A Private Lesson / Taixu Sword Qi

Obviously, preserving one's youth was far more exciting to the Valkyries than anything else. Qin Mo had originally noticed that quite a few people had refused to wear the mask because it was too ugly, but after hearing that it could preserve their looks, they were discussing secretly wearing it back in their dorms to train.

In any case, Qin Mo's task was complete, so when class ended, he prepared to slip away.

"Teacher Qin Mo, please wait."

He looked toward the newcomer. The one who had spoken was someone Qin Mo knew, someone he had seen both in the game and in reality... Fu Hua.

Private Lesson

"Student Fu Hua, is there something you need?"

Qin Mo remained respectful toward the Scarlet Heron Immortal, who had protected Shenzhou for ten thousand years, whether in the game or in reality.

Even Otto respected Fu Hua for that reason. Because of a single promise, she had protected Shenzhou all this time. After being betrayed and losing the power to protect it, she would rather accept a deal from someone she hated than abandon that promise.

"I would like to ask for guidance regarding Hamon."

"No problem. Answering students' questions is a teacher's duty. But Student Fu Hua, you already seem quite proficient, don't you?"

Qin Mo pointed at the mask on Fu Hua's face. After all, she was an immortal who had lived for tens of thousands of years, so she did not care much about appearances.

"I have already grasped the rhythm of breathing, but there are still some things I do not understand about Hamon. Could we go to the training grounds so you can demonstrate?"

"I see. Then wait a moment. I'll let the others know."

Qin Mo looked at Mei and the others, who had already packed up and walked over. "I'm going to the training grounds with Student Fu Hua. You should head back first."

"If you're going to the training grounds, this young lady is coming too. It's been a long time since I went."

Kiana immediately said.

"Kiana only went on the first day of class. She has not gone even once since then."

Bronya mercilessly commented from the side.

"Th-That's because... Bronya, haven't you also never gone?"

Kiana suddenly remembered that the three of them had acted together all last week. If she had not gone, then naturally Mei and Bronya had not gone either!

"Idiot Kiana. Bronya fights using Heavy Tank Bunny. Bronya does not need the training grounds."

As Kiana and Bronya bickered back and forth, Mei passed between them and walked up to Fu Hua. "Just as Kiana said, Class Monitor, can we come too?"

"There is no need to ask like that, Raiden Mei. All students may use the training grounds, and I support anyone willing to train."

Naturally, Fu Hua would not refuse Mei's request.

"Then let's go."

"Shouldn't we wait for them?"

Fu Hua looked at Kiana and Bronya, who were still arguing back and forth.

"It's fine. They'll catch up."

The three of them stopped waiting for the two bickering girls and headed toward the training grounds.

Just as Mei had said, the moment the three left, the other two immediately followed after them and stopped arguing.

After arriving at the training grounds, Fu Hua first showed Qin Mo the results of her few short hours of training. As expected of the Scarlet Heron Immortal who had guarded Shenzhou for tens of thousands of years, even while severely injured and suffering from amnesia, she had easily mastered Hamon.

"During class, Teacher called Hamon Immortal Ripple and said it originated from Shenzhou. Yet when I was in Shenzhou, I had never heard of such a thing."

Fu Hua spoke as if casually, but there was a faint hint of testing in her words.

"The world is so big. It's normal for the Class Monitor not to have seen it, right? Besides, this is the Far East."

Qin Mo nearly broke out in a cold sweat when he heard Kiana's words. Kiana, Kiana, do you know who you are standing before?! This was the Scarlet Heron Immortal who had protected Shenzhou for ten thousand years!

Although Qin Mo often skipped the plot when playing games, he would still read up on the backstories of characters he liked when he was bored. He did not know much about Fu Hua's background, only a rough outline, but that was enough. Compared to her fifty thousand years, what he knew was indeed very little.

"Ahem. Student Fu Hua, since you are also from Shenzhou, you naturally know of immortals. Many people in Shenzhou consider those who live long lives to be immortals. Terms such as 'immortal bearing' and 'crane-haired yet youthful-faced' were created for that reason. One of Hamon's effects is extending one's lifespan. Even ordinary people can live for several hundred years through cultivation, and their appearance ages slowly. Naturally, it came to be called an immortal art."

Qin Mo then shook his head. "But Hamon is merely the energy of life. It cannot resist Honkai. Before Honkai, years of arduous cultivation cannot compare to natural compatibility. And since Hamon does not possess especially powerful combat ability, it never became famous and merely remained secluded in one corner. Furthermore, Hamon practitioners are mostly ascetics who focus on cultivating themselves rather than displaying miracles before others, so it is perfectly normal that Student Fu Hua has never heard of it."

Seemingly accepting Qin Mo's explanation, Fu Hua nodded. "While cultivating, I sensed that Hamon seemed to possess strong healing effects, rather than merely relieving pain as you said."

"And also."

Fu Hua took up a stance. "I discovered that when used alongside the martial arts I have learned, Hamon seems to undergo a peculiar change. Teacher, do you know why?"

