Two traps

When Qin Yi mentioned combinations, Xiao Qingyu did indeed smile radiantly. "You really are impressive. Even my master has praised me for how I link my moves together."

Xiao Qingyu made no secret of her insights into linking moves, because there was really nothing to hide.

Put plainly, it came down to one word-[talent]!

Those with talent could learn as soon as they were taught.

Those without talent could never learn, no matter how much they were taught.

That was the difference between people.

If diligence really could bridge the gap, what did this world need geniuses for? Why did sects specifically recruit and nurture geniuses?

No matter how you nurtured a fool, they would never become a pillar of support. That was simply reality.

"But you can only rely on yourself when it comes to combining and linking different moves. I think practice probably makes perfect. If you practice more, you should do quite well too," Xiao Qingyu said gently.

"Junior Sister Qingyu, are you working so hard to prepare for the [Sword Debate for First Place] in two months?" Qin Yi asked.

Xiao Qingyu nodded. "Of course. Almost everyone in the Famous Sword Sect's younger generation is preparing for the [Sword Debate for First Place]. After all, there are only two months left. What about you? Although you're a new disciple, you're now Emerald Bamboo Peak's eldest senior brother, at any rate. You should be taking part in this year's [Sword Debate for First Place] too, right?"

Qin Yi said, "I probably will."

His master, Dripping Water Sword Gu Yanshan, had been teaching him with increasing patience lately and even giving him cultivation resources. There was no need to guess-he definitely wanted Qin Yi to participate in the [Sword Debate for First Place].

However, there were only two months left until the [Sword Debate for First Place].

No matter how someone was nurtured over those two months, a normal cultivation speed could never take them straight into the Golden Core Realm.

Thus, Qin Yi guessed that his father-in-law Gu Yanshan probably wanted him to claim a branch sword champion title.

What was a branch sword champion?

The [Sword Debate for First Place] would feature five sword arenas: the [Heaven-Slaying Sword Arena], the [Longevity Sword Arena], the [Jade Pivot Sword Arena], the [Heavenly Secrets Sword Arena], and the [Boundless Sword Arena].

Those who studied the Heaven-Slaying Sword Art would all go to the Heaven-Slaying Sword Arena.

Those who studied the Jade Pivot Sword Art would all go to the Jade Pivot Sword Arena.

In any case, each sword arena would produce a sword champion, known as a branch sword champion.

The branch sword champions would then fight one another to determine the overall sword champion.

Although the overall sword champion would shine the brightest, given Qin Yi's experience, only three or four months would have passed between his joining the sect and the start of the Sword Debate for First Place. If he could claim a branch sword champion title, that would be enough to boast about.

It would also be enough to earn some face.

"By the way, your master is Martial Uncle Gu, the Dripping Water Sword, so the sword art you mainly practice should be the Jade Pivot Sword Art too, right?"

Gu Yanshan's nickname was Dripping Water Sword. It was simply a name referring to how swiftly he struck with his sword. Overall, Gu Yanshan's swordsmanship still fell within the framework of the Jade Pivot Sword Art, so it still belonged to that art.

As the Dripping Water Sword's prized disciple, he would naturally inherit his master's strengths and carry on the Jade Pivot Sword Art.

Yet Qin Yi shook his head.

If he said now that he mainly practiced the Jade Pivot Sword Art, then regardless of whether Xiao Qingyu cared about the Sword Debate for First Place, she might not get too close to him.

After all, it would be awkward if the two met in the arena.

"I mainly practice the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique," Qin Yi said.

The previous branch sword champion of the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique was Shangguan Qing.

He also happened to be Xiao Qingyu's future Dao companion.

Xiao Qingyu suddenly covered her mouth in surprise. "You mainly practice the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique too?"

Qin Yi said, "Why are you so surprised, Junior Sister?"

Xiao Qingyu wanted to say that her Senior Brother Shangguan also mainly practiced the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique, but after thinking about it, that seemed rather awkward to say. So she swallowed her words.

"Then we won't have to worry about meeting in the arena."

Qin Yi smiled. "Yes, thankfully we won't. If I really did meet you in the arena, Junior Sister, your attainments in swordsmanship would certainly make you a difficult opponent."

