The light of the gate throbbed, sending ripples across the clearing. Principal Renshu stood before Fan Yumei and her fourteen classmates—fifteen young cultivators in all—each in their gear and flanked by the Guild Commander. No grand pronouncement; only a calm, measured voice cutting through the hum.
"Before you step through, know who you face," Principal Renshu said, eyes sweeping the group. "Among your fifteen, you've trained together, but outside these walls—out there—competition is fiercer. Remember these names and professions well."
He gestured toward the rival academies arrayed behind them:
• Su Han (11) of Redwind Conservatory, Soul Function Warden & Elemental Caller Pact Forger—a focused, stoic perfectionist whose domain seals can ensnare entire squads. She stood tall and lean, her ice-white hair braided high and her crimson-trimmed black jacket and leggings gleaming under the violet gate light. "Su Han's Soul Function Warden gifts let her conjure spirit-bound cages," Renshu noted, "and her Pact Forger runes glow blood-red when she seals her domain."
Min Zhao rolled her eyes at the name. Fan Yumei, watching her reaction, leaned in.
"What's up?" she whispered.
Min Zhao glanced at Principal Renshu before muttering back, "I know Su Han. She's my older, sociopathic second cousin… sadly."
"Mhm," Fan Yumei hummed quietly, turning her attention back to Renshu.
• Yan Lihua (11) of Sunflare Academy, Elemental Caller Ascendant & Combatant Champion—a fierce, impulsive firebrand whose sunflare techniques leave nothing standing. Bronze-skinned and fiery-haired, she wore a sunburst-patterned vest over lightweight combat slacks. "Yan Lihua's Ascendant flames trail along her arms," Renshu continued, "and her martial stance scorches the earth itself."
• Jin Cheng (11) of Ironroot Vanguard, Combatant Champion & Remedy Scribe—a disciplined pragmatist who fights with clinical precision and swift healing counterstrikes. He wore a broad-shouldered steel-gray tactical vest with green accents, black hair cropped close. "Jin Cheng's strikes land with surgical precision—then he shifts to battlefield healing salves before you can even blink."
• Bai Lin (11) of White Fang Academy, Bloodline Cultivator Dream Trigger & Soul Function—a cold strategist whose psychic bonds unravel even the strongest wills. Her platinum hair fell past a white fur-collared parka and fitted trousers. "Bai Lin's Dream Trigger bloodline lets her invade minds, and her Spirit qi shimmers like frost."
Then he turned and nodded to the four royal heirs standing at the side, each surrounded by guards:
• Princess Xia Ying (10) of the Royal Sovereign House, Soul Function Spirit & Elemental Caller Scholar—a poised intellect who weaves runes and empathy into seamless offense. She stood poised in a navy blazer embroidered with silver filigree, her raven hair swept into a low bun. "Princess Xia Ying commands both soul resonance and rune-wrought domains—never take your eyes off her scroll-etched sleeve," he warned.
• Qin Lei (11) of the Federation Elite Command, Combatant Vanguard & Bloodline Cultivator Emotional Trigger—a confident, commanding presence whose tactical qi surges rally allies and punish foes. He wore a crisp white officer's jacket with gold epaulets, auburn hair slicked back. "Qin Lei's Vanguard stance and emotionally charged qi cut through enemy lines like beams of light," Renshu said.
• Hu Ailing "Little Tiger" (11) of the Jade Tiger Lineage, Combatant Veteran & Soul Function Apprentice—a wild, tenacious prodigy whose feral style and budding beast bond overwhelm unprepared opponents. Small but fierce in a green camo jacket and loose black pants, her hair cropped into an undercut, she bared her teeth in a feral grin. "Hu Ailing's feral Combatant moves hit like a thunderclap, backed by her burgeoning beast bond."
• Lian Sao (11) of the Veiled Lotus Lineage, Supporter Sanctifier & Bloodline Cultivator Time-Slowing Trigger—a serene caretaker whose healing blossoms can slow time itself around the wounded. She had a gentle face and wore a lotus-pink tunic and charcoal leggings, a single jade bead binding her hair. "Lian Sao's healing aura can slow time around the wounded—her petals of light hide unexpected power."
He let each name and description settle in the charged air, locking eyes with each student until his gaze landed on Fan Yumei last.
"These eight are the ones most likely to challenge you—and turn the tide in seconds. Stay vigilant."
At his side, the Guild Commander gave a curt nod, and Principal Renshu stepped back.
Fan Yumei's pulse raced. She cleared her throat, but before she could speak, Kai Shi leaned close and murmured:
"Keep an eye on Ma Li (10) of Ironroot Vanguard—a shadowy, calm practitioner whose Pact Forger spirits slip through any defense. And Ye Shasha (10) of Aurora Crest—a fastidious tactician whose blend of steel qi and ember runes hits twice as hard as it looks."
Zhou Qian spoke at the same moment:
"Watch Duan Rui (11) of Aurora Crest—a relentless duelist whose Veteran-level blade qi slices through barriers. And Zhang Amei (10) from Moonshard Academy—a resourceful adaptive survivor whose Genetic Trigger lets her counter your every tactic."
From just behind them, Liang Chenwu added quietly:
"Don't forget Nakamura Aiko (9) of Stormridge Academy—a mercurial fighter whose Hybrid Trigger lets her switch between melee and ranged attacks in an instant. And He Yara (9) of Ironroot Vanguard—an empathic nurturer whose dual Tamer–Healer combo can turn your own beasts against you if you hesitate."
Fan Yumei inhaled, scanning each of her fourteen classmates—some pale with nerves, others steeling themselves.
Behind them, the gate's violet haze coalesced into a rippling seam.
Ancient pylons hummed. Mystic and the other beasts formed a protective ring as the six stepped onto the floating launch disc.
Fan Yumei drew her bow, her family ring on. The silver band shimmered, forming emerald armor.
She turned to her team, adrenaline rising.
"Survive. Stay sharp!" she barked, fierce and commanding.
They flew in tense silence. Fan Yumei sat cross-legged on Mystic's cloud cushion, syncing her breathing and qi with Maxius and Lufei. Mystic hovered gusting overhead in normal form.
-
As soon as she passed the gate's threshold, everything inside her buckled.
Fan Yumei didn't fall—she folded.
Space twisted.
She gasped.
Mystic screamed—not with sound, but through their soul-bond. The entire core of her mind lit up with surging pressure.
Then silence.
Bond interference slammed into her like a freight train—tearing the threads between her and Mystic, Maxius, Lufei.
It wasn't separation—it was like someone had dipped her soul into cold oil.
Fan Yumei's mouth opened in a soundless gasp. She wasn't in control of her body anymore. She wasn't flying. She was being pulled.
Her feet left Mystic's back. Or Mystic disappeared from under her. She couldn't tell which came first.
Then came the second wrench—a violent, involuntary flicker like she was inside a blinking pulse of color and static.
The world inverted.
Time stuttered.
Her space bracelet pulsed hard and then dulled—like something inside it tried to escape and got shoved back into lockdown. Her ring? Cold. Her qi? Barely registering.
Her soul screamed, Don't fragment. Stay together.
She reached toward her beasts—and felt nothing but smoke.
Mystic was gone.
Lufei was gone.
Then—
Impact.