The markets of Fukun Xueyuan were bustling with activity. Warmth was evident everywhere. The scent of wine wafted through the air. Clouds drifted lazily across the sky. The heavy rain had temporarily stopped, giving way to a mild, dry atmosphere, but the sky remained overcast.

  But despite this, the market was bustling again. Although the ground was still wet with rainwater, there was no let-up in the hustle and bustle. But behind this hustle and bustle, something sinister was brewing. A quiet storm raged. Students from Fukun Xueyuan were everywhere, and the only whisper among them was "the cursed zither." Some students in the crowd were chattering among themselves. One of them was a young boy dressed in han caln robes.

  "I can't believe it. We already knew something strange was going on within the Lianxiao Sect."

  He said, his tone filling the atmosphere of the group with seriousness, and a young girl standing directly in front of him answered.

  "You're right, they've organized this celebration to avoid further questions. Otherwise, Grandmaster Kang Jue could have clarified this. Surely that girl could be right. The Lianxiao clan is trying to hide the cursed zither."

  The tone she used seemed to increase the group's Outrage.

  The rest of the market was also completely filled with students. Students from the Hegong clan and the Yingtian clan were also gathered in one place. However, the same whispers were circulating in almost every group. Everyone agreed with and was confused by the rumors they were hearing about the cursed zither. But amidst the hustle and bustle of the market, some eyes were watching this whispering with sharp, piercing gazes. On the roof of a shop in that very market, Zaoshi's keen eyes were observing the crowd below. Like a gambler meticulously examining his diamonds, he was carefully scrutinizing the atmosphere below. For a moment, it seemed as if his eyes were about to unleash a storm, but when he spoke, his demeanor changed. Zaoshi spoke in a calm manner, folding his arms across his chest.

  "This isn't enough, Father."

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  He said, looking down with sharp eyes, "They will surely find a solution."

  He said, looking down from above, his voice filled with bitterness.

  Then another voice came from beside Zaoshi, a voice so heavy and harsh that innocence would wither before it. It was none other than Han Juan Hao's voice.

  He walked towards Zaoshi with calm steps. Standing beside him, Han Juan Hao replied, glaring down at the market from above,

  "Remember, Zaoshi. The beginning is never the achievement; it's just a small step. A single seed cannot create a forest until it produces more trees like itself."

  He spoke in a cold voice, and Zaoshi could feel that coldness up close.

  In Han Juan Hao's calm demeanor, in his words, in his tone, there was no haste. But his eyes, like Zaoshi's, were also emitting a cold fire. But like a cold fire blazing in the heat, a sense of emptiness was beginning to permeate Fukun Xueyuan. The library was completely deserted; only a gentle breeze stirred through the open, empty space, softly swaying the hanging curtains.

  And in the main courtyard, Grandmaster Gongzhang walked with calm and measured steps towards the main gate, accompanied by his disciple Chi Zu. His gait was full of dignity. When Grandmaster Gongzhang reached the main gate, he paused for a moment. The sudden stop caused the air behind him to swirl, carrying with it an unfamiliar scent. His eyes glanced sideways, but there was no one there. Then, slowly, he turned his head and looked back towards Fukun Xueyuan, where several pairs of eyes were watching him. Following Grandmaster's lead, his disciple Chi Zu also turned around. And what she saw made her eyes widen, for there, in the empty, deserted corridor, stood Gu Zong, like a terrifying black shadow.

  Gu Zong and Grandmaster Gongzhang's eyes met in such a way that it was as if a color, after dissolving in water, was communicating with the water itself. But Chi Zu couldn't understand this silent communication; she simply stood there, enduring the strange silence that hung between Gu Zong and Grandmaster Gongzhang across the vast distance.

  Then Gu Zong vanished, disappearing behind the walls like a wisp of smoke. But the Grandmaster's face remained expressionless, not even a single wrinkle. Then the Grandmaster turned and walked away. Each step took him further and further away from the grounds of Fukun Xueyuan.

  And behind him, Fukun Xueyuan lay completely deserted and empty. Every corridor, every corner, every room was left empty. There was nothing but the open air and a few birds perched on the bare branches of the trees, chirping, as if they sensed that a beautiful, yet powerful, force of nature was about to be unleashed. And then one bird flapped its wings and flew towards the sky, where white, snowy clouds were gathering.

  And somewhere else, on an empty, open path, a few steps were being taken towards the south, towards the waterfall that held the title of the world's tallest waterfall.