Chapter 89: Moving In The Shadow.
With each passing day, the news of Jun Wu’s open lecture spread like a blazing fire across the land.
What had begun as a single announcement in Mystic City had now traveled far beyond its borders.
From great cities and towns alike, martial artists and merchants began packing their belongings, setting out on long journeys toward Mystic City.
Curiosity fueled some, anticipation drove others. Every road leading to Mystic City was becoming crowded with travelers.
And it wasn’t only the common folk who were stirred.
Array Masters from across the Soaring Cloud Region were also making their way toward the city. Not all came with goodwill.
Some were dissatisfied, convinced that Jun Wu’s fame was undeserved.
Others looked forward to questioning him, determined to expose what they saw as the arrogance of youth.
The more sinister among them harbored darker intentions: they dreamed of crushing his rising reputation, and by trampling him, using his downfall as a stepping stone to elevate their own fame.
What should have been a simple open lecture was quickly transforming into a sensation.
In fact, it was unprecedented.
In the history of the Soaring Cloud Region, never had there been an open lecture of this kind.
Academies, of course, held lectures for their students, but they were private, structured, and controlled.
None had dared to invite every master, novice and veteran alike; to gather in one place and exchange knowledge.
To host such an event required immense confidence.
The people whispered that even seasoned masters with decades of experience would hesitate to place themselves before so many peers.
And yet, an eighteen-year-old boy was about to set a record that none before him had dared to attempt.
.....
Inside Frostwind Academy, the atmosphere was heavy with discussion.
Professors and teachers gathered in small groups of twos and threes, speaking in hushed voices as they debated the upcoming lecture.
"Are you going to attend?" a female teacher asked her colleague as they walked across the courtyard.
"Of course I’m going," her companion replied without hesitation. "I’ve heard countless rumors about this so-called one-in-a-generation prodigy. I want to see him with my own eyes, to know whether the rumors are true or mere exaggeration."
"You’re right," the woman murmured, her tone thoughtful. "I heard many professors and teachers are already preparing to depart for Mystic City today." She paused, glancing sidelong at her companion.
"Should we travel together?" Her voice dropped, barely louder than a whisper.
The man chuckled. "Sure, why not? I wouldn’t mind the company."
Elsewhere, inside the Vice Dean’s office, the atmosphere was far less casual.
The Vice Dean sat behind her desk, her sharp gaze fixed on the middle-aged man standing before her.
"You want to challenge him?" she asked, her tone cold and detached, bordering on indifference.
"Yes," the man replied, nodding firmly. "I’ve been preparing for this for some time. The open lecture provides the perfect avenue."
This man was not just anyone. He was the head of Frostwind Academy’s Array Formation Hall.
Within the academy, his influence over the study of formations was unmatched.
The Vice Dean’s gaze did not waver.
"Why?"
The man straightened his back. "Because knowledge must be exchanged. If he is truly acclaimed as the best, then he is the one I should challenge. Only through such confrontation can both sides grow." His voice was neutral, revealing nothing of the ambition that glimmered in his eyes.
"This is a rare opportunity for me—and for him," he continued.
"I cannot miss it. Vice Dean, please grant me permission."
"No problem," she said with a slight nod, her expression still cool and unreadable.
"Thank you. I won’t disappoint you."
He bowed and left the office.
The Vice Dean watched his retreating back for a long moment.
Then, narrowing her eyes, she muttered, "Whatever you’re planning, I only hope it doesn’t bring harm to the academy." With that, she returned to her work.
....
Meanwhile, in Mystic City itself, preparations of a different kind were underway.
On the edge of a bustling main street stood an ordinary tavern, one few customers bothered to patronize.
But yesterday, it had quietly changed hands. The new owner’s identity remained unknown.
Inside, heavy renovation was already underway.
Workers moved about briskly, hammering and carrying planks.
But the true transformation was not in the public rooms—it was happening below.
In the underground cellar, a hidden tunnel had been uncovered and fortified.
The tunnel stretched far beneath the city, winding outward until it emerged hundreds of meters away in the wilderness.
There, a large cave system opened into the earth.
Dozens of branching tunnels twisted into the dark, connecting hidden chambers.
At the heart of this cavern, construction was progressing steadily.
Workers toiled day and night, carving walls, erecting supports, and shaping the cave into living quarters and meeting rooms.
It was exhausting work, but important.
In one of the dimly lit tunnels, Jun Wu himself could be found, crouched low as he set up array formations.
He was constructing a protective formation around the base.
Ever since this place had been discovered, he had devoted himself to weaving layers of defense.
For the organization he envisioned, he knew security was paramount.
"Young Master, you should take a rest," Zhang Wei called, emerging from another passage.
Without raising his head, Jun Wu replied calmly, "I’m almost finished. What about Mao Yuan? Has he returned?"
"Yes," Zhang Wei answered. "He’s back. The men have settled into their quarters. Their training begins tomorrow."
"Good." Jun Wu brushed the dust from his robes and finally straightened. His eyes gleamed with determination. "Remember, this step is crucial for everything we’re building."
"How long do you think it will take them to be ready?" he asked.
Zhang Wei shook his head. "I can’t say for certain. Most of them are old third-rate martial artists, with only a few at the early stage of second-rate."
Jun Wu nodded thoughtfully. "That’s not a problem. This is only the beginning. As we grow, stronger experts will come to us."
Zhang Wei hesitated, then asked the question that had weighed on his mind for weeks. "But, Young Master... can you at least tell me what exactly we are building here?"
Jun Wu’s lips curved into a faint smile. "That’s a secret."
As always, his answer was wrapped in mystery.
Zhang Wei sighed in frustration.
He and Mao Yuan had asked countless times, but the young master never revealed his plans.
Still, loyalty bound them, and so they followed without question.
"Don’t overthink it," Jun Wu said as he turned to leave the tunnel. "Come, let’s return."
And just like that, he walked away, his figure fading into the darkness, leaving only the flicker of formation lines glowing faintly on the stone walls.