Behind the academy lies a lush bamboo forest. The slender bamboos stand straight and tall, their emerald green leaves like sharp swords, swaying gently in the breeze and rustling softly. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, creating a dreamlike scene.
Deep within the bamboo forest lies a bamboo house. The house is entirely woven from natural bamboo, without any other materials, and exudes a faint bamboo fragrance.
Su Chen lay quietly in an antique rocking chair, basking in the warm sunlight. His eyes were slightly closed, his face serene, and a few strands of silver hair Qingwu in the breeze. A slight smile played on his lips as he enjoyed the tranquility and comfort.
In front of him, Lin Fan was wielding his longsword. His movements were fluid and graceful, and his swordplay was as agile as a swimming dragon. Each swing carried a sharp gust of wind.
A moment later, Lin Fan sheathed his sword, approached Su Chen, his eyes filled with anticipation, and smiled, "Master, how was it?"
Su Chen nodded slightly and said, "It's alright, but the movements are still a bit too flashy. It would be even better if you removed those flashy movements."
Upon hearing this, Lin Fan frowned and fell into deep thought.
Su Chen slowly stood up, then instantly snatched the longsword from Lin Fan's hand, so fast that Lin Fan didn't even have time to react.
Su Chen glanced at Lin Fan, then said, "Watch closely."
Lin Fan snapped out of his daze and quickly nodded, his eyes fixed on Su Chen, afraid of missing anything.
Su Chen held his longsword, his eyes calm, and then thrust it out. This strike was simple and pure, without any superfluous movements. The longsword sliced through space and time without any hesitation.
The swordplay was sharp and direct, like the purest power in nature, untainted by any impurities. Every subtle movement was perfectly timed, with precise control over the sword's trajectory and force.
There were no fancy spins, no exaggerated movements, only the most basic thrust, yet it contained an incomparably terrifying power.
Lin Fan, standing to the side, stared at the sword strike with a look of utter shock.
Su Chen sheathed his sword, then looked at Lin Fan and calmly asked, "Do you understand now?"
Lin Fan fell into deep thought, his brows furrowed. Finally, he said, "This sword strike was clearly ordinary, without using any power or Immortal Qi, so why was it so terrifying? I feel that even Immortal Emperor wouldn't be able to withstand Master's sword strike just now."
Su Chen didn't rush to answer. Instead, he tossed the longsword to Lin Fan, then lay back in the rocking chair before saying, "The way of the sword isn't just about external strength. A true swordsman controls the sword with his heart and moves it with his will. This sword strike, seemingly ordinary, embodies my Sword Intent and my insights. By abandoning the enhancement of external power and returning to the origin of the sword, one can unleash its purest power. This kind of power is the most terrifying. If you can comprehend it, even Immortal Emperor would be nothing more than a single strike."
After listening, Lin Fan fell into deep thought again. His eyes gleamed with contemplation, and his brows furrowed slightly. Su Chen's words echoed in his mind.
He began to reflect on his past understanding and use of the sword; those fancy moves and reliance on external power now seemed so superficial.
He seemed to see a completely new world of Sword Dao, a world of pure power filled with profound insights.
A gentle breeze blew by, causing Lin Fan's hair to dance in the wind, but he was completely unaware, deeply immersed in his thoughts, striving to comprehend the true essence of swordsmanship conveyed by Su Chen.
The surrounding bamboo grove continued to rustle, as if accompanying his contemplation and witnessing yet another step of his growth on the path of Sword Dao.
Su Chen looked at Lin Fan, a faint smile appearing on his lips, his expression full of satisfaction.
Time flies like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, the second day has arrived. The clear sunlight shines through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting golden spots on the ground.
Next to the bamboo house, a small bamboo house had appeared out of nowhere.
Creak.
The door to the small bamboo house opened, and Lin Fan slowly walked out. After a night of contemplation, his eyes held a newfound determination and composure.
At that moment, two figures slowly walked over from a distance.
There were two women, their figures gradually becoming clearer in the morning sunlight, as if they had stepped out of a painting.
She was dressed in a white robe, her long hair flowing like a waterfall, gently tied back with a white ribbon, and she looked very scholarly.
The other woman wore a long purple dress, the hem of which fluttered in the wind, resembling a blooming purple flower.
These two women were Xue Ya and Youyue.
Lin Fan looked at the two of them, his expression slightly taken aback, and then said, " Vice Dean Xue, and Master's wife, what brings you here?"
Upon hearing this, Youyue's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple. "Who are you calling 'Master's Wife'?"
Lin Fan blinked. "Of course it's you."
Youyue said, "I... I'm not... I'm not now anyway."
Lin Fan laughed and said, "It's going to happen sooner or later anyway."
Youyue opened her mouth, as if to say something, but after a moment, she didn't utter a single word and finally chose to remain silent.
Xue Ya, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but smile as she watched this scene.
Lin Fan then asked, "You've come to see your master, haven't you?"
Xue Ya nodded and said, "Yes, is he here?"
Lin Fan said, "He's still resting."
Xue Ya said, "Go and wake him up."
Lin Fan hesitated for a moment, then said, "I dare not."
Xue Ya shook her head helplessly, "Then I'll do it."
Just as she was about to knock on Su Chen's door, Su Chen suddenly opened the door and came out.
Looking at the two of them, he smiled slightly, "Good morning."
Youyue stared blankly at the smile on Su Chen's face, a Hong Yun creeping onto her cheeks, her heart pounding rapidly.
Xue Ya stared at Su Chen, then said, "The forces behind the people you killed have come knocking on our door."
Su Chen remained calm. "And then?"
Xue Ya said, "They came to us demanding an explanation."
Su Chen said, "Simple, kill anyone who demands an explanation."
Xue Ya looked at Su Chen without saying a word.
Su Chen said helplessly, "Alright, alright, I'll go take care of it."
A smile finally appeared on Xue Ya's face. "Okay, it's up to you now."
Su Chen: "..."
Xue Ya said, "Don't be upset, you killed those people, so you have to handle this matter."
Su Chen sighed softly, "I understand."
Xue Ya hesitated for a moment, then said, "You've killed too many people lately, you shouldn't kill anymore."
Su Chen calmly asked, "Do you think they would let this go if I spoke politely?"
Xue Ya remained silent.
Su Chen said, "I don't actually want to kill anyone, but I have no choice. Only by killing can I solve all the problems."