Xu Yinglian's anger shot straight up to her head, racing through her veins.
"Senior Brother, what would you like to teach me?" She practically ground out each word through clenched teeth.
Qiu Changtian didn't answer her. Instead, he heard the Kunlun Mirror say:
[Invincible Persona, Synchronization +1.]
His confidence restored, he finally straightened his expression and said:
"In a few days, the Kunlun Taiqing Sect will open its gates."
"Those who make it to the end of the Road to Heaven will become the two hundred and eightieth generation of Kunlun disciples."
"You and I were admitted to Kunlun early because of our cultivation talents."
"If we can't outshine the other disciples, how will we command their respect in the future?"
Xu Yinglian widened her eyes and said, her tone unfriendly:
"Are you saying I can't outshine my junior brothers and sisters and be a good Second Senior Sister?"
"I didn't say that." Qiu Changtian smiled again. "It's just that, watching your swordsmanship, I saw quite a few flaws. I couldn't help but feel a little worried."
"Flaws?" Xu Yinglian's pupils contracted. She asked coldly, "I practice the orthodox Kunlun Sword Control Technique. What flaws could there be?"
"Even when everyone practices orthodox Kunlun swordsmanship, there will still be differences in skill, depending on each person's understanding." Qiu Changtian smiled. "Show me 'Green Pine Welcomes Guests.'"
Xu Yinglian didn't answer. She simply formed a sword seal, and the Yujia Sword sprang up, carving a fierce arc as it struck straight at Qiu Changtian.
Today's three great orthodox sects—Kunlun, Shushan, and Penglai—all traced their roots back to the ancient Chan Sect ten thousand years ago. Their Sword Control Techniques' foundational principles had therefore all been inherited from the ancient Chan Sect's basic swordsmanship.
The opening move in the Kunlun Sword Control Technique's foundational principles was also "Green Pine Welcomes Guests," and it was identical to the one in the Shushan Sword Control Art's foundational principles.
But Ling Yunpo had practiced the Shushan Qisha Sword Art with Senior Sister An for days. Looking at the Chan Sect's basic swordsmanship from that higher vantage point, he could see that much of it had been cut down and simplified to help beginners adapt as quickly as possible.
It was like Shaolin Long Fist in martial arts stories: good enough for building a foundation, but not much use in a real fight.
Xu Yinglian attacked with the standard Green Pine Welcomes Guests. At a glance, Qiu Changtian spotted five or six flaws.
The Yuyan Sword shot out in a flash, striking first despite setting off second. Xu Yinglian tried to control the Yujia Sword to block it, but her senior brother's flying sword came at such a tricky angle that she hadn't anticipated it at all. The Yujia Sword was knocked flying by the Yuyan Sword.
"Here, here, and here..." Qiu Changtian drew the Yuyan Sword back, then mimicked Xu Yinglian's sword form from just now, pointing out several flaws in her technique. Xu Yinglian listened, stunned.
How had I never noticed that before?
Well, Senior Brother isn't wrong...
"But this is the Kunlun Sword Control Technique's foundational principle." Once he'd finished explaining, Xu Yinglian frowned. "Going by what you've said, does that mean these sword forms were already riddled with holes and flaws when they were first designed? Has no one improved them all these years?"
"Of course they've been improved." Qiu Changtian smiled faintly. "Take the first flaw I mentioned. If an enemy spotted it and took advantage of it, all you'd have to do is make a small change here..."
He demonstrated both the flaw and the counter to it. When he looked at Xu Yinglian again, she wore a look of sudden enlightenment.
"So, believing everything in a book is worse than having no book at all." Qiu Changtian summed up at last. "The foundational principles of the Sword Control Technique may be written that way, but if you just follow them to the letter, you'll only be settling for second best. You still need to develop your own understanding and make your own adjustments."
"I see. Thank you for the lesson." Xu Yinglian came to her senses and thanked him sincerely.
Unlike An Zhisu, who was gentle yet firm, Xu Yinglian was firm on the outside and gentle within.
She usually carried herself with a frosty air that kept others at a distance. But she came from the cultivation clan, the Xu Family of Tiannan, and the grace and charm of a classically raised young lady still shone through in her every word and gesture.
