Early the next morning.
The four returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect bright and early.
Ning Fengzhi waited anxiously at the entrance to the main hall. When he saw Han Yu and Rongrong return safe and sound, his worried expression gradually eased.
Inside the main hall.
With a smile, Ning Fengzhi produced two treasure boxes made of purple sandalwood. He opened them and turned them toward Han Yu and Rongrong.
They contained two Soul Bones: one was a gleaming white Head Soul Bone, and the other was a pure white arm Soul Bone.
"Han Yu, Rongrong, you are the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. These two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones are for you." Ning Fengzhi gently rubbed his thumb against his scepter, speaking casually, as though he were giving them some worthless trinkets.
A closer look revealed that the arm Soul Bone was for the right arm.
Clearly, Ning Fengzhi had carefully chosen these two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones for them. A Head Soul Bone suited an auxiliary-type tool Soul Master like Rongrong, while Han Yu wielded his sword in his right hand.
High-year Soul Bones were priceless treasures, so rare they could not be bought. Ordinary people absorbed any they found themselves, while only the great sects and factions stored them for the next generation of young prodigies.
Warmth filled Han Yu's heart. He bowed in thanks and accepted the box.
"Thank you, Sect Master."
"Thanks, Dad. Who do you like more, me or Han Yu?" Rongrong asked, rolling her eyes as she remembered how Han Yu had gotten her stuck training under the watchful eyes of her two grandpas the night before.
"You're my daughter, of course I like you more." Amused by the question, Ning Fengzhi raised a hand to pat his beloved daughter's head.
"But Han Yu has two now."
"Two? Could it be..." Ning Fengzhi abruptly turned to Han Yu and rose from his chair. Rongrong huffed and turned away, pouting.
Han Yu nodded and released both his Martial Souls in turn. "The Mystic Array Disk's Soul Ring is four hundred and thirty years old. The Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword's Soul Ring is the Thunder Tiger, which had just advanced to a thousand years. I was lucky enough to absorb a Head Soul Bone as well."
After listening, Ning Fengzhi saw the two elders nod in confirmation. Delight and excitement filled him, and he lightly tapped his scepter against the floor.
Han Yu truly was a genius without equal. He had achieved the unprecedented miracle of a thousand-year first Soul Ring, and had even been lucky enough to obtain a Soul Bone. It was just that the Soul Bone's age was far too low to match his talent.
"Han Yu, you did very well. But in the future, if you get a Soul Bone, you can store it away and trade it for one that suits you better." Ning Fengzhi patted Han Yu's shoulder, his face full of satisfaction, and offered him some thoughtful advice.
Han Yu's lips moved slightly, then he nodded.
A thousand-year Soul Bone was indeed far too weak for him. If he had a choice, he would never have absorbed one willingly.
This Thunder Tiger Skull, however, was no ordinary Soul Bone. Perhaps the Thunder Tiger had been struck by heavenly lightning and advanced, only to become Han Yu's Soul Ring. Its resentment had caused it to mutate, and it had merged into Han Yu's body along with the Soul Ring.
It came with a strange ability: like the Thunder Tiger, it could gain a tiny increase in age when struck by lightning. It was an almost useless ability. How often did thunderstorms even happen?
"All right. You've been on the road all day. Go back and get some rest," Ning Fengzhi said.
Han Yu paused at the sound of his voice and looked expectantly at Chen Xin.
"Han Yu, come with me," Chen Xin said with a quiet cough.
Watching them leave, Gu Rong snorted. "On the way here, I competed with Old Bone over who'd get to teach Han Yu. Whoever won got him. He actually planned to use his ninth Soul Skill against me."
Ning Fengzhi gave an awkward smile. He wouldn't comment on the matter between the two elders.
He had more important things to do. Abandoning his usual dignity, he chased Rongrong around the hall, trying to coax her. Even her once-favorite game of being lifted up high didn't work anymore.
The back mountains of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
On a cloud-wreathed peak, isolated from the world, a waterfall plunged down into a pool.
The two stopped by the water.
Chen Xin stood with his hands behind his back, his blue-green robe stirred by the breeze.
"Do you know what the sword path is?" Chen Xin asked, his back to Han Yu.
"Teacher, this disciple does not," Han Yu answered honestly.
Chen Xin nodded in satisfaction, turned around, and continued, "On the sword path, the greatest taboo is having too many distracting thoughts.
"Desire, fear, hesitation... When such thoughts accumulate, the sword grows dull."
As he spoke, he raised a hand. His voice was unhurried, and his index finger traced lightly through the air. A sword aura flashed past, its ringing clear and sharp.
"Remember: sharpness comes from simplicity. Today, I'll teach you the three most essential words of the Chen Xin Sword Path.
"See, decide, strike.
"As for whether you can comprehend sword intent, and what kind of sword intent you comprehend, that depends on your own insight.
"Sword intent is the embodiment of the obsession in each person's heart.
"For example, my Seven Kill Sword Intent is the ultimate in slaughter, stripped of all hesitation and distracting thoughts.
"Beyond that, there are higher realms, such as Sword Heart, unity of man and sword, and the sword path itself.
"Once you develop your own sword intent, I'll explain them to you."
Chen Xin finished and looked at Han Yu, who had lowered his head in thought. Satisfied, he waited quietly.
"Observe your opponent, then think carefully before acting?" Han Yu murmured.
Chen Xin smiled knowingly and explained, "Everyone understands the Chen Xin Sword Path differently. There's no need to worry about that. As long as you stay true to your own convictions, that's enough."
"When I was learning the sword from my father..."
Chen Xin spoke at length, carefully telling Han Yu about the wrong turns he had taken when he first began cultivating sword intent.
He also broke down the different kinds of sword intent he had encountered over the years, one by one, sharing his understanding of them, how to counter them, how to conceal the weaknesses of one's own sword intent, and why certain approaches to sword intent were inadvisable.
Han Yu stood straight and listened intently. His understanding of the sword path was no longer a blank slate.
Chen Xin only stopped once Han Yu was so dizzy that he could barely keep himself upright.
"All right. The sword path is infinitely profound, and there's no set way to follow it. That's enough for today. Practice here by yourself every day, and I'll check your progress regularly." Chen Xin's gentle voice drifted clearly into Han Yu's ears.
"Yes, Teacher. Thank you." Han Yu bowed solemnly to Chen Xin's departing figure, his voice trembling slightly with joy.
Only after Chen Xin had left did Han Yu straighten up.
He summoned the Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword and gently brushed his hand along its blade. His eyes closed as each of Chen Xin's teachings surfaced in his mind. Then his wrist turned, pointing the sword at the waterfall ahead, and his gaze gradually cleared.
Half a month later.
It was early morning again.
Han Yu arrived at the peak bright and early.
In his hand was a delicate, lightweight wooden sword, narrow and long. With the strength of a Soul Master, wielding it took no effort at all, as though he were holding a few feathers.
Confidently, he leaped into the pool and climbed onto a boulder directly beneath the waterfall.
He wanted to imitate Yang Guo and practice his sword beneath the falls.
He raised the wooden sword. After holding on for a few seconds in the rushing water, a tremendous force flung him away, leaving him drenched like a drowned rat.
Han Yu stood up from the pool, frustrated, and scratched his head.
He didn't notice Chen Xin and Gu Rong standing by the pool. Who knew how long they had been there, watching him with interest.