I, Herrscher Slayer

"Mm... roughly speaking, some animals only go into heat at certain times or during certain seasons, while cultivating this Mindful Essence lets you stay in heat anytime, anywhere, all year round like humans. Can I understand it that way?"

After thinking for a long time, Shen Gonglin suddenly slapped his palm in realization. He felt that his understanding was correct. Being able to keep his body in peak competitive condition at all times—wasn't that the same as being able to go into heat anytime and anywhere? His comprehension really was something else.

"...Shen Gonglin, that already counts as harassment."

Fu Hua's feelings were indescribably complicated. She stared at Shen Gonglin's harmless-looking face for a long while without saying a word. Just how was this brain wired? Fu Hua once again began to doubt whether teaching Shen Gonglin had been the right decision. How had he even connected it to that? The key was that she could not think of a way to refute him right away. He truly was a martial arts prodigy—such a prodigy that Fu Hua wanted to strangle him in her arms.

Was his understanding wrong? Then what did it mean? Seeing Fu Hua's expression, Shen Gonglin did not dare speak or ask. He could only lie on Fu Hua's lap, blinking up at her expectantly, begging his master to clear up his doubts.

"Let's set your interpretation aside for now. Mindful Essence has four realms, and these four realms must be cultivated according to the Sword Heart Art. The Sword Heart Art is a meaningless sequence of syllables that cannot be recorded in writing. I will teach it to you now. Memorize it and cultivate diligently. As long as you can understand even a little within a year, it will not have been in vain for me to teach you this Mindful Essence."

Unconsciously placing a hand on Shen Gonglin's head, Fu Hua still felt somewhat worried despite her words. Youth was the best time to cultivate the Sword Heart Art and temper one's sword heart; the earlier one began, the purer it would be. As one grew older, the effects of cultivating the Sword Heart Art diminished. Shen Gonglin's age was suitable enough, but his state of mind was truly a mess. At least as far as Fu Hua knew, this guy was not someone with pure thoughts. This brat was downright bad. Could someone like him truly cultivate Mindful Essence well?

"...Why do all these peerless martial arts techniques measure their training time in years? Class President, is there any quicker method?"

The very thought that it would take a year just to understand the basics was hard for Shen Gonglin to accept. He had never been a patient person. Asking him to quietly contemplate the mysteries of martial arts was simply too difficult. Watching television dramas was fine, but this sort of thing? Shen Gonglin could not do it. He looked at Fu Hua miserably. Learning martial arts was so hard.

"Don't be afraid. If you have talent, perhaps it will not take that long. Kiana and the others all slowly made their way through this step. The Valkyries' psychological training is a simplified version of the Mindful Essence I am teaching you. If there is anything you do not understand, you can ask me or the others at any time. Do not be discouraged. Next, I will teach you the Sword Heart Art. Just cultivate it seriously."

As if comforting him, Fu Hua patted Shen Gonglin's head and passed the Sword Heart Art on to him. An intricate, unfathomable sound rang beside Shen Gonglin's ears. So this was the Sword Heart Art. As long as he recited it aloud or silently, he could temper his heart.

"Memorize these syllables well. Mindful Essence has four realms: Still Water, Dustless, Clear Mirror, and Great Void. It will be enough if you cultivate to the Dustless realm. When the heart merges into a lake, it is Still Water. When the lake of the heart freezes, it is Dustless. When the heart-ice becomes transparent, it is Clear Mirror. When the heart's qi becomes formless, it is Great Void."

The highest realm men could attain in Mindful Essence was the Dustless realm. This had been an established fact from the Previous Era until now. Yet even the Dustless realm would greatly benefit Shen Gonglin. With his aptitude, he would surely have no problem with Form Resonance. That way, there would be no need to worry about the Honkai energy he unconsciously absorbed into his body.

Come to think of it, hadn't she initially only wanted Shen Gonglin to clear his mind so he would not harbor improper thoughts toward the other Valkyries?

