Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

In the front courtyard of Prince Shuang’s Mansion, Xiao Mo suppressed his Realm to the Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Realm. Gripping a wooden long spear, he sank slightly into his stance and executed a simple, straight thrust. It seemed unadorned, yet a powerful gust of wind was hidden within it.

Across from him, the young man named Bai Qi felt his spirit tighten. He tapped his toes against the ground and retreated swiftly, simultaneously flipping his wrist to draw a wooden spear from his side.

The moment his feet were steady, he twisted at the waist, rotated his arm, and used the momentum to counter-thrust, his spear tip rising to meet the attack.

The two wooden spears instantly clashed. A blur of intersecting spear-shadows filled the air, accompanied by the ceaseless sound of them cutting through the wind.

Bai Qi’s Spear Technique was agile, full of feints, but Xiao Mo remained as steady as a boulder. Every block and parry was perfectly timed, allowing him to subtly control the flow of the battle.

After a dozen exchanges, Bai Qi’s breathing grew slightly ragged, and a hint of sluggishness crept into his assault.

Xiao Mo’s eyes narrowed, and he seized the opening in an instant.

His right hand suddenly slid to the tail of his spear. With a flick of his arm and wrist, he snapped it upward. The spear’s tip trembled, tracing a short, fierce arc that ended with a sharp CRACK against the inside of Bai Qi’s spear-wielding wrist.

Bai Qi grunted in pain, his fingers instinctively loosening. The wooden spear slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground with a dull thud.

Before the sound had even faded, the cold tip of Xiao Mo’s spear was already there, hovering steadily half an inch from Bai Qi’s throat.

”Your Highness’s Spear Technique is masterful. I am thoroughly impressed.”

Bai Qi stepped back and bowed with clasped fists.

And Bai Qi meant every word.

He had sparred with others many times before.

It wasn’t just that he was practically unrivaled among Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Stage; Bai Qi could even hold his own against someone at the Early Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Yet, fighting against Xiao Mo—who was also using the strength of the Qi Cultivation Realm—Bai Qi hadn’t even lasted fifty exchanges.

This was the first time Bai Qi had ever lost to a Cultivator in the Qi Cultivation Realm.

”You have excellent talent, but you’ve been self-taught until now. Your Spear Technique is too unrestrained, and you’ve lacked resources. Your foundation is rather weak—you haven’t even properly completed the Tempered Body phase.”

Xiao Mo shook his head and tossed a Storage Pouch to him.

”Inside are some Elixirs and a recipe for a Tempered Body concoction to help you strengthen your physique. There are also two Foundation Establishment Pills you can use when it’s time for your breakthrough.

Furthermore, the Storage Pouch contains my Xiao Family’s Overlord Spear Technique. You should learn it as well.

Cultivate diligently. With your talent, reaching the Upper Three Realms in the future isn’t out of the question.”

”Thank you, Your Highness!” Bai Qi clutched the Storage Pouch and bowed deeply. ”First, for your grace in recognizing my potential, and now for treating me with such generosity today... I will never forget your kindness!”

”Alright, alright, are you two finished sparring? Come have some tea.” Qin Siyao walked in carrying a tray of tea and set it on the stone table in the courtyard.

”Thank you, Princess Consort Shuang...” Bai Qi bowed respectfully once more. He was indeed thirsty and downed the tea in a single gulp.

Xiao Mo also took a sip of tea before asking Bai Qi, ”By the way, Bai Qi, you came to see me, but you still haven’t said what for. Is there something you need my help with?”

”Your Highness’s kindness to me is already as heavy as a mountain. How could I dare trouble you further?” Bai Qi said, shaking his head. ”I came today to bid you farewell, Your Highness. This afternoon, I’m heading to the Northern Wilderness Army.”

”Hmm?” Xiao Mo set down his teacup. ”The new year is almost upon us. You’re heading to the Northern Wilderness so soon? Why not wait until after the celebrations?”

