98: Ink Painting

The moment Qin Jin’s voice rang out, four of the information boxes beside Candle Kite disappeared, leaving only the last one.

Qin Jin’s gaze lingered on it for a moment.

[Gu Huang]

[Heavenly Human Realm Instructor]

After a brief pause, Qin Jin quickly walked out of the room and into the courtyard, opening the main gate via his terminal.

Beside him, Candle Kite floated down.

Qin Jin’s gaze fell on the entrance.

As the villa gate opened, a tall figure stepped into the courtyard.

Her high boots landed on the ground soundlessly.

Qin Jin looked at her and immediately said, “Teacher Gu, hello.”

The Heavenly Human Realm Instructor, Gu Huang, was a woman.

She wore a black combat suit with armor over it, her face unadorned and serene.

There was a beauty mark between her eyebrows.

Her black hair was tied back in a ponytail that rested on her back.

Qin Jin’s attention fell on her waist.

A specially designed leather belt at her waist held a scabbard, which was distinctly black and white, with a long blade inside.

“Is she a Heavenly Human Realm Martial Artist who uses a blade?” Qin Chi murmured to himself.

As Qin Jin looked at her, Gu Huang was also observing him.

Seeing Qin Jin’s attention on the long blade at her waist, she raised her hand, gripped the hilt, and lightly drew it.

In Qin Jin’s eyes, a streak of light shimmered, reflecting in his vision.

The moment the light rose, the surroundings instantly fell silent. Under Qin Jin’s gaze, with Gu Huang at the center, all colors in the area where they stood were stripped away, and the world seemed to turn into a black and white ink wash painting!

Ripples spread, like flowing water.

He seemed to have entered another dimension.

Beside him, Candle Kite’s figure was also rendered in ink, appearing not to have entered this space.

Qin Chi watched this scene.

The other party made no attempt to conceal anything. Qin Jin’s spiritual power could vaguely sense a colossal, terrifying power, whose level surpassed his comprehension, surging from the woman before him, maintaining this ink-wash world.

“Is this what a Martial Artist in the Heavenly Human Realm is like?” Qin Jin murmured to himself.

He had only heard about Martial Artists in the Heavenly Human Realm in words and had never personally encountered one.

“Qin Jin,” Gu Huang stood at the other end of this ink-wash world, looking at Qin Jin, and spoke slowly.

Her voice was inherently soft but had a hoarse quality that lent it a layer of resilience.

“You should have already learned some information from Candle Kite.”

She spoke slowly, her voice echoing in this ink-wash world: “Martial Artists in the Heavenly Human Realm at the Academy need to select students for guidance, and even more, they need to choose [Exclusive Disciples] periodically to establish a teacher-student relationship and pass on their legacy.”

“This is a rule of the Academy, and also a rule for us Martial Artists.”

“Qin Jin, your talent is good, being able to reach the Congenital Realm before even enrolling.”

“I’ve taken a liking to you.”

“Among this year’s students, you are currently my first choice.”

She was direct and simple, gazing at Qin Jin: “I won’t hide it from you, I’ve only recently entered the Heavenly Human Realm, and my foundation cannot compare to other Heavenly Human Realm instructors.”

“However, precisely because of this, I have never established a teacher-student relationship with any student.”

“If you can become my disciple, I will teach you with all my might. In the martial arts world, passing on the legacy to the next generation is an extremely important part. I will not give you any chance to disgrace me.”

“However—”

At this point, her tone shifted slightly: “You have shown talent in cultivation speed, but martial arts is more than that. Combat power is also an extremely important aspect.”

“The same realm, even the same individual attributes, can result in vastly different combat power.”

She raised her hand and drew in the void with her finger.

As she moved, the ink in this ink-wash world was drawn together, transforming into a lifelike ink lion that let out a low growl and leaped forward, coming to stand between them.

“If you are willing to become my disciple, then use your methods to attack it.”

“I will set a limit in my mind. As long as your performance surpasses that limit, you will be my first disciple in Martial Abyss.”

“If you are unwilling to find a newly ascended Heavenly Human Realm instructor, simply show your intent to leave mentally, and you can depart from here.”

“It will be as if I never came today.”

With the last sentence spoken, she stood with her blade, no longer speaking, awaiting Qin Jin’s reply.

“Newly ascended Heavenly Human Realm?” Qin Jin pondered everything she had said.

Her honesty and seriousness were evident.

As Candle Kite had said, Martial Artists in the Heavenly Human Realm mostly focused on their own cultivation, and it was extremely rare for one to personally visit a student.

Moreover...

Compared to having senior martial brothers or sisters, he was more interested in the so-called “first disciple.”

For him, as a legacy seed of the Academy, resources were not lacking, so this emphasis was particularly important.

As the thought arose, Qin Jin had already made his choice.

The ink lion stood in place, lifelike, looking at Qin Jin and occasionally letting out a low growl.

Qin Jin stepped forward.

