Xuefeng's original plan had been to visit an herb store under the guise of buying Spirit Awakening Liquid for Li Kun, hoping to discreetly search for Fate Spirit Herbs. But with recent events, that plan was no longer feasible. He decided it was best to visit alone after the mission, avoiding any unnecessary questions from Wuying.
After Manager Wu left with Li Kun, Xuefeng and Wuying returned to their courtyard. Wuying's earlier irritation lingered, but a mix of playful kisses and tickles eventually defused the tension. By the time they arrived, her sulking had melted into reluctant smiles.
Once back, Xuefeng turned his focus to preparing for the journey ahead. Wuying had already arranged their transport and provisions, leaving him free to refine his Spirit Arts. His swordsmanship, though not yet masterful, was progressing steadily.
Ling, I've been thinking, he began. What if I pre-form a clone and store it in my ring, ready to deploy at any moment? That could cut down the time it takes to summon it during a fight.
Ling's response came quickly, her voice tinged with amusement. Clever idea, but it won't work. If you stop actively controlling the clone, it'll deteriorate. Even with a perfect brain replication, it won't function without a soul. However... she paused for emphasis, if you store it in my space, I can control it for you.
Xuefeng sat up straighter, her words sparking a realization. Wait a second—if you can control a clone, it's like creating a vessel for you. You could act as the clone's soul! Why didn't I think of this before?
I can control as many clones as you can create, Ling admitted, but I won't actually enter one. My connection to you is unbreakable, and I need to stay close. Still, I've generated enough Golden Qi lately to give this a try.
Excited, Xuefeng called out to Wuying, who had been reviewing their mission details. "Wuying, come to the training room. I want to test something."
"Sure," she agreed without hesitation.
"I'll create a clone of myself, and we can spar a bit. What do you think?" Xuefeng asked as they stepped into the training room.
"Perfect," Wuying said with a sly smile, already rolling her shoulders to loosen up. "I've got some stress to burn off after dinner, and this sounds like the perfect way to do it."
"Alright, give me a moment." Xuefeng focused, channeling his Qi as his hands moved with a precise rhythm. Within two minutes, a perfect replica of himself stood before them, complete with his signature rank 5 sword. He hadn't practiced the Spirit Art enough to shorten the creation time, but the result was seamless.
The clone nodded, stepping forward. "Ready when you are." Its voice mirrored Xuefeng's exactly.
Wuying eyed the clone and twirled her daggers. "I won't go easy on you."
As the clone dashed toward her, Xuefeng watched closely, his intent not just to spar but to test the clone's movements under his control. Wuying parried the attack with ease, her movements fluid and precise. She countered with her other dagger, her blade slicing cleanly through the clone.
The clone froze for a brief moment before splitting cleanly in half and crumbling into fading Spirit Qi. Xuefeng flinched but didn't feel a thing—he hadn't replicated the pain receptors.
"Well, that was embarrassing," he muttered, absorbing the lingering Qi back into his body. "I really should've practiced this art more. Fighting like this is completely different from using my own body. If I tried to control the clone while fighting myself, I'd probably short-circuit my brain."
Wuying smirked. "Don't be so hard on yourself. The clone felt real enough to me. It's a remarkable Spirit Art as it is. With more practice, you'll refine it. Plus, you're forgetting its other uses—scouting, for instance. When we're tracking the Nightmare tomorrow, these clones could be invaluable."
Xuefeng nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. I'll see how many I can control at once. If it's just for running and scouting, it shouldn't be too demanding."
Starting small, Xuefeng created two clones, watching them jog around the training room. Satisfied with the ease, he pushed further, summoning three more. The mental strain increased noticeably, and sweat began to bead on his brow.
Ling, what's my real limit? Can I handle more? he asked inwardly, aware he would need far more than five clones for the task ahead.
Ling's voice carried a teasing edge. Let me take over for a moment. I can control the clones and even use them to create more. It'll be faster this way.
Without waiting for his approval, Ling sent a surge of her Golden Qi into the clones. Each one became a conduit, forming another clone with startling efficiency. Within minutes, the room was teeming with Xuefengs. The training room's spaciousness began to feel suffocating as the numbers swelled.
