When the girls reached Guanqiu, Nika spoke up to get her attention. "Excuse me, Guanqiu?”

  Guanqiu looked over, surprised by the interruption, and smiled sheepishly. "Oh, hello! Did you need something?”

  "Yes," Nika replied, trying to keep a low profile amidst the throng. "We were just wondering... we saw your fight with Akari, and we think it was amazing. You had some seriously impressive moves.”

  An expression of pride adorned Guanqiu's face as she spoke. "Thank you! I put a lot of training into developing my style, and I'm glad it paid off today.”

  "Yeah, it really did," Nika agreed. "You really had us on the edge of our seats during the match. How did you manage to dodge Akari's kicks so easily?”

  "Ah, that's just practice and experience," Guanqiu replied modestly. "I've trained for a long time, and I've learned how to predict and dodge attacks based on my opponents' movements.”

  Blair's interest was piqued. "No kiddin'... That's pretty impressive! How long have you been training, anyway? Scratch that— WHO trained you?!”

  "I started training when I was young, just a little child," Guanqiu answered. "My village's elders trained me in the art of paper crafts and martial arts. They're the ones who helped me cultivate my skills in the beginning. When it comes to who trained me in Void Magic...that would be Master Xuanzang.”

  "She's quite a mysterious person...but she's the one who trained and raised me," Guanqiu responded. "She's known as the 'The Enlightened one' back in Gui Long. She taught me all of the magical arts that I know today and helped me hone in on my Void Magic.”

  "Wow..." Rachel murmured, impressed by the introduction of this master. "She sounds incredible.”

  "Yes, she is incredible," Guanqiu confirmed with admiration. "Master Xuanzang is a very wise and compassionate teacher. She's also incredibly powerful. In fact, she's one of the strongest Void Magic users I've ever met.”

  A mixture of awe and curiosity filled the girls' faces. "Really?" Nika wondered. "She must be extremely powerful then... How did you meet her?”

  "I was chosen to be her apprentice when I was young," Guanqiu explained. "Master Xuanzang has an ability to sense potential in people at a young age. She saw something special in me and decided to take me under her wing. Since then, I've spent much of my life studying under her guidance, becoming who I am today.”

  The group of girls were astonished. "She just saw your potential and picked you?" Rachel asked, her tone filled with awe. "That sounds like something straight outta an anime.”

  Guanqiu chuckles softly, nodding at that observation. "Yeah, I guess it does sound a bit like that," she agreed. "But it's true. Master Xuanzang saw potential in me and decided to take me as her apprentice. She's been my teacher, mentor, and friend ever since.”

  Impressed, Nika followed up with a question. "That's amazing! So, you've been studying under her for a long time, huh?”

  "Yes, indeed," replied Guanqiu. "I've been training under her for over 10 years now. It's been a long journey, but it's been worth it. Master Xuanzang has taught me so much over the years. She's really like a mother to me.”

  "That's really sweet," said Alice, finally speaking up for the first time. "It sounds like you've learned a lot from her.”

  "I have," confirmed Guanqiu, her eyes glinting with pride. "Master Xuanzang has taught me so much about Void Magic, about martial arts...about life in general. I feel like I've grown so much under her tutelage.”

  Blair smirked, raising an eyebrow. "So, what other awesome stuff can you do, besides that paper craft stuff you did in the battle?”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "Oh, that's just scratching the surface," said Guanqiu, clearly enjoying the attention. "I can do quite a bit, actually. Besides the paper crafts, I've also learned how to manipulate my aura and energy in different ways, using it for powerful attacks and defenses.”

  "Wow," Nika said, taking in this information. "That's impressive. Do you think it would be possible to share your training methods with us...?”

  "Hmm..." said Guanqiu, deep in thought, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to share some basics. What specifically do you want to know?”

  Nika thought about her question. "I guess I'm curious, does the training require physical fitness? Like working out?”

  "To a degree, yes," confirmed Guanqiu. "Training involves regular physical exercise and training of the body. Master Xuanzang always says, 'A strong body is the foundation for a strong Void Mage.' So, physical fitness plays a role in my training routine.”

