All the people of Yuzhen tribe started moving toward the gate. At that very moment, another loud explosion sounded outside, and the main gate of the Shikshagrah trembled violently.
The villagers were striking the gate together. Their eyes had turned black, their faces held no expression — only blind command.
Master drew his sword and said in an anger-filled voice,
"Moyan… you are forcing us."
Just then Xiangu immediately ordered,
"Activate the protection circle. And remember — the villagers are not the enemy."
Meanwhile, inside the chamber, the air near Lixuan's ear suddenly froze — as if even the light in the room had forgotten how to breathe.
He felt it… it wasn't just a voice. Someone was standing right beside him. A cold wave ran down the back of his neck.
At that same moment, the ancient spell symbols drawn on the ground began to crawl slowly… as if alive. Black smoke started rising from them, and crooked shadows began moving along the walls.
The voice came again. But this time not one — it carried the anger of many voices.
"Saving does not always mean sacrifice… sometimes it erases identity…"
For a moment, the scene in front of Lixuan's eyes changed. Numerous shadows emerged in the room, and every face seemed to turn away upon seeing him.
Then the final whisper descended into his ear —
"This magic does not ask for blood, Lixuan… it asks for loneliness."
Lixuan's heart pounded hard. Outside, the door was on the verge of breaking… and inside, someone had touched his fear.
He slowly opened his eyes. Fear was on his face —
but behind that fear, a powerful determination shone.
A cold breeze swirled through the room… and at the same time, a shadow in one corner shifted — as if changing its identity.
Zhichen quickly came to Lixuan. Holding his hand, he said in a worried voice,
"Are you okay? If something had happened to you I—"
But Lixuan just nodded slowly. In his eyes there was no fear, only patience and understanding.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Master, Xiangu, and Jinhai stood. Their eyes were sharp and serious.
"All students stay in your positions," Xiangu ordered.
"Anything can come from outside. Stay calm."
Fengli, supporting Mingzhao, said,
"Don't go too far ahead. Your condition isn't good yet."
Lanxin and Yuhuan were lining up all the students so they could remain safe together.
Everyone was still inside…
when suddenly the gate broke with a terrifying sound.
Pieces of wood flew into the air. Dust spread through the entire courtyard.
The villagers began entering. There was anger in their eyes, and strange dark shadows on their faces.
Master immediately stepped forward and created a protective barrier with his power.
Light flashed. The air froze for a moment.
But the next instant, the barrier trembled… and then shattered.
Master said in a low voice,
"This power… is under someone else's control."
Then Mingzhao and Zhichen stepped forward. Both used their full strength to create another barrier.
This one was stronger than before. The villagers' steps halted —
but only for a few moments.
Cracks began forming on the barrier…
and then it too shattered with a jolt.
The villagers were just about to attack —
when suddenly a sharp whistling sound echoed through the air.
That sound was different. Sharp. Deep.
With the sound of the whistle, the harshness on the villagers' faces slowly melted. The darkness in their eyes began to fade — as if someone had broken another's grip on their minds.
Some people held their heads.
Some fell to their knees.
"How… how did we get here?" someone asked trembling.
Weapons fell from hands onto the ground. Those who had come to attack were now looking around in panic.
Master watched everything in shock.
"The control has broken…" he said slowly,
"But I didn't feel any power."
Zhichen and Mingzhao fell silent for a moment. They looked at each other.
"Where did the whistle come from?"
At that time, Lixuan was standing on the balcony outside the chamber door.
His breathing was still heavy… but for the first time, there was a faint calmness on his face.
He said nothing. Just stood with his gaze lowered.
No one realized —
who had blown the whistle that freed the villagers.
No one voiced the question —
but it remained in everyone's mind.
The villagers slowly began stepping back. There was no anger in their eyes now — only fear and shame. Some stood holding their heads, as if memories were returning… but incomplete.
Master said in a calm yet firm voice,
"Everyone calm down. The night has grown very deep. You all should return and rest now."
That night, no one argued in the Shikshagrah.
Lixuan stood on the balcony outside his chamber door. Darkness spread below, the air had turned cold. He held the wall tightly — as if holding himself together.
Zhichen saw him from afar. He wanted to say something… but found no words.
Then that whisper echoed again near Lixuan's ear.
This time softer. Closer.
"You saved them… now you will have to pay a heavy price."
Lixuan closed his eyes and gripped the wall tighter.
The villagers turned away one by one without question. No one looked back — as if even the memory of being there was a burden.
Doors closed. The courtyard slowly emptied. The Shikshagrah sank again into its old silence.
Master looked at Lixuan. He stood calm.
The night had deepened. The place that had been a battlefield moments ago was now drowned in silence.
Master said in a low but clear voice,
"Everyone go to your chambers. Tonight ends here."
Students moved toward their rooms without question. As if one thought lived in every heart —
Remembering what happened today itself is heavy enough.
