Carrying it to greater heights

"Shi'an, you're back! Come over here, quick."

Chen Shi'an was about to retreat, but Su Qingrou, who kept glancing toward the gate, spotted him.

"Sister-in-law."

Chen Shi'an had no choice but to abandon his retreat. He strode over to the stone table and greeted Cheng Qiaogu and the elderly woman.

"Shi'an, you've already met Qiaogu, so I don't need to introduce her again."

Smiling broadly, Su Qingrou pointed to the elderly woman. "This is Qiaogu's mother, Auntie Cheng."

"Hello, Auntie Cheng." Chen Shi'an hurriedly bowed in greeting.

The elderly woman looked Chen Shi'an up and down and smiled. "Squad Leader Chen, you're a fine-looking young man, and so accomplished at your age..."

Chen Shi'an knew why the Cheng Family's elderly woman and Cheng Qiaogu had come. Before she could finish, he asked quietly, "Sister-in-law, is Tiantian back yet?"

Su Qingrou glanced at the sky and asked in puzzlement, "School won't let out for quite a while yet. How could she be back?"

"Then I'll go to the Private School now. I have something very important to discuss with her."

Without waiting for Su Qingrou's response, Chen Shi'an turned and strode toward the courtyard gate.

"Wait a moment! What important business could you possibly have with her..." Su Qingrou called urgently.

But before she finished speaking, Chen Shi'an had already stepped briskly over the threshold, turned the corner, and vanished.

Su Qingrou looked embarrassed. "Auntie Cheng, today's timing isn't very good. Shi'an must have run into something important."

The elderly woman's expression darkened noticeably. She pulled Cheng Qiaogu to her feet. "Your brother-in-law is a squad leader in the Demon Hunting Team now, a man of importance. He looks down on humble households like ours. We were reaching above our station."

With that, she turned and left, pulling Cheng Qiaogu along.

"Auntie Cheng, don't rush off... Shi'an didn't mean it that way... You haven't even finished your tea..." Su Qingrou apologized repeatedly and escorted the Cheng Family mother and daughter half a li down the road.

By the time she returned home, Chen Shi'an was already sitting in the courtyard.

"What were you doing?"

Su Qingrou marched into the courtyard, visibly indignant. "Auntie Cheng came in person today with the best of intentions, and you turned and left before she could even finish speaking..."

"Sister-in-law, calm down first."

Chen Shi'an put on an appeasing smile. "That wasn't sincerity. It's been a while since Cheng Qiaogu last visited us, hasn't it? Yet Auntie Cheng never came to call.

"I only became a squad leader today, and here she was at our door. It wasn't me she had her eye on at all. It was my position in the Demon Hunting Team."

"Of course! What parents wouldn't want their daughter to marry a promising young man?"

Su Qingrou raised her voice. "When Tiantian gets married someday, I'll want her to marry into a good family too."

Chen Shi'an chuckled. "Sister-in-law, how old is Tiantian? Isn't it a little early to talk about that?"

Just then, a door opened onto the courtyard. Qin E'na emerged at a leisurely pace and said with a beaming smile:

"Chen Shi'an, you've had a double helping of good fortune today. Not only did you become a squad leader, but a girl even came throwing herself at you with a marriage proposal."

Chen Shi'an shot her a sideways glance. "Quit gloating over there, or I'll find a widower and marry you off to him."

Qin E'na's slender brows shot up. "Don't you dare! A dog's mouth never spits out ivory."

"You little brat, try snarling at me again and see if I dare!" Chen Shi'an raised his voice.

"I'll snarl all I like. What can you do about it?" Qin E'na planted her hands on her hips and thrust out her modestly developed chest.

"Oh, look at that pose. You're starting to look like a shrew cursing in the street." The corners of Chen Shi'an's mouth lifted high.

Qin E'na's pretty face flushed with anger. She could only turn to Su Qingrou for help. "Sister Qingrou, just listen to how nasty Chen Shi'an is! Aren't you going to rein him in?"

Su Qingrou frowned. "Shi'an, can't you give E'na a little leeway? She's been running around helping with everything these past few days, and she's been so good. Why do you always have to pick on her?"

Chen Shi'an swallowed. "Sister-in-law, aren't you being a little too biased? I only just got back, and she started mocking me."

Su Qingrou answered sternly, "When did E'na mock you? I distinctly heard her congratulating you and wishing you well."

Qin E'na chimed in, "You're so petty. You insist on taking people's kind words as sarcasm."

Then she stepped behind Su Qingrou, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

Chen Shi'an was about to fire back, but Su Qingrou waved a hand. "Shi'an, don't change the subject. We're talking about your problem.

"When Qiaogu came to our house a while ago, you said you didn't like plump women.

"E'na isn't plump, is she? She's tall and slender.

