"Thank you, Junior Brother."
Jiang Lu waved a hand, seeming not to mind. His gaze fell once more on the Iron Sword in Gu Chengming's hand. As if he had noticed something, he spoke up:
"Senior Brother, were you practicing the Huiyuan Sword Technique just now?"
He paused, then added:
"As it happens, I've gained some insight into this technique. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me anytime."
Jiang Lu's cultivation talent was only average, but his comprehension of martial arts techniques was far beyond that of ordinary people.
Perhaps remembering how Gu Chengming had once helped him get started, he had spoken up out of concern.
Besides, with the various sects struggling against one another, if Gu Chengming really failed his assessment and was expelled from the sect, the other schools would surely seize on it as fresh ammunition to attack Huiyuan Gate.
It was probably with that in mind that his master had made an exception and sent him to remind his senior brother.
Hearing this, a glimmer flashed in Gu Chengming's eyes, and he sincerely thanked him again.
Seeing that he had delivered his message, Jiang Lu did not linger. He cupped his hands and took his leave.
Gu Chengming watched until Jiang Lu's figure vanished at the end of the path. A bright full moon hung high in the night sky, its cool light spilling across the courtyard.
He closed the courtyard gate, his eyes shining.
The news Jiang Lu had brought had not discouraged him. Instead, it had left him fired up with fighting spirit.
If I don't do a time-limited route, then what's the difference between being Master Gala and being a Yuzu Chef?
System, give me some points!
Chapter 4: Obsessed Sword Resentful Man
To be honest, his progress in mastering the Huiyuan Sword Art had gone unexpectedly smoothly.
But the more proficient he became, the more its cool, distant sword style turned into an obsessive, clinging one.
That did seem to suit the "resentful woman" temperament of the Huiyuan Sword Art.
After all, for a resentful woman, wasn't being a little clingy perfectly reasonable?
And as Gu Chengming persisted in his daily practice, the Huiyuan Sword Art's mocking remarks grew fewer.
It seemed not to have expected Gu Chengming to keep at it, spending hours each day practicing that simple, almost tedious sword technique over and over again.
Still, from time to time, it would pop up on the panel during his practice and utter a few self-pitying lines.
[The Huiyuan Sword Art is a little surprised. It's even starting to wonder whether you might truly have the slightest bit of sincerity toward it.]
[Then it thinks it's reading too much into things. After all, it's only the sect's basic sword art. Anyone can learn it, anyone can use it. It isn't some priceless treasure. Who would take it seriously?]
Gu Chengming had long grown used to these plaintive complaints. He even found them a little cute.
He simply kept swinging his sword, answering the Huiyuan Sword Art's "insecurity" with the most direct action.
In less than half a month, Gu Chengming and the Huiyuan Sword Art had reached thirty Favorability, moving from [Stranger] to [Friendly].
The change in Favorability also brought great benefits.
First came the attribute reward. Though the system did not directly grant free attribute points, it awarded one fixed attribute point, adding it to his [Strength].
When he swung his sword, Gu Chengming could clearly feel the strength in his arm increase, and his Sword Momentum grow steadier and more forceful. It was not a free attribute point, but this tangible improvement still gave him a great deal of motivation.
The second benefit, and the more important one, was that his understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art and mastery of its techniques had reached an entirely new level.
The moves that had once felt awkward now flowed naturally in his hands.
Every transition between movements, every technique for exerting force, seemed engraved in his bones.
It was no exaggeration to say that Gu Chengming could now easily hold his own against ten versions of himself from half a month ago.
Though they were all weaklings...
On the other hand, just as on the first day he practiced the Huiyuan Sword Art, the Clear Heart Art did not begin circulating on its own again.
But from time to time, a few lines of text would appear on Gu Chengming's panel:
[The Clear Heart Art finds this very interesting.]
[The Clear Heart Art watches your efforts. It seems somewhat intrigued by the interaction between you and the Huiyuan Sword Art.]
Gu Chengming guessed that the Clear Heart Art was probably the kind of Target of Affection who "saw clearly from the sidelines."
It would not express its feelings directly, as the Huiyuan Sword Art did. Instead, it watched silently, offering some meaningful feedback at an unexpected moment.
Such a character usually required sharper insight and a much longer buildup to win over.
He already had a preliminary plan in mind, but for now, his focus was still on the Huiyuan Sword Art. He did not have time to attend to the Clear Heart Art yet.
It was worth mentioning that Junior Brother Jiang Lu, who had come to warn him, did indeed visit Gu Chengming's courtyard from time to time, just as he had said, to give him pointers on the Huiyuan Sword Technique.
Cultivation in the Wenjian Sect differed considerably from that of ordinary sects.
