Chaos

Zhao Qingwei froze for a moment, then came back to herself and walked toward Lin Jianyi, bowing respectfully. "Teacher Lin."

Lin Jianyi waved a hand, signaling for her to sit.

Zhao Qingwei sat beside the stone table, her gaze shifting back and forth between Xu Wuyi and Lin Jianyi as a trace of confusion rose in her heart. Why had her teacher called her here? And why was Xu Wuyi here as well?

Lin Jianyi lifted his teacup, slowly took a sip, then set it down.

"Qingwei, has your swordsmanship improved since graduation?"

Zhao Qingwei gathered her thoughts and answered respectfully, "Teacher, I have been cultivating diligently ever since graduation, but I always feel as though I've hit a bottleneck. The path of speed seems to have reached its limit. It has become difficult to advance even an inch further."

Lin Jianyi nodded without comment and turned to Xu Wuyi.

"Xu Wuyi, are you confident you can control that Flame of Order?"

Xu Wuyi pondered for a moment. "Control isn't a problem, but I lack practical experience using it. If I had a suitable opponent to try it against repeatedly, I should be able to master it more quickly."

Lin Jianyi looked at Zhao Qingwei again.

A sudden sense of foreboding welled up in Zhao Qingwei's heart.

"Qingwei." Lin Jianyi's voice remained calm. "For the next while, spar with him."

Zhao Qingwei froze.

Spar?

Spar with Xu Wuyi?

She looked at Xu Wuyi, then at Lin Jianyi. Her lips parted, but she had no idea what to say.

Lin Jianyi continued, "His Heart Image has recently made a breakthrough and needs real combat to stabilize it. Your sword is fast, so you can help him test the limits of his new ability."

"His Heart Image has already touched the Grandmaster