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Qian Renxue's gaze, deep as a dark pool, fixed on Feng Xiao.
After a long pause, she slowly said, "You just need to be yourself; you don't need to concern yourself with anything else."
The hidden concern within her seemingly detached words brought a warmth to Feng Xiao's heart.
He curled his lips into a smile: "I'll see you tonight at the Ni Tai Training Field, but I hope His Highness's cultivation…" He deliberately dragged out his words, "won't be surpassed by me."
"Hmph! What a joke."
Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened, and she let out a cold snort, revealing the full extent of the Spirit Hall's young master's arrogance.
Feng Xiao rose with a smile, his "Fuxi" zither glowing with a warm luster in the sunlight: "It's still early; I have something to do, so I'll head back to the Academy first."
After Feng Xiao's figure disappeared at the end of the long street, Qian Renxue lightly tapped her fingertips on the window frame, and two youthful, beautiful figures involuntarily appeared in her mind: "Go see what he's doing back at the Academy."
A faint, ethereal response came from the shadows: "Yes, young master."
Snake Lance Douluo's figure darted out like Gui Mei, muttering to himself, "What other tricks can this kid pull besides playing that broken zither?"
Feng Xiao slowly stepped into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's training grounds, where the morning light filtered through the sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
In the center of the field, the Huang Dou Battle Team members were training intently, the light of their Spirit Ability flickering occasionally.
He did not disturb them but quietly went to a secluded corner and sat down cross-legged.
With "Fuxi" placed horizontally on his lap, Feng Xiao closed his eyes and concentrated, clearly replaying the scenes from today's arena in his mind.
Tang San's fluid movements, every move and every stance, contained the essence of the Tang Sect's unique skills—
"The internal force circulation of Mysterious Heaven Skill… the footwork variations of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track… the force application techniques of Mysterious Jade Hand… the remote object manipulation of Controlling Crane Catching Dragon… the mental force application of Purple Demon Eye."
He curled his lips slightly, "Aside from Hidden Weapons Hundred Solutions, I've seen all of the Tang Sect's unique skills today."
His fingertips unconsciously caressed the zither strings, and Feng Xiao suddenly had an idea.
Playing the zither and Hidden Weapons, though seemingly unrelated, actually led to the same destination—both required extreme hearing, precise technique, and perfect control over force.
He circulated his spirit power, and his hands gradually took on the luster of white jade.
When his fingers, enhanced by Mysterious Jade Hand, plucked the zither strings, the sound produced was even clearer and brighter than usual.
"If I had known this trick back in school, would my hands still have calluses?"
Feng Xiao shook his head with a light chuckle, then his eyes sharpened.
He saw his wrist lightly flip, and his five fingers brushed over the zither strings a mere inch above them.
"Fuxi" actually resonated on its own, and the sound waves rippled visibly in the air.
"Controlling Crane Catching Dragon… wonderful."
Feng Xiao's eyes sparkled, "Being able to play music without touching the zither strings means that in actual combat, the opponent won't be able to judge his attack by his movements."
He seemed to already see the confused expression of his opponent facing an invisible sound blade.
As for the mental force enhancement from Purple Demon Eye, it made him yearn even more—one day, he would surely integrate mental force into his zither music, achieving the effect of Mu En's dominion over the World.
And the footwork of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track just happened to make up for his shortcomings in close combat.
In the shadows, Snake Lance Douluo, hidden in the tree shadows, quietly sighed, "Not bad, this kid can actually make some tricks with a broken zither."
The lingering glow of the setting sun bathed the training grounds in gold.
While Feng Xiao was still practicing intently, the Huang Dou Battle Team members finished their day's training and gathered around him.
"Captain Feng, how were your intelligence gains today?"
Dugu Yan's purple eyes held a smile, and her tone carried a hint of teasing.
Feng Xiao stopped, stood up, and brushed off his sleeves: "Aside from the old powerful academies of Heaven Dou, the traditional Five Element Academies, this year's Shrek team needs special attention."
"Them?"
Dugu Yan snorted disdainfully, "They're just our defeated opponents."
"That may be true, but I saw Yu Tianheng in their team."
Feng Xiao's words instantly silenced the scene.
Dugu Yan's fingertips unconsciously clutched her clothes, then she raised her head and said, "So what? We will never show mercy in the arena!"
"Exactly!"
Yu Feng immediately echoed, and everyone else nodded in agreement.
Feng Xiao looked around at his teammates, his expression serious: "The focus isn't just Yu Tianheng.
I learned from His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, about Tang San's true identity…"
In an instant, everyone's gaze immediately focused on him.
"Tang… could it be?"
Dugu Yan's pupils constricted slightly, as if she had thought of something.
"That's right, and he also has twin spirits."
Feng Xiao's words completely wiped the disdain from Dugu Yan's face.
