Intertwining

Intertwining

Qian Renxue gazed at Feng Yao with eyes as deep as an abyss. After a long while, she said slowly, "You only need to be yourself. You needn't concern yourself with anything else."

The concern hidden beneath those seemingly distant words warmed Feng Yao's heart slightly. The corner of his lips lifted. "Meet at the Mimicry Training Ground tonight. I only hope Your Highness's cultivation..." He deliberately drew out the last words, "...won't be surpassed by me, a latecomer."

"Hmph! What a joke!"

Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened, and she gave a cold snort, fully displaying the pride of Spirit Hall's Young Master.

Smiling, Feng Yao rose to his feet. "Fuxi" in his arms gleamed with a gentle luster beneath the sunlight. "It's still early. I have matters to attend to, so I'll return to the academy first."

After Feng Yao's figure vanished at the end of the long street, Qian Renxue tapped lightly against the window frame. Two youthful, lovely figures involuntarily surfaced in her mind. "Go see why he returned to the academy."

An ethereal response came from the shadows. "Yes, Young Master." Snake Lance Douluo darted out like Ghostly, muttering to himself, Other than fiddling with that broken zither, what tricks can this brat possibly come up with?

Feng Yao slowly entered the training grounds of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Morning light filtered through the parasol tree leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the ground. At the center of the field, the Imperial Dou Team members were training with focused expressions, the glow of Soul Skills flashing from time to time. He did not disturb them, instead quietly making his way to a secluded corner and sitting cross-legged.

"Fuxi" lay across his knees as Feng Yao closed his eyes and concentrated. Every scene from today's matches replayed vividly in his mind. Tang San's movements had flowed like drifting clouds and running water, every technique containing the essence of Tang Sect's supreme arts—

"The internal force circulation of the Mysterious Heaven Skill, the footwork variations of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step, the force application of Mysterious Jade Hand, Control Crane Catch Dragon's ability to retrieve objects from afar, and Purple Demon Eye's use of Spiritual Power..." The corner of his mouth rose. "Other than Hundred Solutions of Hidden Weapons, I've seen nearly all of Tang Sect's supreme arts today."

His fingertips unconsciously brushed the zither strings when a thought suddenly struck him. Playing the zither and Hidden Weapons seemed entirely unrelated, yet in truth, they led to the same destination—both required exceptional hearing, precise technique, and perfect control over one's force.

He circulated his Soul Power, and his hands gradually took on a jade-white sheen. When fingers enhanced by Mysterious Jade Hand plucked the strings, the notes produced were even clearer and brighter than usual.

"If I'd known this move back when I was in school, would my hands have needed to grow calluses from playing?" Feng Yao shook his head with a chuckle, then his eyes sharpened.

With a light turn of his wrist, his five fingers swept through the air a few inches above the strings. "Fuxi" actually began to sound on its own, and its sound waves rippled through the air in waves visible to the naked eye.

"Control Crane Catch Dragon is wonderful." Feng Yao's eyes gleamed. "I can play without touching the strings. In actual combat, my opponent won't be able to judge my attack from my movements." He could practically see the confusion on his opponent's face when confronted with invisible Sound Blades.

As for the boost Purple Demon Eye gave to Spiritual Power, that fascinated him even more—one day, he would definitely merge his Spiritual Power into the zither sound and achieve the effect of Mu En's Sovereign of the World. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step's footwork also happened to make up for his weakness in close combat.

Hidden among the tree shadows, Snake Lance Douluo sighed softly. "Not bad. This brat really can come up with a few tricks using that broken zither."

The setting sun gilded the training ground in gold. As Feng Yao remained absorbed in practice, the Imperial Dou Team members finished their day of training and gathered around him.

"Captain Feng, how was today's intelligence gathering?" Dugu Yan asked with a smile in her violet eyes, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

Feng Yao withdrew his stance and stood, dusting off his sleeves. "Aside from Heaven Dou's established powerhouse academies and the traditional Five Element Academy, Shrek Team requires particular attention this year."

"They?" Dugu Yan gave a disdainful snort. "They're nothing more than opponents we've already defeated."

"That may be true, but I saw Yu Tianheng among their team." Feng Yao's words instantly silenced everyone present.

Dugu Yan's fingers unconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes before she lifted her chin. "So what? We certainly won't show mercy in the arena!"

"Exactly!" Yu Feng immediately echoed, and the others nodded in agreement.

Feng Yao swept his gaze over his teammates, his expression grave. "Yu Tianheng isn't the only concern. I learned from His Highness the Crown Prince about Tang San's true identity..."

For a moment, everyone's eyes focused on him.

"Tang... could he be?" Dugu Yan's pupils contracted slightly, as though she had thought of something.

"That's right. And he possesses Twin Martial Souls." Feng Yao's words wiped every trace of contempt from Dugu Yan's face.

