[GL] I'm Just A Side Character... So Why Is The Heroine Chasing Me?!-Chapter 25: Training begins

The next morning, Zhao Lingxi woke before dawn.

Lan Yue found her in the courtyard, moving through cultivation forms with smooth grace. Her movements were slow and careful, each gesture drawing spiritual energy from the air into her body.

She’s serious about this.

"You’re up early," Lan Yue said, approaching with a cup of warm water.

Zhao Lingxi finished her form before replying. "I have one month. I can’t waste a single day."

She took the cup and drank, her brow furrowed in thought.

"The Imperial Academy examination tests three things," she explained. "Cultivation base, combat skill, and written knowledge. My cultivation is the weakest. Even with my meridians healed, I’m only at the second level of Qi Condensation."

"What level do most applicants reach?"

"At least the fifth level. The talented ones are already at Foundation Establishment." Zhao Lingxi set down the cup. "I’m years behind."

Lan Yue frowned. That was a huge gap. In cultivation, each level took exponentially more effort than the last. Jumping three levels in a month seemed impossible.

But then again, impossible was what Zhao Lingxi did best.

"What about the other two tests?" Lan Yue asked.

"Combat skill depends on technique and experience, not just raw power. I can handle that." Zhao Lingxi’s eyes hardened. "And written knowledge? I spent ten years in exile reading. I know more about cultivation theory than most nobles twice my age."

So the cultivation base is the real problem.

Lan Yue bit her lip, thinking. She still had supplies in her personal dimension, spirit medicines, cultivation aids, things from her old world that might help. But she had already used the best ones for healing.

Wait. There might be something else.

"Young Miss," she said carefully, "what if there was a way to speed up your cultivation, something unconventional?"

Zhao Lingxi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I might have some resources, things that could help." Lan Yue hesitated. "But I need to show you something first, something I’ve been keeping hidden."

---

They went to Lan Yue’s small room.

Lan Yue made sure Liu Ruyan and Chen Mei were busy elsewhere before closing the door. Her heart pounded as she faced Zhao Lingxi.

This is risky. But I already healed her with mysterious medicine. She deserves to know more.

"What I’m about to show you cannot be shared with anyone," Lan Yue said seriously. "Not Liu Ruyan, not Chen Mei, not even Zhao Han. No one."

Zhao Lingxi nodded slowly. "I understand."

Lan Yue took a deep breath.

She closed her eyes and reached inward, connecting with her personal dimension. The familiar pull answered her call. She extended her hand.

And a small jade box appeared in her palm.

Zhao Lingxi’s eyes went wide.

"Spatial manipulation," she breathed. "You have a personal dimension?"

"It’s... complicated." Lan Yue opened the jade box, revealing several glowing pills inside. "These are Spirit Gathering Pills. They temporarily increase the rate of spiritual energy absorption. I only have five left."

Zhao Lingxi stared at the pills, then at Lan Yue. Her expression was unreadable.

"Where did you get these? Where did you get any of this?"

"I told you. It’s complicated."

"That’s not an answer."

Lan Yue sighed. "I know. And I promise I’ll explain everything eventually. But right now, the most important thing is getting you ready for the examination."

She held out the jade box.

"Take them. Use them wisely. One pill lasts about six hours. If you cultivate during that time, you’ll absorb spiritual energy three times faster than normal."

Zhao Lingxi didn’t move. Her dark eyes searched Lan Yue’s face.

"Why are you helping me this much?" she asked quietly. "These resources are priceless. You could sell them and live comfortably for the rest of your life. Instead, you give them to me, your mistress yes, but also a stranger. Why?"

Lan Yue met her gaze.

Because I know your story. Because I know what happens if you fail. Because in another life, you fought alone and nearly lost everything.

But she couldn’t say that.

"Because you deserve a chance," she said instead. "Because the people who hurt you should pay. And because..." She smiled slightly. "I told you before. My best chance of surviving is making sure you survive."

A long pause.

Then Zhao Lingxi reached out and took the jade box.

"I won’t forget this, Lan Yue. Whatever secrets you’re hiding, I’ll earn the right to know them someday."

---

The training began in earnest.

Every morning, Zhao Lingxi cultivated from before dawn until midday, using Lan Yue’s Spirit Gathering Pills to maximize her progress. In the afternoons, she practiced combat techniques in the courtyard. In the evenings, she reviewed cultivation theory by candlelight.

Lan Yue helped where she could. She sparred with Zhao Lingxi to sharpen her reflexes. Her apocalypse combat experience translated surprisingly well to martial arts. She quizzed her on theory, testing her knowledge of meridian pathways and spiritual formations.

Zhao Han watched from the sidelines, cheering.

"You’re amazing, Elder Sister! You’ll definitely pass the examination!"