"But look at you. Ever since E'na came to our home, you've been at each other's throats every time you meet, without end.

"You don't like plump women, and you don't like slender ones either. Just what kind do you like?"

At that, Qin E'na's pretty face turned scarlet. "Sister Qingrou, you're talking about him. Why drag me into it?"

Seeing Qin E'na's embarrassment, Chen Shi'an laughed. "Sister-in-law, I do like slender women, but not Qin E'na's type.

"She's fierce all day long and doesn't even know how to repay kindness."

"Chen Shi'an, shut your mouth!"

Qin E'na glared at him. "Who asked you to like me? You don't like me? Well, I don't think much of you either!

"What man acts like you, wearing that sour face all day and spewing venom..."

Seeing them start bickering again, Su Qingrou felt her head swell to twice its size. She raised her voice. "Can you two give it a rest?"

Only then did Chen Shi'an and Qin E'na both shut their mouths.

"Sister Qingrou, the fermented black beans in the kitchen should be ready. I'll go check." Qin E'na rolled her eyes at Chen Shi'an, turned her slender waist, and hurried toward the kitchen.

Su Qingrou's expression grew serious. "Shi'an, tell me the truth.

"Last time, you told me you already had someone in your heart. Was that true?"

Hearing this, Qin E'na, who had not yet gone far, noticeably slowed her steps.

Chen Shi'an answered without hesitation, "Of course it was. Why would I lie to you?"

The moment he finished speaking, Qin E'na abruptly quickened her pace and entered the kitchen in a few hurried strides.

Su Qingrou followed up, "Then when are you planning to bring her over so I can meet her?"

Chen Shi'an answered evasively, "We'll talk about that later. I've only just joined the Demon Hunting Team, and I have a mountain of things to do."

"No matter how busy you are, you still need to make your marriage a priority." Su Qingrou's voice rose noticeably.

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Sister-in-law, our house bears the Demon Hunting Team's plaque now. Even if there comes a day when we have no men left, we can still live safely in Windrise Stronghold. There's no need to rush my marriage."

"Pah, pah, pah! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Su Qingrou looked displeased. "Are those even the same thing? I've told you, only after a man marries can his heart be tethered..."

Chen Shi'an felt a headache coming on and hurriedly said, "Sister-in-law, I'll listen to you. When I get the chance, I'll bring her home, all right?"

Seeing her expression soften a little, he quickly changed the subject. "I have to report to the Demon Hunting Team officially tomorrow. I won't be home much after that.

"If anything happens, have Zhao Ling come find me at the Demon Hunting Team."

"Nothing will happen at home. Don't worry.

"E'na and Zhao Ling are both clever and well-behaved. In just these few days, they've learned everything about making chili sauce. They're even more practiced at it than I am."

Concern appeared on Su Qingrou's face. "You're the one I'm worried about. You'll often have to leave the Stronghold and go into dangerous parts of the Desolate Ruins. You must be extremely careful.

"Making a name for yourself is important, certainly, but to us, your safety matters most."

Chen Shi'an nodded. "Sister-in-law, I'll be careful."

Just then, a tall, athletic figure entered the courtyard. It was Zhao Ling, back from buying soybeans at the market.

Chen Shi'an waited for Zhao Ling to put away what she was carrying, then unfastened the Horizontal Saber at his waist and tossed it straight to her.

Zhao Ling reached out and easily caught the Horizontal Saber. She hefted it, drew it, spun it through a flourish, and returned it to its sheath.

"How is it? Does it feel right in your hand?" Chen Shi'an asked with a smile.

"It's all right. It'll do."

A smile appeared on Zhao Ling's face. "When do you want to learn the second of the Seven Star-Chasing Forms?"

"The sooner, the better. I have to report to the Demon Hunting Team first thing tomorrow," Chen Shi'an replied promptly.

Su Qingrou blinked. "Zhao Ling, you're a martial artist?"

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Sister-in-law, the Chen Family has stumbled upon a treasure. Zhao Ling is an expert at the ninth acquired stage, just one step away from becoming ranked."

"The ninth acquired stage!"

Su Qingrou looked stunned. "Your elder brother trained day and night when he was alive, and he only reached the fourth acquired stage. Zhao Ling is at the ninth acquired stage?"

She looked Zhao Ling up and down, unable to reconcile the delicate beauty before her with a powerful martial artist at the ninth acquired stage.

Chen Shi'an smiled. "Why else would I feel comfortable going to the Demon Hunting Team?"

Then his smile faded, and his expression grew serious. "Zhao Ling, someone at the ninth acquired stage already counts as a high-level martial artist in Windrise Stronghold.

"Don't reveal your strength in front of outsiders unless it's truly necessary. Even if you must, hold back as much as you can.

"Otherwise, you'll easily draw unwanted attention."

Zhao Ling nodded. "Don't worry. I understand.