"What riddle are you all speaking in?" Yu Feng could not help interrupting.

"Tang San comes from the Clear Sky Sect." Feng Yao's words struck like a thunderbolt.

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Fighting Team members all shuddered and drew in sharp breaths. They finally understood why Feng Yao had paid attention to Shrek. Yu Tianheng, Tang San, Ning Rongrong, along with the Star Luo Empire pair—this team had actually gathered direct descendants of the Upper Three Sects and core members of the Star Luo Imperial Family!

"Good grief," Yu Feng said, clicking his tongue. "Not only do they have all three Upper Three Sects, they also have Star Luo's Hell White Tiger and an Innate Full Soul Power Food System Spirit Master. They truly can't be underestimated."

The corner of Feng Yao's mouth lifted. "But there's no need to worry excessively. They aren't without weaknesses. Their fatal weakness is—being too young."

Yu Feng rolled his eyes. "What kind of weakness is that?"

"The more powerful the Martial Soul, the harder it is to control." Feng Yao explained patiently. "How much power can a Haotian Hammer without Spirit Rings display? The chance of Ning Rongrong breaking through to rank forty before the tournament is minuscule. As for the Hell White Tiger..." A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "I won't give them a chance to fuse. For now, you only need to focus on cultivation. Our true formidable opponents are the three Soul Kings from Spirit Hall Academy."

The group exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

The night was dark as ink. Bright moonlight shone through the window lattice, scattering mottled shadows across the floor of the Mimicry Training Ground. Feng Yao pushed open the heavy wooden door with practiced ease. Sure enough, that familiar figure had already been waiting for quite some time.

Qian Renxue wore a snow-white robe and looked like an immortal cast down to the mortal world beneath the moonlight. At Feng Yao's arrival, a barely perceptible smile flickered in her eyes. Her crimson lips parted slightly. "From now on, I will cultivate here every day." She paused. "Want to surpass me? Perhaps you'll have the chance in your next life."

The corner of Feng Yao's lips rose. He could clearly sense that Qian Renxue was different today—her slightly uplifted tone and light, brisk diction revealed her unusually good mood.

The two sat facing each other, and before long, the training ground fell silent. Only two steady breaths rose and fell in turn, intertwining beneath the moonlight into a soundless rhythm. Every breath Feng Yao took caused "Fuxi's" strings to tremble faintly, while a golden glow circulated subtly around Qian Renxue, like a golden lotus blooming under the moon.

Feng Yao slowly closed his eyes. His Spiritual Power spread outward like a trickling stream, carefully sensing the path of Soul Power circulating within Qian Renxue's body. As his cultivation method gradually reached its optimal state, his consciousness slowly sank into a wondrous realm.

At some point, a strand of pure, blazing Light Power quietly filled the training ground. It was like the rising sun, warm without being scorching, causing the Vitality Qi within Feng Yao to respond of its own accord. Two entirely different yet strangely complementary energies gradually intertwined within this confined space, forming a harmony unlike anything before.

Qian Renxue's long lashes trembled faintly. She clearly felt an energy brimming with life gently enveloping her. It was like a ray of warm sunlight suddenly shining into the depths of winter, softening even the originally fierce Light Power inside her.

As though connected by fate, the two maintained this wondrous tacit understanding. Their auras entwined and merged in the void, and their circulating Soul Powers actually resonated. In a daze, Feng Yao felt as though his consciousness had entered Qian Renxue's world of light, while Qian Renxue seemed to find herself in a lush bamboo forest filled with life.

Both were immersed in that profound and wondrous realm, neither willing to be the first to break this rare harmony. Their Spiritual Powers were like two interwoven streams, entwining and dancing together in the void; their Soul Powers were like two wisps of mingling mist, circulating through their meridians in resonance.

Feng Yao could clearly sense every flicker of Light Power within Qian Renxue's body, as though witnessing every instant of dawn piercing through the clouds firsthand. Meanwhile, Qian Renxue felt as though she stood in a vibrant bamboo grove, where every tremble of every bamboo leaf matched the rhythm of her breath.

This resonance of souls beyond the flesh immersed them both in an unprecedented sense of comfort. Within this wordless understanding, the concept of time seemed to blur. Moonlight quietly shifted, stars slowly turned, yet the two within the training ground maintained their perfect cultivation rhythm, allowing their souls to rise unceasingly within this rare resonance.

At dawn, Feng Yao slowly awoke from meditation. The first ray of sunlight passed through the window lattice and happened to fall upon Qian Renxue's delicate profile, outlining her in soft gold. Her long lashes cast fragmented shadows in the morning light, and her crimson lips were slightly pursed. Without her usual sharpness, she was as pure as fresh snow at that moment.

Feng Yao unconsciously held his breath, a trace of regret rising in his heart—if only this continent had cameras. He would certainly preserve this rare sight forever.

