243: Chapter 243 Wow, a rebellious disciple who defies his master! How exciting!

"Again!"

Shen Qingqiu refused to admit defeat.

The two took their stances once more and engaged in combat again.

Three minutes later, Lin Yun's sword stopped before her throat again.

"Again!"

Two minutes.

"Again!"

One minute.

Shen Qingqiu stood where she was, panting heavily.

Four times; she had lost four times.

Each time, she lost faster than the last.

She looked at Lin Yun, her eyes filled with complexity.

When did this brat become so strong?

"Teacher, another round?" Lin Yun asked.

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath and shook her head. "No more."

She had come to terms with reality.

She could no longer defeat this student of hers.

Lin Yun sheathed his sword and walked up to her. "Teacher, are you alright?"

Shen Qingqiu looked at him and suddenly asked, "How much of your strength did you use?"

Lin Yun was taken aback.

Shen Qingqiu stared at him. "Don't lie to me. I know you weren't using your full strength."

Lin Yun fell silent for a moment before answering honestly, "Ninth-Grade Void Core."

Shen Qingqiu's pupils constricted slightly.

A Ninth-Grade Void Core.

In the history of the Empire, Ninth-Grade Void Cores could be counted on one's fingers.

No wonder she couldn't win.

"Your Void Core... it's not an ordinary Ninth-Grade, is it?" Shen Qingqiu asked again.

Lin Yun hesitated for a moment then nodded. "Teacher has a Wisdom Eye. My Void Core is indeed a bit stronger than an ordinary Ninth-Grade."

He didn't mention the Ten-Perfect Dao Pill.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Shen Qingqiu, but this matter was simply too shocking.

In the history of the Empire, a Tenth-Grade Void Core had never appeared.

In fact, it was unheard of.

This was a reward from the System, and he had only succeeded in Cultivating it using the resources rewarded by the System.

If he spoke of it, it would be impossible to explain.

Shen Qingqiu didn't press further.

She knew Lin Yun had a mysterious 'Revered Master' and that he held many secrets.

Everyone has secrets; she was no exception.

"Let's go, let's head out." Shen Qingqiu turned around, and her figure dissipated.

...

The virtual pod opened.

The two of them stepped out.

Shen Qingqiu stood before the virtual pod; her expression was calm, but a trace of shock remained in her eyes.

Lin Yun walked up to her and suddenly dropped to one knee.

"Teacher, marry me."

Shen Qingqiu looked down at him, stunned for two seconds, and then...

She turned around and left.

Lin Yun: "..."

He hurriedly chased after her. "Teacher! Teacher, don't go!"

Shen Qingqiu didn't look back, her pace brisk.

"Teacher! I'm serious!"

"..."

"Teacher! You promised to give me time!"

Shen Qingqiu stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him. "I said I needed time, not for you to propose."

Lin Yun looked aggrieved. "But I can't wait anymore."

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath. "Even if you can't wait, you have to."

After saying that, she continued walking.

Lin Yun caught up and walked beside her. "Teacher, were you discouraged by me?"

Shen Qingqiu's footsteps paused.

Lin Yun continued, "Actually, you don't need to mind. I have a Ninth-Grade Void Core; it's normal that you can't beat me."

Shen Qingqiu glanced at him. "Can you shut up?"

Lin Yun tactfully shut his mouth but stayed right by her side, not leaving for a second.

The two of them walked through the campus like that, one in front of the other.

Shen Qingqiu was expressionless, her pace fast.

Lin Yun followed her, occasionally glancing at her.

Passing students saw this scene and looked over one after another.

"Isn't that Senior Lin?"

"Is he chasing Teacher Shen?"

"Wow, a Rebellious Disciple attacking his Revered Master!"

"How exciting!"

Hearing these discussions, Shen Qingqiu's face darkened even further.

She quickened her pace, almost breaking into a jog.

Lin Yun followed behind and couldn't help but smile.

