Jie Long Academy, Huangchen Hall.
A dark shadow shot backward like an arrow released from its bow, adjusting its posture midair before landing.
But before he could react, a petite figure closed the distance like a shadow, her delicate hand weaving through his defenses with butterfly-like grace before striking his chest.
Roy felt an immense force hit him, a dull pain spreading across his chest as the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. Once again, he was sent flying uncontrollably.
"She really is ridiculously strong!"
He barely managed to steady himself, his gaze fixed on the small figure across from him.
"What's wrong? You're unusually unfocused today."
Fan Xinglou halted her pursuit, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face.
Glancing around, this was a pitch-black space—a barrier created by Fan Xinglou, not the reception hall outside.
None of the other disciples, including Wu Xiaofei, were present. It was just Roy and Fan Xinglou.
That's right. Fan Xinglou's idea of "increasing the difficulty of training" was to dismiss all her disciples and take the field herself!
From the start of the new year until now, for over half a month, every time they sparred, Fan Xinglou would wear a manic grin as she thoroughly dismantled Roy.
He was at least ninety percent convinced that Fan Xinglou found him durable enough to finally indulge her surging battle lust, using the excuse of "raising the training difficulty" to beat him up.
But today, barely half an hour into their fight—before Roy had even broken a bone—Fan Xinglou already looked bored. Normally, she wouldn't be satisfied until she shattered at least seven or eight of his bones.
If not for the fact that he could genuinely feel himself improving at rocket speed during these spars with Fan Xinglou, Roy wouldn't have willingly subjected himself to this abuse.
"Something on your mind?"
Fan Xinglou relaxed her stance, the tension in the air dissipating.
"Sort of."
Roy also dropped his guard and answered her question.
"I've been thinking about something. My boss messaged me today, telling me to return in a week. I'm considering whether to bring you along."
"What did you say?"
Fan Xinglou's eyes suddenly sharpened like blades, her entire aura flaring.
"Kid, don't tell me you've forgotten your promise to me?"
"Of course I haven't!"
As the overwhelming pressure—enough to make an ordinary person faint—surged from Fan Xinglou's petite frame, Roy quickly raised his hands in surrender.
"We agreed back then that I'd take you with me when I returned. But this time, going back doesn't mean I won't be coming here again..."
Only then did Fan Xinglou's oppressive aura gradually fade, though her delicate brows remained tightly furrowed.
"So, what you're saying is, you'll take me with you next time you come back?"
"That's what I've been thinking about."
Roy lowered his hands and nodded in confirmation.
"This time, when I go back, I probably won't be gone for long. But while I'm away, my forward base here will be left unguarded—especially with the possibility of Akatsuki making a move soon. Ideally, I'd like you to keep an eye on things. But that's not the main reason..."
The main reason was that Roy didn't entirely trust the Root.
His relationship with the Root was purely one of mutual benefit—both sides had their own needs, and since cooperation brought no harm, their current partnership was formed. There was no real trust between them.
Roy didn't want everything to develop solely in the Root's favor. Given the opportunity, he wouldn't hesitate to keep certain secrets to himself.
Especially when it came to Fan Xinglou and figures like Stella—he had no intention of immediately bringing them back to the Type-Moon world.
"Besides, if you're planning to leave this world, it'd be best to make some preparations beforehand," Roy suggested to Fan Xinglou.
After all, the gate connecting the two worlds wasn't in Roy's hands but controlled by the Root. Even if the two worlds were linked in the future, it wouldn't be possible to come and go freely at will—they'd still need the Root to open the door.
"Hmm… This old lady has lived for over a thousand years. A little more waiting won't kill me."
After a moment of contemplation, Fan Xinglou nodded, though her expression remained somewhat reluctant.
Moreover, if possible, she also wanted her body to mature a bit more, to reach her peak condition before venturing into another world. So, waiting a little longer wouldn't hurt.
Seeing Fan Xinglou agree, Roy let out a sigh of relief.
His biggest worry had been failing to persuade her, but her patience turned out to be far greater than he'd expected.
"Since you'll be leaving in a week, let's end the training here."
Fan Xinglou's imposing aura vanished as she took a step forward, bringing Roy back to the main hall of Huangchen Palace. She then plopped herself onto the rosewood table at the head of the room with an air of casual dominance.
"Huh?"
"This old lady has lost her motivation. No need for you to come over the next few days."
"Uh…"
Roy was left speechless.
If he'd known this would happen, he would've waited a few more days before bringing it up.
"Basically, I've already taught you all the key points of training. From now on, you'll have to train on your own—especially the advanced stages of 'Perception' and the Shukuchi footwork. You must practice diligently without pause. Hopefully, by the time you return, you'll have reached a level where you can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this old lady!"
Fan Xinglou tightened her small face, assigning tasks to Roy like a homeroom teacher handing out homework.
But that last line was purely her own selfish desire, wasn't it?
"That's a tall order…"
A wry, slightly encouraging smile appeared on Roy's face.
"But I'll do my absolute best!"
The advanced stages of Perception were already difficult enough to master. Without the foundation of Amagiri style, Fan Xinglou had estimated it would take him two or three years to learn it. And Shukuchi was even harder—she'd outright said that even if he trained relentlessly for two or three years, he might still not reach her level.
The real shame was that Shukuchi wasn't a Seisenjutsu but a footwork technique. If it were Seisenjutsu, he would've mastered it within these past few months.
"Of course it's difficult. Did you think just anyone could learn this old lady's Shukuchi? Even among my disciples, Xiaofei is a rare genius, but after all this time, he still hasn't mastered it!"
Fan Xinglou tilted her snow-white neck proudly. Shukuchi was her signature technique—there wasn't another soul in the world who could use it.
Wu Xiaofei had been with her for nearly ten years, yet still hadn't mastered the art of Shukuchi. When these words were spoken, Roy felt an immense pressure weighing down on him.
Was she deliberately putting pressure on him out of resentment because he wasn't planning to take her back with him?
"Speaking of which, what do you think of Xiaofei?"
After a moment of silence, Fan Xinglou suddenly asked Roy in a meaningful tone.
***
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