7. Wait, how am I cute?

With no spare cushion available, Zhou Qing had no choice but to find a corner to sit down and wait quietly.

Looking around, he saw nothing but a sea of white robes.

It seemed that this Senior Sister Shi Zhen's lecture was entirely about Qi Condensation; otherwise, inner sect and true transmission disciples would likely have shown up too.

Before long, a woman appeared from the front, dressed in a sky-blue robe, with brows like distant mist and a cool, aloof expression.

Everyone quickly rose to bow.

Shi Zhen nodded, then sat down. Without any superfluous words, she cut straight to the topic.

"What I will be teaching today is the 'Azure Wood Spirit Shield,' a defensive cultivation method based on Wood Attribute spiritual energy. It is a must-learn technique in our Taiqing Sect, from the core disciples down to the outer sect. After all, at any time, only by staying alive can you have the chance to talk about anything else."

As Shi Zhen finished speaking, with a flicker of her mind, a dense surge of Wood Attribute spiritual energy suddenly gathered from all directions, as if summoned, coalescing around her in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, a solid shield took shape, its surface textured with clear lines, exuding a sense of sturdiness.

The sight left the crowd in awe. Even if they barely managed to cast it, they would need various incantations and hand seals.

Unlike Senior Sister Shi Zhen, who could do it with just a single thought.

Zhou Qing also marveled inwardly. He couldn't achieve such effortless mastery either. If facing a powerful enemy, he would need to create some distance to buy himself time to cast.

Otherwise, before the shield even formed, the opponent would already be right in front of him.

Shi Zhen dispersed the wooden shield and began her explanation: "'Wood's essence flows, spiritual breath surges, energy pierces heaven and earth, spirit draws the four directions.' This incantation, if we think of it from another angle, can be understood as..."

Zhou Qing listened intently from his seat. Everyone had their own unique understanding of the same cultivation method.

[Ignorance Points +1]

[Ignorance Points +1]

Over the next three days, Zhou Qing constantly moved between the [Lecture Halls] of various peaks, farming points. Though slow, the gains added up over time.

And today, his innate skill [Reduce Presence] finally maxed out, rising to LV2.

Not only that, but he was pleasantly surprised to discover that while he had dozed off during a lecture, a Skill Shard had somehow appeared.

[Skill Shards: 3/3 (Available)]

"Acquire."

Excited, Zhou Qing quickly synthesized them.

The Skill Shard count instantly reset to zero, and "Available" became "Unavailable."

Soon, a piece of information appeared in his mind.

[Innate Skill -- Mind Mirror Vision: Allows the user to see others' inner notes about the host. Current level can bind three people.]

[As the level increases, the number of bound targets will also increase.]

[Changing the bound targets' perception of the host grants varying amounts of Heart Insight Points.]

Zhou Qing blinked, finally understanding his new innate skill. It felt quite interesting.

With a thought, the panel appeared.

[Name: Zhou Qing]

[Age: Nineteen]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Early Stage]

[Cultivation Methods: Taiqing Mysterious Qi Art]

[Innate Skills: Mind Mirror Vision -- LV1 (0/100), Reduce Presence -- LV2 (1/100)]

[Skill Shards: 0/3 (Unavailable)]

It seemed he would have to start accumulating Skill Shards all over again.

But soon, he noticed something unusual.

On the platform up front, a core disciple who was lecturing had three question marks suddenly appear above his head -- [???].

Meanwhile, the other thousand outer sect disciples listening around him showed no change.

"Since this new innate skill [Mind Mirror Vision] can see others' truest thoughts about me, the first prerequisite is obviously to know them. Here, only the core disciple lecturing and I are somewhat acquainted. The others have likely never seen me before."

In an instant, Zhou Qing had a rough grasp of the skill.

But with the current level, he could only bind three people, so he had to choose carefully.

Just then, someone lightly tapped him on the back.

Turning around, his expression immediately shifted when he saw who it was.

Because the grinning figure was none other than Lu Yaoyao.

