald light responding to his presence. He stepped inside. The soft sound of a small waterfall filled the space.
