Guiding the Junior, Wu Hao Arrives

Moon Spirit's training grounds were usually cool and orderly, but at this moment they were filled with Songbirds and Swallows, their laughter and chatter nearly lifting the roof.

Qin Han was surrounded by a group of pretty, lively female students, like he had fallen into a kingdom of women.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering dappled patches across their delicate faces, flushed from excitement and exercise. Even the air carried a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Han Yue really had a good eye when choosing members for Moon Spirit, Qin Han remarked to himself.

"Qin Senior, look at the opening stance of my Cold Moon Slash. My battle qi always feels half a beat sluggish when it circulates. What am I doing wrong?"

A girl with twin ponytails and round, bright eyes demonstrated the move. She inadvertently leaned forward, her soft arm nearly brushing against Qin Han's.

Qin Han composed himself and examined her carefully. A wisp of gentle fire-attributed battle qi gathered at his fingertips as he lightly pointed at a meridian node on her wrist. "Here. Your cold-attributed battle qi is too condensed, which hinders its explosive release in an instant. Try dispersing your battle qi by thirty percent before attacking, then suddenly gathering it again at the sword's edge."

The girl followed his instructions and found the move much smoother. She jumped with delight. "It really works! Thank you, Qin Senior!"

Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, and she almost threw herself at him for a hug. Qin Han quietly sidestepped out of the way.

"Qin Senior, my Flowing Cloud Steps still can't break through to the realm of following like a shadow. It always feels like I'm missing a hint of agility."

Qin Han watched for a moment and gestured for her to try again.

As her figure flickered and drifted about, Qin Han suddenly held two fingers together like a sword and sent a thin but precise burst of wind pressure toward the rear side of her next landing point.

"Your changes in direction aren't decisive enough, and your movements reveal too much anticipation. True agility leaves no trace to follow. Try doing the opposite, or forcefully shifting your center of gravity before the old force has run out."

As he spoke, he instinctively reached out to lightly steady her slightly off-balance waist. His hand met a soft, smooth warmth.

The junior student's body stiffened slightly, and the tips of her ears turned red. Yet her eyes brightened as though she had gained some insight. After quietly thanking him, she went aside to practice diligently.

No sooner had he finished guiding her than another girl pulled him over to ask about the secrets of battle qi fusion.

Just as he finished answering, several more girls gathered around to share their cultivation insights and ask for his evaluation.

The girls were warm and bold. When asking questions, they stood close, their eyes shining with undisguised admiration and affection.

Qin Han had been a little awkward at first, his ears heating up, but amid such a pure and enthusiastic atmosphere, he gradually relaxed.

Sunshine, warm breezes, the girls' laughter, and the occasional unavoidable soft touch through their clothes...

While earnestly guiding them, Qin Han could not help but feel a faint ripple in his heart. An unconsciously contented, somewhat pleased smile appeared on his face.

This pure and beautiful life within the ivory tower was practically a different world from the life-and-death battles beneath the Fallen Fire Sect.

"Hmph!"

Just as his fingertip touched a junior student's palm while he explained the technique of condensing battle qi, an extremely soft, chilly voice suddenly slipped into his ears.

Qin Han jolted and withdrew his hand as though shocked by lightning. Feeling vaguely guilty, he abruptly turned toward the second-floor window of the quiet little building at the edge of the training grounds.

At some point, Han Yue had appeared there. Dressed in white as pure as snow, her face was utterly expressionless.

Qin Han immediately felt an inexplicable pang of guilt.

He coughed twice and said seriously, "All right, everyone. Practice according to the key points I just explained, compare notes with one another, and bring any questions to me later."

With that, he turned around almost hurriedly and strode toward the pavilion where Han Yue was.

He pushed open the half-closed door, and that familiar cool, delicate fragrance greeted him.

Han Yue had already left the window and was seated beside the table, holding an ancient bamboo scroll.

"Um..."

Qin Han's tone carried a barely noticeable lack of confidence. "The junior students are all very diligent, huh..."

Han Yue raised her eyes and gave him a bland glance. "Do as you please. It is naturally up to you."

She paused, then added, "Just don't ruin the atmosphere of my Moon Spirit."

Qin Han's smile froze on his face. Just as he was about to change the subject, he sensed that Han Yue's aura carried a faint restlessness, as though it had been condensed to its very limit.

"You're about to break through?"

Han Yue was slightly startled, then nodded gently. "Hm. My battle qi is full, and the barrier has appeared. It's just..."

Her lovely brows drew together as a hint of hesitation appeared on her face. "I'm still considering whether I should attempt a breakthrough before the Strong Ranking Competition. If I succeed, my chances will naturally improve. But if I fail, or suffer a hidden injury, I won't be able to compete at my peak during the tournament."

It truly was a difficult choice.

With the competition so close, every breakthrough came with risks.

Qin Han pondered for a moment, looking at the faint struggle in her clear eyes before saying, "My advice is to go for it."

Han Yue looked up at him.

"The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current. Once you sense it, that is the right time. Deliberately suppressing it may instead shake your state of mind, which would be even more detrimental during the competition."

Qin Han's tone was firm and his gaze sincere. "As for the risks... I'll stand guard for you. With me watching over you, I can at least ensure that you won't suffer a severe backlash if the attempt fails."

Han Yue weighed it for a moment.

Her long lashes lowered, then lifted again. The hesitation in her eyes faded, and she nodded gently. "All right."

Seeing her agree, Qin Han smiled. "Then it's settled. Adjust your condition, and we can begin whenever you're ready."

"Hm."

Han Yue responded and picked up the bamboo scroll from the table again.

Seeing this, Qin Han prepared to leave as well.

He had only taken two steps when Han Yue's cool, calm voice came from behind him.

"You won't be needed for Moon Spirit's training from now on."

Qin Han halted and turned back in astonishment. "Huh? Why? Wasn't the guidance going quite—"

His words abruptly stopped.

Han Yue had already raised her head, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly.

"What? Can't bear to part with her?"

"No!"

Qin Han waved his hands almost on reflex.

After leaving Han Yue's residence, Qin Han passed through a cluster of songbirds and swallows, only to spot a familiar figure pacing back and forth outside Moon Spirit's door.

"Wu Hao?"

"Brother Qin!"

The moment he saw Qin Han, Wu Hao quickly raised a hand in greeting.

"You were looking for me? Why didn't you go inside?"

Qin Han walked over with a smile and patted him on the shoulder.

During those two years in the Enforcement Team, Wu Hao had been his little tagalong. They weren't brothers by blood, but they were closer than brothers.

"Brother Qin, do you think your Moon Spirit is somewhere just anyone can enter? I don't feel like getting chased down and beaten by those young ladies." Wu Hao sounded aggrieved.

"Uh..."

Qin Han smiled awkwardly. "I'll talk to them later. Next time, just go straight in."

Wu Hao nodded without dwelling on the matter.

"Brother Qin, I came to ask whether you want to return to the Outer Academy with me."

"The Outer Academy?"

Qin Han paused briefly before immediately understanding. "It is about time we went back. How is Old Man doing?"

He remembered the slash Wu Tianlang had taken for him. The old man had risked his life to protect him.

"His injuries have recovered, but for the past six months, he's been busy hunting down Earthflame Gate members and rarely returns to the academy. If he knew you were all right, he'd be very happy," Wu Hao said.

Qin Han felt warmth in his heart, along with a trace of guilt. After getting out of danger, he hadn't informed Wu Tianlang right away.

"Alright. Let's go now."