Main Chapter: Xuan Shen’s Garden.

"Your Instructor is exhausted. He is going to grab something to eat and some other stuff. You guys are free to do what you want till I am back."

"Teach, bring back stuff for us too."

With an easy-going atmosphere, Class 1-A was relaxing, meditating or discussing the fights. Xuan Yu was by himself sitting where he had been since his fight.

And then he looked up to find a frivolous looking Young Master was looking at him with a smug expression.

***

The relaxed atmosphere remained even after Mou Lin returned. And from an outsider view, it looked just like Class 1-A was having a picnic on the Academy Field.

Then as the afternoon classes drew to a close. Mou Lin handed each student a thick book.

"That in your hand is a copy of the twin martial art of the Reflecting Moon sect. The first half covers the defensive style, Illusion of Tranquility. The second half covers the offensive style, Drown in the Mirage. Since I will be helping you all develop your own unique styles. You can study it half-heartedly.

And I will help you master it over time."

"Hey Teacher, what about our requests."

"Those? Everyone but Tan Cui had theirs approved."

"Seriously, awesome! Wait, Tan Cui what was wrong with yours?"

Running a hand through her black hair Tan Cui looked thoroughly heart-broken. Tears glistening in her eyes.

"I had this wonderful idea. One that would benefit all of us. One that any kid would want. One that wasn't just good it was right-…"

"She wanted to have classes at home."

Dai Tian cut down Tan Cui's fervent speech. The earnest expression and pumped fist she had fading easily into that lazy smug smile.

"Tian, you shouldn't tattle on your friends."

Tan Cui said wagging her fingers.

"I will always do so if it's for their own good."

With the academy spell chiming. Mou Lin said goodbye to his students before calling over Xuan Yu. Asking the latter to walk out with him.

As they walked Xuan Yu was listening out for gossip.

By this point, his name had fallen off most of the non-climber's lip. Instead what dominated most common student conversation was hitting the 0 stage.

The climbers were also lacking his name on their lip. From this and other gossip and lack thereof that Xuan Yu picked up. The climbers were uncertain about him currently.

As Xuan Yu and Mou Lin reached the courtyard. Lightly, he felt a palm on his head. And just as quickly it went away. Turning his gaze he met Mou Lin's own.

"You have a good head on your shoulders and there is not a lot I can do. But let me know if you ever need anything."

"Then the next time I need something expensive like a communication scroll, I'll be troubling Instructor."

"Sure."

Labeling Mou Lin as crazy he continued walking and the latter followed him.

Reaching the gate, they met the one-eyed woman who Xuan Yu had met on the first day. This time she was dressed more casually. She still wore the Reflecting Moons outer robe but beneath that, she was wearing a simple cropped black top that revealed a portion of her muscular stomach. Coupled with loose green baggy pants and slippers.

"If it isn't Instructor Lin. It's been a while.

"Its good to see you Ara Ko. I am a little disappointed you did not come and speak to me when you were verifying the students."

"I've had enough of the Academy. I won't be going inside it unless I have to."

After greeting Mou Lin, Ara Ko turned her eye to Xuan Yu.

"So, is this the flower boy I'm supposed to be watching."

"Yeah, he is Xuan Yu."

"Greeting to Senior Ancestor."

Xuan Yu said and attempted to give a formal bow, but Ara Ko stopped him.

"No need to be formal. In fact, just call me Ko. Say, you don't mind us taking a horse, right?"

With Xuan Yu's acceptance, she called her massive black horse over. Jumped on it and helped Xuan Yu up. After saying goodbye they parted with Mou Lin.

And Xuan Yu regretted his choices. Ara Ko and her horse moved as if they were being chased. Never once slowing down once they sped off. Luckily the Qing Ruo Herb Garden was in the Healing Ring which was just above the Educating Ring.

With little choice Xuan Yu clung to Ara Ko for the whole journey and when they came to a stop. Xuan Yu could only cling tighter as nausea overwhelmed him.

"Oh, did you fall for me."

Ara Ko said with a grin looking at the trembling Xuan Yu. With a charmingly smooth movement, she slid off her horse and helped Xuan Yu down.

When Xuan Yu finally steadied himself. Ara Ko already went ahead.

Though it was called a herb garden. It wouldn't be weird if it was called herb forest. Already Xuan Yu could see plant life peeking beyond the stone walls.

By the gateless entry, Ara Ko just finished talking with another cultivator. Signaled by him giving her a respectful salute.

"Coming, flower boy?"

Xuan Yu stepped forward, but dizziness had him stumble. A gentle grip caught him, and he looked up at the woman who was a foot taller than his, 4'8.

Offering him a red wrapped candy she steadied him. Then once it was in Xuan Yu's hand she was off again.

Popping it in his mouth a taste like caramel filled his mouth. And he followed the person he labeled "crazy woman with long strides."

'I had expected a bunch of patches with some grass on them. This…'

The Qing Ruo Herb Garden had gazebos with controlled lighting bathing the boxed plants under them. Rivers with an assortment of plants on their sides and at their bottoms. Large stones completely covered in moss. And complex metal designs with vines covering them

There were indeed the patches he had mentioned but they were in no way low quality. The Qing Ruo Herb Garden was fully capable of hosting a variety of plant life. And many of them were being attended to not just by mortal servants but full-fledged members of the Reflecting Moon Sect.

As Xuan Yu stood on the gray stone walkway he looked around for Ara Ko. And found her talking to some other cultivator he didn't know.

When he caught up there were closing the conversation and Ara Ko handed over a red wrapped candy and then she walked off again.

But before long they stopped again so Ara Ko could talk with someone else. Then they stopped again and again and again. Every time she parted with someone, she would pass them a red candy. Eventually, after several stops, the pair came across a beautiful white dome with a glass door.

And it was like stepping into another world. There was an artificial sky above his head. The light of what Xuan Yu believed to be a fake sun filling the room. Those clear skies he was currently looking at had a variety of puffy clouds passing by.

Wind, he actually felt the wind as he was doubting the movement of the clouds.

The next thing that caught Xuan Yu's eyes was a clear pond in the center of the room. The edge of the pond was stone and was covered by a golden moss that covered almost all of it. Except for where a set of steps led up to it. The steps went on to form a pathway that led up to a stone walkway that led to the center of the pond and to a red 12 petal lotus. It was easy to tell that some of the lotus petals had already been picked.

And the third thing that caught his room was a set of vines that were wrapped around a metal frame. The odd thing about them was that they resembled humans, greatly so.

These were only three of the over 100 varieties of plants in this artificial environment.

'And to think this was just something father kept as a hobby.'