Eve of Departure

The boost in comprehension brought by the golden orb sent Su Yu into a state of cultivation unlike any he had ever experienced.

For the next half-month, he barely left his room, immersing himself completely in the study of martial techniques and sword intent.

Aside from the time he needed each day to meditate and regulate his breathing, he spent every moment honing his martial techniques and cultivating his sword intent.

The progress of Lone Peak Sword Art was the most remarkable.

This sword art, which had already reached the Great Accomplishment stage, grew ever more refined in Su Yu's hands.

Every move he performed carried the true force of a mountain. Wherever his blade pointed, even the air seemed to grow dense and heavy.

One move had also been completely transformed. As its sword force surged skyward, it was accompanied by a faint Sound of Wind and Thunder.

What surprised Su Yu most was the change in this move. It had once prized unmatched force, but now it carried an effortless grace, as if lifting a great weight with ease. Its power had not diminished; it had only increased.

Wind-Swept Flowing Cloud Sword made equally astonishing progress.

This sword art was known for its endless variations, and with his heightened comprehension, Su Yu's understanding of it grew ever deeper.

One move could now take shape as Sword Qi. Wherever the blade passed, it was truly like a fierce wind sweeping through;

another grew more intricate and unceasing, its sword force rolling like a sea of clouds, making it impossible to defend against;

as for the killing move, he could now wield it with far greater control.

As for his fist techniques, the progress of Thunderclap Fist surprised even Su Yu.

The fist technique, which had only been at the Great Accomplishment stage, made tremendous strides over the half-month.

Every punch he threw carried the true force of thunder, and the air cracked incessantly wherever his fists swept past.

Most remarkably, Su Yu had begun to grasp the essence of Thunderclap Fist—not only its fierce, overbearing power, but also its resolve to press forward without hesitation.

His understanding of this intent raised the power of his fist technique by yet another level.

His movement technique, Fleeting Light Shadow, also made pleasing progress.

When Su Yu used it now, he was truly as elusive as a fleeting glimmer of light.

Most astonishingly, he had begun to adjust the details of his movements instinctively according to his opponent's techniques. This near-predictive ability multiplied the technique's effectiveness.

Sometimes, as he darted and shifted around the training room, he left several afterimages hanging in the air, which took several breaths to fade.

This frenzied state of cultivation sent Su Yu's mastery of martial techniques soaring.

Although he was still one step away from the Perfected Realm, he could feel that the threshold was already within reach.

Perhaps, given another month, all these martial techniques would reach the true Perfected Realm.

At the same time, Su Yu's understanding of sword intent continued to deepen.

That wisp of Nascent Sword Intent was now several times stronger than before. Whenever he used a sword technique, he could feel a wondrous resonance forming between the sword intent and his moves.

This resonance greatly increased the power of his sword moves and could even stir subtle changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

However, when Su Yu tried to elevate his sword intent to a higher realm, he ran into a bottleneck he could not overcome.

No matter how hard he tried to comprehend it, that wisp of sword intent remained at the nascent stage, unable to advance any further.

It was like standing before a tightly shut door. He could clearly sense the vast world beyond it, yet could find no key to open it.

It seemed that breaking through in sword intent could not be achieved through comprehension alone.

Su Yu stood in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky as he sank into thought.

Perhaps he needed a true trial of life and death to break through this bottleneck and allow his sword intent to truly grow.

One day.

The setting sun bathed the small courtyard in its glow. Su Yu was immersed in his study of sword intent when he suddenly heard two familiar sets of footsteps approaching.

He hurriedly reined in his sword intent and turned to look. Su Yan and Su Mei stood side by side at the courtyard gate, both wearing hesitant expressions.

Xiao Yan, Xiao Mei?

Su Yu called softly.

At his words, the two looked up, surprise flashing through their eyes at the same time.

Su Yu was only standing there casually, yet he gave them the oppressive feeling of gazing up at a towering mountain.

This invisible pressure was even stronger than what they felt from the senior Outer Sect Deacons.

"Brother Yu..." Su Yan swallowed, his voice dropping unconsciously. "You... broke through to the Spirit Condensation Realm?"

Su Mei nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, her gaze full of hope and unease.

Su Yu gave a slight nod, his eyes sweeping over their faces as he keenly sensed their dejection. "Yes, I broke through a few days ago. What's wrong? Did you need something?"

Su Yan and Su Mei exchanged a glance. In the end, Su Mei gathered her courage and spoke. "Cousin, Su Yan and I ran into some bottlenecks while practicing our martial techniques. We'd hoped to ask you for some guidance..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter. "But you've broken through to the Spirit Condensation Realm and are going to the inner sect. You must have a lot to prepare..."

Su Yan picked up where she left off. "That's right. We shouldn't have come to bother you..."

As they spoke, they turned to leave, their backs conveying a loneliness they could hardly put into words.

"Wait."

With a quick step, Su Yu appeared in front of them. He smiled gently. "Who says I can't guide you after I go to the inner sect?"

Su Mei abruptly looked up, hope blazing anew in her eyes. Su Yan also looked delighted.

"The inner sect isn't cut off from the rest of the world."

Su Yu's tone was gentle. "I plan to stay in the outer sect for another half-month, so I can help you with your cultivation problems. Even after I go to the inner sect, I'll come back to visit you often."

He paused, watching their eyes gradually brighten, then continued, "Besides, with your talent, it's only a matter of time before you break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm. When the three of us reunite in the inner sect, wouldn't that be even better?"

His words were like a shot in the arm. The gloom on Su Mei and Su Yan's faces vanished.

Su Yan suddenly grabbed Su Yu's arm, his excitement plain. "That's right! Brother Yu, you go make a name for yourself in the inner sect first. Then when we get there, no one will dare bully us!"

Su Mei smiled too, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Then the three of us siblings can look out for each other in the inner sect. Let's see who dares look down on the Su family's disciples!"

Su Yu laughed and shook his head, but he was touched by their pure sibling affection.

He patted their shoulders. "Come on, take me to see what's troubling you in your cultivation. Remember, the path of martial cultivation is long. There's no need to rush. Step by step, on solid ground—that's the right way."

Beneath the setting sun, their shadows stretched long. One stood steady as a mountain, while the other two brimmed with youthful vigor, all three filled with boundless hope for the future.