Liu Ruyan and Chen Mei worked hard to support them, preparing meals and keeping the courtyard in order. Even they seemed to sense that something important was happening.

But not everyone was happy about Zhao Lingxi’s recovery.

---

On the fifth day of training, visitors arrived.

Zhao Ruoqing swept into the Clear Frost Garden like she owned it, followed by two servants carrying elegant boxes.

"Sister!" She smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with false affection. "I heard about the Crown Prince’s visit. The Imperial Academy! How wonderful!"

Zhao Lingxi stopped her cultivation practice and rose to face her. Her expression was cold.

"Second Sister. What brings you here?"

"I came to help, of course!" Zhao Ruoqing gestured to the boxes her servants carried. "I brought cultivation resources from the family treasury. Spirit stones, a basic cultivation manual, some medicinal herbs. It’s not much, but I thought you might need them for your preparation."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"I know Father hasn’t been... supportive. But I believe in you, Sister. We’re family, after all."

Lan Yue watched from the corner, fists clenched.

Liar. Schemer. Snake.

She knew exactly what Zhao Ruoqing was doing. This "help" was a trap. Either the resources were sabotaged, or she was gathering information to use against Zhao Lingxi later.

But Zhao Lingxi’s face remained calm.

"How thoughtful," she said smoothly. "Thank you, Second Sister."

She accepted the boxes without hesitation.

Zhao Ruoqing’s smile flickered. Clearly she had expected more resistance. "You’re welcome. If you need anything else, just ask."

"Actually, there is something." Zhao Lingxi tilted her head. "I’d love to spar with you sometime. Your combat skills are famous in the capital. I could learn so much."

Something dangerous flashed in Zhao Ruoqing’s eyes. Her sweet smile never wavered.

"Of course. Anytime you want, Sister."

"Wonderful. How about right now?"

The courtyard went silent.

---

They faced each other in the center of the yard.

Zhao Ruoqing had removed her outer robe, revealing practical fighting clothes underneath. Her cultivation aura pulsed around her, fourth level of Qi Condensation, far stronger than Zhao Lingxi’s second level.

"Are you sure about this, Sister?" Zhao Ruoqing asked, her voice dripping with fake concern. "I don’t want to hurt you."

"Don’t worry." Zhao Lingxi settled into a combat stance. "I can handle it."

Lan Yue watched anxiously from the sidelines. This was reckless. Zhao Ruoqing had every advantage, more cultivation, more experience, more training.

What is she thinking?

Zhao Ruoqing attacked first.

She moved fast, her palm strike aimed at Zhao Lingxi’s chest. A killing blow disguised as a sparring move.

But Zhao Lingxi was faster.

She sidestepped smoothly, letting the attack pass inches from her body. Her hand shot out, fingers pressing against Zhao Ruoqing’s wrist.

And Zhao Ruoqing stumbled.

"What..." She caught herself, eyes wide with shock.

Zhao Lingxi didn’t give her time to recover. She pressed forward with a series of precise strikes, each targeting vulnerable points, throat, temple, solar plexus.

Zhao Ruoqing blocked desperately, but she was off-balance, confused by her opponent’s unexpected skill.

Where did this come from? Her expression screamed.

The answer was simple. Ten years of exile.

Zhao Lingxi had spent a decade with nothing but time. She had studied every combat manual she could find. She had practiced forms until her muscles memorized them perfectly. Her body was weaker, yes, but her technique was flawless.

The spar ended with Zhao Ruoqing on her back, Zhao Lingxi’s foot on her chest.

"I win," Zhao Lingxi said calmly. "Thank you for the lesson, Second Sister."

The servants gasped. Liu Ruyan covered her mouth. Zhao Han cheered loudly.

Zhao Ruoqing’s face twisted with humiliation and rage. But she forced a smile.

"Well done, Sister. You’ve... improved."

Zhao Lingxi stepped back and offered her hand.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhao Ruoqing took it and stood. Her eyes burned with hatred she could barely hide.

"I should go," she said stiffly. "Good luck with your preparation."

She left without another word, her servants hurrying after her.

---

That night, Lan Yue found Zhao Lingxi examining the "gifts" Zhao Ruoqing had brought.

"Are they safe?" Lan Yue asked.

"The spirit stones are genuine. The herbs are fine." Zhao Lingxi held up the cultivation manual. "But this has been tampered with. If I followed these instructions, I’d damage my meridians permanently."

Lan Yue’s blood ran cold. "She tried to cripple you."

"Of course she did." Zhao Lingxi tossed the manual into the brazier, watching it burn. "Did you expect anything less?"

"No. But still..."

Zhao Lingxi turned to face her, a cold smile on her lips.

"Today I learned something important. My Second Sister is scared." Her eyes glittered in the firelight. "And scared people make mistakes."