When the heart merges into a lake, it is Still Water. When the lake of the heart freezes, it is Dustless. When the heart-ice becomes transparent, it is Clear Mirror. When the heart's qi becomes formless, it is Great Void... Shen Gonglin replayed those words in his mind. Fu Hua, meanwhile, prepared to stand. He had received enough benefits from lying on her lap. Next, it would depend on his own comprehension. Yet at that moment, Fu Hua suddenly sensed a strange flow. The feeling came from Shen Gonglin himself. Far too familiar with that realm, Fu Hua stared in shock at the young man lying on her lap with his eyes half-closed.

This... Mindful Essence had reached mastery?

A Disciple Coveting His Master

It truly felt like Mindful Essence had reached mastery. Still Water, Dustless, Clear Mirror, Great Void—Fu Hua could sense the changes of all four realms from Shen Gonglin. She could sense the state of Shen Gonglin's body, since she was more familiar than anyone with this Great Void Sword Qi. Yet that was precisely why she was so shocked. She had merely recited it to Shen Gonglin once. And the experience of countless years told Fu Hua that men could only cultivate Mindful Essence to the Dustless realm at most...

Could Shen Gonglin actually be a girl?

Fu Hua's gaze uncontrollably shifted downward a little. The Valkyrie abruptly stopped herself. There was no room for dispute on that point. Shen Gonglin was one hundred percent male. She had already seen it in the bathroom yesterday. But why could he cultivate the Sword Heart Art to such a degree?

This had to be fake, right?

"Phew... Class President, I think I roughly understand it already. I should be able to get started soon... Class President? What are you thinking about? I'm talking to you."

He really could feel the changes in his body. Just as Fu Hua had said, Mindful Essence was a technique that allowed one to remain in a competitive state at any time. After listening to Fu Hua's explanation, Shen Gonglin had indeed calmed down. This must be the legendary sage mode. Shen Gonglin felt that he had grasped it. But when he opened his eyes, he found Fu Hua staring blankly at him. What was going on? Had the Class President become mesmerized by his peerless beauty?

If she kept staring, Shen Gonglin would have to start charging her.

"Mm... hm? What did you say?"

Shen Gonglin waved his hand in front of Fu Hua. Just as he was about to pinch her cheek, she finally came back to her senses. Though her heart was full of astonishment, Fu Hua's expression remained calm, as if she had merely been distracted for a moment. Shen Gonglin had truly given her a surprise. It had not even been five minutes, yet he had already mastered Mindful Essence.

"I said, this is probably the Mindful Essence you mentioned. It feels pretty interesting. Does this mean I've barely managed to get started?"

Climbing off Fu Hua's lap, Shen Gonglin sat opposite her. It was not an illusion. Right before Fu Hua's eyes, Shen Gonglin once more entered the state of Mindful Essence. What exactly was going on? This was not merely getting started. He had completely reached mastery. Though he was still a little inferior to her own state, he was undoubtedly the greatest beneath her. Fake, right? This had to be fake, right?

Fu Hua truly could not understand why things had turned out this way. Still, learning Mindful Essence was ultimately a good thing. Shen Gonglin's state of mind should have changed now, right? Having learned this calming technique, he would no longer spend all day thinking about nonsense.

"Mm, Shen Gonglin, your comprehension is above average. But even if your sword heart has just entered the path, you cannot slack off. You must temper it for your entire life. Otherwise, the moment it wavers, your sword heart will shatter."

She did not want to tell Shen Gonglin that his sword heart was already complete. Otherwise, this guy would definitely become unbearably arrogant. Since he believed he had merely gotten started, she would let him continue misunderstanding. It was perfectly normal for young people to suffer a few setbacks... Fu Hua wanted to roll around in frustration. Why had Shen Gonglin learned it so quickly? She had thought it might stump him. Originally, Fu Hua had planned to teach him more whenever he did not understand something, which would also make her image as his master more secure. But with Shen Gonglin like this, how was she supposed to play along?

