Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

In the Simulation Training Ground, inside a small tent at the outskirts, Qin Jian soaked for a long time, only regaining some strength after a while.

When he returned to the front area, he was surprised to find Ning Rongrong, the little princess, had already set up the food and was sitting obediently, waiting for him to come out.

"You're finally here! Hurry and eat; I'm starving!"

As soon as Qin Jian appeared, Ning Rongrong started eating without waiting for a response.

Qin Jian chuckled softly and quickly sat down to join her. After exhausting himself earlier, he indeed needed to replenish his energy.

Once they finished eating and tidied up, they lay down side by side on the large bed.

It was unclear who had arranged it, but it seemed no one had thought to provide two separate beds.

"Qin Jian, Qin Jian, tell me a story!"

Ning Rongrong tugged at Qin Jian's sleeve, shaking it playfully.

She nestled into the shared blanket without a hint of shyness, likely because she had grown accustomed to this over the past few days.

"Where did we leave off last time?" Qin Jian asked.

"We stopped at Zhang Xiaofan—oh no, he's called Ghost Li now! He had just entered the Death Marsh. What happened next? Did he meet Lu Xueqi?" Ning Rongrong eagerly prompted.

Qin Jian thought for a moment before continuing the tale.

"...A lone figure stood amidst the vast expanse of heaven and earth. Alone, with only a staff, he faced the entire world..."

"That's so tragic…" Ning Rongrong murmured, her eyes glistening with emotion.

Qin Jian didn't respond but continued his narration.

"That day, he ambushed the Poison Master of the Myriad Venom Sect in secret, but Lu Xueqi caught him and pursued him relentlessly…"

"As dawn broke, the two of them stood opposite each other on tree branches. Lu Xueqi's myriad words condensed into one sentence…"

'Come back.'

"…"

"Waaah… that's so moving!"

Tears streamed down Ning Rongrong's face as she clung tightly to Qin Jian, choking on her sobs. "But Zhang Xiaofan could never turn back. Deep down, his heart always held Bi Yao…"

"Fate played a cruel hand, leading him astray his entire life," Qin Jian sighed softly.

"Qin Jian…"

Ning Rongrong looked up with teary eyes. "Do you think Zhang Xiaofan, knowing all that would happen, would still want to join Qingyun Sect?"

"I think… he probably would," Qin Jian replied.

Ning Rongrong shook her head. "I don't think so. Zhang Xiaofan never sought a grand and tumultuous life…"

"But without joining Qingyun Sect, how would he have met Lu Xueqi and Bi Yao?" Qin Jian countered.

"If it were me, even knowing the future would bring pain, I wouldn't give up on such genuine emotions."

"Oh…"

Ning Rongrong seemed only half-convinced, but her thoughts drifted to Qin Jian's earlier nap while sitting cross-legged. For some reason, her heart began to race.

She didn't understand why, but she felt captivated...

Perhaps this was what they called the first stirrings of affection.

"Buzz."

Qin Jian's Soul Power quietly rose by one level.

The faint ripple caught Ning Rongrong's attention, and she beamed. "Did you just break through again?"

Qin Jian nodded lightly.

"By the way, what was that Soul Skill you used during the match? How did it make those people step off the stage on their own?" Ning Rongrong asked suddenly.

Qin Jian paused before answering, "That's my first Soul Skill, Enchanting Blade."

"Enchanting Blade?" Ning Rongrong tilted her head in confusion. "Why didn't we see you use it at the time?"

Qin Jian smiled. "My Soul Skill doesn't require summoning my martial soul. It activates as long as my opponent looks into my eyes."

"What?! That's amazing!"

Ning Rongrong covered her small mouth in surprise. "What does your first Soul Skill do, exactly? Enchantment?"

Qin Jian nodded. "Since it's silent and seamless, those affected usually don't realize it, so they can't consciously resist the enchantment."

"Hm…"

Ning Rongrong's eyes widened suddenly. "Does that mean you can use it on anyone you want?"

Qin Jian shook his head. "Of course not. Since it's a Soul Skill, it naturally emits fluctuations of Soul Power. It's less noticeable on women, but against men, the intensity is higher and more likely to alert stronger Soul Masters."

"So… if you used it on me, I wouldn't notice at all?" Ning Rongrong leaned closer.

"Uh…" Qin Jian nodded instinctively but quickly clarified, "I've never used it on you, though!"

"Oh…"

Ning Rongrong tilted her head thoughtfully before looking up again. "Then… why don't you try it on me?"

"Try it on you?" Qin Jian scratched his head. "I've only used it in matches. If you already have positive feelings toward me, the results might be different…"

"Positive feelings…"

Ning Rongrong froze, her cheeks flushing red as she turned her head away. "Who said I have positive feelings for you?!"

Qin Jian blinked but wisely said nothing more.

Yet, the silence made Ning Rongrong increasingly uncomfortable. The atmosphere grew heavier, and her face burned brighter.

"Hey!"

Suddenly, she flung off the blanket and straddled Qin Jian, staring down at him. "Go ahead and use it!"

Qin Jian smiled faintly, his voice soft. "Are you ready, then?"

"Mm!"

Ning Rongrong nodded firmly, unflinching.

A faint hiss sounded as two pink sword-shaped auras appeared in Qin Jian's eyes. Ning Rongrong, staring directly into them, felt her head go fuzzy.

"Huh… it's not much…" she muttered, shaking her head.

"Is that so…" Qin Jian didn't believe her bluff, as his Soul Power had silently risen another level, now reaching rank 16!

Buzz.

He extinguished the Enchanting Blade in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Ning Rongrong pouted. "I said it's fine, so why did you stop?"

Qin Jian shook his head. "I don't want feelings born from this. What I want…"

He gazed deeply into Ning Rongrong's bright eyes. "What I want has always been your truest feelings… and affection."

Though he hadn't used his Soul Skill again, Ning Rongrong felt as though his gaze was a vortex, pulling her in.

This… this was far more powerful than the Soul Skill!

"You already have it…"

Blushing furiously, Ning Rongrong threw herself into Qin Jian's embrace.

Whether it was the lingering effects of the Soul Skill or the sudden rush of emotions, when her petite figure was enveloped in his arms, Qin Jian felt a tremor course through his body, like an electric current surging through his veins.

An uncontrollable longing overtook him. He hugged Ning Rongrong tightly, their bodies pressed together.

Fortunately, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo had already left after they entered the tent. Otherwise, if this scene had been witnessed, Ning Fengzhi might have whisked Ning Rongrong away on the spot.

"Mm…"

At first, Ning Rongrong was lost in the tender embrace, but soon, Qin Jian's intensity overwhelmed her. She whispered softly, "Qin Jian… I… can't breathe…"

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