Just as Liu Yiyi slowly approached the compound, the tortoise Old Man also arrived outside of Secluded Immortal Abode with the parrot and donkey.
"Who is this fellow?"
Taking a glance, the donkey was terrified.
The person was holding a longsword, and there was even blood in his hands. No matter how you looked at it, he seemed to be a bad person! Could it be that he's thinking of capturing and turning me into food?!
"He's probably a disciple of the Immortal Guardian Sect…" The parrot said.
Although it had remained in the Forbidden Grounds the whole time without coming out, he could still recognize the attire of Immortal Guardian Sect's disciples.
The donkey shrunk its neck. "I heard that all of the sect disciples are very formidable. They are able to casually kill demonic beasts… we'd better hide!"
"It's best that we hide, but if we do not stop him… It would be bad if he injures Master! Our master still hasn't even started cultivating!" The parrot retorted.
The parrot was very clear about Su Yin's situation after having followed him for a long time. He knew that Su Yin's attention had always been on the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He had never once touched a cultivation technique before. This was why the parrot was convinced that even if Su Yin was somehow capable, he wouldn't be too strong.
At most, he'd be slightly more formidable than the average man. If he was faced with a proper immortal cultivator… he would certainly be defeated!
"Then, what should we do?" asked the old tortoise.
If they ran away, the other party might attack Master.
But if they did not escape, they might be in danger…
They were truly in a dilemma!
The parrot suggested, "How about this? I will go and ask him what he wants. If he doesn't speak, then it shows that he's a bad person. In that case, I will stall him and you two should think of a way to take Master away."
A donkey and a tortoise nodded at the same time.
The discussion ended. The old tortoise swayed slightly. He made a circle and flew into the courtyard. The three pet animals hid behind the door.
…
Spitting out a mouthful of hot air, Liu Yiyi's gaze became firm.
How could she be afraid of offending someone, when she wasn't even afraid of dying? Once she missed this opportunity, then she would forever remain hopeless for the rest of her life.
She was just about to knock on the door when a sharp voice sounded from inside.
"Who are you? Why are you loitering around here?" Liu Yiyi faltered, dumbfounded.
The Secluded Immortal Abode covered a lot of ground. Its diameter exceeded several hundred meters. Liu Yiyi had suppressed her aura when she stood outside the door. Normally, it would be really hard to detect her.
But from the tone of the person speaking to her from behind the door. It seemed that the person had long discovered her…
He was indeed the powerhouse who carved those three words that contained sword intent, he made one terrified!
"I am an ordinary disciple of the Immortal Guardian Sect. I stumbled upon this place by accident, and I would like to consult senior on the art of swordsmanship…" Liu Yiyi explained.
"Consult?"
The one who spoke was Little Wu.
After responding, his pair of bird eyes looked towards Big Black and Old Man in confusion.
He's so courteous? He's not here to cause trouble?
"When I used to pull the mill, I've heard others say the word, 'consult' before…
"Although it sounds nice, it actually means a challenge!
"For example, 'I have long heard of your reputation. I came specifically for you today, so I can consult with you'… 'Your donkey killing techniques are excellent! I would like to seek advice'…
"These words might sound like they actually wanted a consultation, but in reality—they want to kill!"
After thinking about it for a moment, the donkey said nervously, "He must be here to kill Master… Let's escape! Why else would he be here, then? Master has never practiced the sword before! What is there to consult about? It's clearly just an excuse!"
Although the parrot felt that there was something off, it still nodded its head, "Killing may not be the case, but he truly harbors malicious intentions! There's a possibility that he's here to probe Master's capabilities! Even his identity as a disciple might be fake… You know what?
"I'll go and ask him again!"
With that, the parrot faced the direction of the door and asked, "How do you want to ask for advice?"
"Um…" Liu Yiyi thought for a moment. "It would naturally be the best if senior could personally wield the sword…"
Liu Yiyi knew that her comprehension ability wasn't up to par. If the explanation was too profound, then she might not be able to learn anything at all. It was best if the senior demonstrated the art of swordsmanship in front of her.
