After grabbing the potion, Kai made his way back to Yifong and Donghua, who were seated at the table, deep in conversation.
"Where did you go?" Donghua asked, looking up as Kai took his seat.
"Bathroom," Kai replied casually.
The three of them spent the evening enjoying each other's company, with laughter and stories filling the air. Meanwhile, on the second floor, Jiang Wei emerged from his room, leaning against the balcony railing and gazing out at Kai and his friends.
"Who are you looking at?" Cheng Ren called out, noticing Jiang Wei's distracted demeanor.
"A beauty," Jiang Wei responded, his gaze unbroken.
"Where!?" Cheng Ren pressed, curiosity piqued.
Jiang Wei remained silent.
"No, seriously! Which beauty?" Cheng Ren insisted.
As the night at Zhu Dian's came to an end, the trio settled into the cozy Delight Blossom Inn, renowned as Chi District's finest establishment in all of Feijing.
With the first day of cultivation school approaching, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. Before dawn even broke, Yifong and Kai woke up to prepare for the day ahead. Yifong helped Kai apply boiled and crushed artemisia stelleriana to his celestial white hair.
"I've been meaning to ask," Yifong started, glancing conspiratorially at Kai, "why are there people trying to kill you?"
Kai sighed, his fingers tapping nervously on the table.
"I don't know. I've never had any enemies. Remember, Donghua mentioned I'm a hidden son? I've hardly stepped outside the Thor residence."
Yifong looked at him earnestly.
"Xing Li, I'll protect you."
"I appreciate it, but don't risk your life for mine," Kai cautioned.
Kai pondered silently, a faint suspicion began to form in his mind—he might have a clue about who was behind it all.
Originally, Rong Yue was meant to attend the cultivation school, while Lord Xing Li endured torture and humiliation at the hands of Lord Ying within the Thor clan. Kai reflected on the unexpected changes he had inadvertently caused. By taking Rong Yue's place, he had shifted the course of events in ways he hadn't anticipated.
Xing Li had warned him about Rong Yue, yet in the original story, Rong Yue was rarely mentioned, with most of the plot revolving around Lord Ying's actions and motives. Given Lord Ying's deep-seated hatred for him, Kai had believed that his presence outside the Thor residence might actually serve Lord Ying's interests rather than hinder them. However, now that Kai found himself targeted for assassination, it no longer made sense. His role seemed only to be increasing the danger rather than providing any advantage.
Yifong remained quiet but focused as he finished applying the mixture to Kai's hair. Gradually, the white strands transformed into a stunning shade of black, the change so seamless that no one would guess the original color.
"Thanks, Yifong," Kai said gratefully as Yifong headed back to his room.
Sitting at a table and admiring his old look, Kai pulled out paper and ink to write a message to Jie Yan.
"I've arrived in Feijing. I hope you have been well."
He dispatched the letter with a messenger pigeon, and soon after, the trio set off for the cultivation school.
"Your hair is back to normal," Donghua remarked, looking Kai over.
"But those blue eyes are still quite striking."
"Should I change my eye color too?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Can you?" Donghua replied, intrigued.
"Of course! I could even make my eyes look like a snake's," Kai jokes, but inwardly he mused, "That would require wearing contacts, though I doubt those are a thing in this era."
"No way!" Donghua exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.
The cultivation school was located in the northern part of the Chi District. As they walked, the trio observed noble carriages arriving from all directions, each filled with young aristocrats eager to begin their studies.
At the school gates, nobles descended from their carriages, greeted and escorted inside one by one. The grandeur of the cultivation school was overwhelming, its opulent architecture reflecting the immense wealth of Feijing. Kai and the other nobles marveled as they crossed the courtyard.
As they ventured deeper into the school, they encountered three lines where servants distributed school uniforms. After receiving his uniform, Kai was directed to a changing room and then instructed to join the other nobles in a large garden lobby.
Emerging from the changing room, Kai stood tall at 5'9", his presence immediately commanding attention. His long, black hair was neatly tied back into a sleek ponytail, revealing sharp, regal features that seemed sculpted by the gods. His skin was porcelain smooth, with a healthy, natural glow that accentuated his well-defined cheekbones. Dressed in a pristine white uniform with delicate light blue lining, he exuded an air of effortless elegance and confidence. His striking features—piercing eyes, a poised demeanor, and an aura of calm authority—made him stand out sharply among the other nobles, as if he belonged to a realm beyond this world.
Kai spotted Donghua and Yifong standing together in the lobby among the other nobles, and Donghua immediately waved him over.
"Aiyoo, that uniform really makes your eyes pop," Donghua teased, grinning.
"A few people have been looking your way," Yifong added.
"Sorry, my beauty is just too blinding," Kai replied jokingly, a smirk on his face.