Xiao Qingyu covered her mouth and smiled.

It was a girl's nature to enjoy praise, but praise required skill too. Awkward praise would only provoke dislike. Only a compliment or two at the right moment would make her accept it with a knowing smile.

"I heard you've already reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. If I really faced you, I wouldn't be your match."

"Huh? So everyone already knows?"

When Qin Yi broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Gu Yanshan had told his disciples not to spread the news. Clearly, however, it could not be kept secret.

Emerald Bamboo Peak had so many disciples. They spread it among themselves, then passed it on to their close friends, and naturally everyone knew overnight.

"Of course. After all, it was quite surprising. But what's even more surprising is that you have such attainments in the Jade Pivot Sword Art when you mainly practice the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique."

Qin Yi said, "Actually, my master once said that the Famous Sword Sect's five great sword arts are connected in their essence. As the saying goes, understanding one opens the way to a hundred. Many things are the same. Even people who study the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique will understand the Jade Pivot Sword Art. In fact, the more they study the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique, the better they understand the Jade Pivot Sword Art."

"Why?" Xiao Qingyu tilted her head curiously.

"Because water and fire inherently counter each other. Some of the strengths of the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique can be applied to the Jade Pivot Sword Art simply by reversing them."

"That works too?"

"Of course. Why don't we exchange a few moves and see?"

"Sure."

After she agreed, Qin Yi broke a branch off a tree by the path, then leaped onto the water to exchange moves with her.

Xiao Qingyu's sword moves were gentle and magnificent. She did indeed have a strong talent for linking moves, but her weakness was equally clear: more than enough splendor, not enough power.

But Qin Yi deliberately reduced the power of his sword moves to accommodate her, trading blows back and forth.

After more than thirty consecutive moves, Xiao Qingyu was drenched in fragrant sweat and felt thoroughly invigorated.

Because Qin Yi accommodated her throughout their exchange, she also sensed that these two sword arts did indeed share some common ground.

For instance, water was merciless, and so was fire. Since ancient times, people had spoken of the mercilessness of water and fire.

Whether it was the Jade Pivot Sword Art or the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique, their characteristics were practically identical when it came to killing moves.

After exchanging sixty moves, she enjoyed herself more and more as they fought.

This was mainly because the system had granted Qin Yi the [Pleasure] attribute. Whenever he taught someone of the opposite sex hand over hand, they would experience a special sense of pleasure.

Although he was not teaching Xiao Qingyu hand over hand now, he accommodated her with every move, which was much the same thing.

Thus, the pleasurable sensation of [Pleasure] would also travel through the sword in her hand and into her body.

With this [Pleasure], Qin Yi believed she would definitely remember him vividly.

Moreover, after this pleasurable exchange, sparring with anyone else next time would feel dull and tasteless to her.

After all, no one else had this special ability to give women [Pleasure].

After seventy moves, Qin Yi bade her farewell and left.

With the pleasurable sensation of [Pleasure], he had to quit while he was ahead. Like honey, it had to linger just out of reach to make someone unable to stop craving it.

Too much would become cloying.

Xiao Qingyu thanked him, then asked, "Senior Brother Qin, will you come here again?"

Qin Yi asked a question he already knew the answer to. "Why?"

Xiao Qingyu said reservedly, "If possible, I'd like to spar with you a few more times next time. During that exchange just now, I felt I grasped many techniques I'd never managed to master before."

Qin Yi smiled faintly without giving her a definite answer. "If we happen to run into each other, of course. But you could also find someone else who mainly practices the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique. The effect should be the same."

Those words seemed simple, but in fact, Qin Yi had already laid two traps.

The first trap was to set out bait for Xiao Qingyu to bite. The more he withheld a definite answer, the more she would look forward to it.

The second trap was to make Xiao Qingyu draw a comparison in her mind.

After all, Shangguan Qing mainly practiced the Heavenly Secrets Sword Technique. Now that Qin Yi had said this, if Xiao Qingyu later asked to spar with Shangguan Qing, and Shangguan Qing could not give her pleasure, then... wouldn't the contrast become apparent?