Soaring Dragon Phantom

Early in the morning.

Hua Shuya finished her sword dance and walked over, a hint of confusion on her pretty face:

"Senior, what happened to Madam Mao? Yesterday she was full of worry and looked wary and uneasy. But today she's so refreshed and smiling like a flower."

She even felt that Mao Ruoyu's complexion and skin had improved a bit, looking like a completely changed person as if reborn.

The mature charm radiating from within made even her feel amazed.

"Madam Mao possesses a unique ability; she is no ordinary person."

Lin Tianlu put down the scroll in his hand and chuckled, "Yesterday she was reserved because she was afraid we would consider her an ill omen, so she was cautious everywhere, afraid of making mistakes. I had a brief chat with her last night, clarifying that neither I nor Miss Hua are prejudiced people, so there's no need to worry."

Hua Shuya suddenly understood.

"Madam Mao had such worries; it seems I need to soften my tone more often."

Lin Tianlu teased, "If you say more nice things, Madam Mao might add more dishes to your meal tonight."

The young woman's pretty face blushed slightly at his words, and she subconsciously touched her flat stomach.

She insisted on practicing swordplay daily, so her appetite was naturally a bit larger than ordinary people's. Madam Mao's cooking made her mouth water and was something she greatly enjoyed.

As if feeling a bit shy, the young woman quickly cleared her throat:

"Senior, I have some questions about martial arts that I hope you can guide me on."

"Martial arts?"

Lin Tianlu asked curiously, "Is it your sword techniques?"

"It's the Soaring Dragon Phantom Step that you gave me to study a few days ago."

Hua Shuya took out the manual from her embrace with a troubled expression: "Although I've been practicing according to the diagrams in the manual, I still don't fully understand many parts, and I feel restricted whenever I use it."

Lin Tianlu took the manual and flipped through it, "Miss Hua, why don't you demonstrate it for me to see?"

"Alright!"

Hua Shuya took a deep breath and quickly retreated into the courtyard.

Immediately, a wisp of clear wind seemed to ripple beneath her feet, and her elegant figure danced gracefully. She even stepped on tree branches to soar into the air, her form leaping lightly onto the rooftop.

Lin Tianlu looked up, dumbfounded.

What is this...

So flashy and beautiful.

How is it completely different from the old-man disco I used to practice back then?!

"I've made a fool of myself, Senior."

Hua Shuya leaped down, her graceful figure landing softly, her skirt fluttering like a descending fairy.

Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin with a subtle expression, "Miss Hua, this movement technique... where do you think you're practicing it incorrectly?"

"I feel a blockage in my inner circulation. Although my movements are much faster than before, they are also more tiring. It goes against the 'unceasing circulation of inner energy' described in the manual."

Hua Shuya frowned slightly, troubled, "The first level is already this difficult to learn; I fear I won't have much comprehension to grasp the remaining four levels."

"Miss Hua, you don't need to be disheartened. Everything must be done step by step."

Lin Tianlu flipped through the manual in his hand again, his eyes changing slightly, and he appeared thoughtful.

A few days ago, he had only skimmed through the manual, still feeling lost amidst its obscure incantations and mental cultivation methods.

But now, upon closer inspection, he could discern some profound essence, which seemed to align quite well with the Buddhist scriptures and poems he had been studying these past few days, containing a mysterious artistic conception.

He pondered for a moment and then suddenly said, "Miss Hua, stab me with your sword."

Hua Shuya was stunned: "Senior, what are you..."

"I've had a slight realization, so I might as well try it out." Lin Tianlu kept his eyes fixed on the manual in his hand, not looking up for a moment.

Realization?!

Hua Shuya was startled by his words, then her pretty face turned serious, and she immediately drew her sword and thrust it forward.

"--Huh?"

She quickly showed a bewildered expression.

Because the Senior sitting in front of her had suddenly disappeared, reappearing silently to her right, still looking down at his book.

Did I... did I just see things?

The young woman quickly rubbed her eyes and focused her gaze, thrusting her sword again.

But as she thrust her sword, the figure before her dissolved into an illusion like a reflection in water and the moon.

This bizarre and unpredictable scene immediately made Hua Shuya react, her heart filled with immense shock.

"This is--"

The fifth level recorded in the Soaring Dragon Phantom Step... Kyōka Suigetsu, Hidden Dragon, Invisible Trace?!

"This movement technique is quite interesting."

Lin Tianlu's voice sounded softly.

Hua Shuya hurriedly turned around to look:

"Senior?!"

"Miss Hua, although this movement technique is profound when you first start, it's actually not difficult. It's just that the core mental cultivation involves many theories, so you need to study and practice it more."

Lin Tianlu turned his head and chuckled lightly, closing the manual casually. "I'll give you a few scriptures to read later. The mental cultivation methods will cross-reference each other, and you'll definitely be able to apply what you learn."

"Scrip-scriptures?"

Seeing the young woman's bewildered expression, Lin Tianlu couldn't help but joke, "Bacon once said that knowledge is power. It's not a bad thing for Miss Hua to occasionally read some poetry and books."

"Your teachings, Senior... this junior will remember them!"

Hua Shuya quickly sheathed her sword and cupped her hands.

Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled, no longer joking around.

"Miss Hua, perform the Soaring Dragon Phantom Step again. I'll help you point out any mistakes or omissions."

"Okay!"

