Tap tap tap tap!
On the training field, wooden blades collided in rapid succession. Lin Qiye held one hand behind his back and gripped his wooden sword in his right, advancing step by step with steady footwork.
Opposite him, Baili Pangpang retreated in a fluster, wildly swinging the wooden sword in his hand and barely managing to defend himself.
With a flick of his wrist, Lin Qiye easily knocked aside Baili Pangpang's wooden sword. Then he suddenly stepped forward, his wooden blade hovering beside Baili Pangpang's neck.
"You're too strong. I can't beat you!" Baili Pangpang threw down his wooden sword and sat down, panting as he spoke in frustration.
"It's not that I'm strong. It's that you're too weak," Lin Qiye stated bluntly.
Cao Yuan, who could not touch a blade, sat silently nearby with his cheek propped on one hand, watching the two fight. Hearing Lin Qiye's words, he nodded in deep agreement.
Baili Pangpang: ...
"Baili Tumming, your fundamentals are far too poor. Go practice the basics with the others first," Instructor Han Li said as he walked over to Baili Pangpang.
Baili Pangpang pulled a miserable face and dejectedly joined the group practicing basic drills nearby.
"Lin Qiye..." Instructor Han Li's brows furrowed slightly. "Although your fundamentals are solid and your swordsmanship is practiced, I always feel like something is missing."
"What's missing?"
"Your sword has the form, but not the soul." Instructor Han Li organized his thoughts. "Your swordsmanship is too rigid. It works against people with ordinary skills, but if you encounter a true expert, you'll struggle greatly.
How about this? Let's spar."
Instructor Han Li took a wooden sword from the rack beside them. With both hands hanging naturally at his sides, he stood before Lin Qiye in a seemingly casual posture.
Lin