The next morning began with explosions of enlightenment.
Not metaphorical ones—actual, physical detonations of "enlightenment" bursting from the meditation halls of the Academy of Elegant Malevolence.
Students were screaming, scrolls were burning, and someone's spirit beast had achieved Nirvana mid-breakfast and refused to come back down.
Headmaster Yan Luo stood atop the black pagoda, watching pillars of multicolored qi spiral into the sky.
He inhaled once, exhaled slowly, and muttered,
> "Ah. The peace alliance has begun."
---
Meanwhile, deep inside Hall Seven, Li Ming sat cross-legged before an ancient mirror array designed to "stabilize dual-type qi."
The array was glowing nervously.
Bai Guo circled above him. "Master, the Headmaster said to gently circulate your energy this time."
"I am," Li Ming said.
"You're shaking the roof."
"That's just my breathing."
From outside came a crash.
"Your breathing collapsed a courtyard."
"…Deep breaths are important."
---