As he advanced, lightning continuously rose around him. With the Sky Thunder Body activated, his right hand rested below, palm open, and lightning surged forth.

Under the precise control of his spiritual power, the lightning surged, shaped, and formed a great halberd!

Qin Jin had used this method before.

But now, his control ability was even more precise, and he himself was immeasurably stronger!

The great halberd took shape, his Dao foundation trembled slightly, and power surged into it. The halberd rapidly ascended in an instant, with lightning raging and roaring!

The next moment, the great halberd flew from his hand and fiercely pierced into the ink lion’s body, the lightning power roaring and exploding!

In an instant, the ink lion’s body underwent a massive explosion. Its form shattered, turning into streams of ink mist that dispersed in all directions, returning to the ink-wash world.

Gu Huang had mentioned setting a limit in her mind.

This ink lion was undoubtedly generated according to that limit.

Now, with the ink lion torn apart, the outcome was self-evident.

Gu Huang looked at Qin Jin, her eyes showing satisfaction: “Precise control ability, excellent talent in lightning attribute, and strong killing power alongside this cultivation speed.”

“Qin Jin,” she praised, “You are very good.”

As the praise fell, voices returned to his ears. Under Qin Jin’s gaze, the surrounding ink-wash style reverted to normal, and beside him, Candle Kite’s figure returned to normal.

She looked at Qin Jin and Gu Huang, her gaze sweeping between them before settling on Gu Huang: “Gu Professor, is the result out?”

An instructor is a title for students.

Every Heavenly Human Realm instructor is a professor at Wu Yuan Academy.

“Register him,” Gu Huang said, “Qin Jin will be under my name, my first student.”

“Understood,” Candle Kite replied, data streams flashing in her eyes, and she softly said, “From now on, Gu Professor will be the primary person in charge of Student Qin Jin’s Academy life.”

“Registration complete.”

“You’ve already seen Qin Jin’s profile. Shall I send your profile to Qin Jin?”

“You may.”

As the response sounded, Qin Jin’s personal terminal vibrated slightly, indicating a message had been sent.

Qin Jin did not check it.

To look at a Heavenly Human Realm expert’s information in front of them would undoubtedly be somewhat disrespectful.

Seeing this, Gu Huang said, “Go ahead and look.”

“Since you are willing to be my first student and the teacher-student relationship is established, you should naturally learn about me, your teacher.”

“This is my first time in such a role, so if you have any questions in the future, just speak freely.”

Qin Jin nodded in response, no longer hesitating, and opened the light screen.

Inside, lines of information appeared.

[Ink Blade · Gu Huang]

[Heavenly Human Realm]

[Age: 39]

Qin Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Ink Blade was her title.

He was no longer a novice in martial arts and knew some information. Within the Federation, Martial Artists who reached the Martial Saint stage would gain their exclusive titles. Such titles were a recognition of the Martial Artist, and if they continued to break through, the title might change.

For example, Martial God Su’s title was [Guixu].

What shocked Qin Jin was her age!

A Heavenly Human Realm expert under forty!

In martial arts cultivation, continuous breakthroughs, starting from the Congenital Realm, truly extended one’s lifespan. At the Martial Saint stage, lifespan would again greatly increase. A Martial Artist in the Heavenly Human Realm would live at least eight hundred years, and exceptional ones could even count their lifespan in thousands!

This Heavenly Human Realm instructor’s age was too young, completely at the beginning of a long lifespan.

“Is this what they call ‘newly ascended Heavenly Human Realm’?”

“This is clearly a top talent on the martial arts path, who has broken through another realm and may not have even reached her own limit.”

Thoughts flowed in his mind as Qin Jin’s gaze moved to the information below.

With Gu Huang’s personal permission, the data provided by Candle Kite was extremely detailed. Below, there was a wealth of discoverable honor information, from small-scale martial arts tournaments during her student days to Federation medals from battles on the galactic frontier. A seemingly endless stream of information, all proving the glorious past of this young instructor.

This was not just honors; it was the record of a prodigy Martial Artist’s rise!

While reviewing the information, Qin Jin’s gaze narrowed, fixating on one particular honor.

It was a very old honor. Gu Huang had served at Martial Abyss and was also an Academy alumna. That honor was first place in a team competition during her Academy days.

Among the recorded participants, Qin Chi saw a familiar name.

“Zhong Yi.”

“Senior Sister Zhong, and Teacher Gu, were they in the same cohort?”

“Wu Yuan Academy operates on a three-year cycle, so even if not the same cohort, they wouldn’t be far apart.”

“One is a Grandmaster, which is already impressive, but the other is a Heavenly Human Realm expert.”

Thoughts swirling, Qin Jin looked up: “Teacher Gu, do you know Zhong Yi?”

Hearing this, Gu Huang nodded slightly: “Of course.”

“She was one year after me. We collaborated when we were students at the Academy, and we still keep in touch.”

