Seeing that Lin Huai obediently did as he was told.
Qian Daoliu continued.
"Although there aren't many people on the continent who take cultivation of these seriously nowadays,"
"as your understanding deepens, these abilities will be like gaining another Martial Soul."
Qian Daoliu ran his fingers over the sword that had taken shape from his Soul Power.
He gazed into the distance, his voice unhurried.
"The previous Sword Douluo—the father of the current Sword Douluo—challenged me when he was Level 98."
"I fought him to a standstill without using any Soul Skills."
"He was suited to the sword. During the battle, he broke through to the Sword Dao Domain."
Qian Daoliu released his signature set of nine Soul Rings: eight black and one red.
"Unfortunately, he didn't have a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. Otherwise, he could have broken straight through to Level 99 then and there."
"He forced me to use my full strength, but he also suffered a mortal wound."
Lin Huai looked at the seriousness in Qian Daoliu's eyes.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I won't slack off in understanding the cultivation methods."
"I also think that the way we cultivate now—breaking through by absorbing Soul Rings from Soul Beasts and gaining Soul Skills through those Soul Rings—is twisted."
"This method of cultivation stifles people's initiative and greatly weakens their creativity."
Qian Daoliu regarded Lin Huai with considerable satisfaction.
"Exactly. To have such an understanding already is truly impressive."
He then put away his Martial Soul and casually swung the sword formed from Soul Power.
A blade of sword energy shot into the sky, shattering several white clouds.
"But this is usually the kind of insight only a Titled Douluo has."
"After all, even a Titled Douluo without a Self-Created Soul Skill can still crush a Soul Douluo who has one."
"So right now, you need to cultivate your Soul Power and train your blade technique."
Lin Huai understood Qian Daoliu's advice.
He still wanted him to work twice as hard, advancing his Soul Power and blade technique side by side.
Lin Huai didn't explain further. He simply began practicing the basic blade techniques.
"Teacher, I'll work hard."
"Please check whether I've got the basics right first."
"After that, I'll combine them with that sword technique and incorporate it into my blade work."
Lin Huai spent the day constantly refining his basic blade techniques.
With Qian Daoliu's guidance, he managed to make his basic moves look passable.
Dugu Yan returned during that time, though her jewel-like eyes were still slightly damp.
After resting, Lin Huai took up his blade again.
He closed his eyes, and images flashed through his mind: Malenia's chaotic yet graceful series of attacks as she performed the "Waterfowl Dance."
She leapt on one leg like a waterfowl, swift as one swooping down to snatch its prey, perfectly merging the image of the waterfowl with her fierce blade technique.
He slowly erased Malenia's figure from his mind.
This isn't what I'm looking for. But I can see how the Flowing Water Sword Technique is smooth and rounded, flowing endlessly like water.
The Flowing Water Swordsman appeared in his mind once more, wielding a curved sword that seemed to be made from several water droplets joined together.
The opening move made no sound. The blade sliced through the first wisp of resisting air as his whole body turned with it.
The opening was like a dance step, light as a drop of water splashing onto a still lake. Then a torrent of slashes poured forth. Before one wave had ended, the next had already quietly begun.
At that moment, the sword dance and the image of "flowing water" blended perfectly. Each attack linked seamlessly into the next, like a mountain stream winding around boulders, never stopping.
Lin Huai's figure began to sway slowly along with the swordsman.
At first, his movements were clumsy and awkward.
As time passed, Lin Huai's movements grew graceful, taking on an unbroken flow.
Lin Huai slowly came to a stop and fell into thought as he looked at the blade in his hand.
Dugu Yan also came back to herself after watching the dance-like blade technique. She looked at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa, what was Lin Huai doing just now?"
Dugu Bo's expression stiffened. "You can't understand it yet. Just think of it as a Self-Created Soul Skill."
Unlike Dugu Bo, who could hardly believe what he'd seen, Qian Daoliu was simply surprised.