He was at the same realm in Mindful Essence as her. How was she supposed to teach him?

"Huh? It's that troublesome... Then, Class President, since I got started so quickly, shouldn't you give me a little reward?"

Shen Gonglin found this kind of martial art, which required lifelong practice, the most troublesome. Did all peerless martial arts have to be like this? He felt helpless about it, but then he quickly thought of something happier. His deep purple eyes shifted about before landing on Fu Hua again. Earlier, when he agreed to learn martial arts, she had let him rest on her lap. Now that he had gained some understanding, did that mean there was another advantage he could take?

It was only taking a little advantage. The Class President probably would not mind, right? After all, she had taken such a huge advantage of him yesterday.

"A reward? What reward... Shen Gonglin, don't get any ideas. Didn't I already let you lie on my lap just now? What else do you want?"

Mastering Mindful Essence was useless on Shen Gonglin. Why was he still thinking about taking advantage of her? Shouldn't he have seen through worldly desires and realized everything was emptiness by now? Why was he still thinking about such nonsense? Since he had just entered this realm, he should indeed have had such insights, only to return to his true heart after the long tempering of time. Shen Gonglin's state of mind jumped around far too quickly. Fu Hua felt very unsafe.

How was she supposed to deal with a disciple who thought about his master's body all day?

"I don't care. That was then, and this is now. When a disciple achieves something, the master should give him a reward. This time, just let me rest my head on your stomach. Class President, lie down already. I'll only lie there for a moment. Just a moment."

When reason did not work, he would use force. Shen Gonglin spoke as he moved closer to the Class President, which made Fu Hua panic slightly. What was happening? They had been talking perfectly well, so why was Shen Gonglin planning to make a move? And every time was more excessive than the last. Earlier, he had only wanted a lap pillow. Now he wanted to lie on her stomach. Next time, would he be aiming for her chest? There was only one way to deal with a disciple who coveted his master's body: beat him back!

"Inch Force: Mountain Collapse!"

Fu Hua held grudges too. She had not forgotten all the losses she had suffered at his hands yesterday. She could not let Shen Gonglin think she was easy to bully. A master's dignity still had to be maintained. For a disobedient disciple, one good beating would do.

"Inch Force: Mountain Collapse."

Their fists collided. Facing Fu Hua's incoming fist, Shen Gonglin instinctively struck back with the same technique. It was a skill he had learned entirely from Fu Hua. Their fists crashed together, and when Fu Hua saw Shen Gonglin throw his punch, she saw her own shadow in him. Even seeing it again, she could not help feeling astonished. Shen Gonglin had probably completely learned Mountainbreaker.

Then Shen Gonglin clutched his fist and collapsed.

There was nothing to be done. Even if their strength, method, and technique were all identical, Fu Hua's Valkyrie physique was not something Shen Gonglin could compare to. Shen Gonglin rolled around, whimpering. He really was not suited for close combat. That punch hurt so much. It would have been better not to resist and simply let Fu Hua hit him. Maybe that would not have hurt as much as this. Were Fu Hua's fists made of iron? Why did she have no reaction at all after their fists collided? Shen Gonglin felt as though his bones were about to crack—the kind that required hospitalization!

"Are you all right?"

Fu Hua stepped forward to check on him. At the same time, she thought of what Shen Gonglin should train next. She needed to make him run at least ten kilometers every day.

"Something's wrong. I need a kiss before I can get up... Hehe, don't think you can run!"

Shen Gonglin lay on the ground whimpering, and Fu Hua came over to check on him out of concern. That was exactly what Shen Gonglin wanted. The moment Fu Hua approached, he sprang up from the ground. You lie down. If this young master says he wants a pillow, then he gets one. I'm already being considerate by not making you lift your clothes so I can rest on you.

"Looks like you're fine after all. Shen Gonglin, it's early in the morning and we haven't even eaten breakfast. Can't you behave yourself?"

