Qing Luo, Is He Qualified to Hold Firmly to the Position of Number One?

Elsewhere,

Within a secluded courtyard of Northern Spirit Academy, Great Dao Runes flickered faintly in Qing Luo's eyes. An ancient, desolate aura that seemed to have crossed the river of time washed forth from his gaze.

This was a private residence reserved for only the higher-ranked Heaven Tier Students of Northern Spirit Academy.

Buzz—

Qing Luo opened his eyes, and a terrifying aura burst from his pupils.

Within those mysterious eyes, it was as though the projections of the Great Dao and countless starry rivers were reflected.

The originally azure and tranquil surroundings were, in Qing Luo's eyes, broken down into streams of Spiritual Energy in varying colors, woven together...

"So this is the first-stage ability of the Double Pupils, Decompose Origin?"

Sensing the changes in his eyes, Qing Luo's lips curled slightly upward.

He did not know what had happened at the Spirit Gathering Array.

Ever since the Two Academies Competition had ended yesterday, he had remained in the courtyard cultivating the first-stage abilities of the Double Pupils.

The first stage consisted of two abilities.

They were: Decompose Origin and See Through Illusion!

Only those in the Spirit Wheel Realm were qualified to cultivate them.

The Spirit Wheel Realm merely granted one the qualification to cultivate them, allowing them to initially unlock the two first-stage abilities.

As one's strength increased, the use of these abilities would become increasingly terrifying and complete.

According to Qing Luo's estimates,

if his strength reached the Heavenly Sovereign level, he might even be able to decompose a Sovereign Dao Law at a glance and See Through Illusion within an Immortal Grade Spirit Array!

This growth potential that accompanied the rise of one's strength

was the most terrifying trait of the Double Pupils, and the true reason behind the Double Pupils' invincible path!

"Someone's coming..."

Sensing someone approaching, Qing Luo looked toward the courtyard gate.

Creak—

The wooden door was pushed open, and Tang Qian'er walked in.

"You're at the academy. When I didn't see you cultivating, I thought you'd gone back to the Azure Domain."

Seeing Qing Luo seated in the courtyard, Tang Qian'er said with a smile.

The next moment,

Tang Qian'er looked at Qing Luo uncertainly. "What realm are you in now? Why do I feel like I can see through you less and less?"

"Who could you ever see through..."

Qing Luo teased with a smile. "Why did you come here?"

"I came because I have something to tell you!" Tang Qian'er hesitated slightly.

"What is it?"

"You know Mu Chen only just arrived among the Heaven Tier Students. While he was cultivating..."

Tang Qian'er paused before saying, "I saw that your spot was empty, so I let him... sit there temporarily. You aren't angry, are you?"

"It's fine. The spots at the Spirit Gathering Array are meant for students to cultivate in. Leaving one empty would be a waste."

Qing Luo had thought it was something serious and replied indifferently.

However,

he also knew it definitely had not been Tang Qian'er who had let Mu Chen sit there.

After all, his spot was often empty. When Mu Chen was not there, Tang Qian'er had never gone up to sit in it either.

Phew—

The tension in Tang Qian'er's heart finally eased.

After thinking for a moment, she continued, "Um, for the cultivation trip to the Northern Spirit Plains in half a month, can I... form a team with you?"

"I heard that the top three teams this time can all receive Spirit Nurturing Pills. If I get one, I can break through to the Late Spirit Movement Stage sooner and prepare to advance into the Spirit Wheel Realm."

Before Qing Luo could answer, Tang Qian'er hurriedly explained.

After all,

before this, Qing Luo had never formed a team with anyone during any of the academy's cultivation trips...

"Sure..."

Qing Luo thought for a moment before agreeing.

Tang Qian'er was considered the beauty of the East Courtyard. Since it was the first time she had asked him for something, rejecting her would seem too cold-hearted.

Although Qing Luo had his own plans for this trip to the Northern Spirit Plains,

forming a team did not necessarily mean they had to explore together.

When the time came, Tang Qian'er only needed to find somewhere to wander around. She would not have to do anything and could still enter the top three.

"Really?"

Tang Qian'er asked excitedly.

"If I don't form a team, the academy won't give me an extra Spirit Nurturing Pill anyway. When the time comes, just take care of yourself. Leave the matter of obtaining Spirit Souls to me."

Qing Luo summed up.

