Chen Xin put away his sword and stood there, looking at Jiang Che with a complicated expression.
Only after a long while did he slowly speak. "You didn't lose. I was the one who lost."
Jiang Che froze. "Why do you say that, Senior?"
Chen Xin returned the wooden sword to the weapon rack, then went back to the old pavilion and sat down. "I've lived for so many years. I immersed myself in the way of the sword for decades before comprehending sword aura, then spent many more years just touching the threshold of sword intent."
"And you, at only twelve, comprehended blade aura on your own. In terms of understanding 'intent' alone, you're far stronger than I was back then."
He raised his head, his gaze more serious than ever before. "In this spar, I won through my accumulated cultivation and grasp of timing. If our cultivation were equal and we were of similar ages, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been your blade that broke today, but my sword."
"When you said you wanted to learn 'intent,' I thought you were overestimating yourself and rushing for results."
"If you can break through to Titled Douluo one day, your achievements will certainly surpass mine." Chen Xin shook his head helplessly.
Chen Xin's assessment of Jiang Che was remarkably high.
Jiang Che opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Chen Xin raised a hand to stop him. "No need to be modest. As I said just now, since you want to learn intent, I'll hold nothing back. With your current foundation, what you lack isn't comprehension, but time and tempering."
"Although everyone's grasp of intent differs, I believe that with your aptitude, the day will come when you comprehend it."
He rose, walked up to Jiang Che, and patted