Chapter Twenty-three: Whispers of the Night

    With Li Yunfan's ever-deepening cultivation at Starry Sky Academy, his name began to spread throughout the institution, making him a standout among the younger generation. However, as his reputation grew, some covert enmity also quietly sprouted.

    One night, as Li Yunfan was practicing late-night exercises at the training ground, a dark figure silently approached him. The figure was completely covered by a black cloak, revealing only a pair of cold-gleaming eyes.

    "Li Yunfan, your progress is remarkable, but your 'Star Method' has drawn the attention of some people." The voice of the shadow was hoarse and deep.

    Li Yunfan cautiously stood up, the star power within him circulating through his body, ready to counter any possible attack: "Who are you? Why do you tell me this?"

    The shadow emitted a low laugh: "Who I am is not important, what matters is, I hope you be careful. The tentacles of dark force have reached Starry Sky Academy."

    After speaking, the shadow vanished into the night as quietly as it appeared. Li Yunfan stood in place, filled with doubts. He was uncertain about the true intention of the mysterious shadow, but what he said left him with a sense of unease.

    The next day, Li Yunfan reported this situation to the elders of the academy. Upon hearing the report, the elders' expressions grew serious.

    "Yunfan, your alertness is impressive. In fact, we have also felt some unusual fluctuations recently," the elders said. "We will strengthen the guard of the academy, and you must also be extra careful."

    Li Yunfan nodded. He decided to strengthen the protection of the "Star Method" secret scroll while practicing as well. He knew that this scroll was not only related to his own fate but also to the safety of the entire academy.

    A few days later, a mysterious theft occurred in the academy, with some valuable training resources vanishing without a trace. Although there was no direct evidence pointing to the dark forces, everyone sensed the seriousness of the situation.

    Li Yunfan and Feng Wogen decided to secretly investigate the matter. They used their nights to patrol the academy discreetly, hoping to find some clues.

    During a patrol, they discovered a hidden chamber in the library's secret compartment. The chamber contained some ancient documents and training scrolls, some of which were clearly related to the dark forces.

    "Apparently, the tentacles of dark forces have indeed infiltrated the academy," Feng Wogen's expression became serious.

    Li Yunfan nodded: "We must find out their real purpose and prevent their plan."

    They decided to report this discovery to the elders and request support from the academy. The elders immediately organized a comprehensive investigation and reinforced the academy's defenses.

    In the following days, the atmosphere in the academy became tense. Everyone was on alert for any potential threats. Li Yunfan and Feng Wogen were not idle either; they began to study those ancient texts, hoping to find a way to counteract the dark forces.

    However, they were unaware that the real target of the dark forces was actually themselves...