Over the next half month, Su Yu's life became exceptionally full.
By day, he became a strict mentor, carefully guiding Su Yan and the others in their sword training.
After nightfall, he cultivated alone, consolidating his Spirit Condensation Realm.
On the courtyard's bluestone ground, four figures crossed and flashed beneath the morning light.
Though Su Yu had never practiced their sword styles, his mastery of two Human-grade High-tier sword styles, both nearing perfection, let him spot the flaws in their techniques at a glance.
"Xiao Yan, the Clear Wind Sword Style emphasizes lightness and speed."
Su Yu stood with his hands behind his back, watching Su Yan practice his moves. "You're too focused on copying the forms, but you've lost the true meaning of the sword style."
He casually snapped off a willow branch and gave it a light wave. "Watch closely. Its form is like the formless breeze; its intent, like flowing clouds at ease."
In Su Yu's hand, the willow branch seemed to become a wisp of wind, its path unpredictable yet in harmony with the Dao.
Su Yan stared in stunned silence. The move looked casual, yet it came closer to the essence of the Clear Wind Sword Style than the moves he had painstakingly practiced for months.
On the other side, Su Mei had also hit a bottleneck with her Snowfall Sword Style.
Su Yu walked over to her and said softly, "Xiao Mei, you're too bound by the changes in the moves."
He took the sword from her. Its edge quivered faintly. "A sword like lonely falling snow; its intent like the proud bones of winter plum blossoms. Remember: only with an unsullied heart can you cut through all things."
As the Sword Light flashed, the temperature in the courtyard plunged, and wisps of Sword Qi drifted down like falling snow.
Su Mei's eyes shone. That sword strike not only resembled falling snow, but also held a Sword Intent she had never grasped before.
Most surprising of all was Su Yun's decision to join them.
The former Number One Genius of the Su Family had now set aside his pride to ask Su Yu for guidance.
At first, Su Yun had only watched from a distance, his eyes full of resentment and inner turmoil.
But after seeing Su Yu's insights into the Blazing Sun Sword Style, he finally couldn't hold back.
"Brother Yun, the Blazing Sun Sword Style is all about fierce, overbearing power."
Watching Su Yun practice, Su Yu pinpointed the problem. "There's always a hint of hesitation when you swing your sword. That's a cardinal sin. Once your sword is drawn, there can be no regrets; only then can you overwhelm your opponent with strength."
Su Yun was shaken by his words. That was exactly the problem that had troubled him for so long.
Under Su Yu's guidance, his sword style gradually shed its hesitation and became unstoppable.
As the days passed, the relationships between the four of them subtly changed.
The resentment in Su Yun's eyes gradually faded, replaced by heartfelt admiration.
He realized that instead of clinging to empty fame, he would do better to pursue the true meaning of the Martial Dao with both feet on the ground.
Su Yan and Su Mei began to see Su Yu as their role model, and trained harder than ever.
What moved Su Yu most was that these brief two weeks together had brought them closer than more than a decade of past acquaintance.
Sometimes, the bonds between people were simply that wondrous. A shared pursuit could often break through years of estrangement.
Over the past half month, Su Yu had learned a great deal about the Outer Sect from Su Yan.
Aside from Yuwen Jie, several disciples who had long ranked among the Outer Sect's top ten, including Lu Zi'ang and Zhang Heng, had also broken through to the Spirit Condensation Realm and gone to the Inner Sect to take the Inner Sect Disciple examination.
That was only to be expected.
After listening, Su Yu remarked thoughtfully.
He scooped up a spoonful of spiritual rice porridge. Through the rising steam, his calm expression was reflected.
Those people had been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining Level 9 for a long time. If they hadn't been competing for a place among the Outer Sect's top ten disciples, they would probably have broken through long ago.
Yuwen Jie had been lucky to break through at the last moment.
Su Mei took a small sip of spiritual tea, a trace of wistfulness in her eyes. "It's a shame he ran into Cousin."
The three exchanged smiles.
As they were talking, Ye Xuan came over carrying a food tray, her white robes especially striking in the Spirit Cuisine Hall.
"Senior Brother Su." Ye Xuan gave a respectful bow, then, after receiving permission, sat beside Su Mei.
