"Xueqian, what are you waiting for? He's about to leave!"
Seeing Wei Yi turning to go, Xu Jin urged Zhao Xueqian anxiously.
She hadn't dragged Zhao Xueqian here just to spectate—her real purpose was to reconcile the two. Now that Wei Yi had risen in power, if Zhao Xueqian made peace with him, as her closest friend, Xu Jin too would reap the benefits.
"I... I..."
Zhao Xueqian's expression wavered. For a moment, words failed her.
After all, it was she who had initiated the breakup, who had chosen to walk away from Wei Yi. Now to ask for a second chance—it was not something she could easily bring herself to say.
As she hesitated, Wei Yi was already preparing to leave. Growing anxious, Xu Jin took the initiative and called out on her behalf, "Wei Yi, wait! Xueqian has something she wants to say to you."
As she spoke, she gave Zhao Xueqian a gentle shove forward.
"Hmm?"
Wei Yi thought someone else was trying to stop him, but when he turned and saw her, he paused slightly.
Zhao Xueqian?
A trace of surprise flashed in Wei Yi's eyes upon seeing the familiar face. But it lasted only an instant.
The one who had loved Zhao Xueqian was the former Wei Yi, not the man he was now. And even that former self—after enduring abandonment and betrayal—might no longer hold the same feelings for this woman.
"Is there something you need?"
His voice was cool, detached.
Though he didn't mock or scorn her, there was no warmth in his tone either.
"I..."
Zhao Xueqian opened her mouth, struggling for words.
Just as Wei Yi had once known her well, she too was intimately familiar with him. They had grown up together, after all.
In truth, her feelings for Wei Yi had never truly changed. But she was ambitious. When he was diagnosed with the spiritual blockage that rendered him incapable of cultivation, she couldn't bring herself to tie her future to someone destined for mediocrity. So she had chosen to cut ties—out of fear, not malice.
What she hadn't anticipated was his resurgence. And now, she regretted it bitterly.
She had spent the past few days wondering—if only she hadn't left back then...
But there are no if onlys in life.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Seeing her unable to speak, Wei Yi didn't bother waiting.
"Wait."
Seeing him truly turn to leave, Zhao Xueqian finally cried out.
Wei Yi halted again, glancing back. His expression was already tinged with impatience.
"The final assessment is coming soon. After it's over... would you like to return together?"
"I made mistakes in the past. I hope you can give me a chance to make things right."
Zhao Xueqian bit her lower lip gently.
Her meaning was already clear—she believed he would understand.
And he did.
He looked at her for a long moment, then smiled faintly.
"Some things, once in the past, are better left there."
He offered a single, cryptic response—then turned and walked away, without hesitation or regret.
Clearly, this was not the answer Zhao Xueqian had hoped for.
She stood frozen, watching his retreating figure in a daze.
Without realizing it, two cold tears slid silently down her cheeks—tears of regret.
Behind her, Xu Jin opened her mouth as if to comfort her, but no words came. Whom could she blame for this? Wei Yi?
No—it was Zhao Xueqian who had made the choice.
…
"Wei Yi, you're back! We heard you stirred up quite the storm at North Campus—and even fought Instructor Wu? Are you alright?"
Just as Wei Yi returned to East Campus, Zhu Linger and Yang Qingqing rushed over, worry etched across their faces.
Seeing their concern, Wei Yi couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth in his heart.
"News travels fast, huh?"
"But you two seem awfully concerned... don't tell me you've fallen for me? I mean, sure, I did save your lives, but offering yourselves in gratitude might be a bit much."
He teased with a mischievous grin.
Immediately, both girls flushed bright red.
"Ugh, who likes you!"
"Exactly. We care and this is how you repay us? Ungrateful!"
They huffed in unison.
"Haha, just kidding. But from the way you're talking, I take it the news has already spread?"
"Of course it has! How do you think we found out? Instructor Hu is furious, saying you're a walking disaster—barely arrived in class and already stirring up chaos. Now she has to clean up after you. Better start rehearsing your apology, hehe."
Both girls snickered, delighting in his misfortune.
Wei Yi could only smile bitterly.
With Wu Qiyun taking the matter to the academy, they wouldn't come after him directly—they'd go after his supervising instructor, Hu.
And he could only imagine how livid Instructor Hu must be right now.
"Cough, I think I'll lay low for a while."
"And if anyone asks—you didn't see me, alright?"
With that, he turned and slipped away.
He didn't dare return to the training hall just yet—no doubt someone would try to rope him into some new obligation. That, he definitely didn't want.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"To browse the Martial Arts Pavilion."
Wei Yi had one goal there: to buy a new martial skill.
His current repertoire was far too limited—just the Cangyuan Fist, Storm Swordplay, and Blackwater Movement. Among them, Cangyuan Fist was only a low-tier common skill, far beneath his current martial level.
A warrior's true strength came not only from cultivation, but also from the techniques he wielded. With nearly ten thousand silver in his system inventory, he could easily afford a high-tier common-grade technique.
"May I help you?"
As soon as Wei Yi entered the pavilion, a short-haired girl with neatly trimmed bangs stepped forward.
Wei Yi looked around and asked, "Where's Wang Zitao?"
"He resigned from his assistant role this morning," she replied, slightly surprised.
"That guy ran off fast."
Wei Yi muttered, though he didn't dwell on it.
"I'm looking for a fist or palm technique—common-grade, high-tier. Show me what you've got."
"Of course. Right this way."
Hearing his request, the girl's eyes lit up.
The more Wei Yi spent, the higher her commission—naturally, she was thrilled.
"Diamond Fist, high-tier common martial art. Incredibly forceful and aggressive. Strength-based technique. Price: 5,500 silver."
"Stone Inscription Palm, high-tier common martial art. Thirty-six moves, well-balanced for offense and defense. Price: 5,000 silver."
"Chain Kick of Eighteen Strikes, high-tier common martial art. Advanced difficulty. Leg-based technique. Price: 6,000 silver."
…
The assistant introduced six or seven techniques in succession, all high-tier common grade, and all reasonably priced.
After careful consideration, Wei Yi made his choice.
Crushing Heart Palm — a high-tier common martial art, subtle in force and aimed at internal organs. Once mastered, even senior martial masters would struggle to resist. However, it was notoriously difficult to learn. Price: 7,500 silver.
There was no question—it was a formidable and unorthodox technique, well worth the steep price.
As for the high difficulty? With the game system on his side, Wei Yi dismissed it entirely.