...The Back Mountain of Spirit Hall.
Qian Daoliu stood with his sword lowered. His golden hair fluttered in the breeze, and he seemed to stand apart from the world. Beside him, Murong Huai's eyes were filled with shock. He closed his eyes, and that sacred, powerful sword technique seemed to rise again in his mind, leaving him savoring it endlessly and yearning for more.
"Huai'er, that was the Nine-Fold Holy Judgment Sword Technique in its entirety. What did you think?"
Murong Huai opened his eyes and sighed,
"Sacred, dazzling, powerful... yet concealing murderous intent, protection, and resolve. With a single sword stroke, it writes peace across the heavens and earth, bringing light and order to the world."
Hearing Murong Huai's assessment, Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction. The long sword in his hand dissolved into golden motes of light,
"All right. Before you practice this sword technique, you must first build a solid foundation. The basics are the root of everything. If your foundation is weak, then even a hundred-meter-tall evergreen tree will be hollow at the core and eventually come crashing down."
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu pointed at a small peach blossom tree. It transformed into two exquisite wooden swords, each the same size as Murong Huai's Martial Soul. Both were two-handed swords, and one flew to a spot in front of Murong Huai.
"Come, Huai'er. Your teacher will first teach you the basic sword techniques." Qian Daoliu picked up the other wooden sword.
Murong Huai nodded, gripped his sword with both hands, and stood behind Qian Daoliu and to his side. The latter assumed a standard sword stance.
"There are thirteen basic movements in swordsmanship: draw, carry, lift, parry, strike, thrust, tap, snap, stir, press, chop, intercept, and wash."
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu began demonstrating the thirteen basic sword moves. He moved slowly, and Murong Huai followed along behind him, learning the fundamental techniques.
"Every sword technique under heaven is made up of these thirteen movements. Each move is the very foundation of swordsmanship."
As he spoke, Qian Daoliu led Murong Huai through the basic techniques once. Murong Huai had no experience with sword practice in his previous life, so his movements were clumsy and stiff.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu said nothing. Instead, he patiently continued guiding Murong Huai through the routine again and again.
Murong Huai didn't know whether it was because his family's genes were powerful or because he was a sword prodigy whose talent had been held back by work.
Though he had been clumsy at first, he quickly grew more proficient, and his every move began to gain a spark of life.
Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction at the sight and gradually increased his swinging speed. Murong Huai, however, managed to keep up, and the sword in his hands began to flow more smoothly.
Just like that, Qian Daoliu led Murong Huai through the basic routine ten times in a row before they finally stopped. Murong Huai learned quickly, earning frequent nods from Qian Daoliu.
"Mm, Huai'er, you really are a promising talent in swordsmanship. These basic moves aren't difficult, but you've mastered them quickly after less than half an hour of practice. That's rare."
"It's because you taught me well, Teacher." Murong Huai offered Qian Daoliu a little flattery.
"Hahaha, good. Huai'er, from now on, you need to practice these basic moves for at least one hour every day.
"Also, you can't neglect your physical conditioning. Tomorrow, I'll assign two people to help you train your body, so you can quickly reach the limit of your current Soul Power and obtain your Second Soul Ring.
"After all, you've only just begun cultivating. Suppressing your level for too long will only hold you back, which would be counterproductive."
"I understand, Teacher."
Murong Huai nodded, then suddenly thought of something and said,
"Um, Teacher, could you help me collect something?"
"What is it?" Qian Daoliu looked at Murong Huai with interest.
"Uh... that is... Whale Rubber." Murong Huai seemed a little embarrassed as he spoke.
Hearing that Murong Huai wanted Whale Rubber, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but freeze. Then he realized what he thought Murong Huai meant and looked at him strangely. Murong Huai felt rather uncomfortable under his gaze. He knew Qian Daoliu had misunderstood, so he hurriedly explained,
"Hey, hey, Teacher, don't get the wrong idea. I want Whale Rubber to improve my physical conditioning."
"Oh? Whale Rubber can improve your physique?" Qian Daoliu asked doubtfully. Until now, Whale Rubber had always been used for... that.
"Yeah. I heard it by chance from a blind man. Whale Rubber produced in the deep sea has special effects. Besides that... it can also temper a Soul Master's physique. The older the Whale Rubber, the better the effect.
"If a One-Ring Soul Master takes Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Glue, then there's a very good chance his Second Soul Ring can be a thousand-year one." Murong Huai explained Whale Rubber's effects to Qian Daoliu. Then he added,
"Besides, I'm only six years old, okay? What else would I use that stuff for?"
What did he expect a six-year-old to do with it?
"What, a thousand-year ring for the second ring? Whale Rubber can do that?" Qian Daoliu was rather surprised, and wondered to himself whether Whale Rubber really had such benefits.
"Teacher, didn't you notice your physique improving a lot after using Whale Rubber when you were young?"
Seeing that Qian Daoliu still didn't quite believe him, Murong Huai pressed him further.
At that, Qian Daoliu thought it over. He hadn't paid much attention, since he had always used Whale Rubber for...,
No, no, no! He, Qian Daoliu, was a man of virtue. He was so powerful that he had no need for that sort of thing, all right?!
Still, it did seem that his physique had improved somewhat. After all, he... no, his friends had only taken century- or millennium-level Whale Rubber, never anything older.
And if Whale Rubber couldn't improve one's physique, then who knew whether Qian Xunji would have made it out that time. Thinking of this, Qian Daoliu pretended to cough twice and put on a solemn expression.
"Ahem. I've heard other people mention it. It does seem to have some effect."
"Oh? You've heard about it? From whom?" Murong Huai asked curiously.
At that, Qian Daoliu's mind raced. Then he glanced at Murong Huai and said,
"Ahem. Your teacher heard it from the Third Offering... Uh, anyway, that Whale Rubber—I'll send people to collect it.
"Oh, right. I just remembered there are things to take care of at the Pope Palace. Your teacher will go take care of them first..."
With that, Qian Daoliu turned into a streak of light and left, leaving Murong Huai standing there in a daze. Hearing Qian Daoliu's words, Murong Huai stroked his chin and thought,
"Third Offering?... That's Grandpa. I didn't know Grandpa used it when he was young, too."
Murong Huai couldn't help laughing at the thought. Then he froze. "Does that mean Dad also..."
Far away, in the bed at Murong Mansion, Murong Fuhai suddenly sneezed.
"Achoo! What's going on? Is the weather turning cold?" Murong Fuhai pulled the covers tighter and put an arm around the woman in his embrace.
"Probably because things got too intense last night. I'll soak some more goji berries tonight..."
On Martial Soul Back Mountain, just as Murong Huai was letting his imagination run wild, a cool breeze swept past, making him shiver. He looked around, then realized what had happened and hurriedly shouted toward the Pope Palace,
"Teacher, you forgot to take me with you! I'm still here! I don't know the way back!"
w(ﾟДﾟ)w!!
Before you continue