Little Girl, Would You Take Me as Your Teacher?

Amid the towering mountain range, Li Zixuan moved lightly, stepping across the treetops.

The clear breeze swept past her ears, stirring her hair, yet it could not conceal the excitement in her heart.

"Finally, I'm here!"

Li Zixuan closed her eyes and sensed the Sword Essence in the air. Ever since the Mountain Range had been split apart that day, threads of Dao Essence had filled the valley.

It was enough to show how profound the sword wielder's cultivation had been.

What delighted her even more was that, throughout the long day, only while comprehending the Sword Essence did she have any freedom. The bodyguards her family had sent would only allow her to be alone then.

A lightness like that of a migratory bird leaving its nest spread through her entire body.

Even the burden that had always weighed on her shoulders seemed much lighter.

Before long.

Li Zixuan arrived atop the branch closest to the broken peak.

Standing at the crown of the tree in her white robes, she seemed detached from the world as she quietly watched the cut above.

The top of this Millennial Ancient Pine was the closest point to the fracture, and also the safest place to comprehend the Sword Essence.

If she went any farther up the mountain, her life would be in danger.

The surging Sword Intent was vast and mighty, like undercurrents churning in the deep sea. Even after several days, it showed no sign of weakening. Not even the Jianghai Martial Arts Academy Dean dared to venture deeper.

Let alone herself, who was merely at the Acquired Realm Eighth Stage. What terrifying strength. As expected of a senior—even Teacher cannot get close.

Li Zixuan focused on sensing that powerful Sword Dao aura, and her admiration for that senior deepened even further.

The broken peak's surface was smooth and level as the clear breeze drifted past.

Wind that originally held no power at all had become blades capable of cutting a person into a thousand pieces, slaughtering any enemy who stepped within!

Vaguely, she seemed to sense that this clear breeze... bore a subtle resemblance to the most basic Clear Wind Sword Technique.

"Returning to simplicity... could this be the ultimate meaning of the Sword Dao that Teacher always speaks of?"

Li Zixuan murmured softly. No matter how many times she saw it, she was still deeply shaken.

Just what kind of realm was needed to unleash such Sword Intent? With that question in mind, she pondered for a while before slowly closing her eyes and quietly sensing the Sword Intent, seeking a deeper level of comprehension.

Meanwhile, not far away.

Qin Yang concealed his aura and had long since taken in Li Zixuan's every movement.

Hiss... could this little lady really be my fangirl?

When he extended his perception earlier and saw the look in Li Zixuan's eyes, Qin Yang froze.

He became increasingly certain of his earlier speculation.

And judging by her expression, she's really obsessed...

Qin Yang stroked his chin, and a bold idea gradually formed in his mind.

If he appeared before Li Zixuan as this so-called "Sword Dao Expert," would she not immediately bow down and acknowledge him as her teacher?

The future Empress is going to take a piece of trash at the Innate Realm like me as her teacher?! Wouldn't this Dog System be scared into crashing on the spot?

Not bad, not bad. This idea is perfect. Everything will fall into place, and I can squeeze some huge rewards out of the Dog System!

Qin Yang patiently waited for Li Zixuan to finish comprehending, while also observing the surrounding environment and preparing to give her a huge surprise.

A moment later.

As the sun set and the bright moon climbed above the clouds.

Li Zixuan slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, gathered herself, and finally finished her comprehension.

"Alright, that's enough for today."

Seeing that it was getting late, she took out her phone from her bag and carefully snapped a few daily check-in photos for herself.

A young girl's love of beauty had gotten the better of her.

After pouting for a few pictures, Li Zixuan immediately put on a stern face and returned to her usual cold demeanor, as though she had done something shameful.

She put her phone into her pocket, turned, and was about to leave.

But at that moment!

An aged voice suddenly sounded by her ear!

"Not bad. This little girl has quite good comprehension..."

The unfamiliar voice was ethereal and distant, its location impossible to determine, as though it came from everywhere at once.

This was the Sound Transmission Secret Technique that could only be used at the Innate Realm. Qin Yang had figured it out while idly comprehending it for fun before.

It was not particularly useful in battle, merely a completely useless little trick, but today it came in handy.

The sudden voice instantly put Li Zixuan on full alert.

"Which senior is here? Please reveal yourself!"

Panicked and alarmed, Li Zixuan held her sword and looked around.

The evening wind swept through the valley's forest, making the pine needles rustle and merge into a sea of noise.

Outside the mountain were all peak experts of the Acquired Realm Late Stage, yet this person had entered the mountain without anyone noticing. That alone showed how terrifying his strength was!

"Do not panic. This old one means you no harm."

Qin Yang used the Seven Stars Dragon Swimming Steps and appeared before Li Zixuan in an instant.

However... he had already changed into a Black Robe and wore a bamboo hat that concealed most of his face. Under the cold moonlight, none of his features could be seen clearly.

Even his voice had become as weathered as that of an elderly man nearing the end of his life.

The two stood atop separate treetops, facing each other.

Li Zixuan felt somewhat uneasy as she looked at the Black Robe figure who had suddenly appeared before her.

Being able to use sound transmission meant that the other party was at least at the Innate Realm. How could someone at the Acquired Realm Eighth Stage like her possibly contend with him? When had Jianghai City gained such a figure?

After a long while, Li Zixuan cupped her hands and said tremblingly, "Senior, I wonder what instructions you have for me?"

"I..."

Qin Yang opened his mouth upon hearing this, just about to mention accepting her as a disciple.

But in the next moment, a "ding" sounded in his mind.

"Ding! The Empress has been detected right before you! Host, quickly kneel and acknowledge her as your teacher! Opportunity must not be missed!"

The noisy system was like a cawing crow.

Qin Yang: "..."

The words he had just prepared were interrupted by the system, breaking his train of thought.

Dog System, can't you have even a little ambition?

Can't you see that I'm making the Empress acknowledge me as her teacher?! Qin Yang could not help grumbling inwardly, his belly full of anger with nowhere to vent it.

"Senior, have I offended you in some way?"

Seeing Qin Yang hesitate as though he wanted to speak but stopped himself, Li Zixuan immediately asked uneasily.

"No. It is merely that this wind is rather noisy."

Qin Yang frowned as he looked toward the clear breeze around the broken peak. The mountain wind howled in his ears, making him even more irritated.

Yet it was not appropriate to vent his anger, so he could only direct the displeasure caused by the system toward the mountain wind.

The moment his words fell, Li Zixuan froze. She could hardly believe it. The clear breeze in the mountain represented Sword Intent, and even her teacher regarded it as a treasure. How had it become noisy in this senior's eyes?

However, in the next moment, an even more shocking scene unfolded before her!

Qin Yang murmured, "Quiet down," then suddenly waved toward the broken peak.

Immediately!

The surging, terrifying Clear Wind Sword Intent seemed to dissolve upon touching water, vanishing completely.

In an instant, the mountains became quiet.

Not a trace of the raging wind's clamor could be heard anymore.

The wilderness fell utterly silent!

"How is that possible?!"

Li Zixuan's eyes widened, feeling as though everything she knew had been overturned.

With such heaven-reaching means, other than the expert who had split the peak with a single sword, who else could possibly accomplish this?!

"Y-You... you are..."

Li Zixuan was so excited that she could not even speak properly, stumbling over her words as though she had lost her soul.

The idol she had longed to meet day and night had actually appeared before her tonight. How could she not be thrilled?

"Correct. It is this old one."

Qin Yang nodded slightly. Seeing that the time was right, he continued naturally, "Little girl, this old one sees that you possess exceptional talent. Would you be willing... to take this old one as your teacher?"