Pressing Shen Gonglin's head to the ground, Fu Hua sighed helplessly. Good thing she had remained wary. Seeing how energetic he was, she knew he was completely fine. Mindful Essence had already been taught. Although the progress had been a little unexpectedly fast, now that it was finished, she could not possibly give Shen Gonglin another chance to take advantage of her. Did it really have no effect on him at all?

Fu Hua had hoped that the support of Mindful Essence would make Shen Gonglin act a little more normal.

"Class President, now that you mention it, I really do feel hungry. Let's go eat breakfast and discuss my reward afterward... By the way, Class President, do you prefer sweet or savory tofu pudding?"

Pinned to the lawn by Fu Hua, Shen Gonglin's stomach let out a timely growl. He was not some dainty little fairy who could survive on floral water. Pitiful, weak, and able to eat—that was the most accurate description of him.

"I prefer savory... We'll see when we get there. It has been a very long time since I last had food with that Shenzhou flavor."

Shen Gonglin's words seemed to stir Fu Hua's nostalgia. She released his head and walked toward the Valkyrie cafeteria. Soybeans, sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, then pickled vegetables and chili oil... She really did miss it somewhat. Unfortunately, she had no chance to eat such food at St. Freya. But how did Shen Gonglin know about it? Had he eaten it before losing his memory?

"Hehe, I still found my chance, didn't I? Class President, let me tell you, I'm the strongest!"

Fu Hua had just turned around, intending to ask Shen Gonglin about it, when he slammed into her and knocked her to the ground. Shen Gonglin had never given up on this plan. He immediately put the Mindful Essence he had just practiced into actual combat, instantly preparing his body. He launched his attack at the very moment Fu Hua was distracted. A mere Fu Hua—she should obediently lie still.

"Shen Gonglin, get up. Didn't you say you wanted to eat? Hurry up and get up."

Shen Gonglin pushed Fu Hua to the ground, and before she could even resist, he had already rested his head on her lower abdomen and lain down comfortably. His golden hair passed through her black dragon-patterned top, tickling Fu Hua's stomach. This guy truly did not treat her as a master. What disciple treated his master like this...? She had not expected him to succeed after all. This time, she had been careless.

"No, let me lie here a little longer. Just a little longer."

Shen Gonglin let out a comfortable breath. The Mindful Essence had just left him feeling refreshed, and the girl's lower abdomen beneath his head rose and fell slightly with each breath, making a genuinely comfortable pillow. The longer he lay there, the less he wanted to get up. A girl's body truly was the most comfortable pillow in the world. Even the flat-chested Class President was this comfortable to lie on. If it were Kiana or Mei... he would definitely have to try it someday if he got the chance.

"...Just for a little while. Tell me, how long will you lie there before getting up?"

Looking up at the azure sky, Fu Hua hesitated before deciding not to sit up and push Shen Gonglin away. She would treat it as a reward from a master to her disciple. He had mastered Mindful Essence so quickly. Such a heaven-sent genius truly deserved a reward. If it was only for a little while, Fu Hua felt she could reluctantly accept it.

"Mm... how about an hour?"

"Should I push you up, or will you get up yourself?"

"No, no, no. Then if an hour won't work, half an hour. That's my bottom line."

"Ten minutes. If not, get up right now."

"Twenty minutes. That's my bottom line, Class President. Don't go too far!"

"...Fifteen minutes. That's final, or I'm getting up now."

"Deal."

And so, after an intense discussion, Shen Gonglin and Fu Hua both fell silent. The more Fu Hua thought about it, the more something felt wrong. How had it become her obediently lying here and letting him use her as a pillow? That had not been what she intended in the beginning, had it?

Meanwhile, Shen Gonglin comfortably rubbed against the firm lower abdomen beneath him. People were like this: after refusing one request, they subconsciously became more accommodating toward the second. Fifteen minutes was fine. But next time would not be so easy. The purpose of a bottom line was to be crossed, wasn't it?

"Is that the legendary boy sitting with Lady Fu Hua over there? I heard he's evenly matched with Lady Fu Hua in a fight."

