**Chapter 27: Sword Practice**
Early morning.
After a downpour, the Tian Xuan Sect was refreshed.
Fallen blossoms drifted in the aftermath of the rain. Jiang Huai woke up early to sweep the peach petals from the courtyard. The courtyard was planted only with peach and locust trees. Jiang Huai collected the swept petals, planning to clean them for making peach blossom pastries later. He then began pruning the peach branches, ensuring that the peaches would be large, sweet, and juicy come summer.
Luo Qingyu had been getting up obediently every morning recently. Today, she didn’t have to go anywhere. Wearing a slightly thin, beige spring dress, she stretched languidly by the doorway, her fair skin seeming to strain the fabric of her robe. Chu Xianning, as always, opened her door punctually.
Jiang Huai had already finished cooking sweet dumplings with black sesame filling in the kitchen.
The Inner Sect Competition these past few days only involved those fighting in the elimination rounds. Jiang Huai didn’t need to participate, allowing him to continue lazing around in his courtyard. He rarely practiced sword techniques, spending most of his free time pondering talismans, alchemy, and formations.
He also took the occasional peek at his darn System Mall.
His System Mall was rather stingy, refreshing once daily. Each refresh presented a hundred items, including all sorts of peculiar things. For instance, today it offered items like [Three Hundred Tang Poems], [Talisman-Repelling Ice Silk Knee-High Socks (color selectable)], [Nude Handmade High Heels (size selectable)], and [Crescent Moon Earrings]—all daily necessities costing only one point.
Items like [Scroll of Rime Storm Magic], a combat consumable, started at a price of one million points.
[Soul Severing Sword], a weapon, was probably a low-grade Heavenly-tier item in this world, costing a million points.
There were also knowledge-based books like [Introduction to Magitech] and [Introduction to Alchemy], priced between a hundred thousand and a million points. Jiang Huai’s greatest joy each day was browsing the refreshed System Mall, though he only looked, never bought.
In the many years since he obtained the system, he had accumulated a total of only two hundred thousand points, mostly “borrowed” sneakily from his Master, Chu Xianning. “Borrowing” from his master always came with both risk and reward; if he was lucky, he’d get points, but if unlucky, he’d be severely punished.
If the daily refresh of the System Mall wasn’t satisfactory, Jiang Huai could spend ten thousand points to refresh it again. The second refresh would cost twenty thousand points, the third forty thousand, and so on.
After browsing for a long time, Jiang Huai finally bought a pair of talisman-repelling ice silk knee-high socks, choosing black. He didn’t buy anything else.
He already knew most of the poems in [Three Hundred Tang Poems] by heart, so he decided to save the points.
The most useful aspect of this system was actually its vast System Backpack, which could hold a multitude of items. Consequently, the storage ring on his little finger was merely decorative; all his true treasures were stored in his System Backpack.
With nothing else to do, Jiang Huai headed to the backyard to make wine. Luo Qingyu sat beside him by the stove, keeping him company. Jiang Huai admired the section of her fair, tender calf peeking out from beneath her skirt hem, finding it quite pleasing to the eye.
At noon, Jiang Huai took out some cured meat. He stir-fried some of it with garlic leaves, then steamed a pot of rice and prepared two small plates of vegetarian dishes. The aroma of the cured meat spread throughout the courtyard. Around this time, a knocking sound echoed from outside his courtyard.
Chu Xianning’s mind stirred, and the door opened with a surge of spiritual energy.
The woman outside wore a white Daoist robe. Her jet-black hair was tied up with a thin black string. Her skin was fair, and her eyes were clear, as pure and beautiful as a hibiscus emerging from water.
Chu Xianning glanced at her calmly and, without speaking, directed her gaze toward Jiang Huai in the kitchen, pointing a finger and saying, “He’s cooking.”
Wen Wanwan cautiously stepped inside. Hearing the footsteps, Jiang Huai turned around. His eyes lit up upon seeing Wen Wanwan. “Here to practice sword techniques?”
“Mmm…” Wen Wanwan’s voice was slightly hesitant, carrying a hint of coolness.
“Haven’t you had lunch yet?”
“Not yet…”
Wen Wanwan generally didn’t eat. Her Foundation Establishment cultivation level was sufficient for her to go without food for extended periods. However, the aroma from the kitchen inexplicably made her feel hungry.
“Then it’s perfect, let’s eat together. Qingyu, go wash an extra pair of chopsticks.”
“Okay.”
Luo Qingyu obediently went to wash bamboo chopsticks.
Thus, Wen Wanwan lost her chance to refuse. A trace of unease flickered in her eyes. Jiang Huai smiled lightly at her. “It’s alright.”
***
At the dining table.
Luo Qingyu placed a piece of food onto Jiang Huai’s plate.
Jiang Huai glanced at her. “Hmm? Being so obedient today?”
“I was always obedient before,” Luo Qingyu pouted, puffing out her cheeks with a wronged expression.
“Okay, okay, okay.” Jiang Huai then placed a piece of food onto her plate.
Chu Xianning never spoke while eating. After taking a single taste, she went to the pavilion to watch the peach petals drift down.
Wen Wanwan carefully picked up a piece of food and tasted it, her eyes instantly widening like stars.
After lunch, Luo Qingyu obediently tidied up the bowls and chopsticks. Jiang Huai took two wooden swords from a rack in the courtyard, tossed one to Wen Wanwan, and winked at her. “Come, I’ll practice the Heaven Profound Thirteen Swords with you.”
***
Wen Wanwan’s talent for sword techniques had always been mediocre; she knew this well.
Therefore, she listened to Jiang Huai’s explanations with particular seriousness, afraid of missing even the slightest detail. Worried that Senior Brother Jiang Huai might think her foolish, she listened with intense concentration, her heartstrings taut, making her appear extremely uncomfortable.