"Shall we start learning the second of the Seven Star-Chasing Forms now?"

"Sure."

Chen Shi'an nodded, strode to the entrance, and closed the gate. Then he went to his room and retrieved his own Horizontal Saber.

Clearly uninterested in martial artists' affairs, Su Qingrou got up and went to the kitchen to help Qin E'na make chili sauce.

Zhao Ling found a stone half a foot thick in the vegetable patch and placed it in the middle of the courtyard. Slowly drawing the Horizontal Saber at her waist, she fixed her gaze on the stone.

"The first of our Zhao Family's Seven Star-Chasing Forms emphasizes speed.

"The second emphasizes weight, concentrating all the body's strength into the blade to inflict the greatest possible damage on the opponent.

"When you strike, you must align the points where your foot, waist, and arm generate force into a single straight line. Watch my movements closely."

As her words fell, she sharply twisted her waist and slashed down with incredible speed.

A cold gleam flashed past.

With a crack, the stone half a foot thick was cleaved cleanly in two.

Chen Shi'an was visibly startled.

He knew perfectly well that even using origin force, he could not split a stone that thick.

Zhao Ling had yet to become ranked and possessed no origin force, yet she could accomplish this. It left him deeply embarrassed.

Zhao Ling relaxed her stance. "You're a ranked martial artist. Even without using the Second Star-Chasing Form, you should be able to split a stone this thick easily."

Chen Shi'an's cheeks grew slightly warm.

Zhao Ling continued, "If you master the Second Star-Chasing Form and combine it with origin force, its power will certainly rise another notch."

With that, she gripped her saber again and continued demonstrating the Second Star-Chasing Form.

After four consecutive demonstrations, Chen Shi'an was certain he had seen every essential detail of the movements and committed them to memory.

He had Zhao Ling stop, placed one of the smaller pieces of stone before him, and slowly drew the Horizontal Saber at his waist.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped swiftly forward with his left foot, sharply twisted his waist, drove hard through his right leg, and slashed down with the Horizontal Saber.

A dazzling cold gleam lit up the courtyard.

With a crack, the stone half a foot thick split in two, sending stone chips flying.

Surprise appeared in Zhao Ling's eyes. "To become a ranked martial artist before twenty, your talent for cultivation really is extraordinary.

"When I first practiced the Second Star-Chasing Form, it took me ten whole days just to grasp the basics.

"But you've grasped its essence after watching only four times.

"Such talent truly puts me to shame."

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "It's not that I'm talented. I simply have a natural affinity with your Zhao Family's Seven Star-Chasing Forms. It's a bond ordained by heaven."

In truth, he knew perfectly well.

His ability to master the Second Star-Chasing Form so quickly, as well as the First Star-Chasing Form before it,

was connected to the seven rounds of marrow-washing and bone-tempering he had undergone when he first began drawing his saber.

Those seven rounds of marrow-washing and bone-tempering had enhanced not only his physique but also the acuity of his senses.

While Zhao Ling demonstrated the Second Star-Chasing Form, he could sense an invisible force circulating within her body.

As a result, he could clearly perceive every point and detail of how Zhao Ling exerted her strength.

This perception bore some slight resemblance to mind power.

However, mind power was the exclusive province of mind masters.

Cultivation in this world followed two paths. The mainstream path cultivated origin force, producing martial artists.

The other path cultivated mind power, producing mind masters.

Cultivating mind power was, in fact, cultivating the power of the soul.

Mind masters used the same ranking system as martial artists: the lower nine grades, followed by the Upper Three Realms.

However, mind masters had no Ninth Acquired Stage.

Only after developing mind power and attaining ranked mind power was someone qualified to be called a mind master.

Without mind power, they were merely ordinary people. Against an acquired martial artist, they could only be beaten or slaughtered.

To become a mind master, one had to be born with a powerful soul. Without that exceptional natural advantage, choosing to cultivate mind power would only waste time.

In this world, those who cultivated mind power were mostly Buddhist monks, Daoists, and Confucian scholars.

Having transmigrated here, Chen Shi'an possessed the memories of two people, and his soul was stronger than most.

But he had never practiced a mind power cultivation method, so he did not dare assume this perceptive ability was mind power.

Zhao Ling sheathed her saber. "The reason stone chips flew everywhere when you struck just now was that some of the force in your blade spilled outward.

"You've basically grasped the Second Star-Chasing Form. Keep practicing, control your strength, and prevent the force from spilling out after your strike. Then you'll have mastered it completely."

With that, she prepared to leave.

Chen Shi'an chuckled and repeated his earlier words. "Zhao Ling, I have such a strong affinity with your Zhao Family's Seven Star-Chasing Forms. Haven't you considered teaching me the remaining five forms so I can carry the Seven Star-Chasing Forms to greater heights?"