Wuying's eyes widened as the clones multiplied. Twenty, thirty, fifty—each one identical, each one moving with mechanical precision. By the time the count reached eighty, they began spilling into the hallway. Her daggers twitched in her hands, instinct urging her to prepare for battle. If they all turned on her, even she wouldn't last long.
When the number finally stabilized at one hundred and sixty, the clones paused as if awaiting a command. Ling's voice broke into Xuefeng's thoughts. That's the current limit. Any more, and it'll start affecting your body. Still, I can replicate this trick in my space if needed. No point in maintaining them for now—it's a drain on resources.
Understood, Xuefeng thought, still in awe at the spectacle. With a wave of Ling's energy, the clones moved in unison, dissolving one by one into golden light that flowed back into his body. The sheer efficiency of Ling's process left him both impressed and humbled.
After the clones dissipated into thin wisps of energy, Xuefeng turned toward Wuying, her expression unreadable. Her arms were crossed, her head tilted slightly, as though she were processing what she had just witnessed.
"I guess my limit is one-sixty," Xuefeng said, his voice measured, his brow furrowed in thought. "But they're only good for scouting. There's barely any Spirit Qi inside them, so they'd crumble with just one hit. When it comes to actual combat, managing so many commands is... overwhelming."
Wuying let out a slow breath, her shoulders easing. "You scared me for a second," she admitted, shaking her head in disbelief. "But even so, it's incredible. If you can refine this ability in the future—control this many clones in battle—you could overwhelm an enemy without even putting yourself at risk."
Her words were full of admiration, but her eyes betrayed something deeper. Worry flickered beneath her composed exterior, a silent fear that was harder to articulate. Xuefeng wasn't just growing stronger; he was leaving her behind, climbing higher with every new skill he mastered.
I have to work harder, she thought, her jaw tightening. If I don't keep up, he'll reach a place I can't follow. The thought chilled her, even as it fueled her resolve. Xuefeng was her world—her anchor—and the idea of losing him to powers far beyond her own left her hollow.
Xuefeng's voice cut through her thoughts. "By the way," he began, his tone light but curious, "do you have a manual for that Escaping Spirit Art you used back then? I didn't see it in the Spirit Arts Tower."
Her expression darkened almost instantly. Folding her arms tightly across her chest, she pouted. "I'm not giving it to you right now," she said, her tone pointed. "If you behave yourself during the mission, then maybe I'll think about it."
Xuefeng blinked at her, a bemused smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Behave myself? What does that even mean?" he teased, taking a step closer. "I'm always nice to you, aren't I?"
Wuying gave a dramatic huff, though her lips twitched with a smile she couldn't quite hide. "Not enough," she muttered, looking anywhere but at him. "You're always bullying me."
Her words only made Xuefeng chuckle. Closing the distance between them, he slid his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "Bullying you? Like this?" he asked, his voice low, his breath warm against her neck.
She pretended to resist, her hands pushing weakly against his chest, but her cheeks betrayed her. "Yes," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xuefeng tilted his head and pressed a soft kiss to the curve of her neck, lingering just long enough to feel the shiver that ran through her. "And what about this?" he asked, his voice laced with mischief.
"Y-yes," she stammered, her resolve crumbling faster than she cared to admit.
He leaned in again, this time capturing her lips in a kiss that was slow and deliberate, savoring every second. When he finally pulled back, her face was flushed, her breath uneven.
"Better now?" he asked, a playful glint in his eye.
She narrowed her eyes at him, though her lips quivered with a smile. "No," she pouted, her voice laced with mock indignation. "I want more."
Her sudden boldness caught him off guard, but he couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "More, huh? Well, don't blame me later." Without warning, he swept her off her feet, cradling her in his arms as though she weighed nothing.
"Xuefeng!" she gasped, but her protest melted into laughter as she looped her arms around his neck.
He looked down at her, his gaze steady and full of warmth. "Remember," he said with a smirk, "this was your idea."