It emphasized a Clear Sword Heart and a Divine Sword Dao.
The sect had once had a peerless disciple who comprehended supreme Sword Intent overnight, attained a Divine Sword Dao, and broke through two realms in succession, advancing directly from the Fourth Realm to the Sixth Realm and becoming a Great Cultivator renowned across the land.
Moreover, since the Wenjian Sect's basic Cultivation Methods were closely tied to the Sword Dao, scenes of disciples "sitting in meditation and bitterly cultivating," like those found in other sects, were rare.
They usually advanced their cultivation realms by progressing in the Sword Dao.
So Jiang Lu did not think there was anything wrong with Gu Chengming diligently practicing a basic sword technique.
In his eyes, his senior brother was simply preparing for a breakthrough in the Sword Dao.
But after watching him for several days, Jiang Lu increasingly felt that something was off.
Why was Senior Brother Gu's sword style becoming more and more clingy?
He was clearly demonstrating the most basic moves of the Huiyuan Sword Art, yet when Gu Chengming performed them, they always carried an indescribably clinging quality.
Where the blade pointed, it was no longer cool and distant, advancing in a straight line. Instead, it held a hint of beckoning connection, now close, now far, as though the sword itself were imbued with some lingering, inescapable emotion.
Was this really the Huiyuan Sword Art he knew?
All in all, Jiang Lu felt that his senior brother seemed to have taken a wrong turn in his understanding of swordsmanship.
At last, the following morning, Jiang Lu decided he would no longer stand by and watch.
He arrived early, intending to "set straight" the senior brother whom he believed had already strayed down the wrong path.
"Good morning, Senior Brother Gu." Jiang Lu cupped his hands outside the courtyard gate, his voice steady.
"Junior Brother Jiang, what a rare visitor." Gu Chengming opened the gate with a smile.
He had been in excellent spirits over the past half month, and looked positively radiant.
Jiang Lu's gaze lingered on Gu Chengming's face for a moment. He felt that his senior brother looked considerably healthier than before.
He entered the courtyard and, eyeing the Iron Sword in Gu Chengming's hand, asked politely:
"Senior Brother, are you practicing the Huiyuan Sword Art today?"
"Indeed."
Gu Chengming nodded.
"This Huiyuan Sword Art is profound and extensive. I haven't even glimpsed one ten-thousandth of its mysteries."
He was not just being polite. He meant it. As his Favorability rose, so did his understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art, and the more he saw, the more he felt that it contained many secrets unknown to others.
Hearing this, Jiang Lu sighed inwardly.
He carefully chose his words before speaking:
"I've been watching you practice your swordsmanship lately, Senior Brother, and something has been puzzling me."
"Oh?" Gu Chengming raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead, Junior Brother."
"The Huiyuan Sword Art emphasizes cool detachment, its Sword Intent like the moon over a mountain stream, untouched by dust. But your moves seem to have gained a hint of clinging tenderness. Where the blade points, it seems reluctant to part; as the Sword Momentum flows, it seems to carry a trace of attachment."
Jiang Lu tried to describe it as tactfully as possible, though even he felt that these words sounded rather strange when applied to swordsmanship.
He paused, then finally spoke bluntly:
"Senior Brother, the Huiyuan Sword Art isn't practiced like that."
After hearing Jiang Lu's description, Gu Chengming's expression turned a little strange. He knew exactly what Jiang Lu was talking about.
In the end, Gu Chengming smiled. He paid no mind to it inwardly, but said:
"I see. Thank you for the guidance, Junior Brother. I have indeed felt a little lost these past two weeks. Without realizing it, I seem to have strayed from the path. Since you've gained considerable insight into this sword art, would you demonstrate it for me and correct my mistakes?"
Seeing Gu Chengming readily agree, Jiang Lu felt relieved.
"You're too kind, Senior Brother." Jiang Lu smiled. "I'll do my best."
Chapter 5: Junior Brother, You've Lost
The stone table in the courtyard was moved aside, clearing enough space for the two of them to practice their moves.
Since this was a swordsmanship match, they naturally would not use the Spiritual Power advantage that came with their cultivation realms. But Jiang Lu believed that with his understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Technique, instructing Senior Brother Gu would be easy.
After all, he was quite confident in his talent for Cultivation Methods and martial arts.
Besides, judging by Senior Brother Gu's performance, he had only spent half a month at most focusing on swordsmanship. His sword style showed no trace of other Cultivation Methods; it was quite pure. Jiang Lu already had a deep understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art, and on top of that, he had read widely and knew how to skillfully incorporate the strengths of other sword techniques. Instructing a beginner should be as easy as lifting a finger.
