The atmosphere in the gymnasium was heavy and tense. Everyone's eyes darted nervously and curiously between Lu Chuning, Su Yingxue, and Luo Qingchuan.

Lu Wu stood awkwardly to the side, hands tucked into his sleeves, not knowing what to say.

It felt like... things had gotten pretty complicated?

But why did Lu Chuning suddenly want to take in a disciple?

Su Yingxue’s delicate brows furrowed, and she spoke in a voice as cold as frost beneath a winter moon: “What are you laughing at?”

Something wasn’t right—she could tell that the girl in front of her harbored bad intentions.

Luo Qingchuan’s talent was mediocre, so it clearly wasn’t admiration for his potential that made her want to take him as a student.

She had to have some other motive!

She’d heard that certain seductive female dual cultivators liked to find boys going through puberty and use them as furnaces, to absorb—no, extract—their yang energy!

In Su Yingxue’s naive eyes, Lu Chuning—with her youthful face, respectfully treated by Lu Wu, crimson eyeliner, mysterious air, and elegant charm—absolutely fit the image of a seductive enchantress.

She might even be a several-hundred-year-old old hag!

Little did she know, some delinquent junior high girls played even dirtier tricks than this.

Lu Chuning covered her mouth and let out a pleasant laugh. “Little jiejie, it’s not like I’m taking him to do anything bad. Besides, he might already be a little bad himself.”

Like taking the Chen family girl to a bar last night, for example.

Luo Qingchuan gave a sheepish smile. “You’re joking, surely.”

Su Yingxue went quiet for a moment, then asked calmly, “You said The Truth-Breaker Mirror is a spiritual artifact you crafted?”

“That’s right,” Lu Chuning replied in a soft, delicate voice. “I like tinkering with little things on my own. Isn’t it interesting?”

“But your The Truth-Breaker Mirror said he was a good person.”

There was an unpleasant glimmer in Su Yingxue’s soft eyes.

Lu Chuning thought for a moment, then smiled sweetly. “How about you become my student too?”

“Eh?”

Su Yingxue froze.

Luo Qingchuan thought: It’s one thing for my identity as a demonic cultivator to be exposed, but I can’t let Su Yingxue get dragged into this too! He hurried forward to speak—but suddenly realized he couldn’t make a sound.

Lu Chuning gave him a playful sideways glance.

Then a voice appeared in his mind—it was Lu Chuning’s:

“Relax, I’ll keep your little bar date with that little Chen guniang a secret.”

Transmitted through a secret voice technique.

But a date? Luo Qingchuan felt deeply wronged.

We just spent the night together! How was that a date?! Don’t tarnish a man’s reputation out of nowhere!

“Su Yingxue tongxue, stop making a scene,” said Lin Yu, the businesswoman-like female laoshi, coldly. “Come now. Luo tongxue being chosen by Lu… <span>Lady </span><span>Lu</span> is his good fortune. Besides, I am your teacher.”

Su Yingxue had great potential. Becoming her teacher would definitely bring benefits in the future.

Plus, helping Lu Chuning pull Su Yingxue away could leave a good impression on this big shot.

Su Yingxue turned slightly, her expression composed as she spoke:

“You might not be suitable to guide me in the sword path.”

Lin Yu’s eyes widened, locking onto the girl who was so stunning it sparked jealousy. “What did you say?!”

For a moment, it felt like sword intent filled the air.

A silent sharpness seemed to tremble in the atmosphere.

The students shrank back, slightly scared.

Su Yingxue’s dark eyes were as clear as water. She spoke sincerely, “I might be just a little bit stronger than you.”

“I’m in Foundation Establishment!”

Su Yingxue’s lashes fluttered slightly downward as she whispered, “That doesn’t mean I can’t fight you…”

Silence. Everything fell deathly quiet. All that illusory sword energy vanished in an instant.

Her deep eyes were steady and unyielding as she faced Lin Yu. Tall and graceful, she stood like a cold and distant moon, her fair, delicate face filled with quiet elegance.

Lin Yu’s sword intent was instantly overshadowed. A soft, chilly aura now filled every inch of the gym.

The air turned cold.

