Chapter 83: Qin Rou Emerges from Seclusion
"Have you heard? Senior Brother Xiao Chen is going to duel with Senior Sister Qin from the Heavenly Spirit Institute?"
"Of course I've heard. I was there in person when they made the three-year pact."
"Quick, tell everyone the details."
"…"
In every corner of Wendao Academy, inner and outer disciples alike were discussing the past grievances between Xiao Chen and Qin Rou.
This was especially true among the disciples of the Sword Dao Institute, many of whom were of the same generation as the two. They were all well aware of the pair's history.
No one could have imagined that the once loving, god-like couple would end up clashing with blades.
Still, everyone was eager to witness the strength of these two individuals.
After all, the Heavenly Spirit Institute represented the strongest combat power among the ten major institutes of Wendao Academy.
Heavenly Spirit Institute, behind Qingxue Peak, within a secluded chamber.
Qin Rou had been in closed-door cultivation for nine days and was thus completely unaware of what was happening outside.
At this moment, a bone-chilling cold surrounded her.
Everything inside the chamber had frozen three feet deep under the influence of that aura.
Crack... crack...
The surrounding ice let out a series of sharp cracking sounds, as countless fractures spread across the thick frozen surface.
At the same time, the spiritual energy within Qin Rou's body surged to the brink of overflowing.
Crack...
Another crisp sound rang in her ears, but this time it wasn't from the ice—it came from her own dantian.
A few breaths later, Qin Rou's aura exploded.
Her cultivation underwent an earth-shaking transformation.
After some time, Qin Rou opened her eyes, which now emitted a fierce, icy gleam.
It felt as if a single glance from her could turn someone into eternal ice.
"I've finally broken through to the Heaven Origin Realm. I wonder how many days have passed."
Murmuring softly, Qin Rou steadied her breath and strode forward.
The disciple guarding outside the chamber smiled upon seeing her emerge. "Congratulations on breaking through to the Heaven Origin Realm, Junior Sister Qin. Your speed ranks among the best in the Heavenly Spirit Institute."
As she spoke, there was a trace of envy in her eyes.
Qin Rou, as expected of someone personally nurtured by the master, had broken through the Heaven Origin Realm in just a few years.
Even in a place full of prodigies like the Heavenly Spirit Institute, it usually took ten years to go from the True Fate Realm to the Heaven Origin Realm.
As for disciples from other institutes, taking twenty or thirty years wasn't unusual.
Qin Rou gave a slight bow. "Thank you for guarding me, Senior Sister Zhang. I'm grateful."
"No need for that—we're fellow disciples. It was just a small matter."
As Senior Sister Zhang spoke, something seemed to occur to her. "Junior Sister Qin, you should go see the master. She's surely waiting to hear your good news."
At the mention of her master, the corners of Qin Rou's lips lifted into a faint smile.
She knew the reason her master had focused on cultivating her was because Xiao Chen was growing stronger and stronger.
Even so, Qin Rou sincerely respected her master. Without her guidance, she wouldn't have achieved what she had today.
As for Xiao Chen, his role had ended the moment he gave her that spirit herb.
Now, all that remained was to sever ties completely.
With that thought, Qin Rou subconsciously quickened her pace.
"Disciple Qin Rou greets Master."
Qin Rou bowed slightly toward Elder Bing, who sat with her eyes closed.
Elder Bing's eyes snapped open, sharp as blades.
With a single glance, she saw through everything about Qin Rou.
"Not bad. I was worried your cultivation was progressing too fast and your foundation might be unstable.
But now, it seems those concerns were unnecessary. You've just stepped into the Heaven Origin Realm, yet your aura is steady and rich—you're no weaker than someone at the second level of Heaven Origin."
Qin Rou respectfully replied, "Master flatters me. This is all thanks to your guidance."
Elder Bing said calmly, "You should already know why I've prioritized cultivating you."
"I understand clearly in my heart," Qin Rou answered with utmost respect.
"A few days ago, that brat Chu Feng brought Xiao Chen to issue a challenge. I've already accepted it on your behalf. Ten days from now, you and Xiao Chen will face off on the Life and Death Platform."
As Elder Bing finished speaking, she stared intently at Qin Rou, trying to see whether there was any sign of hesitation in the girl's eyes.
But Qin Rou's gaze remained firm. "Please rest assured, Master. This time, I will sever all karma and let the world see that the choice I made back then was the right one."
"Good!"
A rare smile surfaced on Elder Bing's ever-cold face.
"As cultivators, this is how we must be. No matter what entanglements existed between you and him in the past, now you are people from two different worlds. Use this battle to show the world the power of our Heavenly Spirit Institute."
"I won't let you down, Master."
Qin Rou's tone and expression gradually turned colder.
...
In the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.
Xiao Chen, Cao Youqian, Qin Qin, and Wang Baole were currently busy in the kitchen.
Wang Baole was endlessly curious, pestering his two senior brothers every day to tell stories of their training experiences out in the world.
Whenever he heard something exciting, he couldn't help but cheer loudly.
While kneading dough, Wang Baole asked, "Senior Brother, there are only ten days left until your duel with Qin Rou. Why aren't you training hard?"
Cao Youqian laughed and patted his shoulder. "Kid, you don't get it. With Senior Brother's strength, dealing with someone like Qin Rou is nothing. No need to prepare that much."
"Not exactly."
Xiao Chen explained with a smile, "For more than a year now, I've been constantly fighting. What I need these days is to calm my heart, to dispel the killing intent and hatred inside.
A true swordsman should not have too many distractions in his heart."
"Then why don't you practice Tai Chi Fist?" Wang Baole asked curiously.
"Tai Chi what?" Cao Youqian perked up the moment he heard the word "fist."
Wang Baole looked at the two with a puzzled expression and slowly said, "It's a basic cultivation method Master taught me and Senior Sister Qin. She said practicing it can help us lay a solid foundation and also enter a state of mental clarity without distractions."
After listening, Xiao Chen said, "Seems like it's a technique tailor-made by Master for you two. Cultivate it well."
Cao Youqian chuckled. "Junior Sister Qin, how about giving us a live demonstration? I've been feeling pretty agitated lately."
"Sure."
Qin Qin agreed and immediately set aside her work. She walked to an open space in front of the kitchen and began practicing Tai Chi.
After she finished one round, both Cao Youqian and Xiao Chen stood there stunned.
After a moment, Xiao Chen spoke. "As expected of Master—this Tai Chi looks simple, but it contains the principles of yin, yang, and the five elements. It really can help someone enter a meditative state. What a pity it's a fist technique.
If it were a sword technique, I'd seriously consider practicing it."
Just as he finished speaking, Chu Feng's voice came from not far away: "There is a Tai Chi Sword style, you know."
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