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Qing Xuanling and Xuan Dan looked in surprise at Sister Wangu, who had appeared in their room early that morning.
"Is what you say true, Sister Wangu?!" Qing Xuanling's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You truly plan to personally teach Xuan Dan?!"
Xuan Dan regarded Sister Wangu with emotion. Though she felt little personal attachment to her, she held deep respect for her exceptional alchemical mastery.
Sister Wangu smiled. "Hehe—of course. Truthfully, the alchemy class was originally opened for you. Currently, not a single student at the university is a first-level alchemist. But now that I can take Xuan Dan with me whenever I wish, there's no need for her to attend the university solely for that."
"Not only will this benefit Xuan Dan's alchemical studies—it will also grant you greater freedom while I teach her." Sister Wangu's expression turned satisfied. "Moreover, since we cannot simply eliminate the alchemy class, we'll have the sword art professor come teach you to fill that time, Little Nine. What do you think?"
Qing Xuanling and Xuan Dan's eyes brightened further. Everything Sister Wangu proposed was perfectly suited to their situation.
First, Xuan Dan wished to study nothing but alchemy—and Qing Xuanling fully agreed. Xuan Dan staying constantly with Sister Wangu posed no issue.
Second, Qing Xuanling would now have more time to train with her sword!
Naturally, questions remained.
"Xuan Dan will return to my room each night—or at least periodically, correct?" Qing Xuanling asked with slight concern.
Sister Wangu instantly perceived her worry.
"Don't fret. Xuan Dan will return every few days to share her knowledge with you and refine pills for you." Sister Wangu smiled condescendingly.
"Additionally, the clan will cover all costs for the medicinal herbs and alchemical materials Xuan Dan uses. They'll even provide a surplus stipend for Xuan Dan should she achieve notable progress."
The original body and incarnation were practically drooling. They finally understood what it meant to have true backing.
Sister Wangu's gaze softened as she observed the identical, radiant faces of both girls.
Beyond Qing Xuanling's proven talent, the clan wished to compensate her somewhat. They had, after all, slightly neglected such a gifted youth. Of course—it wasn't truly the clan's fault.
Qing Xuanling's combat prowess was undeniable, yet with her spiritual roots, the Young Master's existing support had been deemed sufficient. The clan couldn't recklessly distribute resources—otherwise, bankruptcy would follow within months.
Their current guilt stemmed from affection for prodigies. Even if their prior judgment was sound… wasn't it only natural to indulge a young genius like Qing Xuanling?
"Well, well—now that you know this, I'll take Xuan Dan for three days." Sister Wangu smiled, placing a hand on Xuan Dan's shoulder. "I wish to assess her knowledge and talent. Future sessions won't last so long."
Qing Xuanling shook her head. "No need to worry, Sister Wangu—take her as long as you wish. I believe she'll be happier that way anyway."
"Hehe—you truly are the original body—you know me well!" Xuan Dan laughed briefly before turning to Sister Wangu and bowing deeply. "I hope to learn well from you, Master."
Qing Xuanling blinked rapidly and bowed as well. "I echo that, Master!"
Xuan Dan and Qing Xuanling were one being—so naturally, if Xuan Dan accepted a master, Qing Xuanling would too. Of course… only Qing Xuanling thought this way.
Xuan Dan had no intention of treating Elder Gao as her master. In her view, she received nothing from him—unlike Qing Xuanling, who would gain Sister Wangu's teachings through her.
Sister Wangu, aware of this nuance, felt genuinely pleased by Qing Xuanling's gesture.
"Good, good—Little Nine truly is a grateful one!" Sister Wangu smiled warmly. "That's all I had to say. See you in three days!"
With that, Sister Wangu vanished—taking Xuan Dan with her.
Qing Xuanling gazed at the empty space where they'd stood and sighed with emotion.
"Hah… Finally. It seems the clan will grant me the same treatment as Qing Wentian…" She smiled and quickly prepared herself.
Today was her first spell control class—and she would reunite with Qing Wentian, Qing Muyu, Qing Tanwei, and Qing Rannuan, who also attended the lesson.
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Qing Xuanling approached the academy entrance and coincidentally encountered Qing Rannuan.
"Good morning, Ninth Sister." Qing Rannuan greeted her courteously, her smile serene yet warm. "How was your second day at the university? Did it go well?"
Qing Xuanling returned the greeting. "Good morning, Fifth Sister. As for my second day… let's just say it was unforgettable."
It was the most accurate description she could muster. She truly doubted she'd ever forget how Sister Wangu uncovered her secret in an instant.
Qing Rannuan looked slightly puzzled but didn't press further. Sensing Qing Xuanling wouldn't elaborate, she cheerfully shifted topics—literally.
She chatted about the breakfast she'd eaten, the bird that had perched on her shoulder, and the uniquely shaped puddle she'd spotted en route to the university.
Surprisingly, conversing with her was quite enjoyable. Though her topics were whimsical, Qing Rannuan possessed a unique eloquence. Or perhaps Qing Xuanling was simply equally odd for finding such things entertaining.
Thus, amid tranquil chatter, they reached the second-floor spell control classroom. Nine students already sat at desks—Qing Muyu, Qing Wentian, and Qing Tanwei among them.