  "So, it's kind of like exercise and meditation combined?" asked Nika, her curiosity piqued.

  "You could say that," responded Guanqiu. "Training involves both physical exercise and mental focus. It's about channeling your aura and honing your concentration through both physical movement and meditation. I spend equal time on both aspects.”

  "I see," said Nika, now fascinated. "Your training seems quite intense. How long do you train every day?”

  "My training regime varies from day to day," replied Guanqiu. "But on average, I usually train for about 6 hours a day, alternating between physical exercise and meditation. It can be quite demanding, but I've adapted to the schedule over the years.”

  "That's dedication," Blair remarked with raised eyebrows. "I gotta respect that kind of discipline. But now, as for what I really came here for! I gotta say, Guanqiu, you're hella cute, y'know that?”

  Guanqiu gasped at the unexpected compliment, looking to the side and covering her flushed cheeks. "Oh...oh, umm, thank you?" she replied in a hushed voice. "I um...I appreciate the…kind words...that's really nice of you to say…”

  Blair smirked, noticing Guanqiu's bashful reaction. "No need to be shy. Just stating the obvious truth. Tan-skinned girls rule," she said, making the shy girl even more flustered.

  Nika chuckled, trying to redirect the conversation. “Jeez, Blair, don't give the poor girl a heart attack!”

  She then turned to Guanqiu. "I apologize for Blair's…uh, forwardness. But I do have one more question for you, if you don't mind.”

  Guanqiu composed herself, still blushing. "Oh, no..no problem. Please go on. Ask me what you need.”

  "Thank you," Nika replied, glad to have redirected the conversation. "I was curious about something. You use paper to craft and form things, right? I was wondering, what's the limit? Does it have to be just...paper?”

  "Excellent question," said Guanqiu, happy to answer the query. "No, paper is just the base material of my craft. I can manipulate other materials as well, but my primary affinity is with paper. It's a special kind of paper, called 'Silk Paper,' and it's a key ingredient in my technique.”

  "Silk Paper, huh?" Nika repeated. "I assume there's something special about it that makes it superior to other types of paper?”

  "Yes, there is," replied Guanqiu. "Silk Paper is a unique form of paper imbued with unique properties. Its fibers contain a special kind of energy that allows me to bend and mold it to my will. It's a valuable resource for my crafts, which is why I carry a huge stack of it everywhere I go.”

  "Ah, I see," said Nika, intrigued by the explanation. "So, what are those 'unique properties', eh?”

  "Silk Paper has several unique properties," said Guanqiu. "It's highly flexible and malleable, able to take on a variety of shapes and sizes. It's also exceptionally durable, resisting tearing and puncturing.”

  Blair smirked, impressed by the explanation, but still couldn't resist her mischievous demeanor. "Man...talk about multitasking. You've got it all -- cute, talented, and now, you're explaining stuff like a professor. You're just the whole package, huh?”

  Guanqiu's cheeks reddened once again at the compliment. "Oh, um...no, no," she protested softly. "I'm just explaining it as best I can. I'm not some professor..I..I can't be that smart, really…”

  "Ohh, but you are," Blair teased with a charming smirk, trying to get a reaction from the flustered girl. "You're all knowledgeable and elegant...it's incredibly attractive.”

  Guanqiu twirled her hair quickly as she thought: Please get me out of this by some miracle...

  Her wish was granted by Marco announcing the next match.

  "The next match of the tournament will begin shortly, ladies and gents! Stay tuned!”

  Nika's attention shifted to the announcement, looking up at the arena. "Looks like we should be heading back to our seats. The next match is starting soon. It was lovely talking to you, Guanqiu.”

  "Oh, okay," replied Guanqiu, slightly relieved for the conversation to end. "It was nice talking to you all too. I hope to see you around.”

  "You can count on it," Blair chimed in with a sly grin. "I'll be seeing you around…cutie.”

  "Oh um...I uh..." was all that could come out of the poor girl's mouth as she blushed furiously and turned away. The girls giggled at the cute reaction, as they walked back to Celeste's suite.