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Join the ServerDespite being conjoined and moving several times slower than ordinary people, Ji Wushuang had managed to ascend to the ranks of top masters by his twenties.
His innate talent was truly astonishing, and his comprehension of martial arts was second to none.
Thus, after only two or three months of dedicated study in the way of the sword, he could already discern numerous flaws and offer pointers when observing Elder Mu instruct the young boy.
***
On this particular day, as was his custom, Ji Wushuang arrived at the training ground to observe the boy practicing his swordsmanship.
He found the boy’s brows deeply furrowed, as he repeatedly drilled various sword techniques.
Even though Elder Mu continuously praised his flawless execution, the boy’s face remained devoid of any cheer.
“What troubles him?” Ji Wushuang asked, stepping forward to address Elder Mu.
“Alas, I don’t know what’s gotten into Axi today,” Elder Mu sighed. “He insists that something feels off in his sword practice, believing he can do better. He started training before dawn, and I’ve lost count of how many times he’s repeated the forms. This child is truly stubborn!”
Though his words were a complaint, the pride and satisfaction in Elder Mu’s eyes were impossible to conceal, a sight Ji Wushuang found rather irritating.
He turned to watch the boy, who continued his relentless practice.
Ji Wushuang knew that the best way to make him stop was to help him pinpoint the flaws in his swordsmanship, so he observed with meticulous attention.
“To be so diligently devoted to martial arts at such a young age, this child is destined to become a standout among our clan!” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister remarked, turning to Elder Mu.
The boy’s temperament was uncannily similar to her younger brother’s when he was a child, making her grow fonder of him with each passing moment.
It also filled her with regret over her past instigations. Sacrificing the boy to suppress the Wolf Girl had truly not been worth it; she had made a grave mistake.
Elder Mu, seeing the Sect Master praise his beloved disciple in such a manner, beamed a smile that crinkled his eyes.
Ji Wushuang paid no heed to their conversation.
His entire focus was on the boy amidst the flashing blades, meticulously imprinting every movement, every stance, into his mind’s eye.
He analyzed each detail in his thoughts, and after a quarter of an hour, he finally identified the problem.
“Stop now.” As Ji Wushuang’s words fell, he leaped forward, catching the boy’s sharp sword blade with his bare hand, preventing him from continuing.
The blade settled into his palm, all its internal energy dissipating into nothingness, leaving not even the slightest mark.
This clearly demonstrated the immense disparity in their current martial prowess, a gap as vast as heaven and earth.
“This Venerable One has found the root of the problem. Rest for a moment and listen as This Venerable One explains in detail.” Ji Wushuang released the blade, then gently patted Shui Jingxuan’s sweat-dampened hair.
Upon hearing this, Shui Jingxuan’s eyes lit up, and he looked directly at Ji Wushuang, filled with anticipation.
Being gazed at so intently by those clear, profound eyes, Ji Wushuang felt an inexplicable surge of profound satisfaction.
Unconsciously, a hint of a smile softened his stern features. “You understand what externalized sword energy is, correct?”
Externalized sword energy is essentially the release of internal force through the sword as a medium, much like a mage wielding a staff to cast spells, capable of causing widespread damage.
Shui Jingxuan had already understood this concept when he cultivated his supernatural abilities in his previous life, so he nodded without hesitation.
“Excellent. Precisely because you know how to externalize sword energy, you have solely pursued its raw power, forgetting the importance of control and restraint.
“Consequently, during practice, you often feel as though once the energy is released, it cannot be recalled. Though your swordsmanship appears incredibly formidable, in reality, it is more taxing to perform and difficult to control in its subtle intricacies.
“Am I correct?” Ji Wushuang leaned slightly, looking directly into the boy’s eyes as he asked.
Shui Jingxuan began nodding vigorously even before Ji Wushuang had finished speaking, his gaze toward the other man growing even more fervent.
Meeting his ardent gaze, Ji Wushuang’s lips subtly curved upward, and an unspoken joy swelled in his heart, making him speak even more eloquently.
“Cultivating swordsmanship should not solely chase destructive power; it also requires a balance of hardness and softness, with effortless control over release and retrieval.
