Morning light fell across the blue-stone slabs of the training ground, casting several crisscrossing sword shadows. Chen Wuya stood at the edge of the field, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the cloth sash at his waist, his gaze locked on Bai Zhi. She was already standing in the center, her flexible sword held across her chest. Her posture had not changed, yet she carried a shade more gravity than she had the night before.
Lin Xiao took a step forward, his longsword lightly tapping the ground with a crisp ring. The two disciples behind him assumed their stances as well, and the three formed a triangular formation around Bai Zhi.
"Senior Sister, please instruct us." Lin Xiao's tone was steady, but his eyes held not the slightest respect.
Bai Zhi did not answer. She merely raised her sword tip slightly, and the sapphire on her sword tassel drew a fine streak of light beneath the sun.
The drum sounded, and the first exchange began.
Lin Xiao started by taking an unconventional path. Rather than claiming the centerline, his blade slashed diagonally toward her left shoulder, cutting in with half a move from an incomplete form. Bai Zhi sidestepped to evade it and was about to bring her sword back to block, when he abruptly changed direction. His blade slid down along her sword spine, driving straight at her wrist. This was precisely the ending position of Flowing Cloud Severance that she had deliberately slowed down yesterday!
She twisted her wrist and withdrew her sword, her feet shifting out of alignment as she barely opened some distance. But Lin Xiao shadowed her like a phantom, his second sword already arriving—at the same angle, the same rhythm. He was clearly following the record.
Chen Wuya's brow tightened. Lowering his voice, he said, "They