"Yes, yes, I saw him yesterday. Kiana carried him around the school in a princess carry... So romantic. If I could, I'd like to carry him too... No, I mean, be carried around the academy."

"Would it be too abrupt if I went over and talked to him...? And isn't he wearing Kiana's clothes right now? What exactly is his relationship with Kiana?"

"Isn't it obvious? They must have that kind of relationship... How embarrassing!"

"Blah blah blah blah..."

At the Valkyrie cafeteria, Shen Gonglin and Fu Hua sat by the window enjoying breakfast. Fu Hua had even looked around specially, but after failing to find the Shenzhou delicacy known as tofu pudding, the two could only choose milk and bread. They usually ate the breakfast Mei made in the dormitory, and it had been a long time since they had eaten at the cafeteria. Everything else was fine, except that it was a little noisy.

And the reason it was so noisy was probably because of Shen Gonglin sitting in front of her.

Fu Hua raised her head and looked at Shen Gonglin. He had forcibly dragged fifteen minutes out into half an hour. If she had not finally grabbed him by the neck, he probably would have kept refusing to get up. He had clearly done something so outrageous, yet he did not seem ashamed in the slightest. And he had taken so much food... all of it bought with her credits!

At St. Freya Academy, every facility required either credits or money. Yet this brat had ordered an entire table of food for breakfast. It would have been fine if he ate it all, but he was only trying each dish. Several dishes had been set aside after just a few bites. For Fu Hua, who had obsessive-compulsive tendencies, this was utterly unbearable.

"Shen Gonglin, can you finish all of that?"

Seeing Shen Gonglin wanting to order more, Fu Hua finally could not endure it anymore and pressed him back into his seat. There were still many things Shen Gonglin needed to be taught, and not wasting food was an important one.

"Uh... probably not. But it's fine. I have a feeling someone will come help us eat it soon."

Eat Together

Just as Shen Gonglin had expected, while Fu Hua worried over the table full of food, Kiana's group of three appeared at the cafeteria entrance. Shen Gonglin's eyes immediately lit up. He braced himself against the table and waved toward them. Weren't they here now? With their help, he could try even more kinds of delicious food.

"Kiana, over here!"

He had already drawn plenty of attention, but Shen Gonglin's wave made everyone else turn their gazes toward Kiana and the others. So they really were connected. Yesterday, people had seen Kiana carrying Shen Gonglin all around the academy. Were they meeting up for breakfast now?

Then why had he initially been with Lady Fu Hua?

"Hey, what exactly did you run off to do so early in the morning? We searched everywhere for you, and we still haven't even eaten. This lady is starving!"

Charging ahead at the front, Kiana put her hands on her hips and glared at Shen Gonglin. After waking Bronya, Mei had taken the two of them out to look for Shen Gonglin. Mei usually handled breakfast in the morning, but today they had come out to look for Shen Gonglin without eating anything. They had only found their way here after hearing that a boy had appeared in the cafeteria. And sure enough, it was this guy. They had searched everywhere while he sat here leisurely eating with the Class President. The young lady of the Kaslana family could not tolerate such a thing!

"I knew you were hungry, so I ordered for you long ago. Come on, sit down. These soup dumplings are especially good."

He picked up a half-eaten soup dumpling and held it to Kiana's mouth. The silly girl did not suspect anything and directly opened her mouth. Shen Gonglin did not have a habit of wasting food either. It was truly great that Kiana and the others had arrived. They could help finish everything he could not eat.

"At least you've got a bit of a conscience... These soup dumplings are really good! Did you order all of this for me?"

Without noticing the tooth marks on the dumpling Shen Gonglin had eaten, the starving Kiana took the chopsticks from his hand and prepared to dig in herself. From this alone, Shen Gonglin was not completely immoral. At least he had prepared a whole table of food for her... although it seemed as if everything had been sampled already.