"I heard Senior Sister Yunxi is also in seclusion, trying to break through to the Spirit Condensation Realm."
The news made the three members of the Su Family tense.
"Looks like we'll have to pick up the pace."
Su Yan put down his chopsticks, an unusually serious expression on his face.
At daybreak, when the eastern sky had only just begun to pale, Su Yu had already packed his things.
He had never liked the sorrowful scenes that came with farewells, so he had deliberately chosen to leave quietly while everyone was still asleep.
As he gently closed the courtyard gate, Su Yu couldn't help turning back to look at the small courtyard where he had lived for several months.
Through the morning mist, the outline of the simple dwelling was just visible. This place held too many memories of cultivation.
He drew a deep breath, pressed a trace of reluctance deep inside, then turned and stepped into the hazy morning mist.
The Outer Sect Main Hall looked especially solemn in the dawn light.
As soon as Su Yu entered, he saw Elder Mo Yuan standing alone in the hall, as if he had long expected him to arrive at this hour.
"Disciple Su Yu pays his respects to Elder." Su Yu bowed respectfully.
Mo Yuan turned around and swept his gaze over Su Yu like lightning, then smiled with satisfaction. "Good. You've come much sooner than this old man expected."
He walked closer, his wide sleeves stirring in the still air. "Your Spirit Condensation Realm cultivation is already so stable. It seems you haven't slacked off during this time."
Su Yu was about to answer, but Mo Yuan continued, "Wait a moment. I'll personally take you to the Inner Sect. There's no need for a genius like you to go through those tedious examinations."
"This..." Su Yu hesitated slightly. "Elder, would going straight into the Inner Sect not be against the rules?"
Mo Yuan laughed loudly, his laughter echoing through the hall. "Rules? Yunlan Sect has always cherished talent. With your gift for comprehending Nascent Sword Intent while still in the Qi Refining Realm, making you take those ordinary examinations would be the real waste."
Morning sunlight spilled over the bluestone steps as Grand Elder Mo Yuan led Su Yu toward the Inner Sect's grounds.
They followed a winding mountain path, ancient pines towering on either side as the mountain breeze carried the scent of pine.
"Sunrise Peak is just ahead." Mo Yuan pointed to a mist-shrouded mountain in the distance. "It's the lowest of the Seven Inner Sect Peaks, but it's where most newly admitted Inner Sect Disciples go to cultivate."
Su Yu followed behind Mo Yuan, feeling the solid bluestone beneath his feet.
After they passed through an ancient stone gate, the sight before him made him stop in his tracks.
Unlike the Outer Sect's cramped layout, the Inner Sect's buildings were scattered among verdant pines and cypresses, each courtyard spaciously set apart. Everywhere spoke of the Inner Sect's history and stature.
"The Spiritual Qi here..." Su Yu drew a deep breath, feeling the Spiritual Qi within him circulate faster.
Mo Yuan smiled faintly. "This is only the beginning. Once you officially become an Inner Sect Disciple, you'll have an even better place to cultivate."
The two arrived in front of the Inner Sect Main Hall. A steward in a moon-white robe hurried over and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder Mo Yuan."
Mo Yuan nodded, then gestured toward Su Yu. "This is Su Yu, a newly admitted Inner Sect Disciple. Show him the rules, help him collect his disciple's supplies, and arrange suitable lodgings for him."
"Understood." The steward cupped his hands in acknowledgment, though his gaze couldn't help lingering on Su Yu.
What was so special about this new disciple that Elder Mo Yuan had personally brought him here?
Mo Yuan turned to Su Yu, his voice gentler. "Go with this steward and take care of the formalities for entering the Inner Sect. Once everything is settled, come back here and wait. I'll report to the Sect Master, then return to see you."
"This disciple obeys." Su Yu bowed respectfully and watched Mo Yuan walk away.
A flicker of surprise crossed the steward's eyes. It was already rare for Elder Mo Yuan to personally introduce someone. And now even the Sect Master was to be informed?
He couldn't help taking another look at the seemingly ordinary young disciple before him, privately wondering: Was Junior Brother Su from an extraordinary background, or was his talent simply astonishing?
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