“Only then can the full might of a sword technique be unleashed to its limit. As you practiced just now, though seemingly majestic, it was incredibly taxing on your own energy.
“You would exhaust your internal force quickly. While you might be invincible against your fellow disciples, encountering a true master would undoubtedly mean a narrow escape from death.
“With your talent, you should be able to practice all day without fatigue, yet you now appear somewhat exhausted. This situation is quite dangerous.”
Shui Jingxuan’s jade-like face was taut with agreement for Ji Wushuang’s words.
Perhaps due to the profound influence of the apocalypse, he had long developed a ruthless, all-out style when attacking, focusing solely on power during martial arts practice and neglecting the study of technique.
When faced with complex moves, his first thought was often to deliver a decisive blow, simplifying the intricate.
This mindset itself was not wrong, but his error lay in overestimating himself. He was still young, with weak internal force.
Solely pursuing the realm of ‘heavy sword without edge, great skill without art,’ his own strength simply could not support him in achieving this. These past days, he had found his sword practice increasingly strenuous.
“Sect Master, I understand your meaning now. When practicing the sword, internal force should be released and reined in according to the move.
“For instance, during an attack, I must release my internal force to its limit, but when withdrawing for defense, I must subtly retract it to allow for flexible changes in moves at any moment.
“This way, in combat, I will be able to endure longer, and my swordsmanship will be endlessly varied, making it impossible for an opponent to guard against, correct?”
Shui Jingxuan had fully grasped Ji Wushuang’s words and quickly demonstrated his ability to extrapolate.
“Precisely, Axi is very clever.” Ji Wushuang patted Shui Jingxuan’s small head, unable to suppress a smile.
This was the first time in his life he had spoken so much to someone in one go, and also the first time he had received such a serious response.
This feeling was novel and incredibly pleasant.
“You are still young, and your internal force is insufficient. Therefore, when practicing the sword, you should focus more on technique and agility, and avoid clashing head-on with opponents.
“Once you are older and your internal force has accumulated to a certain degree, then employing your current externalized heavy sword techniques would not be out of the question.” Fearing the boy might become disheartened, Ji Wushuang offered comfort after a brief thought.
He remained completely unaware that his care and patience for the boy far surpassed what he showed the Wolf Girl.
This was understandable, after all; anyone faced with a cold, distant disciple who rarely spoke would eventually grow disheartened, especially now with such a contrasting comparison.
Ji Wushuang had not abandoned the Wolf Girl, but his attention was gradually being captivated by the boy.
Shui Jingxuan was deeply pleased by Ji Wushuang’s affirmation.
He stepped forward, taking hold of Ji Wushuang’s arm, and spoke with a hint of expectation. “Sect Master, I’ll practice it again right now, just as you’ve explained. Could you watch me?”
Ji Wushuang cast a deep glance at the fair, small hand resting on his arm, his eyes darkening.
His voice, softer than ever, replied, “Very well, go ahead. This Venerable One will watch.”
‘This is the first time someone has voluntarily touched me,’ he mused, stepping aside.
His heart felt a complex mix of bitterness and a throbbing ache, yet an inexplicable joy welled within him.
“Little brother, since when have you become so proficient in the way of the sword?” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister spoke, breaking his swirl of emotions.
“Do you think I study sword manuals every day for nothing?” Ji Wushuang snapped, giving her a sidelong glance.
“Don’t chatter. Watch the boy practice his sword forms carefully.”
Ji Wushuang’s twin sister promptly fell silent, her full attention now fixed on the boy.
With a new understanding of swordsmanship, Shui Jingxuan now practiced with effortless grace.
At times fierce, at times supple, his movements flowed like water, each strike concealing both power and nimble elegance, captivating the gaze of everyone present.
“Given time, this boy will surely grow to become the foremost swordsman of our era! Even Wudang’s genius, Zhuo Yihang, is nothing compared to him!” Ji Wushuang’s twin sister declared proudly, lifting her chin.
Elder Mu quickly nodded in agreement, looking as though he shared in the glory. Ji Wushuang shot Elder Mu a sidelong glance, his expression darkening, but he said nothing.