After spending the past two days with him, Qian Daoliu had already seen that Lin Huai was exceptionally talented. He just hadn't expected him to grasp Micro-Perception so quickly.
Lin Huai dismissed his Prosthetic Blade and looked at Qian Daoliu in confusion.
"Teacher, I feel like I've already achieved Micro-Perception, but when I tried to swing my blade just now, it felt like something was holding me back. Why is that?"
Qian Daoliu looked at his bewildered expression and smiled.
"You've indeed taken your first steps into Micro-Perception, but there's one thing you haven't considered."
"You've only just started practicing the basic blade techniques, so you aren't familiar with them yet. That's why you felt resistance."
"You're probably the first person to reach Micro-Perception before practicing the basics."
Dugu Bo watched Lin Huai suddenly understand. Deep down, he envied Qian Daoliu for taking on a disciple with such talent.
"Yanyan, do you want to train with a weapon?"
Dugu Yan pointed at herself, bewildered.
"M-me too?"
Dugu Bo gave up on the idea of copying Lin Huai.
"Forget it. Our Martial Souls aren't suited to using weapons."
"Grand Elder—"
"Are you in there?"
An extremely soft, effeminate voice came from outside the valley.
Qian Daoliu vanished in an instant.
That distinctive voice meant Chrysanthemum Douluo had arrived.
A short while later.
The person who appeared alongside Qian Daoliu was a seductive figure in a red robe embroidered with gold patterns.
His skin was as delicate as a baby's, and his face was strikingly beautiful.
He was truly "so lovely fish sank and geese fell, birds cried out in alarm; flowers wilted and the moon hid, blossoms trembled in sorrow."
Unfortunately, he had an Adam's apple.
If Lin Huai hadn't already known Chrysanthemum Douluo was a man, he would have thought he was a woman with an Adam's apple.
"Wow!"
"This big sister is so pretty!"
Dugu Yan's voice had been rather quiet, but everyone present still heard her.
"Hahaha..."
"You're very cute too, little girl. A much more pleasing sight than your grandpa."
Hearing Dugu Yan's compliment, Yue Guan accepted it without hesitation, even taking the opportunity to tease Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo's old face darkened.
"All right, Yue Guan. Put your grudge with Dugu Bo aside for now."
"Take a look at these herbs first. Tell us which ones you recognize and what they do."
Led by Qian Daoliu, Chrysanthemum Douluo walked over to the Immortal Herbs.
"Immortal Herbs!"
He cried out in surprise.
"And so many of them!"
His parted lips trembled slightly.
He reached out, wanting to touch the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum before him.
"Ahem..."
Qian Daoliu coughed, reminding Yue Guan to explain.
Yue Guan came back to himself and took a deep breath.
"Grand Elder, these herbs are extremely rare, and their effects are extraordinary. My family calls them 'Immortal Herbs.'"
"Immortal Herbs? That's a fitting name."
Dugu Bo muttered to himself as he looked at the Immortal Herbs.
Ignoring Dugu Bo, Yue Guan continued.
"If you take an Immortal Herb suited to you, then even with only Level 5 innate Soul Power, you can hope to reach the threshold of becoming a Titled Douluo."
"Some can even cause a beneficial mutation in your Martial Soul."
Yue Guan took a thick book from his Storage Ring.
He handed it to Qian Daoliu.
"Grand Elder, this book records the effects and harvesting methods of most Immortal Herbs. If we encounter one that isn't listed, my Martial Soul is also an Immortal Herb, so it can tell me roughly what it does."
"I hope you'll grant me the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. I can break through to Level 96 within two years!"
While Chrysanthemum Douluo was asking Qian Daoliu for an Immortal Herb, Lin Huai raised a small white flower resembling a peony, along with the dark stone beneath its roots.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, don't you want this Immortal Herb?"
"Lovesick Heartbreak Red!"
Before you continue