She was beautiful when cultivating, Feng Yao sighed inwardly. No fierce aura, no proud expression, and none of those schemes for power. He simply watched her quietly.

In truth, Qian Renxue had long since awakened. She was merely pretending to rest with her eyes closed, waiting for Feng Yao to leave on his own. When she sensed that he had no intention of departing whatsoever, she finally could not hold back any longer and abruptly opened her eyes. Those star-bright eyes glared at Feng Yao with feigned severity. "Have you seen enough?"

Feng Yao awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose and reluctantly looked away. "Did you notice that wondrous feeling during cultivation last night?"

Hearing Feng Yao's somewhat ambiguous words, Qian Renxue's earlobes beneath her flowing golden hair instantly flushed red. She turned her face away, her voice carrying a touch of unnatural tension. "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't know anything!"

Feng Yao stared at her in surprise and happened to catch the flash of embarrassment and irritation across her face. That countenance, usually so majestic and coldly proud, now revealed a rare trace of bashfulness. The discovery left Feng Yao momentarily stunned, his gaze unconsciously fixed upon her reddened ear.

Feng Yao's pupils narrowed as he stared at Qian Renxue in disbelief, as though he had discovered some unimaginable treasure. At that moment, it was as though he had witnessed the first spring after ice and snow melted, or glimpsed the instant when the blazing sun withdrew its edge.

Yet before he could think further, golden light suddenly flared throughout the cultivation room! A vast surge of Light Power swept toward him like a tidal wave. Feng Yao felt his body grow light, and he was sent flying backward like a kite with its string cut.

Bang!

With a muffled crash, Feng Yao landed miserably in the corridor. He rubbed his aching back with a bitter smile, only to see that the cultivation room door had already been sealed shut by a golden barrier. Qian Renxue's embarrassed and irritated voice could vaguely be heard from inside. "Look again, and I'll gouge out your eyes!"

Feng Yao slowly got to his feet with the help of the wall. He dusted off his robe, but the corner of his mouth could not help lifting as he gradually left the Mimicry Training Ground.

Inside the cultivation room, Qian Renxue listened to his footsteps gradually fade away, and the Light Power around her slowly calmed. She raised a hand to touch her still-burning cheek, her crimson lips unconsciously curving into a subtle smile.

Feng Yao slowly walked through the academy paths shrouded in morning mist, still savoring last night's mysterious resonance. That strange sensation, like the merging of souls, was something he had never experienced before.

"This feeling..." He instinctively touched "Fuxi" in his arms. The strings seemed to retain the energy fluctuations from the night before. "Could it be a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

But upon further thought, it did not seem right. As far as he knew, a Martial Soul Fusion Skill required active cooperation from both Spirit Masters, whereas last night's state had felt more like a natural attraction between Martial Souls.

Feng Yao stopped and looked toward the rising sun on the horizon. The golden sunlight involuntarily reminded him of Qian Renxue's pure and blazing aura of light. Two entirely different yet inexplicably compatible powers had reached perfect balance last night.

Feng Yao shook his head and set aside his chaotic thoughts for the moment. "Never mind. There is plenty of time. I'll figure it out eventually." After quietly speaking to himself, he washed up, ate breakfast, and then strolled toward Heaven Dou City.

Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena remained grand and imposing in the morning light, with crowds surging through its gates. Feng Yao had barely reached the entrance when he saw "Xue Qinghe," dressed in a snow-white robe, surrounded by people as he prepared to enter.

The corner of Feng Yao's lips rose as he gave Qian Renxue a meaningful smile, even deliberately blinking at her. Qian Renxue calmly looked away as though she had not noticed him at all. Only the slender hand concealed within her wide sleeve unconsciously clenched, her nails nearly digging into her palm.

This bastard... she fumed inwardly, suddenly feeling that she had gone too easy on him that morning. The half-smiling expression on Feng Yao's face looked utterly deserving of a beating.

Feng Yao watched Qian Renxue's deliberately distant retreating figure, the amusement in his eyes rippling outward. He lightly stroked the strings of "Fuxi" in his arms and leisurely climbed the stairs to the VIP Seats.

The gilded decorations in the VIP Seats glimmered brilliantly in the morning light. Feng Yao chose a seat where he could both overlook the entire arena and keep Qian Renxue's every movement in sight, then sat down at ease. His slender fingers lightly tapped the armrest from time to time, but his gaze continued to follow that white figure, seemingly without intention.

A servant respectfully presented him with clear tea. Amid the rising fragrance, he noticed that Qian Renxue's posture was more upright than usual, as though she were unusually tense. The discovery deepened the amusement in his eyes.

As the horn sounded, the match was about to begin. Feng Yao elegantly raised his teacup, his gaze moving between the arena and Qian Renxue as though admiring two different views.