Twenty Years of Latent

After coming out of the Elder Hall, Lu Yuan did not see Qian Renxue for several days.

She really did not come to the East Training Area again either.

Half a year passed, and Lu Yuan went from level eleven to level fourteen. Qian Renxue had also just turned nine years old. That earliest time given by the Eye of Destiny was drawing closer bit by bit.

This afternoon, Lu Yuan had just returned from the North Combat Zone, his right arm still a bit sore from the final sparring match, when he saw a familiar figure standing outside the training grounds from afar.

She was not wearing the light armor used for training today, but simply a plain platinum long robe. Her golden long hair was tied behind her head, and no one was following beside her.

Lu Yuan walked over.

"Aren't you not coming to this side anymore?"

"Today's an exception."

Qian Renxue glanced at his right hand.

"That match is still owed."

Lu Yuan moved his shoulders.

"I just finished two matches this afternoon."

"Can you still hold a spear?"

"Yes."

"Then finish the match."

She had already turned and walked into the training grounds.

Yan Tuo clearly knew in advance, and that area in the middle of the grounds was empty, with even the wooden targets usually used moved to the side. Seeing the two of them enter, he only gave instructions not to use heavy force before retreating outside the grounds.

Hu Liena was originally still practicing footwork on the other side. Seeing Qian Renxue return, she also glanced toward this side a few times. Zhou Qi wanted to crowd over here, but was driven back by Yan Tuo with a "practice your own."

Lu Yuan summoned the Piercing Spear.

"My condition really can't be considered good today."

Golden light lit up behind Qian Renxue, and the Six-Winged Angel phantom unfolded accordingly. Two yellow spirit rings revolved around her sides.

"Then should I let you off a bit?"

Lu Yuan raised the spear tip.

"Forget it."

"I also think there's no need."

As her voice fell, she had already charged up.

When they truly crossed paths for the first time half a year ago, as long as Qian Renxue pressed to close range, it was very difficult for Lu Yuan to deploy the spear again.

Now encountering the same situation again, he already knew how to handle it.

Just as Qian Renxue cut into the inner side of the spear momentum, Lu Yuan retracted it by half a foot in advance, and the spear shaft swept horizontally as a result. She raised her hand to block it away, and Lu Yuan relied on this contact to retreat to the side, the spear tip soon turning back again.

After exchanging blows a few times, the first spirit ring at Qian Renxue's feet lit up.

Golden light merged into her right hand, and a palm directly pressed the Piercing Spear away. Lu Yuan did not take it head-on, deflecting the force transmitted along the spear body to the side. His footsteps swayed slightly upon landing, but he quickly steadied himself again.

Qian Renxue did not immediately pursue.

"Level fourteen really is different."

"I'm just better at holding out than before."

"Before, you would have already stopped from this palm strike."

Lu Yuan raised his spear again.

"So continue."

He still lost this match in the end.

When Qian Renxue closed in for the second time, Lu Yuan used Piercing Edge to pull the distance apart again, but the soreness accumulated in his right arm during the day still slowed him down by half a beat. The moment the spear turned back, her hand had already stopped in front of his shoulder.

Yan Tuo called a halt.

Lu Yuan put away the Piercing Spear and moved his wrist.

"Still didn't win."

Qian Renxue also dispersed her martial soul.

"You're only level fourteen."

"I know."

"Then you still have that dissatisfied look."

"I've been losing for half a year, I always have to think about when I'll win once."

Qian Renxue smiled slightly.

"Then think about it slowly."

She turned and walked to the edge of the grounds, picked up the water pouch placed in advance on the wooden rack and drank a few mouthfuls, yet she did not leave immediately.

Lu Yuan followed over and sat down.

"Isn't it only for a moment?"

"I can still sit for a while."

On the other side of the training grounds, someone was still practicing, and the wooden stakes were struck, emitting muffled sounds from time to time. Their side grew quiet instead.

After a while, Qian Renxue spoke first.

