Chapter 7: Beneath the Surface of Fate
Ling Tian's mind was consumed by the ring's secrets and the impending question from Tianyang. Time was ticking away, and he was running late for practice.
Near the training grounds, a flurry of whispers erupted among the students. "What's happened? Isn't that Master Tianyang's serpent?" they murmured.
Mrs. Mei approached the gathering, her curiosity piqued. "Why are you all gathered here?" she asked, her expression a blend of concern and intrigue.
A student stepped forward, her voice laced with sadness. "Mrs. Mei, we found Master Tianyang's serpent dead this morning."
Mrs. Mei's reaction shifted from curiosity to shock. She pushed through the crowd, her eyes fixed on the lifeless serpent. A whispered murmur escaped her lips: "Where is Tianyang?"
With a swift clap, Mrs. Mei dispersed the crowd. "Alright, everyone! Return to your training sections. Master Liang Wong will arrive shortly."
Ling Tian, oblivious to the commotion, stood in his quarters, recalling Tianyang's words: "Bring the cloth I gave you." But the cloth had been reduced to ashes.
"Now what should I do?" Ling Tian whispered, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Is all this because of this cursed ring?"
He grabbed a spare cloth and rushed to the training grounds. Rui Li, a student with an affable demeanor, approached him.
"Hey, new kid! Come here," Rui Li said, his smile warm and inviting.
Ling Tian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with suspicion. "What does this guy want?" he thought, replying curtly, "I'm Ling Tian."
Rui Li cleared his throat. "Umm, am Rui Li, what about you?" he said.
Ling Tian looked at him closely and thought to himself, "Who is this guy and why is he so friendly? I hate someone being friendly."
Then Ling Tian replied to Rui Li, "Am Ling Tian."
Rui Li continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Ling Tian, do you really...have a thing for girls?"
Ling Tian's head snapped toward Rui Li, his eyes blazing with incredulity and annoyance. The air was charged with tension as Master Liang Wong arrived.
Master Liang Wong's face was etched with sorrow, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep. "Good day, my students," he greeted, his voice laced with a hint of melancholy.
The students responded in unison, their voices a gentle breeze. Master Liang Wong's gaze swept across the assembly, his eyes lingering on Ling Tian.
"I apologize for my tardiness. Our venerable serpent, companion to Tianyang, has passed away," Master Liang Wong announced, his voice heavy with sorrow.
Ling Tian's head jerked upward, his mind reeling with the implications. The threads of fate seemed to be drawing tighter, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and mystery. A whispered question echoed in his mind: "What secrets lie hidden beneath the surface?"
"Let us forget about it and continue practicing," Master Liang Wong said, his voice a gentle breeze that soothed the students' minds.
The students crossed their legs, their eyes closed, and focused on cultivating their Qi. Ling Tian's determination to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage burned brighter, fueled by his desire for revenge against those responsible for his parents' death.
Rui Li's whisper pierced the air, his voice barely audible. "Hey, Ling Tian, see the beautiful girl sitting in front of you? Isn't she cute? She's my crush."
Ling Tian's eyes remained closed, but his mind wandered. A dark thought crept in, urging him to hit Rui Li with a stone. He shook his head, dispelling the malicious idea.
The training session drew to a close, and Master Liang Wong announced, "Tomorrow, we will open the transfer for those who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage to their section. We will visit the alchemist to obtain pills to aid those at the late Qi stage, so arrive early."
As the students dispersed, Ling Tian packed his bag and headed to meet Tianyang. Along the way, he encountered a striking girl with fiery red hair and an captivating smile. Her bright blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and she accidentally slipped, falling into Ling Tian's arms.
Rui Li appeared out of nowhere, a teasing grin plastered on his face. "My brother has fallen in love," he whispered, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
Ling Tian's face darkened, and he swiftly released the girl. With a burst of anger, he punched Rui Li, sending him crashing to the ground. Rui Li's nose burst, and he knelt, bleeding profusely.
The girl's eyes widened in surprise, and she glared at Ling Tian. "Hey, you! Where did you learn to be so rude?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with indignation.
Ling Tian ignored her and continued on his way to meet Tianyang. As he approached, he heard Tianyang speaking to a guard. "Tell Elderly Tang San that I will meet him."
Tianyang noticed Ling Tian and smiled. "Ah, Ling Tian! How is your practice progressing?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It's going well," Ling Tian replied, his face set in a determined expression.
Tianyang's demeanor turned serious, and he whispered, "Come closer, Ling Tian. Do not let anyone see or know about the dragon mark on your wrist. It could put you in danger. I sense that you will soon find your true place in the Chronicles of Eternity and discover your divine beast dragon. Be warned."
Ling Tian's eyes narrowed, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. "I will be careful, Master Tianyang," he promised.
Tianyang's face fell, and he whispered, "I heard my serpent has passed away... and the ring is lost. The ring belongs to you, as it has chosen you, but I fear it may be gone forever."
Ling Tian's eyes locked onto Tianyang's, but he remained silent, unsure of how to reveal the truth about the ring.
Suddenly, the sky darkened, and a portal materialized above. Three figures emerged, their auras radiating an otherworldly power.
Tianyang's eyes widened in alarm. "Gods' travelers! They rarely visit our realm, and when they do, it's often to take our people as slaves or to slaughter them. We are in grave danger."