Where was the dignity of the Director of Practical Combat Department in his teacher's current appearance?

She was clearly just an ordinary girl.

Shy, stubborn, and prone to getting angry.

She was deathly cute.

One after the other, they walked out of the Virtual Combat Building.

Just as they stepped out, someone walked toward them from the opposite direction.

"Qingqiu?"

A female voice rang out.

Shen Qingqiu stopped and looked up.

The newcomer was wearing a long white dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders. She was exquisitely beautiful with a cold and elegant temperament.

Her eyes carried a hint of heroism, yet also revealed a unique softness.

It was none other than the teacher from Fengling Martial Arts University in Fengling County—An Yirou.

Shen Qingqiu was slightly startled to see her. "Yirou? Why are you here?"

An Yirou smiled. "I came to Tianshui for some business and decided to drop by to see you."

Her gaze fell upon Lin Yun behind Shen Qingqiu, a flash of curiosity in her eyes. "This is..."

Shen Qingqiu opened her mouth, about to introduce him.

Lin Yun had already stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Junior Lin Yun greets Teacher An."

An Yirou's eyes lit up. "You are Lin Yun?"

Lin Yun nodded. "I am."

An Yirou sized him up, her eyes full of admiration. "I've heard much about you. Your performance in the Hunting Competition was stunning. Later, you were even summoned privately by the Ninth Princess; the entire Minglu Planet is talking about you."

Lin Yun said modestly, "Teacher An overpraises me."

An Yirou smiled and looked back at Shen Qingqiu.

She noticed that Shen Qingqiu's expression was a bit strange.

It wasn't anger or happiness, but... awkwardness?

As if she were trying to hide something.

An Yirou was puzzled, her gaze shifting back and forth between the two.

Shen Qingqiu felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. "What are you looking at?"

An Yirou blinked. "Nothing. I just feel like... the relationship between you two, Revered Master and disciple, is really good."

When she said the words "really good," her tone was somewhat subtle.

Shen Qingqiu's face flushed. "What are you thinking!"

An Yirou laughed. "I'm not thinking anything."

Standing to the side, Lin Yun watched their interaction, his heart stirring.

An Yirou.

A teacher from Fengling Martial Arts University.

He had noticed her during the Hunting Competition.

Cold temperament, exquisite beauty—she was on par with Shen Qingqiu.

System score: 95 points.

Martial Arts Talent: Mystic Grade High-Tier.

System Rating: Earth-Grade Low-Tier.

Marriageable.

Worth pursuing.

Looking at An Yirou's gossipy appearance, Shen Qingqiu said crossly, "What exactly are you here for today?"

An Yirou smiled. "I really just came to see you. It's been a long time, and I missed you."

Shen Qingqiu rolled her eyes at her. "Save it. Last time you said you'd come to see me, you stood me up."

An Yirou smiled sheepishly. "I had things to do then. This time I really have nothing else; I just came to see you."

The two talked as they walked toward the office.

Lin Yun followed behind, not saying a word, just following along.

An Yirou noticed him and whispered to Shen Qingqiu, "Why is your disciple still following?"

Shen Qingqiu didn't look back. "Ignore him."

An Yirou looked back at Lin Yun, and Lin Yun smiled at her.

An Yirou also smiled and turned back.

The three of them returned to the office.

Shen Qingqiu sat down, An Yirou sat opposite her, and Lin Yun sat to the side.

An Yirou looked at Shen Qingqiu and then at Lin Yun, feeling that something was off.

The atmosphere between the Revered Master and disciple was too strange.

They didn't seem like Revered Master and disciple; they seemed like... a couple?

She was startled by her own thought.

She hurriedly shook her head, tossing the absurd notion out of her mind.

How could that be!

Shen Qingqiu was Lin Yun's mentor and also the aunt of his wife, Qiao Shiyu!

Impossible, absolutely impossible.