Eldritch Horror Theatre

In truth, Fu Qian was also quite puzzled.

Compared to their last meeting, the Ji Liushuang standing before him had clearly improved.

Strictly speaking, however, her strength had yet to break through to Tier 6. A gap of a major realm remained between them.

Given his deliberate concealment, the chances of her discovering him should have been minuscule.

Not to mention she was in such an absent-minded state.

"Regardless, this isn't a place you should be."

Stunned by Fu Qian's words for a long time, Ji Liushuang finally recovered a little.

"Let's head out first."

"Alright!"

As things stood, continuing toward Li Weixuan was impossible.

Besides, when Ji Liushuang said this, she hadn't even lowered the Sword Bell in her hand.

Ji Liushuang wasn't stupid. His words had bluffed her temporarily at best; she would notice the slightest abnormality.

Still, this wasn't entirely fruitless. Ji Liushuang's state was rather unique, and he could take this opportunity to study it.

Channeling his inner award-winning actor and wearing a gaze full of fatherly affection, Fu Qian followed Ji Liushuang all the way outside.

"Take off those clothes first. It'll be troublesome if you're discovered."

Only now did Ji Liushuang seem to breathe a slight sigh of relief, finally putting the Sword Bell away.

"It's fine over here."

Fu Qian smiled, but he emptied his pockets and tossed the uniform aside as instructed.

"I'm an instructor of the Apocalypse Branch now. Coming here isn't a problem."

He waved the card in his hand.

An instructor of the Apocalypse Branch...

Ji Liushuang was stunned once again.

This guy claiming to be her father was actually an instructor at the Academy?

If it were true, however, it would prove his claims. The Apocalypse Branch had many methods, and keeping someone looking young wasn't difficult.

Sometimes, life was just this bizarre.

For example, leaving the house perfectly fine in the morning, only to suddenly gain a father halfway through the trip.

Seeing Ji Liushuang's complex expression and how she deliberately avoided his gaze, Fu Qian smiled and explained, intentionally leaving his motives vague.

"I haven't been with the Academy for long, but today is undoubtedly my happiest day."

"Actually, I wasn't planning on speaking to you. I just wanted to take a look first... You don't need to rush to say anything, either."

"Speaking of which, how did you recognize me? I was quite confident in my disguise."

Fu Qian looked curious, pretending to change the subject to avoid the awkwardness.

"...Honestly, I don't know."

Ji Liushuang fell silent for a long time before finally shaking her head and speaking.

"In truth, I'm not that familiar with Tong Minghui, nor could I see through your disguise."

"But when I saw you, I just knew you weren't him."

Was it really that mystical? Did logic even matter anymore!

Hearing Ji Liushuang's answer, Fu Qian sighed silently, which brought another question to mind.

"Isn't the Sword Pavilion open today? Why aren't you participating?"

"I did participate. I just left early."

Ji Liushuang sighed silently and spoke in a faint voice, then suddenly remembered something.

"Did you say you went to the Sword Pavilion just now?"

"Yeah!"

Fu Qian nodded with a smile, offering no explanation.

"It's a pity I was kicked out after only being inside for a little while. I didn't even make it to the second floor."

...

Hearing this, Ji Liushuang gave a soft "oh" and fell silent for a moment.

"I was on the fourth floor. You definitely wouldn't have seen me."

The fourth floor?

Didn't that careless guard say people could only go up to the third floor?

Fu Qian thought about it and guessed this was probably special treatment for a top student like her.

"While I was meditating in the Sword Pavilion today, I suddenly felt unwell."

Unsure if she wanted to distract herself or simply desperately needed to vent, Ji Liushuang continued.

"My entire body was suddenly overcome by an indescribable fatigue, and my mind felt muddy. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't focus on the swords anymore."

"I pushed through it for a while, but it didn't improve, so I eventually decided to come out for a walk."

"Before I knew it, I ended up here, and then I saw you."

Ji Liushuang glanced at Fu Qian, her expression unreadable.

"So when you asked how I knew, the answer is that I don't."

"In fact, because I was in a daze, I didn't even notice you. But as you walked past me, I just felt something was wrong."

"It was as if a voice was telling me that there was a problem with you."

A voice speaking? Ji Liushuang's description instantly piqued Fu Qian's interest.

"But if this is the legendary sword intent, it feels a bit too absurd."

Ji Liushuang smiled with a hint of melancholy.

"What exactly is sword intent?"

Seeing her in the mood to talk, Fu Qian remembered his mission and decisively set aside his pride to ask.

In Ji Liushuang's eyes, however, Fu Qian's question seemed more like an attempt to play along with the conversation, so she didn't expose him.

"Sword intent is a concept in sword path cultivation.

"From the very first day, every instructor tells us that while holding a sword in our hands, we must also hold a sword in our hearts.

"Only by illuminating the mind and seeing one's true nature can you find your own True Intent of the Sword Dao, which is sword intent.

"Sword intent isn't bound by realms. It can be comprehended and nurtured at any stage.

"Once comprehended, it means you've found your own path of the demigod."

Although it sounded a bit mystical, there didn't seem to be any major issues with it.

Sword intent represented the path of the demigod. He could finally understand why the opening of the Sword Pavilion was taken so seriously.

As Fu Qian pondered this, he observed Ji Liushuang.

The feeling became even clearer. There really was something extra on her, causing a subtle change in her very existence.

To put it more poetically, she possessed an inexplicable ethereal aura—or perhaps an eerie one.

Sword intent, sword heart?

Connecting this to his mission, could it be that Ji Liushuang was the actual target of this trip?

Aside from a trace of an inhuman aura, he couldn't spot anything too sinister at the moment.

"If there's nothing else, you should head back first."

Ji Liushuang looked into the distance. Her expression suddenly turned cold as she turned her head and looked directly at Fu Qian for the first time.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said earlier, and you shouldn't mention it to anyone else ever again."

"I'll leave right now."

Although Ji Liushuang spoke bluntly, Fu Qian didn't show the slightest displeasure.

Following her gaze, Fu Qian instantly understood why she was driving him away.

A long line of people was approaching from a distance, every single one of them wearing the uniform of the Sword Comprehension Institute.

It was time. The Sword Pavilion had closed, and today's meditation was over.

Regardless of how much she believed his previous nonsense, Ji Liushuang definitely didn't want anyone else to see this scene.

Seen from afar, the students' reactions varied after a day of meditation.

Silent, excited, or exhausted, this emotionally complex group soon drew near.

Immediately noticing Ji Liushuang and Fu Qian standing there, the students cast doubtful glances their way.

"Liushuang, are you alright? What happened to you earlier?"

At the front of the group, the previously encountered Yuan Xin took the lead, looking at Ji Liushuang with concern.

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