"The date has been set."

Lu Yuan turned his head sideways.

"When?"

"Seven days later."

Although he had known for a long time that it wouldn't be too long, actually hearing this time, he still paused for a moment.

"So fast?"

"It was originally going to be a few days later, but it was brought forward later."

"Why?"

"There were some changes over there."

Qian Renxue did not elaborate, and Lu Yuan did not pursue the question.

"Not coming for training these past few days, were you preparing?"

"Mm."

"What are you all studying?"

Qian Renxue leaned against the wooden rack behind her and thought for a moment.

"Maps, people's names, relationships, and many rules."

"Sounds more troublesome than training."

"It was already more troublesome than training."

There were many things she had to memorize every day recently, and some names had a long string of relationships attached behind them. Whom she met and how she should address them, which words could be spoken and which words could not be spoken—none of them could be mistaken.

Halfway through speaking, Qian Renxue frowned.

"Some people clearly have bad relationships, yet they still have to pretend to be very close when they meet. And there are also some people whose names only differ by one character, but their identities are completely different."

"Have you ever mixed them up?"

"I mixed up two yesterday."

Lu Yuan was a bit surprised.

"You make mistakes in memorizing too?"

Qian Renxue glanced at him.

"I'm not someone who forgets nothing after looking at it once."

Lu Yuan couldn't help letting out a laugh.

Qian Renxue raised her foot and lightly touched the edge of his shoe.

"Very funny?"

"No."

Lu Yuan suppressed his laughter back down.

Hearing this, he became even more certain instead that this was definitely not ordinary travel.

"How long are you going for?"

This was his second time asking.

Last time, Qian Daoliu only said it wasn't a matter that could end in a few months.

Qian Renxue lowered her head and twirled the water pouch in her hand.

"I don't know."

"Even you don't know?"

"I only know I won't be back anytime soon."

Her tone was very flat, as if she had already accepted this matter.

Just at this moment, an extremely faint gray light flashed across Lu Yuan's vision once more.

Those familiar lines of characters above Qian Renxue's head swayed gently.

[Qian Renxue]

[Age Nine: Leave Spirit City]

[Heaven Dou Empire]

[Identity: Xue Qinghe]

[Destiny Node: Latent]

The last line paused for a moment, and another line slowly appeared below.

[Latent Duration: Twenty Years]

Lu Yuan's gaze stopped.

Twenty years.

Leaving at nine years old, she would already be twenty-one twenty-nine years old after twenty years.

He originally knew it would be a long time, but he hadn't expected it to be long to this extent.

Qian Renxue found him looking somewhat strange.

"What's wrong?"

Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze.

"What if you really can't come back for many years?"

"Then it'll be many years."

"Aren't you worried?"

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment.

"Is worry useful?"

Lu Yuan did not pick up the conversation.

She tightened the water pouch and said in a low voice, "Since I'm going, I naturally have to do what should be done first. As for how long after I can return, thinking about it now is useless."

Lu Yuan looked at her for a moment and did not continue asking.

The sound of Yan Tuo urging people to pack up things came from the edge of the grounds, and Qian Renxue also stood up.

"I should go."

Lu Yuan got up accordingly.

"Which gate are you leaving the city from seven days later?"

"North Gate."

"What hour?"

"Chen Hour."

Qian Renxue glanced at him.

"You're coming?"

"My morning training is nearby anyway."

"Instructor Yan probably won't be happy to hear that."

"Then I'll practice after seeing you off."

The corners of Qian Renxue's mouth curved slightly.

"As you like."

She turned and walked outward, walking a few steps before stopping again.

"Lu Yuan."

"Hmm?"

"I won this match."

Lu Yuan looked at her.

"I know."

"Afraid you won't acknowledge it in a few days."

"We'll fight again next time."

Qian Renxue did not reply further, only raising her hand slightly as she continued to walk toward the outside of the training grounds.

Lu Yuan stood in place, watching her back disappear outside the door.