”No.” Bai Qi shook his head. ”I want to join the army sooner to get acclimated. As for my mother, my little sister is there to look after her, so I have nothing to worry about.”

”That’s fine as well.” Xiao Mo nodded. ”Go, and don’t worry. I will have someone look after your mother and little sister. The Qin Kingdom does not let its soldiers have worries about the home front.”

”Yes, sir! My thanks again, General!”

Bai Qi stepped back, preparing to bow to Xiao Mo again.

But Xiao Mo stepped forward and stopped him.

”There’s no need for such formalities. The journey to the Northern Wilderness is long, so be careful on the road.

Also, from observing your actions and your Spear Technique... it’s good to be forthright and honorable, but your edge is too exposed. Your killing intent is too strong.

We soldiers need killing intent, but it’s like a sharp blade. It should only be drawn when needed and sheathed when it’s not.

Otherwise, you’ll alienate those around you and even risk a backlash from fate itself.

Remember this! You must remember!”

”I will keep it in mind,” Bai Qi said earnestly.

”Go on now,” Xiao Mo said, clapping him on the shoulder. ”I’m sure it won’t be long before you achieve great things.”

”I will not disappoint you, Your Highness! Your Highness, Princess Consort, I take my leave!”

Bai Qi offered a final bow, then turned and left.

”Sigh...”

Once Bai Qi had left the courtyard, Xiao Mo let out a heavy sigh.

”What is it, my love?” Qin Siyao asked curiously. ”You seem worried about that young man. I thought he seemed sincere, and he listens to you.”

”He is sincere, and he does listen, it’s true. But how can a person’s nature change so easily?” Xiao Mo shook his head. ”Ah well. I’ve said what I needed to say. Ultimately, he must walk his own path. Everyone has their own destiny.”

Xiao Mo turned to face Qin Siyao and spoke slowly. ”Siyao, the new year is in five days. But before then, I plan on Crossing the Tribulation to enter the Nascent Soul Realm.”

”What?” Qin Siyao squeezed Xiao Mo’s large hand. ”My love, can’t you wait until after the new year?”

”I can barely suppress my Realm any longer, and my spear intent is at its peak. Moreover, the Qin Kingdom’s Qi Fortune is flourishing, especially concentrated around the Imperial City. The timing, the location, the conditions—everything is aligned. If I try to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm now, my chances of success will be much higher.”

Xiao Mo smiled faintly and tucked a stray strand of hair from her cheek behind her ear.

”I know what you’re worried about.

The breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm is indeed a life-or-death trial. It’s incredibly perilous, and countless people have perished, their bodies and souls destroyed in the attempt.

But how can we, as Cultivators, ever stop moving forward?

Only with enough power can I better protect you.

Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.

Besides, I’m a Martial Cultivator. For us, the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul Realm doesn’t involve a trial of the heart, so it’s a bit less difficult than it is for ordinary Cultivators.”

”...”

Listening to her husband’s reassuring words, Qin Siyao still felt a knot of worry in her heart.

’But...’ Qin Siyao knew this was a path her husband had to walk. ’As his wife, I should support him, not hold him back or make him even more anxious.’

”My love, I understand,” Qin Siyao said, gripping his hand tightly. ”But you have to promise me you’ll be alright.”

”Of course. We still have our wedding to hold the year after next,” Xiao Mo said with a smile. ”But... if something were to happen to me, Siyao, you...”

”There are no ’ifs’!”

Before Xiao Mo could finish, Qin Siyao pressed her small hand to his lips.

”I’m just saying, on the off chance...” Xiao Mo gently moved her soft, slender hand away and said with a smile.

”There’s no ’on the off chance’ either!”

Qin Siyao puffed out her cheeks.

”You just need to remember one thing, my love...

No matter when, no matter where, no matter what happens.

I.

Will always be waiting for you to come home.

Always!”