a long time ago

Flashback...

At the Liuguang Sect Academy, where even silence had a voice...

It was the year when Mo Yan was 19, and Yu Sui was 18....the very first time they arrived at the academy to study.

On the first day, Mo Yan stepped into the academy grounds. Yet, his eyes were secretly searching for a face.....as if a precious diamond had fallen into a bustling marketplace, and he was trying to find it without anyone noticing, terrified that someone else might pick it up before he could.

The courtyard swelled with a crowd of newly arrived disciples, their eager voices filling the air. But Mo Yan's gaze wavered through them, not for curiosity... but for one person.

Yu Sui.

It was as though Mo Yan hadn't come here to study.....but to find him... to watch him.

That day, no one came.

But the next day, disciples from the Xuemo Sect and the Fuzi Xiong Clan finally arrived. Among them was that very person whom Mo Yan had been waiting for with restless longing.

Mo Yan stood there, silently observing each newcomer as they passed through the academy gates. One by one, the children were admitted inside....but Yu Sui was still not among them.

The spell over the entrance gate began to activate, glowing with the ancient runes that sealed the door.

Mo Yan's heart sank. He turned to leave.

Just then.....a knock.

Someone arrived at the very last moment, and the gate's sealing enchantment deactivated.

Mo Yan didn't need to turn around.

He already knew.....without a single doubt in his heart...it was him.

Yu Sui.

Perhaps he had arrived late because of one of his mischiefs, as always. But that didn't matter.

Mo Yan exhaled, his chest light again. He gave one small smile toward the entrance...

...and quietly returned to his room, saying nothing to anyone.

As for Yu Sui, who was scolded severely for arriving late on the first day.....he was punished to pluck wild dates from the academy's orchard.

Such was the beginning.

Two boys, under the same roof of destiny, their paths crossing again in silence.