The moment Lin Chen took her final step, a hidden mechanism beneath the ground was triggered; cold light flashed as volleys of sharp arrows shot up from the floor like lightning in the dark of night.

"Riiip!" With a crisp sound, the hidden weapons pierced through Lin Chen's clothes, sending torn fabric fluttering through the air.

Lin Chen whipped her head around, only to see over half of her teammates behind her pierced by the hidden weapons, blood dripping profusely from shocking, ghastly wounds.

Seeing this, Lin Chen's face instantly turned deathly pale, her delicate body trembling slightly, and her fingertips grew ice-cold.

She instinctively took a small step back, a soft cry escaping her lips.

"Lin Fan, what do I do!"

"They are still alive, quickly make the Spiritual Lotus bloom!" Lin Fan's voice echoed within her spiritual consciousness.

Lin Chen paused for a moment, the panic in her eyes replaced by the feeling of having found support, and she murmured:

"Right, the Spiritual Lotus…"

Her hands were trembling slightly, and though the shadow of fear still lingered in her heart, she dared not hesitate, rapidly forming hand seals before her chest.

Her slender fingertips moved in a flurry; though her actions were frantic, they only accelerated the speed at which she condensed her Spiritual Qi.

As a spiritual seal was struck into the giant lotus bud floating in the air, the bud seemed to be imbued with life, instantly radiating intense Spiritual Qi.

At this moment, heaven and earth stood still for her Spiritual Lotus to bloom; all things fell silent, save for the lotus petals beginning to slowly unfurl.

Layer upon layer of petals unfurled like a dream, emitting a hazy, rosy glow. The speed appeared slow, but in reality, it expanded as fast as lightning.

In the blink of an eye, a massive Spiritual Lotus had fully bloomed above the team.

The lotus was elegant and beautiful, each petal tipped with a faint, coy pink that gradually faded into a tender white, as soft and smooth as a young girl's skin.

Wisps of Spiritual Qi, like silk and smoke, overflowed from the petals, suffused with a rosy glow. They emitted a warm, fresh aura that rapidly permeated the area, enveloping the entire team in its gentle embrace.

The long spears of the hidden weapons that had originally pierced their bodies were gently enveloped by this smoky Spiritual Qi and pushed out softly.

"Cling…" With a soft sound, the spears fell to the ground.

Under the rosy glow of the Spiritual Lotus, the ghastly wounds immediately stopped bleeding and healed rapidly.

In a few moments, their skin was restored to its original state, smooth and flawless, as if they had never been injured at all.

The rosy glow of the Spiritual Lotus continued to spread outward, shrouding the entire world in this warm, gentle radiance.

The Disciples in the plaza instantly felt their entire bodies enveloped by a warm force, as if the winter sun were shining upon every inch of their skin.

"So comfortable…" Princess Hu Qinlan sighed softly, her expression relaxing as if immersed in this gentleness.

Following her soft murmur, the other Disciples also closed their eyes one after another, the corners of their mouths lifting as if they were in a dreamlike land of gentleness.

Many young female cultivators wore dazed expressions, leaning on each other, holding hands, or embracing, their hearts filled with tenderness.

Instructor Liu Qingwan, who once shared deep feelings with Lin Fan, could not help but lean on the shoulder of the female cultivator beside her, her cheeks flushing red, her eyes flickering with a hint of hidden shyness in her heart.

Lin Chen, inside the trial, was completely unaware of the changes in the outside world.

Having just passed the 33rd level, she was standing before the entrance of the 34th, looking troubled with her brows lightly furrowed:

"Lin Fan, it seems I need to choose my own musical direction to enter this level, and I… don't know what to choose."

Lin Fan's voice came from within her spiritual consciousness, carrying a hint of ease:

"Then come back after you've thought it through. You are already number one on the Disciple trial ranking board, no need to rush."

"Mm…" Lin Chen nodded, exhaling slightly. With a thought, she exited the trial.

When Lin Chen returned to the ranking plaza, the atmosphere around her became somewhat subtle.

The Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters of the Xuanyin Qin Sect all looked at her with strange gazes, as if staring at a delicious cake, their eyes gleaming with eagerness.

Lin Chen immediately felt a sense of discomfort, a little panic rising in her heart, and she asked softly in her mind:

"Lin Fan, what are they doing? Why are they looking at me like that?"

Lin Fan stifled a laugh, his voice faintly teasing: "Perhaps… they have taken a fancy to you?"

"Don't talk nonsense, what could they possibly see in me! I can't even…" Lin Chen was flustered and exasperated, her cheeks flushing red.