Martial arts? Why hadn't I noticed anything?

Qin Mo thought over the martial arts Fu Hua knew, but after pondering for a long time, he could only think of Essence of the One-Inch Punch. Oh, no, Heaven Breaker. Shenzhou Flatboard, Essence of the One-Inch Punch: Heaven Breaker!

Come to think of it, there was also the supreme art called Tai Xu Sword Qi. Qin Mo remembered that it was considered the only method in the Honkai world through which someone could surpass a Herrscher through cultivation.

Everything else relied either on technology or mutation.

"If we are talking about martial arts, I know a little as well, but I have not noticed the situation Student Fu Hua described."

What martial arts did Qin Mo know? Everything he knew came from character cards. The only things that could count as actual techniques were Rokushiki and the Viper Style from Sojieta Kuzuki.

The former was more of a body-tempering technique than martial arts, while the latter was purely a killing technique. Both had strayed from the original purpose of strengthening the body and cultivating one's character.

"Regarding Student Fu Hua's situation, perhaps I need to see it in person before I can understand it. Would you like to exchange blows?"

Fu Hua nodded as well. "That was also my intention. Words cannot convey it properly."

"Good. Then be careful, Student Fu Hua. I only know one martial art, but compared to martial arts, I prefer to call it a killing technique."

Qin Mo assumed the opening stance of the Viper Style. Sojieta Kuzuki's physical abilities and overall capabilities were fairly average, but this Viper Style fist technique had quite a few merits. Qin Mo had often switched to it to practice in his spare time. Now, even without switching to Sojieta Kuzuki's character card, he could use the Viper Style skillfully.

As she watched Qin Mo take his stance, Fu Hua immediately felt as though she were not facing a person, but a venomous snake waiting for an opportunity to strike. The sensation vanished in an instant, but she could already see the threat behind the fist technique before her.

"Essence of the One-Inch Punch: Mountain Collapse!"

Fu Hua struck first, using her inherited Cun Xin Fist Style. This was also a probing strike. If Qin Mo could not even deal with this attack, she would naturally stop.

However, Qin Mo, who had been standing still, suddenly accelerated sharply in her eyes. His feet moved in a strange pattern as he abruptly closed the distance. This did not concern her, because this range was also within her attack range. If this continued, Qin Mo would only be struck by her. Yet what alarmed her was that his fist and body slipped into the gaps in her attack like a venomous snake. He evaded her fist with an odd movement, then punched toward her neck.

Bang!

"Qin Mo!"

Amid Mei's cry, Qin Mo was sent flying, crashing into the wall.

"Class Monitor! How could you do that?! Qin Mo had clearly already pulled back!"

Watching Raiden Mei rush toward Qin Mo, Kiana angrily demanded an explanation from Fu Hua.

Fu Hua, who had always been expressionless like an ancient well, unexpectedly revealed a trace of embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I could not hold back."

In truth, she simply had not expected Qin Mo to be so weak.

The Viper Style was not a first-rate fist technique, but compared to ordinary fist techniques, its assassinations and unexpected attacks gave it a first-strike lethality comparable to first-rate techniques.

As long as the opponent understood the peculiarities of this fist technique, its value would drop considerably. But during a first encounter, it was extremely threatening. When Qin Mo broke through Fu Hua's defenses and nearly struck her neck just now, she had even felt the threat of death.

Although Qin Mo had pulled back in the end, that stimulus had made her instinctively unleash her strength and send him flying.

Tai Xu Sword Qi

"I'm fine, I'm fine. The Viper Style is just that kind of fist technique. Student Fu Hua must have been startled. Normally speaking, just now was no different from standing on an execution block."

Qin Mo waved his hand and stood up with Mei's support. "But I roughly understand Student Fu Hua's problem now. When you said Hamon had changed in response to your martial arts, you were not referring to something as simple as fist techniques, were you?"

At the end of the day, fist techniques were merely unusual methods of exerting force. But when Qin Mo had been struck just now, he had sensed a peculiar power mixed within it. It reminded him of Tai Xu Sword Qi, the martial arts mental cultivation method Fu Hua had created herself.

"I felt it just now. There seemed to be another kind of power within Student Fu Hua's fist, something I cannot understand. It should be that power reacting with Hamon."

Fu Hua nodded. "That is correct. It is the martial arts mental cultivation method I practice, called Tai Xu Sword Qi."

"Then there is nothing I can do about it. After all, I have never practiced any martial arts mental cultivation method, so I do not know why the two would react."

Fu Hua lowered her head and thought for a moment. "If you are willing, I can teach you Tai Xu Sword Qi as repayment for your guidance."

"Huh? Is that really all right? Usually, these kinds of mental cultivation methods are the secret teachings of various sects. I probably cannot become your disciple."

Fu Hua shook her head. "There is no problem. If everyone wishes to learn, I can teach it to them. Though Tai Xu Sword Qi is called martial arts, it is actually a mental cultivation method for tempering the heart. It requires a long time to learn and considerable talent. But if everyone is willing to study and discuss it together to fight Honkai, then I welcome it."