Of course, Jiang Lu would not use his understanding of other Cultivation Methods to bully a beginner. The purpose of this visit was to "correct" him, not to "spar." All he needed was to bring out his purest understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art and point out his senior brother's mistakes.
With that in mind, Jiang Lu took up a practice Wood Sword and cupped his hands toward Gu Chengming from a distance, his voice solemn. "Senior Brother, please."
Gu Chengming also took up his sword and returned the salute.
Jiang Lu moved first. He opened with "Sparse Shadows Slanting," lightly tapping his sword tip forward like a dragonfly skimming the water, aiming for the opening at Gu Chengming's chest. This was the opening move of the Huiyuan Sword Technique, emphasizing speed, precision, and lightness, meant to test his opponent.
Gu Chengming neither dodged nor retreated. He answered with the same move, "Sparse Shadows Slanting." The two Wood Swords touched lightly in midair with a sharp crack.
Jiang Lu flicked his wrist, changing the Sword Momentum in an instant. His thrust turned into a slash, which slid down the length of Gu Chengming's sword, aiming straight for his wrist. It was a standard follow-up, meant to make his opponent pull back to defend himself and seize the initiative.
But Gu Chengming's sword did not retreat. It seemed coated in glue, clinging tightly to Jiang Lu's. As Jiang Lu's slash descended, it followed right along, dipping with it. His sword tip swayed slightly, then darted toward Jiang Lu's wrist with a strike that moved later but arrived first.
Using his own methods against him.
Jiang Lu raised an eyebrow, thinking, Interesting. He turned his wrist and pulled his sword back to defend, while shifting his footwork and drifting away like a willow seed, putting distance between himself and Gu Chengming.
"Senior Brother, your sword is too clingy."
Jiang Lu offered his assessment:
"The Huiyuan Sword Technique values detachment. If a strike misses, you should retreat at once. This kind of entanglement strays from the technique's true meaning."
As he spoke, he charged forward again, unfolding the sword moves, each one an essence of the Huiyuan Sword Technique. His sword style was cool and swift. Each strike stopped just short of its mark, weaving a net around Gu Chengming that was loose yet inescapable.
But Gu Chengming seemed not to have heard him. He continued using that "clingy" swordsmanship.
When Jiang Lu thrust, Gu Chengming's sword met his—not to block, but to cling. When Jiang Lu slashed, Gu Chengming's sword followed the motion, winding around it like a vine.
At first, Jiang Lu had the upper hand. He even deliberately slowed down and used the same moves as Gu Chengming to "correct" him, hoping to show him what true "cool detachment" looked like.
But who could have guessed that the more they fought, the more things went awry?
Gu Chengming's swordsmanship was like a web tightening around its prey. Every one of his strikes seemed easy for Jiang Lu to deflect, yet that viscous Sword Intent seeped through, thread by thread, making Jiang Lu's movements slow by a fraction and falter by the slightest degree.
At first, that tiny delay was barely noticeable. But as their exchanges mounted, the small disadvantage kept piling up. Jiang Lu gradually felt as if his sword had sunk into a swamp. Every swing took a little more effort than the one before.
He began to feel that his strength was no match for the task.
What should have been an easy lesson had turned into something else. After more than thirty exchanges, Jiang Lu realized in dismay that he had somehow fallen into an utterly unfavorable position.
He had been "outplayed."
Only then did Jiang Lu suddenly realize that every seemingly clumsy move in his opponent's obsessive entanglement—the sticking, clinging, and winding—had been quietly building an advantage. It blunted the edge of his sword moves, disrupted the rhythm of his attacks, and limited the space in which he could maneuver. Together, these small advantages had already become a pressure too great to ignore.
Jiang Lu gritted his teeth. He couldn't let this go on!
His thoughts shifted, and his sword style changed abruptly. A fierce killing intent suddenly entered the Huiyuan Sword Technique, which had previously been cool and detached. This was a technique he had grasped from another advanced sword art of his sect, the Jinghong Sword. His Sword Momentum accelerated sharply, as he tried to tear through Gu Chengming's clingy web with sheer speed.
By this point in the match, both of their swordsmanship had already strayed far from Jiang Lu's original understanding of the Huiyuan Sword Art.
Jiang Lu had thought that once he showed his true ability, he could at least make up some of his disadvantage.
Who could have guessed that this fierce strike would only make Gu Chengming pause for a moment?
The very next instant, that relentless, obsessive sword move latched on again like a parasite burrowing into bone. And this time, the "entanglement" was even more insidious and harder to escape.
If the cool, detached sword moves had been no match for an obsessively clingy style from the start, that would have made sense. But now that he had already changed his moves, why couldn't he stop his opponent from "clinging" to him?
Before you continue