After a full day of meditation, You’er, his spirit fully replenished, finally rose from the bed.His gaze fell upon a set of indigo clothes folded neatly on the high stool by the windowsill.It was likely the attire the old man had prepared for him; though simple in appearance, it promised considerable comfort.
Offering a silent word of thanks, You’er pushed open his door, intending to survey his surroundings.
Constructed from green bamboo, the house was neither overly large nor particularly small.Upstairs, two adjacent rooms stood: one allocated for You’er’s temporary stay, the other presumably occupied by the old man himself.Nearby, a sturdy wooden ladder, crafted from rough timber, led downwards.You’er paused for a brief moment in the corridor before descending the ladder.
He met the old man just as he reached the foot of the stairs.The old man scrutinized him from head to toe before speaking with a gentle smile.
“Well, little one, awake are we? Heh heh, you seem to be in good spirits.If you’re hungry, just tell this old man, and I’ll whip up some dinner for you.”
“Thank you, elder! I’m not hungry yet; dinner can wait.Please, continue with your own affairs.”You’er replied deferentially.Their conversation earlier that morning had made it abundantly clear that this benevolent elder was far from as simple as he appeared.
“Elder, are you the only one living around here?”No sooner had his previous words faded than You’er spoke again, posing the question, for he had noticed no other presence in the vicinity.
In truth, You’er was deeply curious about the mysterious individual who had saved him.Since the old man claimed it wasn’t him, there had to be someone else.
“Heh heh, indeed, this old man lives alone.Little one, if you’re curious, you’re welcome to explore the surroundings.”The old man, seemingly discerning You’er’s thoughts, offered the suggestion with a warm smile.
“Then this junior shall not stand on ceremony.”
Bowing respectfully, You’er stepped out towards the bamboo house’s exterior.Upon taking in the scene outside, You’er stood stunned for a good while before regaining his composure, for the environment outside differed significantly from what he had envisioned.
He had imagined the old man residing in some city or mountain village.Never had he expected to find himself in such a secluded expanse of green bamboo forest, cut off from the world.
Beyond the house lay a rather spacious courtyard.And beyond the courtyard stretched an endless, lush green bamboo forest.Even without explicit confirmation, one could easily surmise the immense remoteness and solitude of this bamboo grove.
‘It seems true masters truly do prefer reclusion.’
Shaking his head with a sigh, You’er stepped into the courtyard, unstrapped the heavy sword ‘Hidden Edge’ from his back, and began his solitary practice.
You’er did not immediately launch into sword techniques.He merely swung his sword, warming up, familiarizing himself with ‘Hidden Edge’ in his grip.
Once he felt sufficiently prepared, You’er moved into the green bamboo forest and commenced his sword skill practice.
Standing beneath a thick bamboo stalk, You’er adopted a low stance, his body sinking. ‘Hidden Edge’ rested sheathed at his waist, his right hand gripping the scabbard, his left clasping the hilt…
Gently closing his eyes, You’er began to summon the relevant memories in his mind: the art of drawing a sword.
‘Sword Draw Technique!’
‘Hidden Edge’ flashed from its sheath, and a green bamboo stalk snapped in response.Yet, You’er sighed.
His conjecture had been correct.Without the augmentation and analytical power of his Soul Eye, his physical reactions and agility were significantly weakened.Furthermore, the sword in his hand was too heavy to control with ease.Consequently, even his perfectly mastered Sword Draw Technique had failed to execute properly.
The green bamboo had indeed been severed.However, it was crushed by the sheer weight of ‘Hidden Edge,’ not cleanly cut by his sword draw.
A sigh escaped his lips.
Taking a soft breath, You’er resumed his sword-drawing stance, tirelessly practicing the technique with the green bamboo as his target.
Two or three hours later, ‘Hidden Edge’ finally ceased its movements, having carved a streak of azure light through the air and bisected countless bamboo stalks, each cut now remarkably clean and smooth.
‘My body’s balance is largely under control, and the success rate of the sword draw is nearly a hundred percent… Next, I’ll imbue it with magic.’
Rubbing his wrist and sighing softly, his lips pressed into a thin line, You’er prepared to move on to the next stage.What he had practiced thus far were merely the fundamental stances of the Sword Draw Art.Only by successfully imbuing it with magic would it become a true Sword Draw Technique!
You’er had long since mastered the basic Sword Draw Art.Now, the more comprehensive Sword Draw Technique was also nearly honed.You’er felt confident he could execute the full Sword Draw Technique successfully on his first attempt.
“Infuse, Frost!”
Sheathing his sword once more, he placed his palm over the hilt.Ethereal frost began to coil around ‘Hidden Edge,’ causing its blade to gleam with a sharp, clear brilliance.
“Sword Draw Technique: Frost Trace!”
With a low shout, You’er drew his sword.A narrow, dazzling arc of ghostly blue light flashed across the air, gone in an instant.
The next second, an astonishing sight unfolded.Under You’er’s half-stunned gaze, dozens of green bamboo stalks within a three-meter radius toppled one after another.They slid down from about two meters up.The cuts were perfectly smooth, like polished mirrors, and even bore traces of frost!
You’er pursed his lips, a look of disbelief on his face. ‘Was this power not a bit too immense?’
You’er’s gaze finally settled on ‘Hidden Edge,’ now still in his hand.He suddenly realized the sword’s power was far greater than he had anticipated.
You’er knew that half of this explosive power was attributable to ‘Hidden Edge’ itself.When this blade was imbued with magical light and its edge revealed, the boost it provided to sword techniques was far from negligible!
While the Sword Draw Technique was indeed potent in attack, its power was typically focused on a single point or area.It was nothing like this, cleaving through a wide swathe with a single draw—this could already be called a ‘Sword Draw Slash!’
You’er had witnessed Sword Draw Slashes before, but they required time to build momentum and power.He, however, had merely infused magic.If he were to also accumulate power, You’er estimated that all the green bamboo within a five-meter radius would be completely cleared!
‘Isn’t this a bit excessive?’
‘Should I… give it a try…’
Gazing at the verdant bamboo forest before him, You’er suddenly entertained a mischievous thought.
“Little one, dinner’s ready.Come and eat.”Just then, the old man’s call drifted over.
Looking up at the darkening sky, You’er shook his head.After a moment’s thought, he concluded that merely chopping bamboo served little purpose.He decided to save further experimentation for another opportunity.
The old man’s dinner was light: clear porridge and wild vegetable soup.You’er, far from finding it unappealing, heartily filled his stomach.He then slipped back into the night, resuming his rigorous sword practice.
“This little one is quite diligent, isn’t he?”
Standing by the door, the old man watched You’er’s retreating figure.He tilted his head, smiling, as if speaking to himself.
“What do you say?”