She Will Bring Change to the Foreign Lands

The future Li Qingluan nodded, finally speaking, her voice tinged with weariness and complexity:

It's true.

"I remember you said," Li Qingluan stared at her, "That there are no shortcuts to becoming stronger for me."

That applies to 'you'.

The future Li Qingluan readily admitted, her gaze sharp, "That Unorthodox Dao Path was originally prepared for myself."

"Besides," she said, meeting Li Qingluan's sudden, sharp gaze without flinching.

Even if I keep it from you, so what?

"Didn't you ever feel a little bit wary of me?"

Li Qingluan pursed her lips, not denying it.

The Future Self continued, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "The last of the three Divine Object objects needed to reshape the physical body— the Chaos Origin Spirit."

"You knew the clues all along, but you hesitated to look for them, wasn't it to guard against me?"

"Yes!"

Li Qingluan readily admitted, her voice laced with suppressed anger, "I'm wary of you!"

"But dare you say that you collected these Divine Object for Qin Wangchuan?"

"He possesses Immortal Bone; these external objects could never possibly reshape his physical body."

"Everything you said before was just to help yourself regain your physical body! Am I right?"

The future Li Qingluan listened quietly to her finish speaking, then suddenly clapped her hands softly.

"Absolutely right."

She even smiled, a smile tinged with weariness from years of experience and a hint of composure. "Between us, mutual distrust only leads to mutual destruction in the end."

"How about we make a deal?"

She approached her present self, her voice low, both alluring and resolute. "You have brought me the Chaos Origin Spirit to help me reshape my physical body."

"In exchange, I will give you the entire opportunity and method for that 'Unorthodox Dao Path.' How about it?"

Li Qingluan did not respond immediately. She lowered her eyes, and after a moment looked at the other person again, a very faint smile playing on her lips, "It seems like a deal was proposed after being exposed, but in reality—you've been waiting for this moment, haven't you?"

"When Lv Yingxin appeared, when she said those words... you just pretended to be angry and told her to 'stop talking,' but you didn't actually stop her."

"You anticipated all of this, and then used her to provoke me."

Lv Yingxin believed she controlled everything and was above everyone else, but in reality, she was also part of Lu Yingxin's schemes.

The future Li Qingluan did not deny it, but moved even closer, almost merging her breath with that of the present Li Qingluan:

"What's the point of saying all this now?"

"I will make you stronger, giving you the power to stand beside him, and even walk alongside him."

"You gave me freedom and a real body. That's fair, isn't it?"

She tilted her head slightly, looked directly into Li Qingluan's eyes, and asked the most crucial question:

"Agree, or refuse?"

Li Qingluan remained silent for a long time.

As dusk deepened, the evening breeze carried the faint sound of bells from the distant Academy.

The image of Qin Wangchuan walking alone towards the Bone Mountain flashed through her mind, as did Lv Yingxin's golden eyes, which held a hint of provocation and determination, and the deep-seated resentment and longing in her Future Self's eyes.

Finally, Li Qingluan let out a soft sigh.

"Sometimes, dao companion is too outstanding... is really not a good thing."

Her voice carried a hint of helplessness and self-mockery, "Outsiders covet it, and even 'myself'... covets it."

Although he did not explicitly agree.

But the implication was already clear.

Upon hearing this, Li Qingluan from the future wore a smile that was both relieved and incredibly complex.

She nodded in strong agreement, her gaze returning to the direction Lv Yingxin had left, her eyes deep and thoughtful. "Yes."

"Therefore, you must become stronger. Only by becoming the strongest can you keep his female confidantes in check."

Li Qingluan followed her gaze, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

"Suppress...?"

She was initially very resistant to Lv Yingxin's suggestion of a "concubine".

But now, after hearing what his Future Self said, he recalled Lv Yingxin's sour face that seemed to want to be lifted to the sky.

A chilling thought quietly took root.

Concubine?

She sneered inwardly.

"Since you're so eager to squeeze in... fine."

"I'll bring you here, then treat you like the lowest of servants, tormenting you until you regret it."

"Furthermore, agreeing means receiving help from both this woman and her Future Self."

After thinking it over, Li Qingluan felt the idea was more and more feasible.

Although she was called a concubine, she was really just an extra maid.

"Let's go." She turned and continued walking towards the Dojo where Qin Wangchuan was, asking her Future Self behind her without turning back as she went:

"What level can that so-called 'Unorthodox Dao Path to enlightenment' ultimately reach?"

The future Li Qingluan followed half a step behind her, her voice drifting on the evening breeze:

"This is not a path that can be achieved overnight; it involves a lot of hardship and unimaginable dangers. But if you succeed... it's not impossible to stand shoulder to shoulder with him."

Watching Li Qingluan walk ahead, a complex and indescribable glint flashed in the eyes of the Future Self.

The plan has finally taken its first step.

From this moment on, the fates of the three of them were completely intertwined—they were wary of each other, grew together, and accepted each other.

This situation is at least... better than the one in her previous life, when she fought Lv Yingxin to the bitter end.

I was just thinking about it.

And what about you?

Li Qingluan didn't stop walking. "You gave way to me, what are you going to do now?"

The voice behind him paused for a moment, then a mysterious, low laugh followed:

"Me?"

"I'll just practice casually."

After reaching an agreement with Qin Wangchuan, Li Qingluan took away the ancient Stone Chisel.

The business was finished, but she didn't turn to leave. Instead, she looked up at him quietly—her eyes no longer held the calmness of their earlier discussion, but rather seemed to be imbued with the warmth and clarity of bygone days.

Qin Wangchuan met her gaze, his knowing smile as deep as still water, needing no words, everything was understood without being spoken.

"The appointed day has arrived. Let's leave the Academy tomorrow. I'll make the arrangements."

"Okay." Li Qingluan responded very quickly, her voice even carrying a hint of satisfaction at the end.

As dusk fades and the crescent moon hangs high in the sky...

Thanks to Qin Wangchuan's help, Lv Yingxin arrived at the invisible barrier between the Inner Academy and Outer Academy with little hindrance.

The once empty plaza in the Outer Academy, frequented by disciples, was now filled with a dark mass of kneeling figures.

Under the moonlight and sparse lamplight, all that could be seen were bowed heads and submissive backs.

They were not students of the Academy, but powerful figures and tribal prides from Royal Court of the Foreign Lands, including many renowned generals.

Now.

These renowned figures completely concealed their fierceness and arrogance, freezing into the cold night with only the most docile posture.

Only their suppressed breathing proved that they were not statues, but were holding their breath and waiting.

We await the His Highness the Princess who ventured alone deep into the Human Race heartland, bringing with her unparalleled achievements.

There are ancient prophecies.

Her return will bring about change in this Foreign Lands.