At this point, her delicate brows slightly raised, and her voice was calm: “Qin Jin, why do you think I came directly to find you?”

“If you weren’t on the verge of breaking through to the Congenital Realm, I would have waited until after the school year began to see you.”

“Some time ago, Zhong Yi sent me a message.”

“She told me that there was a genius in her eyes, very similar to my past self, who also came to Wu Yuan for school.”

“It was precisely because of this that I came to see you personally.”

“Qin Jin,” she concluded, “You are even more excellent than I expected.”

Qin Jin didn’t pay attention to the later words.

His attention was entirely focused on “very similar.”

His memory rewound.

If he remembered correctly, the first time he met Zhong Yi, she had said something similar to him.

Zhong Yi believed he and another person were the same type of genius.

Circling back, because of Zhong Yi’s unexpected words, the other party became his instructor at Wu Yuan Academy.

Then—there was another matter.

Qin Jin looked at Gu Huang and said, “Teacher Gu, do you know Wen Jinglun?”

“Wen Jinglun?” Gu Huang’s expression became serious: “You know Wen Jinglun?”

“He is my martial arts enlightenment teacher,” Qin Jin said calmly. “Teacher Gu, at your level, you should have seen deeper, related information about me.”

“I come from a Mining Star, and Teacher Wen Jinglun works at a school there, providing martial arts enlightenment education.”

“Is that so?” Gu Huang seemed to understand something as she looked at Qin Jin: “No wonder Zhong Yi discovered you on that remote planet.”

“So, Wen Jinglun was there.”

“Qin Jin,” her tone became a bit more serious, “Since you asked, you should know the story between Wen Jinglun and me.”

“I know a little,” Qin Jin replied.

“Then what is your impression of me now?” Gu Huang asked, “Wen Jinglun is your martial arts enlightenment teacher after all. If you hold any grudge against me because of that, just say so. I can have Candle Kite dissolve the teacher-student relationship.”

“With your talent, other Heavenly Human Realm instructors would certainly not miss out on you.”

“My impression hasn’t changed much,” Qin Jin answered truthfully. “After all, I don’t know the full story, so I won’t comment.”

“For me, Teacher Wen guided me into martial arts, and Teacher Gu, you personally came and showed your appreciation for me. I am not someone who dwells on such matters. At least for now, my impression hasn’t changed significantly.”

Gu Huang nodded.

She stepped forward to Qin Chi, her tone steady: “Wen Jinglun was a student in the same cohort as Zhong Yi. Upon enrollment, he was rated A-class, with good talent.”

“Because of me, he didn’t continue on the martial arts path.”

“However,” Gu Huang’s voice became more serious, “I have felt guilt about this and have compensated him, but I never believed I was wrong.”

“Qin Jin, would you believe you were wrong for going all out in a match?”

Qin Chi shook his head.

“That’s just how it is,” Gu Huang’s tone was calm. “Once you’re on the arena, you’re opponents. Not giving your all is irresponsible to yourself.”

“If you’re interested, you can even retrieve the recording of that battle through Candle Kite and watch it yourself.”

“Wen Jinglun,” she enunciated the name, “I’ve reviewed the profiles of all the S-class students in your current cohort. He does resemble one of them: combative and daring.”

“But I never expected that he would experience such a significant emotional fluctuation after being defeated by me.”

There was a hint of regret in her tone.

Qin Jin exhaled a long breath.

The truth of that year was gradually becoming clear.

A Heavenly Human Realm expert had no need, nor reason, to deceive him about such matters.

“Teacher Gu’s mention of ‘my cohort’ likely refers to Xie Wuhai?” he thought, recalling Xie Wuhai’s figure. He considered that if Xie Wuhai’s Dao heart had shattered after his punch, and he had ceased advancing on the martial path, he himself would probably feel the same as Gu Huang.

Based on human empathy, there would be a slight sense of guilt.

But—he would never believe that the matter was his fault.

Thoughts flashed through his mind.

Qin Jin closed the terminal light screen in his hand.

“Teacher Gu,” he bowed respectfully, not dwelling on the matter, and went straight to the point: “Please guide me on how to break through to the Congenital Realm.”

“Candle Kite,” Gu Huang looked at Candle Kite upon hearing Qin Jin’s voice, “Have you applied for the Origin Realm access?”

“I’ve already applied,” Candle Kite replied, “Before you came, Gu Professor, I was about to explain the matters concerning the Origin Realm to Qin Jin.”

“Good,” Gu Huang said, “Follow me. We’ll talk as we go.”

She led the way, turning to leave.

Qin Chi quickly followed.

From ahead, Gu Huang’s voice came: “The Congenital Realm.”

“Once you enter the Congenital Realm, you will be different.”

“At this stage, after you test yourself, your spirit and body are still displayed separately, but after entering the Congenital Realm, you will truly achieve spiritual and physical unity. These two powers will also merge!”

“That is a true leap in the level of life!”