"Of course. Not only that, I tried a little of every dish for you, so I can guarantee they're all delicious. Mei, do you want some soy milk? It was pretty hot earlier, but now it's just the right temperature."

Shen Gonglin picked up a cup and handed it to Mei, but Mei did not know whether to take it or not. She had wanted to say many things when she had not seen Shen Gonglin, but now that she saw him sitting here with the Class President, she had nothing to say. This guy had suddenly disappeared in the morning and now intended to fob her off with a cup of soy milk?

"Bronya needs to replenish energy."

Bronya, who had been quietly standing beside Mei, reached out and took the soy milk in front of her. The expressionless little girl bit down on the straw and began drinking. Though her gray eyes remained unchanged, Shen Gonglin seemed to sense a faint resentment from her. Of course she was resentful. Because of this guy, Bronya had not gotten her scheduled sleep, and she had not eaten anything yet. Cute girls got hungry too.

Shen Gonglin had probably drunk from this soy milk earlier, right?

Mei noticed the tooth marks on the straw, and her brow twitched. But looking at Bronya quietly drinking the soy milk, she held back her words. Forget it. Seeing them all eating happily, she should not say anything unnecessary. Mei noticed the food on the table. This clearly had not been ordered for them, right? It was purely because he had ordered too much and could not finish it. Honestly, food could not be wasted.

"Shen Gonglin, what did you and the Class President go out to do this morning? You two disappeared so early. Even if you go out in the future, you should at least tell us."

Mei began helping eat as well, since not a single grain of food could be wasted. They did not have any habit of avoiding conversation while eating, so only now did Mei get the chance to ask. Why had Shen Gonglin gone out with the Class President? The Class President had been acting strange ever since returning yesterday. Could the two have had some hidden grudge and gone out to settle it again?

Other than that fight, they had not really had any major interaction, had they?

"Mei, you don't need to worry. I merely had some questions I wanted Shen Gonglin to help me clarify. I will let you know beforehand in the future."

Fu Hua spoke up to explain. Why did it feel as if she were explaining herself to the family of a girl she had abducted? Mei really was full of maternal instincts. She felt like Shen Gonglin's guardian. It was indeed Fu Hua's fault for taking Shen Gonglin away today without saying anything, but it would be better not to mention teaching him Mindful Essence in a setting like this.

"Mm, if he was out with the Class President, then there's nothing to worry about... Shen Gonglin, are we still going to look around St. Freya today? We also need to ask the principal what we should do with you."

Mei gave Fu Hua a gentle smile. In St. Freya, Mei could not think of anyone more reliable than Fu Hua. If Shen Gonglin was with Fu Hua, nothing could possibly go wrong. It was enough that they had found Shen Gonglin. Mei was usually very gentle. Kiana only knew how to eat, while Mei was already thinking about what should be done with Shen Gonglin. They should be able to let him enroll too.

Looking at the girl's flower-like smile, Fu Hua fell silent. She did not seem as reliable as Mei claimed. Taking Shen Gonglin out this morning had made Fu Hua lose terribly. Not only had she handed over a first kiss she did not know how many years old, but a whole series of things had happened afterward...

To sum it up, Shen Gonglin was poisonous.

"Mm-hm, after we eat, we'll go find Auntie... Shen Gonglin, these noodles are so good. You should try some too. I never knew the cafeteria food could be so tasty, though it still can't compare to Mei's cooking."

Kiana chimed in while eating heartily. Even when she found something delicious, she did not forget Shen Gonglin. Her eyes brightened as she brought the noodles to his mouth. Shen Gonglin accepted without hesitation, opening his mouth to eat the noodles Kiana offered before turning his attention to the little cakes on the table. Neither Kiana nor Shen Gonglin found anything strange about this intimate behavior, but Mei found it rather awkward to watch. Should she say they had a good relationship or a bad one? Kiana really was something. She had no maidenly reserve at all. Feeding someone in front of so many people like this... Mei could never do that.

"Hm? Mei, why are you just sitting there? Eat too. Have a little bun. It smells great."