"What kind of riddle are you two speaking?"
Yu Feng couldn't help but interject.
"Tang San is from the Clear Sky Sect."
Feng Xiao's words were like a clap of thunder.
At this moment, the Royal Fight team members, upon hearing this, couldn't help but tremble and gasp, realizing why Feng Xiao had paid attention to Shrek.
Yu Tianheng, Tang San, Ning Rongrong, plus the Star Luo Empire's combination—this team actually brought together the direct descendants of the Upper Three Sects and the core members of the Star Luo Imperial Family!
"Good heavens," Yu Feng exclaimed, "Not only are the Upper Three Sects all here, but there's also Star Luo's Hell White Tiger, and a food system with innate full spirit power is indeed not to be underestimated."
Feng Xiao's lips curved into a slight smile: "But there's no need to worry too much; they're not without weaknesses.
Their fatal weakness is—they're too young."
Yu Feng rolled his eyes: "What kind of weakness is that?"
"The more powerful the Spirit, the harder it is to control," Feng Xiao patiently explained.
"How much power can the Clear Sky Hammer exert without a spirit ring? The possibility of Ning Rongrong breaking through to Spirit King before the tournament is minuscule.
As for Hell White Tiger…" A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, "I won't give them a chance to fuse.
For this period, you only need to focus on cultivation; the real formidable opponents are the three Spirit King from Spirit Hall Academy."
Everyone exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.
The night was as dark as ink, and the bright moonlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor of the Ni Tai Training Field.
Feng Xiao pushed open the heavy wooden door with familiarity, and sure enough, that familiar figure was already waiting.
Qian Renxue, in a snow-white long gown, looked like an immortal under the moonlight.
Seeing Feng Xiao arrive, a barely perceptible smile flashed in her eyes, and her red lips slightly parted: "From now on, I will come here to cultivate every day."
She paused, "Want to surpass this princess? I'm afraid you'll only have a chance in your next life."
Feng Xiao's lips curled slightly; he could clearly feel that today's Qian Renxue was different from usual—her slightly raised tone, her light articulation, all revealed her rare good mood.
The two sat opposite each other, and soon, the training field fell into a quiet silence.
Only their steady breathing rose and fell, interweaving into a silent rhythm in the moonlight.
Each of Feng Xiao's breaths caused the "Fuxi" zither strings to tremble slightly, while a faint golden halo flowed around Qian Renxue, like a golden lotus blooming under the moon.
Feng Xiao slowly closed his eyes, his mental force spreading out like a gentle stream, carefully sensing the flow of spirit power within Qian Renxue.
As their cultivation gradually deepened, his consciousness slowly sank into a profound state.
Unbeknownst to them, a pure and fervent aura of light quietly enveloped the training field.
That aura was like the rising sun, warm but not scorching, causing the generative energy within Feng Xiao's body to involuntarily resonate with it.
Two distinct yet wonderfully complementary energies gradually intertwined in this small space, forming an unprecedented harmonious rhythm.
Qian Renxue's long eyelashes fluttered; she clearly felt a vibrant energy gently enveloping her.
It felt like a sudden ray of warm sunlight piercing through the cold winter, making her normally sharp light power become soft.
In the ethereal realm, the two seemed to have a telepathic understanding, maintaining this wonderful tacit agreement.
Their auras intertwined and fused in the void, and their spirit power resonated as it circulated.
In a trance, Feng Xiao felt his consciousness seemed to merge into Qian Renxue's World of light, while Qian Renxue also seemed to be in a vibrant bamboo forest.
Both were immersed in this profound and wondrous state, neither willing to break this rare unspoken understanding first.
Their mental force was like two intertwined streams, dancing intimately in the void; their spirit power was like two merging wisps of mist, flowing and resonating within their meridians.
Feng Xiao could clearly perceive every pulsation of light power within Qian Renxue, just like witnessing every moment of the morning light piercing through the clouds; and Qian Renxue felt as if she was in a vibrant bamboo forest, every tremor of a bamboo leaf synchronized with her breathing.
This soul resonance, transcending the physical body, immersed both of them in an unprecedented sense of comfort.
In this unspoken understanding that transcended words, the concept of time seemed to blur.
The moonlight quietly shifted, the stars gradually rotated, yet the two in the training field maintained a perfect cultivation rhythm, allowing their souls to continuously sublimate in this rare resonance.
At dawn, Feng Xiao slowly awoke from his meditation.
The first ray of sunlight pierced through the window, perfectly falling on Qian Renxue's delicate profile, bathing her in a soft golden glow.
Her long eyelashes cast delicate shadows in the morning light, her red lips slightly pursed; stripped of her usual sharpness, she was now as pure as fresh snow.
Feng Xiao unconsciously held his breath, a hint of regret welling up in his heart—if only this World had cameras, he would surely preserve this rare sight forever.