"So that's how it is... Don't worry, I won't hold you back."

Tang Qian'er raised her delicate fist. "I'm a Mid Spirit Movement Stage expert, you know. There aren't many people among the Heaven Tier Students stronger than me."

"You're the best."

Qing Luo laughed.

Then, after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Where's Mu Chen? Aren't you two always together? Why don't I see him?"

"Who says I'm always with him..."

Tang Qian'er's pretty face reddened. "That guy is being far too reckless... He actually wants to cultivate a dangerous Spiritual Art like the Netherworld Death Seal!"

Just as expected...

Qing Luo, who knew the plot well, was not surprised by Mu Chen's decision to cultivate the Netherworld Death Seal.

"So, you helped him obtain the Spiritual Art?"

"Did I do something wrong..."

Tang Qian'er was somewhat at a loss.

"You did overstep a little, but... Mu Chen should know what he's doing. Just don't do this again in the future. If something goes wrong, you might get implicated as well."

Qing Luo said after some thought.

Tang Qian'er meant well, but good intentions did not necessarily bring good results.

"Mm, I understand."

Tang Qian'er nodded, then looked at Qing Luo curiously. "You're not as unpleasant as I thought... Why do you always act so aloof every day?"

"Aloof..."

Qing Luo gave a startled smile and explained, "I simply devote more time to cultivation. You know the situation in the Azure Domain."

"Your uncle and aunt..."

Hearing Qing Luo mention the Azure Domain, Tang Qian'er felt somewhat guilty. "Don't worry, everything will get better. You should smile more."

Qing Luo walked over to Tang Qian'er.

The smile on her face immediately froze, and her cheeks turned scarlet.

"Did I... say something wrong?"

"No. Then you can come by more often. Just looking at the East Courtyard's beauty puts me in a much better mood."

Qing Luo said with a smile.

Tang Qian'er: "..."

"Um..."

"I have something to do. I'll be leaving first..."

Tang Qian'er fled from Qing Luo's courtyard, her mind a complete mess.

"Qing Luo... doesn't he... like me?!"

"Qing Luo... likes me?"

"He likes me?"

"Happiness came too suddenly..."

The more Tang Qian'er thought about it, the more excited she became. She skipped all the way back.

Over the following days,

Qing Luo cultivated the Double Pupils and the Kirin Treasure Technique.

Both required one to reach the Spirit Wheel Realm before gaining the qualification to cultivate them. As his strength increased, the power of the treasure technique would be unlocked in succession.

According to Qing Luo's estimates,

below the Sovereign Realm, the Kirin Treasure Technique's overall abilities could allow him to remain undefeated and challenge Sovereigns across realms!

At the same time,

Northern Spirit Academy was far from peaceful.

Mu Chen, who had become a Heaven Tier Student and cultivated the Netherworld Death Seal, had also begun to reveal his brilliance and display an invincible bearing!

He successively defeated numerous senior students in the Arena.

When faced with a challenge from Luo Tong, who was at the Spirit Movement Realm Late-stage, he showed no sign of retreat and defeated Luo Tong with an overwhelming display of strength.

Mu Chen's reputation within Northern Spirit Academy thus rose to rival that of Qing Luo and Liu Mubai, the Twin Stars of the Heaven Tier Students.

"What are Qing Luo and Liu Mubai worth? They only cultivated longer than Brother Mu. Sooner or later, Brother Mu will become the Number One in the Heavenly Realm."

"Way to go, Brother Mu!"

"Brother Mu is awesome!"

Within the Cultivation Hall,

Mu Chen sat in Qing Luo's spot. Looking at the empty spot not far away, he asked Tan Qingshan beside him,

"Have you seen Sister Qian'er recently?"

"What has she been busy with lately? Why hasn't she come to cultivate at all?"

"Well..."

Tan Qingshan seemed hesitant to speak.

"What is it?" Mu Chen asked curiously.

"Sister Qian'er has been visiting Senior Student Qing Luo often lately... People around Northern Spirit Academy have been saying that Sister Qian'er seems to be together with Senior Student Qing Luo..."

Tan Qingshan explained.

"Those are just rumors spread by the other students. They may not be true."

"Even if they are, it doesn't matter,"

Mu Chen said nonchalantly, though a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "Qing Luo..."

He was very curious.

Just how strong was Qing Luo? Was he qualified to hold firmly to the position of Number One of the East Courtyard?