They waved the newcomers over. Qing Xuanling and Qing Rannuan smiled and joined them.
"Good morning." Qing Xuanling was brief as she sat beside Qing Tanwei.
"Hello, Little Nine!" Qing Tanwei pulled her into an unexpected hug. "I've missed seeing your cautious expression!"
"You're as playful as ever, Fourth Sister." Qing Xuanling rolled her eyes while pulling away. "Has the professor arrived yet?"
Qing Wentian shook his head. "Class begins at ten—it's nine fifty-eight. I believe he's punctual."
"Ugh… If that's the case, I'm going to have a bad time if I fall oversleep..." Qing Muyu sighed in despair.
"As if you sleep more than three hours a day, idiot…" Qing Tanwei was speechless. This shameless one is nothing but irresponsible.
The five chatted idly while awaiting the professor.
Precisely at ten o'clock, a figure appeared at the front podium.
She was a woman appearing in her thirties, fiery red hair cascading over one shoulder. Her orange robes were as elegant as her face, which maintained a constant maternal smile. Yet what drew undeniable attention were the generous curves her loose robes failed to conceal.
Qing Xuanling's gaze involuntarily drifted toward those magnificent twin peaks…
Qing Wentian, nearby, couldn't resist whispering with a smirk: "You're going to drool…"
Qing Xuanling's ears flushed crimson. She glanced at her companions—but none seemed to notice her lapse. 'Thank heavens…'
She shot Qing Wentian a glare. He merely shrugged, grinning. Qing Xuanling clenched her fists—but sighed in defeat and refocused on the professor.
The professor smiled sweetly as she introduced herself. "I am Qing Huomei, Fourth Elder of the Qing Clan and instructor of this spell control class. I trust you will meet my expectations—and the clan's. For your sake… and mine."
Several students, hypnotized by her gentle demeanor, eagerly vowed to excel. Others, however, exchanged uneasy glances.
"…That didn't sound like a threat?" Qing Xuanling murmured to her group. "It was a threat, right?"
Qing Tanwei smiled bitterly. "Don't doubt it. Beneath that sweetness, Elder Huomei might be the most—"
"Student Tanwei." Elder Huomei suddenly appeared before their group, her smile impossibly sweet. "Please refrain from speaking while I introduce myself—especially to spread rumors. Let it not happen again. I won't be so kind next time."
"Y-yes!" Qing Tanwei squeaked, face pale, body trembling.
Qing Xuanling and the others shared her fear. There was something about the elder Huomei that terrified them. Yet the woman—maternal as a mother—maintained her smile and began teaching without pause.
"Most of you likely assume that because this is spell control class, I'll teach tricks to refine your spell precision today. But you are mistaken." Elder Huomei shook her head. "First—I will teach you what a spell truly is."
Students frowned in confusion. Some reckless souls raised hands, faces darkening.
"Professor Huomei—I respect your wisdom as an elder, but aren't you underestimating us? We all know what a spell is!"
The elder Huomei laughed warmly, like the rays of the morning sun. "Oh? Do you truly know? Then tell me—what is a spell to you?"
The standing student smiled confidently. "Obviously—spells are special abilities cultivators wield by activating specific minor meridians within the body!"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. But Qing Xuanling frowned. Though she couldn't articulate a better answer, Elder Huomei's calm demeanor stirred deeper thought.
She began to reflect on the very essence of spells, the lesser meridians.
'Most techniques and spells, even cultivation techniques, rely on the minor meridians to function... Wait a minute, why do humans depend so heavily on the minor meridians? Other races have far fewer, yet they cultivate much faster than humans!'
A strange gleam ignited in Qing Xuanling's eyes. Humanity's meridian abundance was touted as their racial advantage—but compared to races with innate divine strength or spacetime manipulation… human meridians seemed almost insignificant.
'The clan taught us since childhood: the heavens are just. When they take, they also give. There must be profound reason for this… And humanity has remained dominant across continents for millennia. There is deeper meaning here!'
Elder Huomei's eyelid twitched imperceptibly as she glanced at Qing Xuanling—now lost in absolute concentration.
'Not enlightenment… but profound focus. And she entered it so effortlessly… This shouldn't be the first time he's experienced this.'
Smiling inwardly, Qing Huomei decided to deepen today's lesson.
She waved a hand. Light vanished. Darkness swallowed the room. Before anyone could react—hundreds of thousands of luminous points bloomed across the classroom.
Qing Huomei's voice resonated mystically in their ear:
"Student Ning's answer wasn't wrong—merely shallow. All human cultivation methods stem from one source: imitating the Great Celestial Dao."
"Formations, arrays—even refining and alchemy—all echo the Dao in their own way. Spells and cultivation techniques are no exception."
Her gentle voice washed over Qing Xuanling like a warm breeze, clearing her mind.
In her mind, the image of a body covered in bright, star-like dots appeared after she saw the bright dots in the classroom. Her thoughts accelerated beyond normal limits—hundreds of ideas flooded her head
Like a dam breaking—everything surged forth in a soft, certain whisper:
"…Constellations!"