Gong Xue lay in bed, a beam of light shot through the window lattice, landing on her face. Her long, delicate lashes trembled, and a frown formed on her elegant brows.

An irritable feeling surged from her heart, and Gong Xue snapped her eyes open, quickly walking to the window.

The dazzling light showed no sign of restraint, causing her chest to heave with anger.

“Early in the morning, can’t anyone sleep?!”

Gong Xue was forcibly awakened, her temper flaring.

“Good morning, Gong Xue!” Ning Chifeng greeted her cheerfully.

Gong Xue scowled and completely ignored him.

Ning Chifeng scratched his head, looking puzzled at Shu Ran.

Shu Ran shook his head, indicating he had no idea.

Gong Xue sat beside Mu Xian. After Yuan Na brought the last dish, everyone started eating.

Mu Xian looked at Gong Xue’s irritated face and felt a bit uneasy. He offered her a dish in an attempt to please her.

Gong Xue said nothing, swallowing her breakfast along with her morning annoyance.

After the meal, Shu Ran informed Gong Xue, “By the way, the Dean said you can go to Moonrise to practice alchemy. He granted you special permission.”

Gong Xue’s bad mood vanished instantly. “Really?!”

“Yep, the Dean also said someone will teach you.”

“That’s awesome!” Gong Xue jumped up and turned, pulling Mu Xian with her. “Let’s go together!”

“Hey, hey, hey! I didn’t say I was going!”

Mu Xian’s protests dissipated into the air.

At Moonrise, Gong Xue and Mu Xian made their way to the Alchemy Room. Along the way, many disciples greeted them.

“Gong Xue.”

“Mu Xian.”

Their warm greetings were likely due to Gong Xue’s recent rise in reputation.

As they reached the door, Gong Xue suddenly stopped, even taking a few steps back.

Mu Xian looked at her and noticed she was staring straight ahead, seemingly afraid.

Following her gaze, Mu Xian saw a person standing at the entrance of the Alchemy Room.

Dressed in white robes and bathed in sunlight, the person exuded a gentle aura.

He stood slightly turned, and Mu Xian could see his profile from his position. Sharp lines defined his features, with thick lashes casting shadows over his eyes, masking his emotions.

Mu Xian immediately recognized him as An Wanggui, the one who had fought Shu Ran in the Grand Competition.

Noticing the commotion, An Wanggui turned his head to look.

In his obsidian-like bright eyes, a fully reflected Gong Xue appeared.

An Wanggui’s heart skipped a beat. His eyes widened and his pupils trembled. Almost unbelievingly, he took a step forward, then stopped. His cold lips quivered, and a faint sound emerged from his throat, but it was too soft, quieter than the wind, so no one heard it.

Gong Xue couldn’t bear to meet his gaze. Her eyes darted around, and she felt extremely uneasy and at a loss. If it weren’t for Mu Xian holding her back, she might have already fled.

“Afraid of what you’re going to encounter,” Gong Xue murmured.

Mu Xian rolled his eyes and gave Gong Xue a push. “You’ll have to face it sooner or later. Running away isn’t a solution.”

Gong Xue stumbled a bit, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her anxiety after listening to Mu Xian’s words.

“Wanggui, long time no see,” she said, walking forward anxiously, forcing a smile.

As she reached An Wanggui, he suddenly pulled her into his arms.

“You… you’ve come back…” An Wanggui’s husky voice whispered in her ear, tickling like a feather. He held her tightly, lowering his lashes, and a single, shiny tear fell from the corner of his eye. Though his emotions were still masked, his feelings at that moment were unmistakable.

Gong Xue’s body stiffened; she muttered internally, “Both brothers act the same, hugging when they meet.”

Just as Gong Xue was about to push him away, a hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her away, causing her to fall into Mu Xian’s arms. Mu Xian then positioned her behind him.

An Wanggui seemed momentarily stunned. Upon seeing the look in Mu Xian’s eyes, he seemed to understand something.

Adjusting his emotions, An Wanggui asked with a half-smile, “Are you Ren Yue? What’s your relationship with Yun’er?”

Mu Xian was evidently displeased and replied with a slightly aggressive tone, “What’s it to you? And who is Yun’er? There’s no Yun’er here. The person behind me is Gong Xue!”

Mu Xian deliberately emphasized “Gong Xue.”

A strange tension filled the air between the two.

Gong Xue was a bit bewildered when Mu Xian pulled her over. As she looked at his tall back, she couldn’t help but smile. She liked the feeling of being protected by Mu Xian, though she couldn’t quite explain why.

Just when it seemed like the two were about to clash, Gong Xue intervened in time.

“Wait a moment!” She stood beside Mu Xian and looked at An Wanggui, asking, “So, what are you doing here?”

An Wanggui reined in his cold demeanor, and his tone softened. “My father sent me here to teach you alchemy. Originally, Elder Wei was supposed to teach you, but it seems he wasn’t very willing. So my father sent me instead.”

“Heh!” Gong Xue let out an awkward laugh. “I can somewhat guess why he wasn’t too keen on teaching me.”

Mu Xian coughed and then burst into hearty laughter.

Gong Xue shot him a sharp look, and Mu Xian immediately quieted down.

An Wanggui’s lips curved into a gentle smile, his gaze softening. Gong Xue had the ability to create chaos in all of Cloud Academy.

“Well, let’s get going.”

Gong Xue had no intention of staying there any longer to discuss the awkward topic further.

An Wanggui personally demonstrated the process of alchemy, producing a medicinal pill. Gong Xue imitated his method and tried numerous times. Every attempt ended in an explosion, but fortunately, An Wanggui used a spiritual barrier to protect the surroundings each time. Otherwise, a hundred Alchemy Rooms wouldn’t have been enough to withstand her explosions.

However, An Wanggui was very patient, guiding her step by step. Even when she failed, he never got angry.

Standing by, Mu Xian felt increasingly uneasy. The two of them were laughing and chatting, making him feel like a mere bystander.

Mu Xian’s expression grew sullen as he gloomily drank from a wine gourd.

An Wanggui noticed it was Gong Xue’s wine gourd in Mu Xian’s hand.

An Wanggui really wanted to ask Gong Xue what their relationship was, but he didn’t dare. He feared that the rumors circulating among the disciples—that they were a couple—might be true.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.

Gong Xue’s deity soul had begun to take shape, and Mu Xian stopped his aimless ways, diligently practicing the Void Serenity Technique to regain his former peak state.

Gong Xue trained diligently every morning. In the afternoons, she went to Moonrise to practice alchemy with An Wanggui, and in her free time, she brewed wine. Her days were fulfilling.

Every time Gong Xue went to practice alchemy, Mu Xian accompanied her. It seemed An Cheyan was also aware of Gong Xue’s alchemy training, as he began to accompany An Wanggui as well.

Without realizing it, two years flew by.

Gong Xue had grown accustomed to life here. She liked Cloud Academy. If it weren’t for her quest for vengeance, she would have wanted to live here forever.