Today, however, she was disguised as a man, and like him, she wore the white robe of an outer sect disciple.

"Senior Brother Zhou, I had such a hard time finding you. I scanned the place five whole times before I spotted you."

Lu Yaoyao sat down beside him with a grin.

Zhou Qing's face twitched. He quickly glanced around and soon spotted Li Daoxuan standing at the entrance of the Lecture Hall, staring at him with a less-than-friendly expression.

Zhou Qing was speechless. "No, sis, why do you keep coming to me?"

Lu Yaoyao said, "I didn't come specifically for you. I'm here to attend the lecture too, but I heard you were here, so I just came over."

Zhou Qing let out a dry laugh.

Do you think I believe that?

A Core Disciple, wearing Outer Sect robes?

With a bodyguard in tow?

She knew I was here, so she dressed up like this on purpose, just to stir up an enemy for me.

She looks young, but she's pretty good at playing the damsel-in-distress game.

Then, looking at the question mark above Lu Yaoyao's head, he thought, Let me see what your note for me really is.

Am I your first target for revenge?

"Bind Lu Yaoyao!" Zhou Qing locked onto her and spoke inwardly.

The next moment, the question mark above Lu Yaoyao's head slowly transformed into three golden characters—[So Cute!]

Zhou Qing sharply inhaled, his mind buzzing in that instant.

Wait, what's going on?

How did it become [So Cute]? Shouldn't it be something like [Master's Enemy's Disciple] or [Play Him to Death]?

Could it really be that she fell for me at first sight because of my handsome charm?

It just doesn't add up. This is too ridiculous.

"Something's wrong. Something's very wrong!"

Zhou Qing frowned deeply, feeling that this wasn't that simple.

Then, looking at Li Daoxuan by the door, he gritted his teeth and bound him too.

Let's see if the system is glitching.

Soon, the question mark above Li Daoxuan's head turned into seven golden characters—[Jealous Rival in Love]

Alright, that's normal.

So that means—

Zhou Qing looked back at the dazzling [So Cute] characters, finding it utterly absurd, but more than that, he felt relieved, even a little smug.

As long as it wasn't revenge. If it really was what he had feared—someone coming to settle a score—there would be countless traps waiting for him down the road.

He never expected to be the brightest star in the Core Disciple circle. That really caught him off guard.

Then, watching Lu Yaoyao, who was listening intently to the lecture, he blinked and said, "Junior Sister Lu."

"What is it, Senior Brother Zhou?" Lu Yaoyao immediately turned her head.

Zhou Qing cleared his throat. "Actually, I have someone I like."

Unexpectedly, Lu Yaoyao's eyes lit up at that, and she quickly asked, "Really? Which peak is she from? Is she pretty? What's her name? Is she the one with green hair you mentioned before?"

Lu Yaoyao pressed on eagerly.

Faced with her somewhat excited demeanor, Zhou Qing was even more confused.

Why do you look more excited than I do?

Aren't you sad?

Aren't you jealous?

After all, the handsome guy you have a crush on likes someone else. You've lost your chance. You might even end up as the side piece.

Zhou Qing quickly glanced at the note above her head. The original [So Cute] was slowly fading away.

This made him feel a bit pleased. After all, saying that in front of Lu Yaoyao was meant to change her perception of him.

Only then could he earn Heart Insight Points.

Women, huh. They're natural-born actresses. Putting on a curious, indifferent face in front of me, but inside, they're already scared.

But soon, the smile that had just crept onto Zhou Qing's lips froze.

Because [So Cute] had directly turned into [So Awesome].

Looking at Lu Yaoyao's curious, questioning gaze, Zhou Qing's face twitched.

Seriously, are you out of your mind? This counts as awesome?

Not even a lovestruck fool would think like this.

At that moment, a story he had once heard surfaced in Zhou Qing's mind.

A woman was being abused. People urged her to leave quickly, saying that man didn't love her anymore.

But she shook her head desperately and retorted with utter confidence: "If he didn't love me, why would he only hit me and not anyone else?"

