Chapter 10: The jade's call

as the morning light filtered through the wooden latticed windows, casting soft golden patterns across the floor. a cool breeze carried the faint fragrance of dew-kissed peach blossoms, then Xing Yue gently nudging herself from her slumber.

she blinked slowly, her eyes adjusting to the soft glow of daylight. for a brief moment, she remained still, the warmth of her dreams lingering in the corners of her mind. then, the memory of her training resurfaced, she is pulling her back into wakefulness.

pushing herself up, she stretched up, feeling the slight ache on her muscles from the previous days of training. "the third day, what will be happen." she murmured to herself.

Xing Yue dressed swiftly in the flowing robes prepared for her. the delicate fabric shimmered faintly under the moon light, its embroidered patterns reflecting the elegance expected of today's lessons. she carefully arranged her hair into a neat style, securing it with a simple jade pin before stepping outside.

Lan Mei was already waiting for her in the courtyard, sipping on a cup of tea. she grinned as she saw Xing Yue approach. she whispered, "you took your time to dress up," in a teasing way. 

Xing Yue chuckled, "I have to meet my rival, I can't be lowered to her, right!"

Lan Mei raised an eyebrow but don't press further. she said, "wow, so beautiful. I'm really impressed." she gave a thumbs up.

the two made their way toward the starry academy..

after arriving at the entrance of the academy. Xing Yue asked, "are not you going to meet master?"

Lan Mei answered, "well, I'll take my leave." she smiled, though there was a flicker of concern in her gaze. and asked, "you'll be fine without me, right?"

Xing Yue crossed her arms and said, "then, do your best. I'll take my leave here."

Xing Yue sighed, watching her go. she suddenly felt a little uneasy..

as she stepped into the academy courtyard, she noticed something different. unlike the previous days, where disciples were already meditating, today there was an air of quiet anticipation. the usual environment, replaced by the soothing hum of running water from a nearby fountain.

Xing Yue murmured her, "I think it seems like, today's training will be here..."

as the disciples are all gathered in the front hall. elder Hua stood at the front, his hands clasped behind his back as she observed the disciples gathering. her sharp gaze landed on Xing Yue the moment she arrived.

"what are you doing there, be in the line." elder Hua said in a base voice.

Xing Yue quickly bowed and said, "apologies, elder Hua."

after that, elder Hua begin to said, "today's training is different from what you have experienced so far."

Xing Yue straightened, with curious.

"you have learned strength and discipline. now, you will learn about control and refinement," elder Hua continued. "for winning the heart of prince Yue Han, is not only defined by their combat skills but their ability to remain composed in any situation. thus, today's training will focus on the tea ceremony and composition of music on their own."

Xing Yue blinked and murmured herself, "tea ceremony? and music composition? this was certainly not what I had expected.

elder Hua guided the disciples to go to the courtyard. after all the disciples and elder Hua entered into the courtyard..

elder Hua gestured toward a wooden pavilion set up at the side of the courtyard. Inside the wooden pavilion, an elegant tea set was arranged on a low table. Next to it, a guqin, it is a traditional stringed instrument - lay waiting.

a few students exchanged glances, some are looking puzzled,, others intrigued. Xing Yue, too, felt a flicker of confusion.

elder Hua cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention and said, "today, you all will learn about the art of refinement. through the tea ceremony with music composition."

elder Hua continued, her voice is steady, "tea brewing is not simply about making a drink. it is an art that teaches patience, control, and precision. if you lack inner balance, it will show in the taste of your tea."

elder Hua gestured toward the guqin. and said, "similarly, music is reflection a reflection of one's heart. you all have to master your own emotions. a single note can soothe the soul or stir great turmoil."

elder Hua turned, and her gaze is sweeping over them once more. and said, "well, I have another news for you all. it is, I will not be supervising you in this training. you all have to practice on your own in your places. practice well, there are three days other than today. after that, you'll have the weekly test. some may qualified and some may rejected. practice well. disperse.."

a murmur of surprise rippled through the disciples. Xing Yue blinked and murmured herself, no guidance? what to do? I even don't know how to play guqin. what should I do? even Lan Mei is not at home. what to do?

elder Hua continued, "you all have to return here on the seventh day. by then, I expect to see who will be remained. hope, you all will progress by then. if you fail to grasp the essence of this training, do not bother showing up."

with that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving the students standing in stunned silence. and then again she turned towards the disciples and said, "what are you all waiting for, go go.."

after as she said, she continued to walk out of that place. all the disciples whished in a united way. ''good bye, elder Hua." and then, all the disciples are making their way out.

but, for a moment, Xing Yue simply stared at the tea set and Guqin before her. "this training was unlikely anything I had expected. even there were no direct instructions, no demonstrations. but only, self-exploration." she murmured herself.

"oh, Xing Yue..." Meng Yi's voice dripped with mock pity dramatically, as she strolling toward her with a look of exaggerated pity. she continued, "you came all dressed up, but tell me. do you really think that you are beautiful with that ugly mark on your forehead?."

Xing Yue didn't flinch. she merely raised her head, Meeting Meng Yi's gaze with calm indifference.

Meng Yi smirked, tilting her head. "you even sat before a guqin,.. but do you even know how to play?" she sighed theatrically. "oh, poor Xing Yue, you even don't have a guqin. how could you know about this.."

Xing Yue remained silent for a moment...

Meng Yi sighed and said, "but, I'm really looking for the weekend's test. I want see how you will embrace yourself. let's meet you in the weekend."

after, Meng Yi left the the starry academy, Xing Yue sat in silence for a while, staring at the empty space where Meng Yi stood. the words lingered in the air, but she refused to let them take root in her heart.

with a deep breath, she rose to her feet and left the academy. making her way home under the sunlight.

as she stepped into her room, she sank onto the wooden floor, she thinking where she can find guqin. then suddenly, her thoughts drifting to her master in the mortal world. "how am I supposed to reach him?" she murmured herself as she clenched her hands, frustration creeping in. 

as soon as she frustrated, exhaustion crept over her body, heavier than she had realized. the emotional strain of the morning, coupled with her lack of direction, made her limbs feel sluggish.

she barely managed to change into her normal comfortable robes before collapsing onto her bed. the soft rustling of the curtains and the distant chirping of birds outside lulled her into a deep sleep.

when she woke up, the room was dimly lit, bathed in the warm hues of the evening sun. blinking away the remnants of sleep, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.

"I slept through the whole afternoon?," Xing Yue frowned, and frustrated with herself. "time was slipping away, and I still had no idea where to begin my training. not only that, I even don't have guqin to practice, and my knowledge of the tea making was limited." she is blaming herself.

as she stood up, her gaze landed on the window, where the sky was transitioning into twilight. a quiet thought surfaced in her mind. "master..."

"I hadn't spoken to him since went to the academy. if anyone could make a way for me, it can only be him." she murmured herself.

her fingers brushed against the small jade pendant hanging from her waist. it is a gift from her master. one that always seemed to carry a faint warmth. "oh, it is the pendent master gave me before going to the starry academy. he said, that it can be helpful to communicate with him. but, I've not used it. could it really help me to reach him?" she whispered herself..

taking a deep breath, she sat under the tree in the front yard of her house, holding the pendant tightly. she closed her eyes and focused, channeling her energy into the jade stone. the air around her stilled, and suddenly a soft warmth pulsed from the jade.

then, a whisper echoed in her ears-soft, yet distant..

"...Xing Yue?"

her breath hitched. and said, "master?"

she pressed the pendent closer, her heart pounding as she tried to hold onto the connection. and she said, "master can you hear me?"

the voice wavered, as if carried by a fading breeze...