Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

The teaching hall buzzed with energy as the female instructor conducted her lesson.

But Shui Bing'er, seated below, was entirely lost in thought. The events that had just unfolded had shaken her to the core.

She had never been the center of attention before—let alone being noticed by a teacher.

Entering the hall hand-in-hand with Qin Jian, and even sharing a brief embrace…

"Ugh…"

Unable to contain her emotions, she buried her face in her hands once again.

"Shui Bing'er, if you keep acting like this, the teacher is bound to notice you," came Qin Jian's amused voice.

Sure enough, at the mere mention of being noticed, Shui Bing'er immediately sat up straight, adopting the posture of a studious, attentive student. Her demeanor mirrored the earnestness Qin Jian recalled from university public lectures in his previous life.

"You're quite something," Qin Jian murmured with a soft chuckle.

Shui Bing'er blinked in confusion. "What do you mean, I'm 'quite something'?"

"You're interesting in so many ways."

Leaning his head on one hand, Qin Jian mused casually, "For instance, you have the aura of a strong and confident leader, yet you lack self-assurance. Despite your extraordinary talent and strength, you're timid and cautious. Even being the center of attention seems like a burden to you. This contrast between your inner and outer self is so striking that even I can't tell which is the real you."

"Why should the real me matter to you?"

Shui Bing'er instinctively turned her head away with a haughty air, only to quickly glance back. "Um… don't get upset. I just said that without thinking…"

Qin Jian sighed. "You're way too cautious, you know?"

Pressing her lips together, Shui Bing'er suddenly asked, "Qin Jian, can I ask you a question?"

"No, you can't," Qin Jian replied with a playful smirk.

"Oh…"

Shui Bing'er immediately drooped her head, looking pitiful.

"You're such a scaredy-cat."

Qin Jian tapped her lightly on the head, but his hand froze mid-action.

Because… it reminded him of how he used to treat Ning Rongrong the same way.

"Qin Jian…"

Shui Bing'er pouted, her voice soft with a hint of complaint. "Why are you treating me like this?"

"What did I do to you?" Qin Jian asked.

Shui Bing'er raised her bright, clear eyes to meet his gaze. "You held my hand and even tapped my head. That's already crossing the line of mere friendship…"

Qin Jian chuckled lightly. "It was just a casual gesture. I hope you don't mind."

Of course, it wasn't just casual. Qin Jian had deliberately employed subtle tactics to get closer to Shui Bing'er.

His focus was entirely on growing stronger. Emotional entanglements? He had no energy for them.

Hopefully, he wouldn't fall for this girl who was as gentle as water.

"You're lying! You did it on purpose!"

Shui Bing'er pouted softly, her tone carrying a mix of reproach and shyness. "You already have Ning Rongrong. Why are you messing with me?"

A fleeting smile appeared in Qin Jian's eyes.

This girl—despite her cautious and insecure nature—was as sharp as a mirror, perceptive and intelligent.

Leaning in slightly, Qin Jian brushed aside a strand of hair near her ear, smiling. "Is this what you mean by 'messing with you'?"

Shui Bing'er instinctively tilted her body to evade his touch.

But the more she avoided him, the closer Qin Jian leaned in.

"Qin Jian, you're no gentleman!"

Suddenly, Shui Bing'er pushed him back to his seat with surprising force.

Her abrupt outburst caught Qin Jian off guard. "So, beneath that timid exterior, there's a fiery side to you after all…"

"Hmph!"

Feigning anger, Shui Bing'er sat upright. But from Qin Jian's angle, he noticed her reddened ears.

It didn't take much for Qin Jian to realize she wasn't truly upset. If anything, her reaction seemed to carry a playful, coquettish undertone.

Qin Jian had known from the start that Shui Bing'er harbored feelings for him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have enabled his Soul Power to directly surge to rank 22.

Only on that foundation did he dare to hold her hand and share those small, intimate gestures.

If there had been no mutual affection, acting so boldly would have branded him as a scoundrel long ago.

Moreover, her earlier words—"You already have Ning Rongrong"—rather than denying any feelings for him, carried an implicit meaning: If Qin Jian didn't have Ning Rongrong, his actions might actually be acceptable.

"Qin Jian, you're not allowed to treat me like that anymore…"

As expected, Shui Bing'er whispered softly, "You and Ning Rongrong have such a good relationship. I don't want to come between you two…"

But Qin Jian didn't retreat. He suddenly leaned in close, so close that he could catch the faint fragrance of her icy-blue hair.

"Shui Bing'er… you're not interfering. I'm the one approaching you."

Blowing a soft breath near her ear, Qin Jian added, "You're merely being swept along. There's no need to feel burdened."

A flicker of complexity flashed through Shui Bing'er's beautiful eyes.

With her sharp intellect, she immediately understood his implication.

He was assuring her that no matter what happened, she could maintain her timid, innocent facade. No one would blame her for anything. At worst, people would think Qin Jian was a flirtatious cad, while she remained entirely blameless.

This guy… doesn't seem like such a scoundrel, though…

With a mix of puzzlement and intrigue, Shui Bing'er gazed at Qin Jian. "You… don't seem like this kind of person. Right now, you feel so different from the Qin Jian I knew at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. You seem… less real. What's going on with you?"

Qin Jian froze, gradually reining in all his intentional gestures and behaviors.

"If there's something troubling you, you can tell me. I'm willing to help…"

This time, Shui Bing'er leaned toward him of her own accord.

But Qin Jian no longer felt like teasing her. Shaking his head, he replied, "I'm fine. You're overthinking it…"

Meanwhile, the two remained engrossed in their whispered exchanges, completely unaware that nearly every other student in the hall had begun watching them with amused expressions.

After all, being the academy's sole male student came with its own kind of attention.

Even the teacher eventually gave up, placing her hands on her hips with a sigh. "This is the first time I've ever been completely overshadowed by a student. Since everyone seems more interested in Qin Jian than my lesson, how about we have him answer the core topic of today's lecture?"

A wave of cheers erupted through the hall.

Startled, Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er realized they'd become the center of attention.

"Qin Jian…"

The teacher approached him with a smile. "Today's lecture is on the development paths of water-type martial souls. What's your take on it?"

"Development paths of water-type martial souls?"

Qin Jian blinked, noticing the curious gazes directed at him. But his hesitation made it seem like he didn't know the answer.

On the sidelines, Xue Wu beamed smugly.

However, her satisfaction was short-lived.

Two voices rang out simultaneously:

"Teacher, I know the answer. May I respond on his behalf?"

"Teacher, I can answer for him."

The entire class was in an uproar.

The two who spoke up were none other than Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er—sisters.

"Shui Yue'er!"

Xue Wu's teeth clenched, her voice seething with frustration.

Even Shui Yue'er herself was startled by her sudden impulsiveness.

Perhaps… she had been momentarily dazzled by Qin Jian's charm.

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