In any case… she definitely wouldn’t let Luo Qingchuan be taken away by some bad woman! If he had to leave, she’d go with him!

That was what Su Yingxue was thinking.

Lu Wu’s eyes lit up. “A natural-born sword cultivator!”

Lu Chuning suddenly chuckled and clapped her small hands, quieting the room.

The temperature returned to normal.

“How about… a match?” Lu Chuning padded over and sat alone in the audience seats. “Su Yingxue, right? If you win, I’ll take you as my student too.”

Su Yingxue froze.

Lin Yu’s face darkened slightly, her eyes brimming with anger as she stared at Su Yingxue. “You won’t beat me. Don’t bring suffering upon yourself.”

“Laoshi, please let me try. Pardon my rudeness.” The girl bowed her head respectfully.

As Luo Qingchuan sat at the edge of the arena, he was still a little stunned.

How did it come to this? A duel?!

The students spread out to the sides. In the gymnasium, the curvy Lin Yu laoshi stood ten meters across from the exceptionally beautiful girl.

Lin Yu raised her left hand. A sword bead unfolded in her palm and quickly transformed into a clear longsword, gleaming with a soft, watery glow.

Luo Qingchuan suddenly pointed at his mouth toward Lu Chuning, who had intentionally sat beside him.

Lu Chuning glanced at him and giggled like a songbird. “What, want me to kiss you?”

What the—!

Fury flickered in Luo Qingchuan’s eyes.

“Well, fine. I’ll let you talk again.”

As soon as she said it, Luo Qingchuan rubbed his throat and coughed. He’d never been so suffocated before.

But at least he could speak again.

That single cough drew a concerned glance from Su Yingxue.

Luo Qingchuan finally remembered—things had escalated so quickly, he’d almost forgotten about that gift!

“Yingxue, take this sword!”

He tossed a long, slender, deep-ink-colored ancient sword toward Su Yingxue!

Su Yingxue blinked, then gave a gentle smile. Guided by spiritual energy, the hilt of the sword landed perfectly in her delicate fingers.

“I’ll win,” she told Luo Qingchuan.

The way they looked at each other made several students sigh with jealousy.

There were inscriptions on the blade.

Lu Chuning blinked and exclaimed in surprise, “That’s a fine sword.” Her twin ponytails bounced playfully as she turned to Luo Qingchuan. “What’s its name?”

“Dulu,” said Luo Qingchuan.

“‘The lone deer soaring on the wind’?”

Luo Qingchuan smiled without answering, acting mysterious—making Lu Chuning wonder if he was messing with her on purpose.

In truth, he had no idea what she was talking about.

Lu Wu stood as the referee, face tense. He took a few steps back and announced:

“Just a friendly spar. I’ll stop you if needed. Alright—begin.”

As soon as the words fell—

Already burning with anger, Lin Yu raised her left hand, formed a sword seal, and spat out a command:

“Swift.”

Her flying sword shot toward Su Yingxue, leaving translucent afterimages that gleamed like flowing water.

Gasps rose from the students.

Lu Chuning rested her chin in her hands, watching Su Yingxue with a smile. “That sword’s good, but she hasn’t bonded with it through a blood ritual. She won’t be able to unleash its full power…”

Su Yingxue flicked her pale hand lightly.

Her movement was graceful and refined.

With a flash of sword light, the space in front of her seemed to warp for an instant.

The sword light curved into a perfect, snow-white crescent.

Sparks flew.

Lin Yu’s flying sword suddenly clanged and embedded itself into the wooden floor.

Luo Qingchuan immediately clapped enthusiastically and grinned at Lu Chuning, slightly smug: “Well? What do you think?”

Lu Chuning’s lips parted slightly. She looked surprised, then let out a delighted laugh. “She’s amazing. I really do want her as my student now.”

“So strong…” a student murmured in awe.

“She just deflected the laoshi’s flying sword?!”

“No way. That had to be staged!”

“Su Yingxue is incredible,” Yang Jin said to his friend—

Only to notice that Zuo Tian’s eyes were tightly shut, as if he’d never opened them at all. He sat as still and silent as a stone.
…