Chapter 24: The Undercover Agent Appears

The bustling day drew to a close. Led by a guide, Tang Xi reached the twin-room villa assigned by the academy alongside Ye Lingling. Both were exhausted after a long day; Ye Lingling offered a brief greeting before retreating into her own room.

Tang Xi returned to her own quarters and locked the door. She sat at her desk, took out paper and pen, and began to write earnestly by the lamplight:

"To Little San, Xiao Wu: I hope this letter finds you well. My enrollment went smoothly, and I have settled into the academy. Heaven Dou City is as prosperous as ever, and while I have encountered familiar faces and things, I feel neither alienated nor uncomfortable. Upon my first step back, I managed to suppress my hatred for him, and later, I met someone who actually understands the poison within my body..."

Two bird calls echoed from outside the window. Tang Xi paused, immediately crumpled the letter, and destroyed it using silver energy. She then began to write on a fresh sheet:

"To San and Wu: I am well."

Just as she finished the final character, a knock sounded at the door. Tang Xi turned back, wary, and demanded, "Who is it?"

A man's gentle voice came from outside: "Student Tang Xi, do not be afraid. I am a teacher at the academy."

If he were a teacher, why would he come directly to her individual room instead of calling for her at the dormitory building entrance? Tang Xi did not rush to open the door, asking politely instead, "It is so late, is there something you need, Teacher?"

However, the door was suddenly pushed open. A man with an ordinary appearance, wearing the Heaven Dou Royal Academy uniform, walked in with a smile. His gaze swept quickly over the letter on Tang Xi’s desk before he stated his purpose: "Student Tang Xi, I observed your performance today. I must say, your talent is the best I have seen in years."

Tang Xi offered a faint, humble smile and replied softly, "Thank you for the compliment, Teacher."

"I am here to introduce you to our academy," the middle-aged man said, looking at the young girl with a persuasive tone. "Our school is primarily composed of aristocratic students, which inevitably leads to bullying and cliques. Even with teachers looking out for them, many students fail to survive their first semester before being forced to leave."

Tang Xi caught the subtext behind his words, and a realization and suspicion immediately formed in her mind. For years, the elite students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy had been poached by the Spirit Hall without exception, implying an internal mole. She had not expected the mole to reveal himself so soon.

However, because Tang Xi was so young, the man mistook her inquisitive gaze for the fear of a weakling. Satisfied, he pulled out a small booklet, handed it to her, and said, "I hope everyone finds their own path, and I do not wish to see your talent buried. Your absolute elemental affinity is rare in this world, yet Heaven Dou Royal Academy lacks the appropriate training methods. I have a scroll here—a fragment passed down from the Spirit Hall’s library."

He continued to smile, baiting her: "If you are interested, I can provide introductory guidance, but for advanced study, you would need to apply to the Spirit Hall Academy."

Tang Xi put on an innocent look and gratefully accepted the booklet: "Thank you, Teacher! If I make up my mind, I will definitely contact you!"

Seeing his recruitment plan succeed, the man looked exceptionally satisfied. He reached out, pressed his hand on Tang Xi’s shoulder, and looked down at her: "Student Tang Xi, you need not feel guilty toward the academy. Everyone should consider their own future. Since your enrollment information has not yet been finalized, this is the perfect opportunity to transfer."

After he left, Tang Xi waited a while, climbed out the window, and followed the signs through the quiet night until she reached the teachers' dormitory. She paced back and forth, occasionally letting out a cough.

Upstairs, Qin Ming, who had not yet fallen asleep, heard the movement and glanced out to see the little girl under the streetlamp. She was yawning, pacing to and fro as if waiting for someone. Tang Xi had no acquaintances in the academy, so Qin Ming knew she must be looking for him. He immediately went downstairs and called out: "Student Tang Xi."

Tang Xi turned, hands behind her back, her smile gentle. But the words she spoke caused alarm bells to ring in Qin Ming’s heart: "Teacher Qin Ming, a strange man came into my room in the middle of the night and said he could help me transfer to the Spirit Hall. I suspect that if I don't agree, he might try to silence me."

Qin Ming glanced around, and once he was certain no one was watching, he waved a hand, wrapping Tang Xi in a gentle wave of spirit power. "Come with me."

Carried by his power, they quickly crossed half the academy and knocked on the door of the Academic Affairs Office. Director Zhilin, still in his nightgown, had just opened the door when Qin Ming pushed both him and the door open, saying with a grave expression: "Dean, someone has come to poach our students!"

Zhilin glanced at Tang Xi, and after hearing her recount the encounter, he ripped the face mask off his face and asked as if nothing had happened: "Student Tang Xi, do you remember what he looked like?"

"I do! I made sure to draw him while it was fresh in my mind!" Tang Xi quickly pulled a piece of paper from her robes and handed it to Qin Ming and Zhilin.

The two men leaned in with anticipation, only to stare at two ovals on the white paper surrounded by strange, incomprehensible lines. Qin Ming, having better manners, stayed silent, but Zhilin was blunt: "What kind of nonsense is this?"

Qin Ming nodded earnestly: "It doesn't seem to be human."

Tang Xi looked at her own abysmal drawing and pointed seriously at a dot between the two ovals. "Don't mind the details, Teacher. You must learn to look for the spirit of the work."

Qin Ming leaned in closer, studied the chaotic lines, and suddenly realized: "A mole between the eyebrows... is this Teacher Zhong from the logistics department?"

Tang Xi nodded, noting that anyone who would choose an undercover agent with such distinct facial features must be quite brainless. Zhilin frowned and paced the room, murmuring, "For him to dare enter Tang Xi’s dorm, if she refuses, I fear he may resort to murder..."

After a few turns, he looked at Tang Xi, his eyes lighting up. "Student Tang Xi, are you about to acquire your third spirit ring?"

Tang Xi nodded.

Zhilin looked satisfied and turned to Qin Ming: "Teacher Qin, please take Student Tang Xi to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a spirit beast immediately. A third ring is your first thousand-year ring; its importance is paramount. Even if it takes ten or fifteen days, the school will understand!"