Chapter 13
Su Mu, disembarking from the Zephyr Ray, was met with curious glances from the onlookers gathered at the Awakeners Association.
Her silver hair and elegant attire, chosen with Lingxi's expertise, hinted at a unique background even amidst the diverse crowd of Monster City.
Mr. Chen gestured broadly towards the impressive building and the people milling about.
"This is the Awakeners Association," he explained, his voice calm yet authoritative, "where large groups of registered Spiritual Masters and martial artists gather to exchange knowledge and insights."
He gave Su Mu a reassuring look. "As a student of the academy, you will have many opportunities to interact with fellow Spiritual Masters here."
Su Mu nodded, absorbing the vibrant, almost overwhelming sights and sounds of Monster City.
The air thrummed with energy, a stark contrast to the quiet elegance of her family home.
While Mr. Chen handled the formalities with the Association members who greeted him, Su Mu scanned the area, searching for the uncle she hadn't seen in fifteen years – the man who was supposed to meet her here.
Her eyes swept past robed cultivators, burly martial artists, and even a few individuals with distinct beast-kin features, before landing on someone who stood slightly apart from the main throng, leaning casually against a large, rune-etched pillar near the entrance.
He wasn't dressed like the others.
A well-worn black leather jacket was slung over a simple dark t-shirt, paired with dark trousers that looked both practical and stylish.
Intricate tattoos peeked out from under his sleeves, with a heavy, expensive-looking watch glinting on his wrist.
He wasn't overtly imposing, yet he carried an air of quiet confidence, a subtle magnetism that drew the eye. There was a hint of mystery about him, a relaxed readiness that set him apart from the more formal or overtly intense Awakeners nearby.
'Is that him?' Su Mu wondered. He looked maybe in his late twenties or early thirties, much younger than she'd pictured a professor and certainly different from the typical image of a scholarly magician or a stern martial arts master.
His style was modern, almost rugged, a complete contrast to the refined nobility she was used to or the dedicated practitioners surrounding them.
Yet, something about his calm demeanor felt familiar, echoing the faint memory she held.
Taking a tentative breath, Su Mu began to walk towards him, her steps feeling a little uncertain on the polished stone floor.
The man looked up as she approached, his gaze sharp but not unfriendly.
Seeing her hesitate, he pushed himself off the pillar, straightening up.
A warm, slightly amused smile spread across his face, instantly making him seem more approachable.
It crinkled the corners of his eyes, which held a spark of intelligence and recognition.
"Su Mu, right?" he asked, his voice smooth and easygoing.
He stepped forward, closing the small distance between them.
"Welcome to Monster City." He gave her a quick, appreciative look. "Made it through the flight alright?"
"Also, you've grown into a remarkable young woman," Ye Fan remarked, his gaze holding a warmth that went beyond simple politeness.
His voice carried a mix of pride and genuine affection that surprised Su Mu but also eased some of her nervousness.
Despite the shock of his unconventional appearance, there was an undeniable connection, a thread of shared history, however faint.
A sense of familiarity and comfort settled over her in his presence. "Uncle Ye Fan, it's been a long time," she responded, returning his smile with a tentative one of her own.
Just then, Mr. Chen, having concluded his business with the Association members, walked over.
He exchanged respectful greetings with Ye Fan, the two men clearly acquainted, though their styles were worlds apart.
"Ye Fan," Mr. Chen said, clapping him lightly on the shoulder, "I've brought Su Mu safely, as promised. She's all yours now." He finished with a hearty laugh, his eyes twinkling.
"Thank you, Uncle Chen. I appreciate you escorting her," Ye Fan acknowledged sincerely, shaking the older man's hand. "Knowing she was with you made the wait less stressful."
With a courteous nod to them both, Mr. Chen turned back towards the Awakener's Association.
Su Mu watched him go, a knot forming in her throat.
Now, truly under the care of her uncle Ye Fan, she felt a whirlwind of emotions – relief at having arrived safely, nervousness about this bustling new city and the formidable university, anticipation for what lay ahead, and a lingering pang of longing for the home and the friend she'd left behind.
"Ready to head out?" Ye Fan asked, breaking into her thoughts. He gestured towards the grand exit of the Awakeners Association building.
Su Mu took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes, Uncle."
As they stepped out of the imposing structure and back into the lively chaos of the city streets, Ye Fan led her away from the main thoroughfare, down a slightly less crowded side street where various vehicles were parked.
He stopped beside a machine that made Su Mu blink in surprise. It wasn't a carriage, nor some kind of magically propelled skiff.
It was a motorbike – sleek, black, with chrome accents that gleamed even in the diffused sunlight filtering down through the city's upper layers.
It looked powerful, fast, and utterly different from anything she had ever ridden on. It exuded a rebellious style that perfectly matched her uncle.
Powered by faintly glowing spiritual crystals embedded near the engine block, the bike hummed with contained energy, a perfect example of Monster City's seamless integration of magic and technology.
Ye Fan swung a leg over and settled onto the seat with practiced ease, then extended a hand back towards Su Mu. "Hold on tight," he advised with a grin.
Hesitantly at first, then with a growing surge of excitement that overshadowed her nervousness, Su Mu took his hand and climbed onto the seat behind him.
It was surprisingly comfortable. She carefully wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling the surprising firmness of his torso beneath the leather jacket.
The sleek design of the machine beneath them and the almost silent, powerful hum of magical energy vibrating through the frame added to her anticipation for the journey ahead.
With a smooth twist of the throttle, the bike surged forward, accelerating rapidly but controlledly into the flow of traffic.
Su Mu gasped softly, instinctively tightening her grip as they navigated the bustling, multi-layered streets.
The city unfolded before them like a living tapestry.
Colorful stalls lined the elevated pathways and crowded the lower levels, hawking wares that ranged from glowing magical artifacts and enchanted trinkets to complex mechanical gadgets powered by flickering runes.
The air buzzed with a harmonious, chaotic blend of human languages and the guttural clicks, growls, and melodic chirps of various demon races, creating a lively, vibrant atmosphere unlike anything she had ever experienced.
Ye Fan expertly guided the bike through the labyrinthine streets, occasionally leaning over slightly to point out landmarks or share brief, often amusing details about the city's diverse inhabitants.
After weaving through the denser, more commercial districts, they eventually reached a quieter, more secluded residential area.
The buildings here were spaced further apart, with small gardens clinging to balconies and rooftops.
Ye Fan turned onto a clean, well-paved street and pulled up before a stylish and well-maintained building.
It stood three stories tall, constructed from dark, polished wood and smooth grey stone, with large windows that gleamed cleanly.
It possessed a modern elegance that contrasted sharply with the charming, magical chaos of the districts they had just passed through, yet it fit perfectly into the eclectic cityscape.
"Here we are," Ye Fan announced, cutting the bike's engine. The magical hum faded, leaving a sudden quiet.
"Home sweet home, at least for now."