Jiang Huai chuckled helplessly. “Why do you look so anxious?”
“No… I’m just… just listening carefully.”
“Actually, I believe practicing swordsmanship doesn’t heavily rely on talent,” Jiang Huai mused, sharing his understanding. “Sword moves are fixed, but people are dynamic. So-called sword discussions are merely about countering each other’s moves. If your previous sword practice yielded no results, perhaps the sword technique you were practicing wasn’t suited for you.”
“Your sword strikes are very fast, and your sword wind is concise and sharp. However, the Heaven Profound Thirteen Swords involve too many variations and aren’t quite suitable for you. I’ll teach you a different move.”
Jiang Huai began earnestly teaching Wen Wanwan a sword move he was currently using.
[Silver Ray]
This sword move wasn’t created by him. Its creator was Chu Xianning, who was currently sitting in the pavilion. Silver Ray consisted of three stances, totaling just three strikes. What Jiang Huai intended to teach her was the second strike: Mist Slash.
To activate this strike, one needed to infuse spiritual qi into specific acupoints and then channel the body’s entire strength into this single strike. Once the sword was drawn, all the spiritual qi and strength converged at the tip of the blade. It wasn’t overwhelmingly difficult; what was required was extreme tranquility of mind.
With a focused mind, the blade would naturally become sharp.
There was only this one strike. Jiang Huai had clearly explained the posture for applying force and the flow of the spiritual qi. Then came the slow practice. Wen Wanwan initially practiced diligently, but after half an hour, she still hadn’t grasped the essence.
On the other hand, Luo Qingyu, who had been resting her chin on the stone table watching for a long time, stood up out of curiosity. Mimicking the sword-wielding posture Jiang Huai had demonstrated earlier, she executed a strike. A surge of spiritual qi gathered at a single point, and for a moment, a ripple appeared in the air. It looked quite convincing.
“Is this it, Jiang Huai Gege?” Luo Qingyu looked at Jiang Huai expectantly, awaiting praise.
“Mmm, just like that.” Jiang Huai reached out and rubbed her head, then turned back to Wen Wanwan. Wen Wanwan lowered her head slightly, gripping the sword tightly in her hand, her body tensing up a little.
She was too stupid.
“I… I won’t trouble Senior Brother Jiang Huai anymore.”
“Take your time learning,” Jiang Huai approached her from behind, gently taking her wrist. This action seemed a bit too intimate, and Wen Wanwan tensed up even more. Jiang Huai slowly raised her wrist and said, “I’ll send a trace of spiritual qi into your body. You sense the flow of my spiritual qi and remember the instructions I just gave you. Come, try it.”
Chu Xianning inadvertently glanced over. In a place Jiang Huai couldn’t see, Luo Qingyu’s eyes darkened, her pupils filled with fierce killing intent. However, the moment she noticed Chu Xianning looking at her, her eyes instantly reverted to an innocent and obedient expression.
It was as if what Chu Xianning had just seen was merely an illusion.
***
The afternoon sunlight was warm and dappled, the time stretching on.
“Yes, that’s right, just like that. It already has some resemblance to Mist Slash. Follow this trajectory, slowly, it’s okay.” Jiang Huai sat quietly nearby, preparing tea, while also encouraging Wen Wanwan, who was diligently practicing her sword.
Sweat beaded on Wen Wanwan’s forehead. Hearing Jiang Huai’s praise, the tips of her ears flushed slightly pink. She had been practicing in the courtyard for two full hours, yet she knew very well that the strike she had just executed was inferior to the one Luo Qingyu had casually swung.
So, Jiang Huai’s praise felt like coaxing a child.
“Alright, alright, let’s take a short break. Come and try the Luo Shen flower tea I just brewed.” Jiang Huai winked at her and poured her a cup of tea. Wen Wanwan obediently sat on a stone chair. Jiang Huai took out a handkerchief for her. “Wipe your sweat.”
Wen Wanwan carefully took it and wiped the sweat from her cheeks. She whispered, “Wanwan… I’ll return it to Senior Brother Jiang Huai after I’ve cleaned it.”
“Okay.” Jiang Huai then brought out some pastries. He knew that if he let Wen Wanwan take them herself, she would likely be too shy. So, he picked up a piece of mung bean cake and brought it to her lips. “Try some?”
Wen Wanwan could only subconsciously open her mouth and take a gentle bite of the soft mung bean cake.
Luo Qingyu sat obediently to the side, her voice soft and endearing as she acted spoiled. “I want some too.”
Jiang Huai also picked up a piece and fed it to her lips. Luo Qingyu took a bite, then picked up another piece of mung bean cake and offered it to Jiang Huai’s mouth. Jiang Huai obediently opened his mouth and took a bite.
After resting for a while in the courtyard, Jiang Huai looked at Wen Wanwan, who was sitting there, and winked at her. “Want to practice some more?”
“Mmm.” Wen Wanwan picked up her wooden sword. Jiang Huai came up behind her, held her wrist, and sent a faint trace of spiritual qi into her body, whispering in her ear, “Close your eyes and feel the flow of the spiritual qi carefully.”
Wen Wanwan obediently closed her eyes. Darkness enveloped her. She couldn’t see anything, yet she could feel a breath seemingly touching her neck. Wen Wanwan’s cheeks turned burning hot.
Luo Qingyu still sat obediently on the stone stool, her eyes innocent and guileless.
She picked up a piece of mung bean cake, her delicate pink lips parting slightly. However, the force with which she bit down was like grinding her teeth in hatred, as if she were chewing the flesh and blood of her mortal enemy.
