Stepping off the Silent Weather, Jian squinted against the chill air. Maria whispered, "Almost forgot—you can't really see from that seal." Crew members glancing his way assumed he hid a birthmark. Only Maria knew the truth.
With a nod from Mark, Maria removed Jian's seals. The thin mask fell away, revealing short brown hair and deep black eyes. He blinked. "Crazy how clear everything is."
Maria gasped. "Wait—how did you hear me just then?"
Jian's expression was calm. "I channel Qi in the air, convert it to sound, and redirect it to my mind. For sight, I emit Wind Qi around me and interpret the reflections."
Maria pressed a hand to her temple. "You're… incredible. But limited—four hundred meters clear, beyond that, I assume?"
"Precisely." Jian lowered his gaze.
They reached the landing dock—a circle of five pillar-like platforms rising 500 meters above Aria City, each spaced 200 meters apart. As their ship touched down on the second level, Jian spotted the Ming Kingdom banner below—his homeland's rival faction.
Mark clapped his hands. "This is where I part ways. Beyond that door is the Seven-Star Academy. Don't fail." He smirked. "I'll explore the city first." With a wave, he departed.
Maria pointed to an arched gate shimmering with purple Qi. "Your first teleportation gate—step through, and you'll appear in the academy grounds."
With a deep breath, Jian followed her through the portal.