That way, she might be able to pick something up from it…
"He is really up to no good!"
The parrot clenched its mouth.
To let Master—someone who had never practiced the sword—wield the sword. The person's motive spoke for itself. The person outside this door was truly cunning. If not for Old Man and Big Black's reminder, the parrot might've missed the hints.
After thinking about it, the parrot said in displeasure, "What if I refuse to?"
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Liu Yiyi steeled herself and replied, "If senior could personally explain the Sword Dao, I would be deeply grateful!"
Seeing that the other party was so adamant, the parrot became a little apprehensive. It swept its gaze at its two friends as it asked, "What do we do?"
"This fellow isn't to be trifled with at first glance, we definitely won't be his match. Why don't you casually say something to humor him? It would be best if you can entertain and eventually make him leave…
"Even if he doesn't leave, we would still be able to stall for a period of time…" The donkey suggested.
"All right! But… how do I do that? All of us don't know the Sword Dao!" The parrot rolled its eyes.
It was just a bird!
Telling it to eat was fine, but the Sword Dao?
You must be joking!
"You don't know what the real deal is, but does that mean that you don't know how to fake it?"
The donkey pursed its lips before it continued, "Haven't you seen Master chop some firewood before? Just speak according to what you have seen back then. Using the sword is similar to chopping as well, so it should somehow be the same!"
"You're right!" The parrot's eyes lit up.
I'll just casually say something, the more profound the better. As for whether the other party is able achieve it, whether he would enter Qi Deviation, that's none of my business.
It was this rascal who was up to no good first…
When dealing with a villain, one naturally cannot be courteous!
Having made a decision, the parrot cleared its throat and said,
"All right, I will give you an explanation. As for how much you can understand, it would depend on your comprehension…"
"Yes!"
Hearing that the senior wasn't truly angry and that he was going to explain the Sword Dao for her, Liu Yiyi became so agitated that the rims of her eyes turned red.
She stood in the same spot as her heart became filled with eagerness and respect.
To be personally lectured by such a powerhouse… This was an honor of a lifetime!
"Chop… The Sword Dao emphasizes accuracy and speed…
"To achieve that, your thought is most important.
"When the intention is there, the spirit is present. Whatever the heart wishes to do, the intention turns it into the outcome. Only by combining both heart and mind can one better improve their strength… Just like flying, the faster one flapped their wings, the higher they could fly…"
"???" Liu Yiyi was dumbfounded.
Didn't flying refer to Sword Kinesis Flight? Flapping wings? What the hell?
"They don't have wings, you should say hooves…" Lowering its voice, the donkey corrected the mistake.
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Realizing that, the parrot continued to explain. Soon, he narrated the specifics of the details he had noticed and enlightenment that he had gained from watching its Master chop some firewood. In the end, he coldly harrumphed, and said, "All right, that's all for today. Take your time to understand!
"If you can grasp all of what I have said today, that can only mean that you are truly gifted. It means that you truly are a good bird. But if you cannot grasp even this, then you are not a good bird!"
No matter what, I was just spouting some nonsense.
If you cannot understand it, it only shows that you aren't talented!
Hehe!
"Not a good bird?"
Liu Yiyi was completely baffled.
Senior's words are so profound!
She might have doubts in her heart early on, but she never had the slightest suspicion.
With a powerhouse as powerful as him, every little thing that he said would certainly contain a hidden meaning. It didn't matter if she couldn't understand what he had said at this moment.
She would first note down what she had heard, then she'd contemplate it later!
Having made a decision, she bowed and cupped her fists.
"Thank you so much senior for imparting your knowledge unto me and resolving my doubts!"
With that, she turned around and left.
The fact that the senior was already willing to impart knowledge upon her was a huge favor, she didn't dare to ask for more.
"Gone?"
The three beasts flew up quietly and landed on the wall.
Sure enough, the youth had disappeared.
"Did we misunderstand him? That fellow had no ill intentions and really came here to consult with Master?"
"But… Master is so weak. What is there to consult with him about?"
The three pets looked at one another, all of them felt somewhat perplexed.