A Troubled Heart

After the referee announced the result, Xu Sanshi snorted and said with some reluctance, "Next round, you use explosions." The corner of Beibei's lips curled up as he replied teasingly, "Explode your head. Hurry up and hand over the Mysterious Water Pill."

Xu Sanshi somewhat awkwardly took out the Mysterious Water Pill and handed it to Beibei. Beibei accepted it and said with a slight smile, "Thanks, brother." Xu Sanshi snorted and stubbornly said, "Hmph. Just wait until next time—I'll beat you until you're crawling around looking for your teeth." At that moment, cries of "Beibei" rose one after another from the stands. Beibei waved to the crowd, his face brimming with a confident smile.

In the stands, just as Tang Ya, Lin Qianyi, and the others were about to turn and leave, Wang Dong's concerned voice suddenly rang out. "Huo Yuhao, what's wrong?" Lin Qianyi and Tang Ya stopped at the sound and slowly turned back.

Tang Ya gently checked Huo Yuhao's pulse. After a moment, she said softly, "He's fine. He's only exhausted too much Soul Power." As she spoke, a blue-green glow appeared in Lin Qianyi's palm. Her gentle Soul Power flowed into Huo Yuhao like a trickling stream, bringing him a measure of relief.

By the time everyone left the Battle Soul Arena, Beibei had already been quietly waiting nearby. When he saw Tang Ya approaching, he turned slightly and, with a gentle smile, patted her head.

However, when he noticed Huo Yuhao being supported by the others, his brows furrowed slightly. "What happened to Junior Brother?" Tang Ya explained, "His Soul Power is depleted. It's nothing serious."

Beibei nodded at that and took two exquisite jade bottles from his robes. He handed one to Lin Qianyi and the other to Wang Dong, specifically instructing, "Give this bottle to Huo Yuhao. It'll help him recover.

"This pill will benefit both of your cultivation as well." Wang Dong accepted the jade bottle and solemnly thanked him. "Thank you, Senior Brother." Beibei waved a hand. "It's getting late. Go back and rest first."

Tang Ya and Beibei strolled side by side, watching Lin Qianyi and the others' backs gradually disappear into the distance. Beibei asked softly, "What's wrong? You look troubled."

Tang Ya slowly explained everything that had happened. Beibei was thoughtful after hearing it. "Wang Dong wants to join the Tang Sect?" Tang Ya sighed softly. "Yes. Who would've thought he'd take my joke seriously? But... his talent really is quite good. Though he may be a little inferior to Qianyi, he's still outstanding compared to most people."

Beibei looked at Tang Ya, his tone gentle but firm. "Then observe him carefully. If he's sincere, accept him. If it's only a passing whim, there's nothing wrong with refusing him.

"After all, the Tang Sect is no place for childish games." Tang Ya nodded slightly, as though she had finally made up her mind.

Lin Qianyi pushed open the dormitory building's door and looked up at the night sky. Stars dotted the heavens, while a gentle breeze brushed through her dark hair, as though it wished to blend her into the boundless night.

She quietly gazed at the stars, a trace of sentiment rising in her heart. In this vast universe, every star was unique. Even if small and fleeting, each still radiated its own light. They were like the wishes in people's hearts—distant, yet shining brightly at the end of the darkness.

"Cough..." A soft cough interrupted her thoughts. Lin Qianyi followed the sound and saw an old man reclining in a lounge chair nearby. She asked with concern, "Grandpa, are you cold?"

The old man chuckled. "Little girl, it looks like you have something on your mind."

Lin Qianyi was slightly startled and fell silent for a moment. The old man slowly said, "Everyone feels lost sometimes, like when facing an endless night. If you don't venture into it, you'll never know where the exit lies. What has you confused? Are you doubting yourself, or is it something else?"

Moonlight spilled across the courtyard, its silvery glow soft and tranquil. Lin Qianyi answered quietly, "I can't really explain it either..."

"Look at that bright moon," the old man said, pointing at the sky. "Even without the stars around it, it can still emit its own unique light. But when it shines alone, it can't help seeming lonely. When more stars light up, perhaps they can shine even brighter than the moon.

"People are the same. You don't need to obsess over becoming the very best. You only need to find where you belong. When you feel lost, stop and think. Charging forward blindly will only make you lose your way even more."

If you can't find the book by searching its title, try searching for the author instead. Maybe it was just renamed!

