Location: Qin Family Main Arena – One Month Later
The grand arena of the Qin Family bustled with excitement. Flags fluttered in the wind, elders watched from stone thrones, and hundreds of inner and outer disciples stood in neat rows, their hearts pounding in anticipation.
It was the Annual Sword Test—a tradition where disciples under the age of fifteen would demonstrate their talent with blade, spirit, and will. Those who passed the test would be granted resources, rank increases, and in rare cases, recommendation to regional sects.
But this year's test had one strict rule:
> "Only cultivators may enter."
Qin Huaian, though technically a disciple, was forbidden from participating.
As usual.
He sat quietly near the edges of the arena, behind the low wall meant to separate observers from competitors. Though no one noticed, the Void Flame in his body now burned steadily, hidden behind his calm eyes and neutral posture.
But someone else noticed him.
Qin Xiaoxiao, now ten, stepped onto the dueling platform in the final round. She had passed every trial—blade skill, spiritual pressure control, and footwork—with perfect scores. She now faced Qin Jinhai, an arrogant inner disciple known for his wind-elemental sword style.
As they faced off, Jinhai scoffed, "Why even fight, orphan? You were adopted. You don't carry the blood of the Qin."
Xiaoxiao didn't reply.
But from across the arena, Huaian rose to his feet. His expression was calm—but his hands were clenched.
---
⚔️ The Duel Begins
Jinhai struck first, his blade slicing the air in high arcs, sending wind blades forward. Xiaoxiao countered with her dual swords, spinning like a storm—each movement sharp, fast, and beautifully aggressive.
Cheers rose as sparks flew across the arena.
But the judges grew restless.
"Too aggressive," muttered Elder Qin Yao, who had always been against Xiaoxiao's status in the family. "No restraint. She's acting like a street brawler."
Then came the critical moment.
Jinhai unleashed a Wind Pulse Slash, a technique that shouldn't be used at their level—it flared with dangerous qi. He aimed it low, directly toward her legs.
Gasps rang out.
Xiaoxiao leapt to dodge—but barely missed the timing. The slash struck her shoulder, sending her spinning across the arena, blood trailing through the air.
She coughed, struggling to stand.
And in that moment—
Huaian stepped onto the platform.
---
⚖️ Disruption in the Arena
"Stop!" cried one elder. "Qin Huaian is not a competitor!"
But the arena's formation flared strangely, reacting to him. The judges paused, confused.
Fengyuan, seated quietly at the highest seat, raised one hand.
"Let him be."
Huaian stood between Xiaoxiao and Jinhai.
The boy sneered. "What can you do, trash? You've never even cultivated!"
Huaian's eyes didn't flicker.
> "I don't need cultivation to stand between cowards and the people I protect."
The air grew tense.
From the Hollow Star Ring on his hand, a faint glow spread into his palm. No one else could see it—but a Void Shield shimmered around him.
Jinhai's next strike came with fury.
But it never landed.
The moment his sword touched Huaian's chest, it bounced—as though striking a mountain of invisible force. Jinhai stumbled back, wide-eyed.
"What—?!"
Xiaoxiao's eyes widened.
She had felt it too.
Not sword energy. Not qi.
But Void Pressure.
---
🕯️ Aftermath
Jinhai was disqualified for using a forbidden technique. Xiaoxiao, despite injury, was awarded top disciple of the year. But the real talk of the estate that night… was Huaian.
Though no one could explain how, many whispered of what they saw:
> A boy with no qi… standing unharmed after a direct attack.
And Xiaoxiao—her arm bound in a sling—found him under the plum tree that night.
"You weren't supposed to interfere," she muttered, half-angry, half-grateful.
Huaian glanced sideways. "I wasn't going to let him hurt you."
She smiled softly, sitting beside him.
"You've changed," she said. "And one day, when we're older, when you're strong… I'll follow you. Even to the ends of the world."
Huaian turned to her.
"I'll need people like you beside me."
She blushed faintly but said nothing.
In the future, her words would not be forgotten. For fate would twist, time would pass—and Qin Xiaoxiao, fierce and loyal, would become one of the two women who stood with Qin Huaian at the peak of the cultivation world.
His second wife.