"That reminds me, there's something else I should tell you."

In the Seeking Dao classroom, Lu Wu smiled as he addressed the quiet students.

"In the future, an academy exclusively for cultivators will be established. For now, it will be divided into three departments: the Combat Division, the Medical Division, and the Armament Division."

"As the name suggests, those in the Combat Division will be sent to the frontlines, like the departments of Quexie and Zhanyao."

"The Medical Division will house dan cultivators. They usually won't participate in direct combat, but occasionally they'll be dispatched to dangerous frontlines."

"Lu-laoshi," a student in the Seeking Dao class called out excitedly, "the Armament Division must be where they forge spiritual tools, talismans, and other items, right?"

Lu Wu nodded calmly in affirmation.

Then, his steady and composed voice continued, tinged with anticipation and a smile.

"In half a month, we'll be organizing a secret realm examination. Based on your performance, we'll determine which cultivation path best suits you."

Secret realm examination...

Seated near the back by the window, Zuo Tian raised his head, eyes cold and sharp.

He thought to himself—this is the perfect opportunity.

Luo. Qing. Chuan. Now you'll have no choice but to face me directly, won't you?

No one will be there to save you.

A cold smile slowly crept across Zuo Tian's lips, no longer hidden.

……

Lu Chuning's hand, soft as new bamboo shoots, held a piece of chalk and wrote "Secret Realm Examination" on the small blackboard.

She turned around and put down the chalk, clapping her hands lightly.

"So, you should start preparing for the exam."

"Secret realm exam, huh?"

Luo Qingchuan pondered. He thought of that teacher named Zhang Jin.

Then he glanced at Su Yingxue, noticing she didn't seem all that interested—her expression remained calm and elegant.

There was no doubt Su Yingxue was a born sword cultivator. She didn't need to struggle over her cultivation path.

Luo Qingchuan thought... Zhang Jin was at the fifth layer of the Foundation Realm and specialized in talisman arts. He'd spent years refining all sorts of strange talismans. If Luo Qingchuan wanted to kill him cleanly without giving him a chance to escape, that wouldn't be easy.

Could this be a good opportunity to come clean with Su Yingxue?

If they joined forces, they could definitely take down Zhang Jin. After all, Su Yingxue had already defeated the Foundation Realm sword cultivator Lin Yu while she was still only at the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

And those fair, tender thighs under Su Yingxue's skirt—how could he not want to hold her close?

…Besides, what Luo Qingchuan was doing was technically a good deed—saving fellow classmates. It would be the perfect time to let Su Yingxue accept it all naturally.

He could say that this demonic cultivation technique was perfectly suited to his body and talent, and carried no risk of affecting his mind. My blooming season is right here!

Luo Qingchuan nodded firmly.

He couldn't—no, shouldn't—keep hiding this from Su Yingxue forever. That thought brought him a sense of relief, and he made his decision.

"Let's begin the guidance now," Lu Chuning said, looking at Luo Qingchuan with a mysterious, graceful smile. "Luo-tongxue, do you have any questions about the Scroll of Condensed Clarity and Cloud Mist?"

Luo Qingchuan blinked.

He'd skimmed through it, but hadn't had time to read it thoroughly.

Quickly, he replied gently, "Lu Chuning-laoshi, this disciple is slow-witted and doesn't understand much."

Lu Chuning froze slightly, her little fists clenched. Her delicate face showed signs of irritation—but she held it in and spoke lightly, "Alright then."

She seemed to bite her lip ever so subtly. "Please keep working hard, Luo-tongxue. I think you'll reach Foundation Realm soon."

Luo Qingchuan smiled in return. "This disciple will give his all. Once I reach Foundation Realm, I'll gladly give laoshi shoulder massages and foot rubs, without complaint."

Lu Chuning's ears turned red. She quickly pulled back her feet and looked at Su Yingxue.

Su Yingxue beamed with a gentle smile, echoing his words, "Lu Chuning-laoshi, please take care of me."

Lu Chuning cleared her throat and replied in her soft voice, "You're naturally gifted and carry the fate of a sword immortal. Just follow your inheritance path."

