Beginning Martial Arts Training

Neeko finally found an opportunity to interject. She quickly asked Yi, "Sword Saint Master, have you ever met a Vastaya like me? Our tribe is called the Wu Wei Clan, and our ability is shapeshifting. But about two years ago, fire burned down my home..." Neeko began to recount her own experiences.

Yi felt great sympathy for Neeko. Having also experienced the destruction of his homeland, he could empathize with her.

He observed Neeko for a while longer, searching his memories.

But unfortunately, he couldn't recall any Vastaya who fit the description or resembled Neeko.

Yi shook his head. "I haven't, but I can take you to meet my disciple, Wukong. He's wandered Ionia since he was young, and as he's also a Vastaya, he's bound to know."

He then pointed towards the mountain. "After I finish dealing with things up here, we'll depart."

"How long will that take?"

"Two months at the latest."

"Still so long," Neeko said, a little disappointed. Having found a lead, she hadn't wanted to linger for a moment. But Master Yi had no obligation to help, and she didn't dare ask for more. After all, progress had been made, and waiting was better than nothing.

Jia Ruo felt extremely satisfied. He had met the Sword Saint, obtained You Meng, and even helped Neeko find a clue. Everything was developing in a positive direction. Now, all he needed to do was diligently follow the Sword Saint and cultivate, and his beautiful dreams would slowly come true.

He hadn't expected Wukong to already be a disciple of the Sword Saint. It felt a bit strange to think about calling him 'Senior Disciple Brother' and him calling him 'Junior Disciple Brother' later on.

And so, Neeko and Jia Ruo built a simple hut at the foot of the mountain and settled in.

The next day, Neeko went into the forest to find edible wild fruits and a water source, and began to arrange their little home.

As for Jia Ruo, he woke up early that morning, then grabbed You Meng and ran to find the Sword Saint, pretending to practice his swordplay in front of him.

Sima Zhao's Intent was obvious to everyone, and Yi naturally understood what the boy was hinting at. With a helpless smile, he called Jia Ruo over.

"Jia Ruo, I'm going to teach you some basic things now. Are you willing?"

"I'm more than willing! Thank you, Master!"

Yi waved his hand and said, "Good. Extend your hand."

Jia Ruo obediently offered his hand.

Yi took Jia Ruo's hand, his brow furrowing slightly, but he didn't speak immediately. He then squeezed the muscles in Jia Ruo's arms, waist, and legs.

"You haven't studied martial arts before, have you?"

"No, I've only wrestled occasionally with sailors on ships."

Yi nodded. This was consistent with his own assessment. He then asked, "Do you know magic?"

"A little bit of plant manipulation. I learned from Neeko."

As he spoke, Jia Ruo manipulated a wild grass nearby. It quickly coiled around his body, and a new sprout emerged from his fingertips.

"What's this energy flow in your body?" This was the only thing the Sword Saint didn't understand.

"This..."

Jia Ruo hesitated slightly, but then removed the bracer on his right hand.

"It's this. It's been feeding me a peculiar kind of energy."

Yi picked up the fragment, and a faint blue light gradually illuminated his fingertips.

"I found it about half a year ago. Ever since then, this strange energy has been flowing into my mind. I can feel my five senses becoming sharper and sharper."

The Rune Wars had ended centuries ago. People remained tight-lipped about them, and few in the world knew the full story.

Yi didn't recognize it as a fragment of a World Rune. Perhaps it's some kind of rare treasure, he thought. But the amount of energy seems too immense. He wondered why only Jia Ruo could absorb it. Could this be the reason Jia Ruo can wield You Meng?

Yi looked at You Meng, still swirling with purple light in Jia Ruo's hand. Unable to figure it out, he returned the fragment to Jia Ruo. Jia Ruo then reattached the bracer with the fragment.

Yi didn't pry further. After carefully examining Jia Ruo's physique, he began teaching him the basics of martial arts.

He had Jia Ruo put down You Meng and started with the most fundamental horse stance, teaching him to sense his center of gravity, the rhythm of his breathing, how to exert force with his muscles, and how to transmit power from his torso to his limbs.

By the end of the day, Jia Ruo listened intently to Yi's guidance. He understood and grasped things quickly, but his body couldn't keep up with his mind, far from achieving the unity of body and mind.

"You'll need to strengthen your physical training in the future," Yi told Jia Ruo.

He was reasonably satisfied. While true character couldn't be judged in a single day, he could feel that Jia Ruo was at least diligent and not arrogant or impatient.

For someone starting martial arts, this was enough. Moreover, Jia Ruo's comprehension was remarkably high.

Yi's good impression of the young man grew, though he didn't show it.