Chen Junting spent the next half-hour in the Soul Engineering Research Institute, leaving only after Ji Juechen and Jing Ziyang returned.
But as he departed, his final words weren't about soul guidance devices—he turned to Jing Ziyang instead.
"Senior Ziyan, since you joined Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you've been holed up in this lab nonstop. Old Ji just broke through and plans to pause cultivation for a few days. Why don't you two rest properly together? Balance is key."
Ji Juechen, who'd just returned with Jing Ziyang, froze mid-step. His eyes narrowed slightly, about to protest.
Rest?
He didn't need rest—he'd just become a Soul Saint and wanted to spar with Chen Junting immediately!
But before he could speak, he noticed Jing Ziyang trembling.
(Though she stilled herself instantly—so subtly Ji Juechen almost doubted he'd seen it.)
Jing Ziyang, shaken by Chen Junting's words, took a few sips of her drink to compose herself, then forced a smile.
"I'd better not. The mecha and Battle Armor research is at a critical stage. If I take even one day off, the lab will be understaffed—and who knows how much the progress will stall? So… I'll pass."
She glanced covertly at Ji Juechen as she refused.
She knew him to his core.
If Ji Juechen claimed he didn't need to train, she'd sooner believe pigs could fly. That "rest" comment? Clearly fabricated—probably by Chen Junting.
She shot Chen Junting a wry look. Good intentions… but still.
Ugh—Old Ji's as dense as an oak tree. When will he ever get it?
Chen Junting's awkward expression faded. He'd only meant to open the door—create an opening for them.
And sure enough—
"Ziyan, one day off won't hurt…" Xuan Ziwen chuckled, along with Lu Lao and the Rank 7 engineer. Their eyes darted between the two, suddenly all too understanding. Their gazes finally settled on Jing Ziyang.
She looked up—just as the three exchanged knowing smiles.
Xuan Ziwen shook his head, amused. "Ziyan, we were colleagues at the Sun Moon Academy, so I'll say this plainly: The mecha and Battle Armor data is nearly complete. The next phase hinges on obtaining ultra-high-grade metals. Even three days off won't delay us. The lab approves it."
"This…" Jing Ziyang bit her lip, hesitating.
Xuan Ziwen waved a hand, cutting her off. "This isn't a request—it's an order. You're resting tomorrow."
His tone left no room for argument.
Jing Ziyang looked from Xuan Ziwen to Ji Juechen—who remained impassive—and fell silent.
Chen Junting, reading her thoughts, realized she wanted Ji Juechen to speak up. He subtly sent a soul-force whisper:
"Old Ji—don't you care that Senior Ziyan hasn't slept in days?"
Ji Juechen's pupils contracted. Did he care?
Hearing it phrased so bluntly… yes, he did.
But before he could act—
"Fine," Jing Ziyang relented, nodding.
She knew Ji Juechen better than anyone.
Waiting for him to "get it" and speak up? Easier to make the sun set in the east!
No use pressuring him. She did want rest—she'd use this day to recover. And Ji Juechen? They'd do as always: he'd train or challenge others; she'd follow.
"I'll grab my things—wait here." She tossed off her lab coat and dashed out.
Ji Juechen watched her go, stunned.
Huh… guess I didn't need to say anything after all.
But the thought had barely formed when he felt four pairs of eyes burning into his back—making him deeply uncomfortable.
He turned.
Great.
"You… did I do something wrong?" Ji Juechen asked—he'd never hesitated like this.
Every stare held the same unspoken sentiment: "You fool! Can't you see what's right in front of you?!"
"Wrong? You're utterly wrong!" Chen Junting grabbed his arm. "Old Ji—why waste that perfect chance?!"
"Chance? What chance?"
Ji Juechen looked genuinely lost.
Chen Junting didn't answer—instead, he asked:
"Why did you feel uneasy these past seven days without Senior Ziyan?"
Before Ji Juechen could reply, he pressed on:
"All these years, she's become part of your life. When she's gone, you feel… incomplete. That's habit. And when habit becomes absence, you realize how precious that person is."
Like these last seven days.
"I…" Ji Juechen's mind reeled.
He wasn't stupid—just single-minded. Chen Junting's bluntness hit home.
"But… my world is only swords…"
His voice faltered. Chen Junting shot him a "I don't believe you" look.
"Your world is only swords? Then what is that 'habit'? It's EMOTION!"
Chen Junting's voice cracked with frustration. "You think 'no women, just swords' makes you stronger? A woman's been by your side all this time—what do you think she's waiting for?"
His eyes turned piercing, cutting to Ji Juechen's soul:
"Old Ji—do you practice the Heartless Sword… or the Emotion Sword? If you have emotion… what do you swing your sword FOR?"
"I practice… I swing for…"
The words struck like a final blow.
Memories flooded him—
First meeting. Companionship. Understanding…
His world held only swords… and her.
A quiet crack echoed in his heart—he finally understood what he'd missed.
Just then, Jing Ziyang re-entered, clutching a storage soul guidance device. Seeing Ji Juechen frozen, she walked over naturally:
"Old Ji, let's go—why're you spacing out?"
But before she finished—
Ji Juechen spun, seized her shoulders, and locked eyes with unwavering resolve:
"Ziyan… be with me."
"We're not always together?" she asked, confused—until his meaning dawned.
Her body went rigid as stone. The device clattered to the floor.
The sword-obsessed fool… finally sees beyond his blade.
"You… what did you say?" Her voice trembled, tears spilling. "Say it clearly—what do you mean?"
Did she not hear?
No. She'd never heard anything so clearly in her life.
Her tears weren't sorrow—they were joy, relief, release.
"I think… we should leave." Chen Junting blurred to the other three's side.
They nodded instantly.
What happened next—two souls' love, repressed for years, finally unleashed? None dared witness it.
Outside, Chen Junting paused, glancing back at the sealed lab door. He sensed a shift in sword intent—"Ji" (Stillness) was transforming.
He adjusted his sleeve, smirking.
"Seems even the sword-obsessed maniac must now be lovesick."
…
After leaving the institute, Chen Junting ignored the lovebirds and went straight to Uncle Ning—to triple Lab A01's research budget.
After all—mecha and Battle Armor were era-defining.
And to succeed? You burn money.
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