"A sword immortal, huh…" Su Yingxue lowered her eyes with a gentle expression. She didn't particularly care whether she was a sword immortal or not—attaining the Dao wasn't something she obsessed over.

The elegant young girl turned to look at Luo Qingchuan, her eyes sparkling with quiet joy and contentment.

Suddenly, Lu Chuning felt a bit annoyed.

She had originally prepared gifts for her two disciples.

Su Yingxue had Dulu, so she didn't need a weapon. Luo Qingchuan, from the looks of it, didn't need one either.

So Lu Chuning had carefully prepared two storage rings instead. Though small in capacity, they were more than sufficient for beginners. Honestly, they were more than enough.

But only now did Lu Chuning realize—giving storage rings to Luo Qingchuan and Su Yingxue…

No no no, absolutely not!

That little girl from the Chen family was obviously already smitten with Luo Qingchuan. Su Yingxue too. Lu Chuning had no intention of helping him charm even more girls.

Her mood soured. She suddenly didn't feel like giving them anything. A bit annoyed, she turned and walked to the door.

"That's all for the first class. You two… there's not much to teach you yet. When you run into a heart demon or a bottleneck, come ask me for help."

Lu Chuning stood alone in the hallway, her enchanting brows slightly furrowed with a hint of confusion.

Luo Qingchuan quickly stood up and followed her to the door. "Lu Chuning-laoshi, are you leaving?"

"Yes."

Her delicate twin tails swayed gently behind her, and her petite figure was dressed in a dark dress. The thick autumn fabric made her look like a gothic doll—refined and precise. Her bare arms beneath the short sleeves were fair and tender, and her legs below the skirt were straight and elegant. The cold weather left a pinkish flush on her knees. The breeze stirred her skirt in the hallway, adding an indescribable loneliness to her figure.

"I'm busy. There are all kinds of things waiting for me. See you for now." Lu Chuning smiled. "Looks like the situation is about to change again."

Only now did Luo Qingchuan realize—the delicate, petite girl standing before him actually bore a burden far heavier than anyone could imagine.

It had been over half a year since the spiritual resurgence in Longxia, yet society still appeared calm and stable on the surface. Behind that tranquility were countless unseen efforts and sacrifices.

The death rate among members of Quexie and Zhanyao remained high. Demonic cultivators like Mudan were just big fish in a vast sea.

The Foundation Realm battle at the bar had only drawn attention because of Chen Yanyu's dazzling lightning techniques and the number of people present—it became headline news for that reason.

But in the shadows, not all evil cultivators were as blatant or reckless as Mudan. Many lay in hiding, extending their claws bit by bit, feeding on human flesh and soul, slowly and persistently climbing toward immortality.

Not to mention the mountain spirits, ghosts, and monsters—urban legends were becoming real.

Lu Chuning's power was unfathomable. And so was her responsibility.

Luo Qingchuan smiled warmly at her. "Lu Chuning-laoshi, thank you for all your hard work."

Lu Chuning blinked and bit her lip softly. She couldn't quite understand Luo Qingchuan. But her heart, which had long been wound tight, suddenly felt like it had been plucked—gently, and just enough to make it tremble.

A little soft.

What was he saying?

She waved her small hand, her exquisite face glowing with divine beauty as she gave a light smile.

"I just gave you a cultivation technique. No need to thank me like that."

Then, like a gust of wind, Lu Chuning disappeared.

Luo Qingchuan looked out. The morning sky wasn't bright—clouds hung low and gray.

The autumn rain kept falling. Once the cold truly settled in, it would be winter and snow would come.

Su Yingxue, with her long hair fluttering, came to his side. She looked up with a smile blooming on her face.

"It's going to rain again, Luo Qingchuan. Did you bring an umbrella?"

"I did." After the rain last time, Luo Qingchuan had stored one in his system space, just in case.

Su Yingxue murmured with happiness, "I read a line in a book once. It said: ‘When will the rain in your heart stop? It's when someone holds an umbrella for you.'"

The two of them stood quietly together.

Luo Qingchuan saw the girl's radiant smile—her eyes forever shining with that gentle, captivating brilliance.