She merely dipped into a slight bow to thank him, but the elegant curve revealed as her Daoist robe folded, and the fair skin of her neck above her collar, made Qiu Changtian's heart stir a little.
"You're welcome." Qiu Changtian suppressed the improper thoughts stirring in his heart, turned around, and clasped his hands behind his back. "I'm your senior brother. Of course I should guide your cultivation, so people don't laugh at you."
[Invincible Persona, Synchronization +1.]
Oh? Qiu Changtian pondered.
So there was another way to put on airs. Playing the teacher could raise his synchronization, too.
Before Xu Yinglian could speak, Qiu Changtian suddenly spoke again, his voice brisk:
"What other questions do you have? Hurry up and ask them one by one!"
"You're my junior sister, Xu Yinglian. I won't let you lose face in front of the other disciples!"
Xu Yinglian: ...
Fire blazed in her eyes, but she only sneered:
"Senior Brother, you certainly talk big. You can really answer any question?"
"Of course." Qiu Changtian said coolly. "Otherwise, how could I be your senior brother?"
Xu Yinglian: !
At those words, her fighting spirit flared.
So if I ask him a question about swordsmanship and he can't answer, that proves he's not fit to be my senior brother?
That proves he's lost!
Heh heh heh, ho ho ho, ha ha ha ha ha! This time, Senior Brother was sure to lose to me...
"Fine." Xu Yinglian lowered her gaze so her senior brother wouldn't see the fighting spirit in her eyes. "Then your junior sister does have a few questions she'd like to ask you about..."
She'd practiced the Sword Control Technique for a long time, and had accumulated plenty of questions. Now, she poured them all out at once.
Here, it was worth mentioning that the records on the Shushan Sword Control Art were far more detailed than those on the Kunlun Sword Control Technique.
That was because the foundational principles of the latter contained many vague passages. Even after reading them several times, cultivators still couldn't tell what they were saying.
Xu Yinglian's questions were mostly about parts of the Kunlun Sword Control Technique that were unclear, but the Shushan Sword Control Art answered every one of them.
So Qiu Changtian replied without hesitation, "What's so difficult about that?"
He broke Xu Yinglian's questions down into several key points and answered them one by one, first, second, third, fourth, fifth. His explanations were thorough, clear, and utterly flawless.
Xu Yinglian felt as if a stream of enlightenment had poured over her, clearing the fog from her mind. All the questions that had troubled her cultivation in the past were now resolved.
Yet she wasn't happy.
"Let's put swordsmanship aside for now. I still have some questions about the Nine Heavens Pure Micro Entrance True Words that I'd like to ask you, Senior Brother..."
Xu Yinglian tried to stay calm as she continued to put him on the spot. By now, the Kunlun Mirror was already speaking in her mind:
[Invincible Persona, Synchronization +1.]
"What's so difficult about that?" Qiu Changtian cried happily in his heart, but said, "Listen closely, and I'll explain..."
With every point he made, Xu Yinglian's face grew a shade paler. By the end, she was as pale as gold paper, swaying on her feet.
Could it be that Senior Brother really understood the Qi Refining Technique so much better than I did?
Impossible!
It couldn't be!!
It absolutely couldn't!!!
"A-about the derivative Daoist art of the first layer of the Qi Refining Technique, the Universal Clear Sound Minor Brightness Art... Your junior sister still has a few questions..."
Xu Yinglian's thoughts were in chaos, her emotions in turmoil. Even her tone carried a hint of pleading that she herself didn't notice:
"...If you can't answer them, that's all right... I can ask some other seniors..."
"Why would you ask some other senior?" Qiu Changtian said impatiently. "This question couldn't be simpler. Let me tell you..."
He finished his detailed explanation, and Xu Yinglian finally crumbled. She turned to leave, saying:
"Senior Brother explained it very well. Your junior sister has things to do, so I won't keep you any longer."
She held back her tears, stepped onto the Yujia Sword, and shot off in an instant, disappearing from sight.
[Invincible Persona, Synchronization +1.]
Qiu Changtian watched Xu Yinglian disappear into the distance and couldn't help smiling.
This junior sister of his really was adorable.
Before you continue