Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

"What do you mean by 'eternal partner' when you're not even engaged?!"

"We'll always be together!"

"I don't believe you!"

"..."

In the grand palace hall, two girls stood chest-to-chest, their heated argument flaring for no apparent reason.

The others? They were at a loss, their faces plastered with black lines.

Then, all eyes turned to Qin Jian, his exquisite features seemingly the root cause of the chaos.

So, this was... a bloodbath over a handsome face?

"Enough, stop arguing," Tang Yuehua's voice cut through the tension.

Her sudden words instantly extinguished the flames between Ning Rongrong and Xue Ke.

"Today, I've been struck with great inspiration," Tang Yuehua continued, her tone distracted. "I need to revise the court dance routine. Class is dismissed for now. Tomorrow, I'll teach you a brand-new court dance."

With that, Tang Yuehua left, her head bowed deep in thought. She seemed so engrossed in her musings that, without the two beautiful girls trailing her, she might have walked straight into the river...

As Tang Yuehua departed, the atmosphere in the palace hall exploded. Everyone cheered and bolted out like students savoring an early dismissal.

Qin Jian, however, felt a headache brewing. Princess Xue Ke had locked onto him with determined eyes.

"Qin Jian, I'm an excellent dancer! Partner with me—we'll definitely take first place in the assessment!"

Ning Rongrong's face turned beet red with anger. She clenched her fists, looking like she might claw at the princess.

This was a first for her. She had always been the one others sought to please. Now, someone was actually trying to steal something from her—no, someone. A rare sense of crisis bubbled up within her.

Stealing a glance at Qin Jian, whose charm she found increasingly irresistible, Ning Rongrong clenched her teeth. Fine! So we're not engaged yet. Once this etiquette training is over, I'll beg Father to arrange our engagement immediately. Hmph!

"Alright, Rongrong..."

Qin Jian gently took Ning Rongrong's small hand and pulled her closer. He then turned to Xue Ke.

"Your Highness, Princess, Rongrong and I are permanent partners. We won't be switching. Please find someone else."

Without waiting for Xue Ke's response, Qin Jian tugged Ning Rongrong away. "Let's go. Back to cultivating together."

Watching them walk away hand in hand, Xue Ke's expression shifted between anger and envy.

"Xiao Ke, do you like Qin Jian?"

Xue Qinghe approached her, lightly patting her shoulder. "If you do, go after him. After all, missing your chance could mean a lifetime of regret."

"Alright..."

Xue Ke glanced up at her elder brother but only gave a perfunctory response before dashing off. It seemed the siblings weren't particularly close.

"Qin Jian, huh... this might get troublesome," Xue Qinghe murmured as his gaze followed Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong's retreating figures. His deep eyes glimmered with unreadable thoughts.

By the time Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong stepped outside the palace gates, they were forced to halt.

Prince Xue Beng, who had spent the entire class period punished with standing, had blocked their path.

"Qin Jian! I challenge you!"

The angry roar instantly drew the attention of the nearby nobles and students, who came rushing back to watch the commotion.

Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke also wandered over but made no move to intervene.

"Perfect. Let's see what makes this Qin Jian so special that he's bewitched the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect," Xue Qinghe mused, arms crossed as he stood in the corner.

Qin Jian rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Should I play along with this show?

As Sword Douluo's disciple, retreating would bring dishonor to my master...

Mistaking his silence for hesitation, Xue Beng sneered. "What's the matter? Did you lose your nerve after getting me punished earlier?"

"Qin Jian..." Ning Rongrong tugged on his hand. "The Fourth Prince is two years older than us, and his Soul Power is definitely higher. Don't fight him."

"It's fine."

Qin Jian shook his head gently and reassured her. Then he stepped forward.

"I accept your challenge."

Let's put on a little performance, shall we?

The crowd buzzed with excitement as Qin Jian accepted the challenge.

After the day's earlier drama, their curiosity about Sword Douluo's disciple had only grown. Now, they were eager to see his actual combat abilities.

Standing in the open space before the palace, Xue Beng stomped his feet, summoning a white and yellow Soul Ring to light up around him.

"I'm a Rank 20 Assault System Soul Master. Ready to get crushed?" he taunted, pointing arrogantly at Qin Jian.

"Rank 20 at twelve years old? Not bad." Qin Jian nodded.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, he took a step forward, revealing a single yellow Soul Ring beneath him.

"Qin Jian. Rank 19 Assault System Soul Master. Please, enlighten me."

His casual declaration left the onlookers stunned.

"Wait, isn't he younger than the Fourth Prince? How is he already Rank 19?!"

"Well, he is Sword Douluo's disciple... I guess it's... acceptable?"

"No wonder he dared to take the challenge. He's got the strength to back it up!"

Whispers filled the air.

"Rank 19? A genius, indeed," Xue Qinghe thought, his interest piqued.

Xue Beng remained unfazed, his expression screaming arrogance.

"First Soul Skill: Rapid Assault!"

He lunged at Qin Jian, his fist aimed squarely at his opponent's face. "Let's see how your pretty face looks after I smash it!"

"Going for the face? That's just rude..."

With a flick of his fingers, Qin Jian muttered, "I am one with the sword."

Boom!

A massive, purple, sword-shaped energy construct embedded itself in the ground before him. The force from the manifestation sent Xue Beng flying.

Qin Jian had considered using his first Soul Skill, Bewitching Sword, but decided against it. After all, he didn't want to draw Xue Qinghe's suspicion. For now, it was safer to keep his cards close to his chest.

"A summoning technique like that..." Xue Qinghe's pupils contracted. Could it be Sword Douluo's pinnacle creation—his self-developed Soul Skill, Sword and Body as One?

For the first time, genuine surprise flickered in her eyes, elevating Qin Jian from mere talent to unparalleled genius in her estimation.

"Wow! So cool!" Princess Xue Ke's eyes sparkled with admiration.

She couldn't grasp the technical mastery behind Qin Jian's move, but his graceful execution alone had her completely mesmerized.

"Hmph! Qin Jian has always been the coolest!" Ning Rongrong huffed, arms crossed smugly.

Suddenly, Xue Ke turned to her. "Hey, Ning Rongrong, why don't you let me have Qin Jian?"

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