"She's beautiful when she cultivates," Feng Xiao silently sighed, "without the sharp aura, without the arrogant expression, and without those schemes and calculations."
He just watched quietly like that.
In fact, Qian Renxue had already woken up and was feigning sleep with closed eyes, waiting for Feng Xiao to leave on his own.
Feeling that he had no intention of leaving, she finally couldn't hold back and suddenly opened her eyes.
Her eyes, as bright as stars, deliberately glared at Feng Xiao with a sharp gaze: "Have you seen enough?"
Feng Xiao awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose, reluctantly averted his gaze, and softly said, "That strange feeling during cultivation last night, did you notice it?"
Upon hearing Feng Xiao's slightly ambiguous words, a blush instantly crept onto Qian Renxue's earlobes, hidden beneath her golden hair.
She turned her face away, her voice tinged with an unnatural tension: "What nonsense are you talking about… I don't know anything!"
Feng Xiao looked at her in surprise, just catching the fleeting hint of vexation on her face.
That face, usually so dignified and aloof, now displayed a rare blush.
This discovery made Feng Xiao momentarily stunned, his gaze unconsciously fixed on her reddened earlobe.
Feng Xiao's pupils constricted, as if he had discovered an incredible treasure, staring at Qian Renxue in disbelief.
At this moment, he seemed to see the early spring when ice and snow melted, and also seemed to glimpse the moment when the scorching sun reined in its sharpness.
However, before he could think further, a brilliant golden light suddenly burst forth in the cultivation room!
A majestic wave of light power surged, and Feng Xiao felt his body lighten, and he was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string.
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, Feng Xiao awkwardly fell onto the corridor.
He rubbed his aching back with a wry smile, only to see that the door of the cultivation room had been firmly sealed by a golden light barrier.
He could vaguely hear Qian Renxue's vexed voice from inside: "If you look again, I'll dig out your eyes!"
Feng Xiao slowly stood up, leaning against the wall.
He patted the dust from his robes, but his lips couldn't help but curve upwards, and then he slowly left the Ni Tai Training Field.
Inside the cultivation room, Qian Renxue listened to the receding footsteps, and the light power around her gradually subsided.
She raised her hand to lightly touch her still-burning cheek, and her red lips unconsciously curved into a subtle arc.
Feng Xiao slowly walked through the academy's misty path, his mind still replaying the profound resonance from last night.
That peculiar feeling, like a fusion of souls, was something he had never experienced before.
"This feeling…" He unconsciously stroked the "Fuxi" in his arms; the zither strings still seemed to retain the energy fluctuations from last night, "Could it be a Spirit fusion ability?"
But then he thought it wasn't right.
As far as he knew, Spirit fusion abilities required the active cooperation of both Spirit Masters to cast, while the state last night was more like a natural attraction between Spirits.
Feng Xiao stopped and looked at the rising sun in the sky.
The golden sunlight made him involuntarily associate it with Qian Renxue's pure and fervent light aura.
Two distinct yet strangely compatible forces had achieved a perfect balance last night.
Feng Xiao shook his head, temporarily setting aside his chaotic thoughts.
"Forget it, there's plenty of time; I'll figure it out eventually."
He murmured softly.
After a simple wash and breakfast, he casually walked towards Heaven Dou City.
The Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena in the morning light was still magnificent, bustling with people.
As Feng Xiao arrived at the entrance, he saw "Xue Qinghe" in a snow-white robe, surrounded by people, preparing to enter.
He curled his lips slightly and cast a meaningful smile towards Qian Renxue, even deliberately winking.
Qian Renxue moved her gaze away as usual, as if she hadn't noticed his presence at all.
Only her slender hand, hidden within her wide sleeve, unconsciously clenched, her fingernails almost digging into her palm.
"This guy," she fumed inwardly, suddenly feeling that the kick she gave him this morning was too light.
Feng Xiao's half-smile expression, no matter how she looked at it, seemed to invite a beating.
Feng Xiao watched Qian Renxue's deliberately distant back, the smile in his eyes rippling out.
He gently stroked the strings of the "Fuxi" in his arms and calmly ascended the steps to the VIP section.
In the VIP section, the gilded decorations shimmered in the morning light.
Feng Xiao chose a seat where he could both survey the entire arena and keep Qian Renxue's every move in sight.
His slender fingers lightly tapped the armrest, his gaze subtly following the snow-white figure.
The attendant respectfully offered clear tea, and amidst the fragrant steam, he noticed that Qian Renxue's posture was more upright than usual, seemingly exceptionally tense.
This discovery deepened the smile in his eyes.
As the horn sounded, the competition was about to begin.
Feng Xiao elegantly raised his teacup, his gaze shifting between the arena and Qian Renxue, as if admiring two different sceneries.