Mingzhao went to his brother. He took Lixuan inside, gently laid him on the bed, and sat beside him.
He held Lixuan's hand. It was cold — as if no warmth remained.
"You're foolish…" Mingzhao said in a heavy voice.
"Why do you hurt yourself for everyone every time?"
Lixuan said nothing. Just took a light breath — as if he wanted to speak but words failed him.
Mingzhao lowered his head. A tear fell directly onto Lixuan's hand.
"So what if your power is gone?" he said softly.
"I will always be with you. No one can separate you from me."
Lixuan placed his hand over Mingzhao's… and gave a faint smile.
Outside, Xiangu and Jinhai stood in a corner of the courtyard. Silent, but questions filled their eyes.
Master ordered them to call all the students' parents.
Yuhuan and Lanxin stood guard. The night air was cold, but their hearts felt heavier than that.
Lanxin said softly,
"This night is calm… but not safe."
Yuhuan simply nodded.
Fengli used his power to restore the broken doors to their places, then went to rest.
Zhichen walked toward his chamber, but paused for a moment to look back. His gaze rested on Lixuan's room… then he left.
The first light of morning spread across the courtyard of the Shikshagrah, but the atmosphere was still heavy.
All the students stood outside. Inside the assembly hall were only their families.
Master sat on his seat. To his right stood Xiangu and Jinhai.
First, King Yunshen of the Shenmei tribe stepped forward. He bowed to Master. With him was Queen Lianmei — anger and worry from last night were clear in her eyes.
After them, King Zhihao of the Shenqi tribe and Queen Shilan took their seats.
Then King Lixuan of the Zhilan tribe stepped forward. As Yuhuan's elder brother, his words carried authority. Yuhuan's parents were no longer alive.
Finally, King Chen Yu of the Lianyu tribe entered.
In a heavy voice he said,
"Last night my son lost his power…"
Then paused and said,
"…but that same night someone saved everyone without shedding blood."
Silence filled the hall.
Xiangu said softly,
"Moyan has two fragments of Yinmoji. The third is still missing. And what happened last night… was not ordinary."
Jinhai continued,
"The villagers were under control. But that control broke. Who broke it — we still don't know."
Then Master said gravely,
"We must prepare for war now. The clash with Moyan is only the beginning. Therefore, all students should return to their tribes with their parents."
Students slowly went to stand beside their parents. Looking into each other's eyes — there was hidden fear… and confusion.
They left the Shiksha Grah.
Xiangyu and Zhichen walked with their parents Yunshen and Lianmei. Mingzhao walked with his father Chenyu, and Lixuan walked beside him — but between Lixuan and his father lay a cold distance and silence.
Chenyu said slowly,
"Lixuan, why do you always become trouble for me? And now… you have lost your power. You are weak. And weak people are only burdens in war."
Lixuan tried to speak, but words stopped at his throat.
Mingzhao held his brother's hand, but their father's power forced both into silence.
All students were returning home with their families. Then Lixuan went to Zhichen and gave him a gift — a book. Then everyone met each other. Surprise in their eyes, farewell in their touch… this moment was heavy for all.
Slowly the Shiksha Grah emptied.
Then in a corner of the chamber, darkness deepened. No one saw. No one heard.
But near Lixuan's ear, a cold breath-like echo arose.
Only he heard it.
"You saved everyone that night… but one day you will pay the heavy price of what happened."
His steps paused for a moment. He looked around — no change on anyone's face. As if the words were not for the world, only for him.
A strange burning warmth spread in his chest. He had lost his power… but in that moment he felt as if darkness was not just watching him, but pulling him toward itself. Mingzhao looked at Lixuan — both were exhausted, but they did not lose courage and kept walking toward their tribe.
Upon reaching the Lianyu tribe, the scene changed.
Tall mountains, flowing river, a palace surrounded by greenery — home of pride and tradition.
When morning light fell on the white stone palace, the whole tribe shone.
As Mingzhao and Lixuan entered the palace, the air's tone changed.
Chenyu's face hardened. Without a word, he raised his hand and struck Lixuan with a rope-like whip. Lixuan couldn't even steady himself — he just clenched his teeth.
For Chenyu, love was only for one son — the elder son Mingzhao.
For Lixuan… no softness, no understanding. Only a burden. A mistake.
Mingzhao wanted to stop his father, but before his father's power his voice was suppressed.
Lixuan stood silent. As if he was used to this more than the pain — that in this palace he had a place, but no belonging.
He secretly pressed his hands. The marks burned. But he kept his eyes lowered. Every look, every word pierced his heart.
Then he felt it — a strange chill in the air. A faint echo. As if the night's darkness had come very close to him.
Nothing was visible. But something was there.
A heavy feeling sank into his heart. Even between peace and beauty, there was a hidden shadow.
And Lixuan understood…
This is only the beginning.
What comes next will be his greatest test.