At this moment, Princess Hu Qinlan ran over like a fan meeting an idol, her eyes hopeful and her voice shy:

"Lin Chen, could you use that healing again? Let me experience it one more time."

"Huh?" Lin Chen paused, stunned.

"That healing technique of yours is truly magical; it feels like soaking in the warm sun, so relaxing…" Princess Hu Qinlan explained in a low voice, her tone filled with anticipation.

Only then did Lin Chen understand why these Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters were looking at her with such shining eyes, and her heart eased.

"Of course, that's no problem at all." She smiled gently.

Hearing this, Princess Hu Qinlan immediately pulled Lin Chen, wanting to take her to her own room. At this moment, Princess Jin Xuan blocked her.

"Lin Chen is my best friend; if she is to use the Spiritual Lotus again, it should be for me first." Princess Jin Xuan said unceremoniously.

"You—" Princess Hu Qinlan was choked speechless.

"Ahem." A light cough interrupted their dispute.

"Lin Chen, come with me." Instructor Liu Qingwan spoke indifferently.

Princess Jin Xuan naturally dared not defy an Elder, and could only watch helplessly as Instructor Liu Qingwan took Lin Chen away.

Instructor Liu Qingwan led Lin Chen away from the plaza, and the atmosphere instantly quieted down.

Lin Chen walked behind her, feeling slightly uneasy. Instructor Liu Qingwan had always given her a sense of majesty, but today her expression was hard to fathom.

"Instructor Qingwan… is there something you need me for?" Lin Chen couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Instructor Liu Qingwan tilted her head slightly and gave her a calm look. Her face still held little expression, but her tone softened a little:

"Your performance just now was not bad; the healing effect of the Spiritual Lotus far exceeded my expectations."

Lin Chen was slightly stunned, "It wasn't that good!"

"However…" Instructor Liu Qingwan stopped walking and turned to face Lin Chen, "Your control of Spiritual Qi is not yet precise enough; next time, do not cause people to have such strange reactions."

Lin Chen's cheeks instantly flushed red upon hearing this, her heart racing: "I… I didn't mean to! I don't know why it happened like that either…"

She secretly grumbled in her heart: "Lin Fan, it's all the fault of those techniques you taught me!"

Instructor Liu Qingwan chuckled lightly, reaching out to gently brush through her hair, her voice soft:

"I know, your Spiritual Qi is still in the adjustment period. However, your potential is immense, so I will guide you personally to ensure you stay on the right path."

Hearing this, a flash of excitement crossed Lin Chen's eyes: "Instructor Qingwan, are you going to teach me personally?"

Instructor Liu Qingwan nodded slightly: "Yes, I will teach you how to better utilize musical healing, but you must also focus on your cultivation and not be distracted by the outside world."

Lin Chen felt a wave of warmth surge into her heart and nodded heavily: "I understand, Instructor Qingwan!"

Instructor Liu Qingwan nodded with satisfaction and then led Lin Chen toward her residence.

They entered Instructor Liu Qingwan's residence. The interior was elegantly furnished, permeated with a faint, subtle fragrance, and sheer curtains swayed in the breeze, creating a tranquil and gentle atmosphere.

In the center of the room was a large, soft bed, covered with thick silk bedding, appearing warm and comfortable.

"Now, try to create a small Spiritual Lotus that only acts upon me." Instructor Liu Qingwan pointed at herself, signaling Lin Chen to cast the technique.

Lin Chen nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she formed the seals again. A Spiritual Lotus slowly bloomed before Instructor Liu Qingwan, its rosy glow encircling her body.

A gentle warmth quickly spread throughout Instructor Liu Qingwan's entire body, and she couldn't help but gently close her eyes, a calm smile appearing on her face.

"Mm… this feeling… is very reassuring." She murmured softly, her voice dreamlike.

Feeling this healing power, her heart fluttered slightly, and she couldn't help but lean toward Lin Chen, as if wanting to get closer to this warmth.

"However…" she whispered, "When releasing musical techniques, you must concentrate more; don't let your Spiritual Qi become chaotic, be more focused."

Lin Chen nodded nervously, adjusted her control of Spiritual Qi, and condensed the Spiritual Lotus once more.

As the Spiritual Qi deepened, the entire aura wound around Instructor Liu Qingwan like flowing water, causing her to involuntarily and lightly grip Lin Chen's arm, her cheeks flushing slightly.

It was a kind of extreme peace, a comfort that was almost intoxicating. She closed her eyes, breathing lightly, her mind calm.

Who knows how much time had passed, but Instructor Liu Qingwan leaned on her shoulder, her voice coming softly: "Lin Chen… let him come out; I want to talk to him."