See, you're exactly like that woman now.

[Heart Insight Points +3]

Looking at the newly refreshed points, Zhou Qing finally felt a bit better, then said, "That's right, green hair, and she's very beautiful. I won't say her name, so as not to cause her trouble."

Lu Yaoyao pondered seriously: "Strange. I had Eldest Brother check every female disciple in the entire Taiqing Sect, but no one has green hair. There are two men, though..."

As she spoke, Lu Yaoyao looked at Zhou Qing suspiciously.

Zhou Qing quickly stopped her. Wasn't your muttering a bit too loud?

"I'm stating in advance—I'm a pure man!" Zhou Qing hurriedly said.

Lu Yaoyao immediately laughed: "Of course I know you're a pure man. Forget it, forget it. If you like someone, you like them. What young man doesn't have a few close female friends in his wild youth? I understand. But they're all just transitions. I can foresee that you'll eventually fall for a beautiful silver-haired girl."

Zhou Qing glanced at the thin layer of silver hair beneath her black locks and chuckled inwardly.

You're really not lacking in narcissism and confidence.

"Ah—"

Suddenly, an Outer Sect disciple beside him let out a sharp yell, startling Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao both.

"What are you doing!" Zhou Qing clutched his pounding heart.

The man looked utterly confused: "No, I clearly remember no one was beside me. When did you get here?"

Zhou Qing was about to say something when he remembered his current talent skill [Reduce Presence]. Against Qi Condensation disciples, it could already achieve a 90% chance of being ignored.

The Outer Sect disciple's yell also drew the attention of everyone in the [Lecture Hall]. Even the Core Disciple teaching on the platform stopped and looked over in confusion.

Zhou Qing was speechless and could only apologize to the crowd with a cupped fist salute.

Anyway, this task was as good as done. If he stayed any longer, the person at the door might eat him alive.

Zhou Qing simply left.

Fortunately, Lu Yaoyao only opened her mouth and chose not to follow.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li!" Arriving beside Li Daoxuan, Zhou Qing bowed.

Li Daoxuan's expression was very unpleasant, and he only gave a faint "Mm."

Zhou Qing looked at the seven golden characters above his head—[Jealous Rival in Love]—and for some reason felt like laughing.

Look at your status, look at mine. Why bother being jealous over this?

Hurting the bond between us brothers over a woman—that's not worth it, even if we're not close.

But then again, though they had little contact, as the eldest disciple of Sect Master Martial Uncle and the chief of Divine Peak, his reputation had always been decent. He was also chivalrous and generous. Eldest Brother had praised him more than once before.

After the bow, Zhou Qing couldn't think of how to change his opinion of him for the moment, so he left.

Just as he flew back to Little Spirit Peak on his sword, a figure appeared behind him.

"You broke through to Foundation Establishment?" Master Mo Xingjian's voice suddenly rang out, startling Zhou Qing again.

Master, I know you're formidable and move like a ghost, but you don't have to scare me like this.

He had no choice but to bow: "Your disciple is dull. I only managed to break through by luck a few days ago."

Mo Xingjian stroked his beard with satisfaction: "Good, good. I heard you've been running around the [Lecture Halls] of various peaks lately. Keep up the hard work, and don't let your Third Senior Brother lead you astray. Sneaking peeks at women bathing will always bring criticism."

"Master, I really wasn't peeking that day. They just didn't see me..."

"I know, I know. Just reminding you. I have matters to attend to, so I'll be off!"

Mo Xingjian waved his hand, cutting off Zhou Qing's explanation, and left.

This left Zhou Qing utterly speechless. Looking at the question mark above his master's head, he really wanted to know what kind of note he had in his heart.

But he already had a candidate for the last slot. After all, this involved his future opportunities to earn Heart Insight Points.

"Pssst, pssst. Fourth, over here—"

Just as Zhou Qing was about to leave, Yan Xiaohu's sneaky voice came from behind a nearby rockery.

Zhou Qing was puzzled and quickly went over.

"Third Senior Brother, you've come out of seclusion?"