Mastering the Mountain and Descending

It took me about ten days to descend the peak, more than twenty days to gradually cultivate my way to the foot of the mountain, and then another thirty days to learn to find the wind's force in calm, windless places. In exactly two months, I finally mastered this ultimate skill!

Suma was overjoyed. He hadn't expected me to master this ancient art so quickly. He didn't know that I had already received guidance from several masters, making me adept at learning any martial art.

In those two months, he looked considerably older, clearly having put a lot of effort into it.

After mastering the Wind Riding Technique, Suma arranged for me to spar with my fellow disciples. That's when an awkward situation arose: I didn't know the sword techniques of the Wind Sword Sect.

I had learned the Laurent Fencing Technique from Fiora, and later adapted its techniques for my spear, which I handled with ease. However, those moves were completely different from the ones here.

If I had more time, I could slowly integrate the Wind Riding Technique with what I had learned before. But for now, I couldn't. I tried my best not to use any refined moves, opting for simple, crude ones in my spars to avoid them noticing.

But who was Suma? After a few exchanges, he saw through the deception:

"Yasuo, why aren't you using our Wind Sword Sect's moves? I remember your Wind Sword was very well-practiced not long ago, which is why I taught you the Wind Riding Technique, hoping you would bring glory to our sect. Now you're only using crude moves. Do you look down on your fellow disciples?"

At this point, I was truly at a loss for words and could only come up with an excuse as crude as the moves I was using:

"This disciple dares not be arrogant. It's very strange, but ever since I started learning the Wind Riding Technique, I've been constantly contemplating this profound art. As a result, after mastering it, I seem to have forgotten all my sword techniques. It is truly a sin!"

Suma frowned upon hearing my explanation. He looked at me, then elsewhere, completely baffled:

"I've never heard of anyone forgetting their sword techniques after learning the Wind Riding Technique. This is truly bizarre! However, considering you learned the Wind Riding Technique in just two months, I won't pursue this further. I will teach you the Wind Sword again. Learn it slowly this time. If you forget the Wind Riding Technique, I won't forgive you!"

Finally, I managed to get past this issue. Suma stopped letting me spar with others and personally taught me the Wind Sword Sect's techniques.

With the Wind Riding Technique mastered, learning these moves became much easier. In just half a month, I learned them and committed them to memory.

The Wind Sword Sect's techniques were completely different from the ones I had learned before. They were more like the martial arts from wuxia novels, with graceful movements yet carrying immense power. In a one-on-one fight, they didn't seem overwhelmingly advantageous, but when facing multiple opponents, I could still hold my ground.

In other words, with the same effort, fighting one person was the same as fighting a crowd.

Suma was old and frail, but his moves were even cleaner and more precise, with no wasted motion. Every attack was perfectly timed. Truly, it could be said that lush mountains and beautiful valleys are but illusions of grass and trees; only on barren rocks and withered cliffs does one see the true self of the world.

If I didn't exert myself, and we only competed based on technique, I would be no match for him.

I lost count of how many times I lost, and I lost track of how much time had passed. I only remember that when the wild fruits ripened again, I finally won once.

"A prodigy gifted by heaven! The essence of my years of hard work, you have mastered it all in just over a year, even surpassing me. And you are no longer as impetuous as before. This is truly a great fortune for the Wind Sword Sect."

After my victory, Suma's sharp edge was gone, replaced by a calm and serene demeanor.

Seeing him like this, I couldn't feel happy at all. Instead, I felt a pang of heartache.

Achieving a long-held dream brings satisfaction, but it also means losing a driving force. Moreover, he was already old, and now he seemed devoid of vitality.

"Master... take care of yourself. I'll practice with my fellow disciples from now on."

"Hahaha, they are no match for you. Don't worry. My wish has been fulfilled, but my life is not over yet. I still want to see you bring glory to the Wind Sword Sect. Now, there is something I need you to do."

"Please instruct me, Master."

"I just received news that Noxus, unrepentant, has once again gathered its army to invade Ionia. They have already landed. I hope you can contribute your strength once again, just as you did ten years ago."

Ten years ago?

I remembered Darius telling me that Swain's defeat was four years ago. Now it was suddenly ten years ago. Excluding the year or so I've been cultivating here, that means five years have passed since I died as Zhao Xin?

It's terrifying. If I reincarnate a few more times, will all my old acquaintances be dead?

I agreed immediately, eager to descend the mountain and investigate the current situation:

"I am willing to fight for Ionia, until my last breath."

This was not mere flattery. I felt a heartfelt gratitude towards Suma—my third teacher—for his dedication. He had imparted the ultimate skills of the Wind Riding Technique and Wind Sword to me, pouring his heart and soul into it.

"This time, they have made thorough preparations, and the battle will be even more perilous. You must be careful and not rely solely on your bravery. Last time, the Western Harbinger saved you, but it's not certain someone will save you this time."

"This disciple will certainly remember."

"Good. Come with me, I have something to give you."

I followed Suma, turning a few corners until we arrived in front of a dilapidated house. Although I had been here for so long, I mostly focused on training and rarely explored. I was particularly unfamiliar with this house.

Suma gently pushed open the door. The interior was similar to the exterior, very run-down, covered in a thick layer of dust, as if no one had been there for a very long time.

There was only a table inside, with a sword placed upon it. The dust on the scabbard made it impossible to discern its original color.

"This sword is called Gale. It is highly compatible with wind force, and for someone who has mastered the Wind Riding Technique, it's like adding wings to a tiger. I am now passing it on to you. You must use it well to punish evil and promote good."

I nodded in agreement, while also being very curious. Why was such an important sword left here so casually? Even if it wasn't being used, shouldn't it be enshrined properly?

Suma saw my confusion and chuckled softly:

"Weapons have spirits. Bloodthirsty weapons crave blood, and sharp weapons often break their blades. To suppress a weapon's desire, one must do the opposite. This Gale Sword is a weapon imbued with wind force, and the way it was placed here was by sealing it in dust."

"This is the first time I've heard of this. It seems the Gale Sword has been placed here for a very long time?"

"I've forgotten exactly how long, perhaps over twenty years. The last time I used it was in a spar. My opponent was Master Cheng Li of the Wuju Swordsmanship. We both unleashed our full strength, and neither could defeat the other. In the end, I used the Gale Sword and won with its wind force. Cheng Li was unconvinced and said he would come back for me, but he died in the war. This is his regret, and mine as well. Since then, I have sealed the Gale Sword in dust and never used it again."

Suma spoke of this with great sorrow. I didn't ask him about their relationship. The mutual understanding and appreciation between worthy opponents was already a rare joy in life. Did their relationship's quality even matter?

I reached out and picked up the Gale Sword. Thick dust flew up, revealing the sword's true appearance. However, due to its age, it was somewhat mottled, as if telling ancient stories.

Drawing the sword, the blade was not as shiny as I had imagined, and it didn't seem very sharp. However, a faint, comfortable feeling transmitted to my heart, likely a resonance with the wind force.

"I will definitely use this sword well. By the way, do you know who is leading the troops this time?"

"It's said to be Swain again. Last time, Irelia injured his leg, yet he dares to come again this time. I wonder what preparations he has made. You should head to the Sunon Temple in the west immediately. Everyone is gathered there."

After bidding farewell to Suma, I set off on the road to the Sunon Temple, my mind filled with a thousand thoughts.

Since Swain is leading the army to attack Ionia again, does that mean their coup was successful? In this five-year blank period, I truly don't know how many events have transpired.