Hua Shuya soon began to move and leap again in the courtyard.

Lin Tianlu watched meticulously, occasionally offering guidance and corrections.

Before long, as the young woman moved, her figure became unpredictable, sharp and swift, showing significant progress.

During this process, Lin Tianlu also sighed inwardly.

Now that his body was protected by Spiritual Energy, his talent and comprehension in martial arts seemed far superior to ordinary people. The Spiritual Energy within him and the immortal mountain had indeed brought about immeasurable changes.

"It seems... I'm really becoming the 'expert senior' this girl keeps talking about?"

He shook his head and smiled calmly, without much emotional fluctuation.

Walking in this world, seeking freedom and happiness is like holding precious pearls. Whether one is an expert or not is merely a worldly, empty title. To him, it's less important than what delicious meal Madam Mao will cook for lunch.

After a few sticks of incense.

Hua Shuya wiped the sweat from her forehead, feeling completely satisfied.

With much guidance and instruction from her Senior, she had already mastered the first level of the Soaring Dragon Phantom Step. Although it was still rudimentary, the sense of accomplishment made her feel quite exhilarated... not to mention achieving it under her Senior's tutelage, which brought a subtle, inexplicable joy to the young woman's heart.

But Lin Tianlu, sitting in the cool pavilion, said with a smile:

"Miss Hua, let me ask you. Why do you learn this movement technique?"

Hua Shuya pondered for a moment and said, "To flee a thousand miles, to move without a trace?"

Lin Tianlu let out a laugh.

That's too flashy.

"To put it plainly, it's for dodging, to be faster when escaping. What else would you learn this movement technique for?"

Hua Shuya was somewhat speechless, but after thinking about it, it seemed to make a lot of sense.

"In fact, this movement technique is like the sword techniques you practice. If you're too fixated on rigid, precise postures, you'll fall into the inferior category."

Lin Tianlu casually picked up an autumn fruit from the nearby bamboo basket and tossed it towards the young woman.

Hua Shuya caught the fruit with a slightly bewildered look. "Senior?"

"If the skin of this fruit I'm throwing to you were covered in poison, Miss Hua, what do you think would happen to you now?"

"..."

She tilted her head with a conflicted expression. "Wash my hands first?"

Lin Tianlu coughed lightly. "Just assume you've been poisoned."

"Oh, oh..."

"But Miss Hua, if you think carefully, if this fruit is both poisonous and thrown at lightning speed, how would you use your movement technique to dodge it?"

Hua Shuya mumbled the movement techniques a few times, then muttered uncertainly, "Use the three stances of 'Soaring Dragon Turning Body' to shift my position, and then supplement with the six stances of 'Stepping Without a Trace' to dodge this poisoned fruit?"

Lin Tianlu smiled helplessly. "Why would it be so complicated? You just need to take a step to the side, and the fruit would hit the wall, wouldn't it?"

Hua Shuya blinked blankly.

It seems... that's the logic?

"How about this, Miss Hua. The movement technique should be integrated in the shortest possible time through practical application."

Lin Tianlu tossed the nearby bamboo basket. "I'll wash the seeds of these autumn fruits clean and use them as pebbles to throw. And you, Miss, just need to use your movement technique to dodge as much as possible."

Hua Shuya nodded repeatedly. "Then let me help Senior wash these fruit seeds clean."

Not long after.

Lin Tianlu carried a small basket of fruit seeds, smiling as he looked at the young woman standing in the courtyard with a slightly nervous expression.

"Miss Hua, there's no need to be so nervous. My arms aren't very strong, you just need to dodge symbolically."

He lightly tossed the clean fruit pit in his hand, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.

It felt like he was back in elementary school, playing dodgeball with his classmates and teachers. Back then, he was an accurate thrower, practically the dodgeball king of the school.

He never imagined that he'd be helping this stunning swordswoman practice her movement techniques now...

"Senior, please begin!"

Hua Shuya seemed a little excited, her eyes glistening.

Seeing Lin Tianlu pick up a fruit pit and prepare to throw, her gaze sharpened. She secretly circulated her internal energy, ready to unleash the movement technique she had just mastered.

She wouldn't allow herself any distraction or underestimation—

After all, this was guidance from her senior. She would do her absolute best to dodge and not disappoint him!

—Here it comes!

Hua Shuya's pupils contracted, her body bending slightly.

Thwack!

"Ow!"

She cried out in surprise, stumbling back with her hand covering her forehead.

Lin Tianlu was a bit bewildered.

He had thought she was perfectly poised and ready, given her stance.

Why did she just stand there like a wooden post, completely still?

Where was her Soaring Dragon Phantom Step?

"S-sorry! Senior... I, I might not have reacted in time just now. Please, continue!" Hua Shuya's face flushed. As she let go, she quickly said, "I promise I'll dodge next time."

Lin Tianlu took out two more fruit pits and chuckled awkwardly, "Miss Hua, you really need to try harder."

As he spoke, he deliberately slowed his throw, tossing the fruit pits gently.

Tap, tap!

Just as Hua Shuya was about to sidestep, two fruit pits hit her right on the bridge of her nose.

"Oof—"

The young woman immediately clutched her nose and crouched down, her eyes misting over pitifully.

Lin Tianlu fell silent.

Did it feel like he was deliberately bullying a young girl?

Or... was this girl's acting skill on par with a contemporary film empress?