His gaze toward the boy only grew deeper and more focused.
The sword form was quickly completed. Shui Jingxuan concluded his stance and walked straight toward Ji Wushuang, his small, sweat-drenched face flushed.
“Sect Master, how was it this time?”
“Excellent, a great improvement! Continue to cultivate following this approach. When you are older and your internal force increases, then you may further delve into heavy sword techniques.” Ji Wushuang did not stint on his praise.
“Many thanks for the Sect Master’s guidance.” Shui Jingxuan smiled brightly, bowing deeply to Ji Wushuang.
“No need,” Ji Wushuang replied, his smile soft, his tone gentle. “Should you have any further questions regarding swordsmanship in the future, simply come to This Venerable One.”
“Understood, I’ll remember that.” Shui Jingxuan nodded in affirmation, his manner respectful yet tinged with familiarity, completely devoid of his initial aloofness.
He had witnessed Ji Wushuang’s silent care over the past two years, which had greatly changed his perception of him.
Movies, after all, were superficial and illusory, unlike reality, which required personal experience, feeling, and judgment.
Ji Wushuang was very pleased with his attitude.
He reached out, affectionately pinching the boy’s cheeks, which were flushed with exertion. The ruthless edges of his features softened, touched by the warmth of the smile in his eyes.
Seeing how much the Sect Master valued his disciple, Elder Mu felt compelled to make a gesture.
He quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in a salute.
“This subordinate thanks the Sect Master for his concern on behalf of my disciple. I will certainly guide my disciple strictly in the future, living up to the Sect Master’s high expectations.”
It would have been better had he remained silent. The moment he spoke, the pleasantness around Ji Wushuang immediately solidified.
His face darkened, and he shot Elder Mu a cold glance. “In the future, I shall trouble Elder Mu to provide ample guidance to the boy. Should any difficult problems arise that cannot be resolved, feel free to come to This Venerable One.”
His words subtly claimed the boy as his own, as if he were the boy’s true master, and Elder Mu merely a caretaker.
The honest Elder Mu missed the deeper meaning in his words entirely.
He only sensed that the Sect Master seemed to be angered, feeling uneasy and bewildered for a long moment. Shui Jingxuan, meanwhile, was wholly absorbed in savoring the feeling of his recent sword practice and did not pay attention to their conversation.
Just as Elder Mu’s apprehension grew, a sudden female voice interjected, coming to his rescue.
“Reporting, Master, the elders are already waiting in the deliberation hall, preparing to discuss tomorrow’s outdoor training for the inner disciples. Only you and Elder Mu are missing.”
Everyone turned to see the Wolf Girl.
“Is that so? This Venerable One almost forgot.” Ji Wushuang paused, then spoke slowly.
The process of instructing the boy had been truly enjoyable, leaving him somewhat reluctant to depart, still wanting more.
However, tomorrow’s training was an important matter and could not be delayed. He could only turn to look at Shui Jingxuan and his master, instructing, “Boy, you’ve been practicing all morning; you must be tired. Go back and rest early.
“Elder Mu, come with This Venerable One.”
The two disciples responded in unison, following Ji Wushuang as he slowly left the training ground.
As Ji Wushuang approached, the Wolf Girl retreated a few steps, walking beside him.
Then, she looked back, giving Shui Jingxuan a meaningful glance.
She had often come to the training ground to secretly watch Shui Jingxuan practice his sword.
Seeing Elder Mu’s close relationship with him, discussing martial arts together, she had often envied him for having such an approachable, kind, and benevolent master.
But today, seeing him converse freely and smoothly with Ji Wushuang, and witnessing Ji Wushuang’s twin sister also regard him with favor and kindness, the Wolf Girl suddenly realized that perhaps she shouldn’t envy Shui Jingxuan.
Perhaps the problem lay with herself.
‘I should try to communicate more with my master,’ the Wolf Girl mused, raising her eyes to look at Ji Wushuang beside her.
However, upon catching the cold, sidelong glance from Ji Wushuang’s twin sister, a flicker of disgust swiftly crossed her eyes, and she immediately lowered her head, dismissing the thought from her mind.
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