"Then I'll be relying on you, Teacher Fu Hua."

"You do not need to call me Teacher. We are merely studying and discussing together."

Qin Mo waved his hand. "In learning, there is no order of seniority. Those who have attained mastery are teachers. Or should I call you Master Fu Hua?"

Seeing Fu Hua's somewhat troubled expression, Qin Mo said, "How about this? I'll just call you Fu Hua, and you can call me by my name as well. We are all learning from one another, after all."

Seemingly accepting Qin Mo's suggestion, Fu Hua nodded.

Qin Mo was actually very excited about learning Tai Xu Sword Qi, because he had long known how powerful it was, even if he did not understand why.

However, Kiana was very unhappy about it and kept making a fuss. In the end, Mei had to step in and calm her down.

The study session that had originally been meant to answer Fu Hua's questions somehow turned into Fu Hua teaching four students.

"Before learning Tai Xu Sword Qi, you must first learn the Sword Heart Incantation. I will recite the Sword Heart Incantation next. You must silently recite it in your hearts and commit it to memory."

The four sat cross-legged before her and closed their eyes. Fu Hua began to produce a series of strange sounds.

Like murmurs from a dream, they held no meaning at all.

The Sword Heart Incantation was the foundation for cultivating Tai Xu Sword Qi. Its essence was actually technology from the Previous Era: Divine Sound.

The original material had been obscure and difficult to understand. With the help of a friend, Fu Hua compiled it into the Tai Xu Sword Qi cultivation method that came later.

But its essence had not changed. Tai Xu Sword Qi did not focus on cultivating meridians and dantians. Instead, it cultivated the heart, using heaven and earth as the dantian and the body as the meridians.

Thus, the foundation was the first stage, the Tai Xu Sword Heart, which was the so-called Sword Heart Incantation.

"I learned it!"

While the others were still sensing the cadence of the sounds Fu Hua made, the first to succeed was surprisingly the most lively Kiana.

However, after Fu Hua glared at her, Kiana hurriedly fell silent and nervously looked at the others. But Bronya had already been startled awake by Kiana. She did not make a sound, merely glaring at Kiana with displeasure.

Mei and Qin Mo, meanwhile, remained seated in meditation.

As she continued producing the Divine Sound, Fu Hua looked at Kiana with mixed feelings. The first realm of the Sword Heart was the Realm of Still Water, which emphasized calmness without a ripple. That completely contradicted Kiana's personality. However, Tai Xu Sword Qi was not a cultivation method that depended on one's personality, so it was still normal enough.

Qin Mo was the last to open his eyes. In terms of talent, he was the worst among the three.

Bronya? Bronya's heart was too restless, so after Kiana startled her awake, she did not continue.

"Ahem, Qin Mo, your talent is already very good."

Fu Hua coughed twice as she spoke.

"But I was so much slower than everyone else..."

Seeing that three hours had already passed, Qin Mo rolled his eyes. "You do not need to comfort me about this."

"I am not comforting you. In truth, most people cannot even enter the first stage on their first attempt."

Qin Mo waved his hand, stopping Fu Hua from continuing. "Actually, I could not enter it either, but midway through, I discovered that Hamon really seemed to have a linked reaction with Tai Xu Sword Qi."

"But since you said Tai Xu Sword Qi tempers the heart, I roughly understand why. Hamon may be a power that originates from the body, but its development changes according to a person's will. A Hamon master once said that when you encounter difficulties, you only need to believe in Hamon!"

"There was once a Hamon master who had cultivated for nearly a hundred years and could use Hamon to see through fate itself. It was not because his Hamon was powerful enough, but because his will had become capable of influencing the changes in Hamon."

"So Hamon itself is also a kind of power of the mind."

If they were purely comparing the strength of Hamon, no one had ever surpassed Kars. With a single breath, he could unleash Hamon comparable to the heat of the sun and directly melt a human body. But Kars had merely used Hamon; he had not understood its true essence and changed his fate. That meant Hamon's evolution still depended on one's understanding and control of it, rather than simply piling up more power.

"I see. Then that makes sense."

Fu Hua nodded. "Then is there a method for training one's understanding of Hamon?"

Simply generating Hamon through breathing techniques was merely accumulating more power. It held no meaning for Fu Hua, who lacked neither lifespan nor methods of attack.

"As for that, I originally did not plan to teach it to you, because it consumes too much energy and would be putting the cart before the horse for Valkyries. But since you want to know, Fu Hua, I'll tell you about it."

Qin Mo described from memory the Hamon training Caesar and Joseph had undergone.

"Although there is no Hell Climb Pillar here, that is also a method of forcing out one's potential. In that state, you either break through or die. As long as you are disciplined enough, Fu Hua, you can even use the academy fountain to practice."

Qin Mo stood up. "It's already getting late. Let's head back. On the way, I'll demonstrate how to use the fountain for practice."

The group followed Qin Mo to the fountain in the center of St. Freya Academy. Qin Mo silently switched his character card to Caesar, then stepped into the fountain.