Lin Qianyi nodded thoughtfully and gave him a deep bow. "Thank you, Grandpa."

When she returned to the dormitory, Xiao Xiao asked with curiosity as soon as she saw Lin Qianyi, "Where did you go? Why are you back so late?" Lin Qianyi sat down lightly beside Xiao Xiao and said with a mysterious smile, "Take a guess. If you guess right, I'll tell you."

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, a clever glint flashing through her eyes. "Did you go watch the Battle Soul match between the Outer Court's Strongest Attack and the Strongest Defense?" Lin Qianyi froze slightly, then complained, "Can't you play along and guess wrong for once?" Xiao Xiao chuckled and shook her head, her smile full of indulgence for her friend's little trick.

Just then, Xiao Xiao's gaze was drawn to the exquisite little jade bottle in Lin Qianyi's hand. She could not help asking, "Qianqian, what's that?" Lin Qianyi casually replied, "It's a Mysterious Water Pill."

"What? A Mysterious Water Pill?" Xiao Xiao's voice carried unconcealed excitement.

Lin Qianyi was slightly startled. "You've heard of the Mysterious Water Pill too?"

Xiao Xiao's eyes gleamed eagerly. "Do you know how incredibly precious a Mysterious Water Pill is? Even if measured in Gold Soul Coins, it would take an enormous fortune to obtain one.

"It can remove the impurities and filth accumulated in the body during cultivation, making it far easier for a cultivator to break through bottlenecks. Such a spiritual treasure is rare in this world. Take it quickly—it'll definitely be of great benefit to your cultivation."

Lin Qianyi's heart trembled at her words. She knew the Mysterious Water Pill was no ordinary thing, but she had never imagined it was so extraordinary. "So... it has such miraculous effects." She murmured under her breath, gripping the pill that carried limitless potential in her hand. It seemed to have grown heavier by several degrees.

Lin Qianyi sat cross-legged and began meditating to regulate her breathing. She slowly circulated her Soul Power to absorb the Mysterious Water Pill's effects. In an instant, blue-green Soul Power ripples spread around her.

That Soul Power seeped into her body bit by bit like a trickling stream, quietly forcing out the impurities and filth within her. Lin Qianyi could clearly feel her Soul Power becoming extraordinarily pure and increasingly powerful.

The bottleneck at level 35 was like fragile thin ice. Under the impact of that powerful Soul Power, it shattered without the slightest resistance, and her cultivation rose directly to level 36.

Xiao Xiao stood guard beside her. An hour passed, and by all reason Lin Qianyi should have already absorbed the Mysterious Water Pill's effects. Yet she still had not awakened, remaining immersed in cultivation as though she were continuing to test the limits of breaking through the level 36 bottleneck.

Xiao Xiao frowned slightly and muttered softly, "Why isn't Qianqian awake yet? No, I absolutely can't disturb her at a time like this."

After a little while longer, Lin Qianyi finally began to awaken. She opened her eyes and felt the brand-new breakthrough in her Soul Power, leaving her completely refreshed. Xiao Xiao hurried over and asked worriedly, "Qianqian, are you alright?" Lin Qianyi withdrew her Soul Power. Her lips had turned somewhat pale from the intense expenditure of breaking through just now, but she only said softly, "I'm fine."

Xiao Xiao spoke softly, asking with concern, "Qianqian, how do you feel?" Lin Qianyi lifted her eyes slightly, surprise and delight in her voice. "My Soul Power increased." Those simple words contained an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

Relief flashed through Xiao Xiao's eyes. "That's wonderful." The two smiled at each other, that smile seeming like a silent exchange of encouragement and blessings.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight spilled into the room, Lin Qianyi slowly opened her eyes. She looked outside and found that there was still plenty of time before class. She turned to Xiao Xiao and said, "Xiao Xiao, go to class first. You don't need to wait for me." Xiao Xiao nodded gently in agreement.

Lin Qianyi gently pushed open the dormitory door and stepped outside. Following the winding path, she passed through the quiet little forest. Then a stretch of lake water, clear as a mirror, suddenly entered her view—this was Sea God Lake.

Though it had been artificially excavated, it seemed favored by nature itself, possessing an even more captivating clarity than natural lakes. Blue skies and white clouds reflected across its surface, and the shimmering waves resembled a brilliant river of stars.