(POV Lee Shun)
After their discussion, Lee Shun noticed a new zeal from Luo Ning, and she began practicing the sword even more. He could tell her moves were becoming cleaner. He even caught the Gardener nodding at her once. Lee Shun could tell from his look it was one of delight.
Even Lee Shun got an old sword of Luo Ning's to practice in the garden with.
This serene atmosphere didn't last long when Lee Shun heard a yell.
"Who beat up my little brother," Shouted Long Aotian. "Was it you?"
The man standing next to Long Chen pointed at Lee Shun. His inner disciple's robes showed his status, and his looks were almost the same as Long Chen's.
"No, brother. That one is mine to kill."
Long Chen stepped forward and unleashed Strike six. The flash step strike. Using Qi in the foot, you spring forward, striking the enemy.
From the conversation with Luo Ning, he recognized the strike right away. Being only in Qi Condensation realm one, he couldn't beat Long Chen's speed. Also, his wound prevented him from dodging.
Lee Shun made up his mind in that instant. That was to counter his opponent before he was wounded.
Lee Shun unleased the only move he knew as Long Chen was a breath away from him. Lee Shun's sword gashed Long Chen's shoulder, and Lee Shun's arm blocked Long Chen's strike from hitting his wound or organs.
An entire arm hit the ground as the strike detached it from Lee Shun's bicep area. You would think Long Chen was worse off from the screams of pain. Even with his fight with the Gardener, he only destroyed the sword, not the person.
The gophers couldn't believe their eyes. This boy in front of them sacrificed his arm without blinking an eye. Was this the same mining scum from before?
"How dare you harm my brother!" shouted Long Aotian.
Long Aotian lunged forward, executing the 8th strike aiming for Lee Shun's head.
Out of nowhere, a copper and silver sword blocked the strike effortlessly.
Standing in front of Lee Shun were the Gardener and Luo Ning. They both looked back, one with worry but the other with pride.
"Lee Shun, you did well, brother," said Gunn.
These words filled Lee Shun with pride. The Gardener, his senior and talented swordsman, called him brother. Lee Shun ripped his shirt and tied it around his arm.
"Miss Luo Ning, can you tend to Lee Shun? I will welcome our Visitor to the garden."
Luo Ning nodded her head and helped Lee Shun with his wound.
Gunn stepped forward and said," Visitor let us take this to the side so as not to damage any of the herbs. I would hate to get punished by the Sect."
Long Aotian looked at the herbs and knew if he caused too much damage, the elders would punish him. The two walked outside of the garden, and the two began their dance.
Lee Shun watched as a Blood Qi realm 1 warrior fought evenly with a Qi Condensation level 5 warrior. Every move of the Gardener's parried Long Aotian's strikes perfectly.
"I'm going to contact my master, so this doesn't get any worse."
Lee Shun turned when he heard that to see her crush as some talisman. The battle behind him drew his attention when the last attack came close to a row of herbs.
Long Aotian saw that his attack made the outer disciple lose focus. He smiled.
"Try blocking two attacks at your special garden."
In the Blood Qi realm, Qi strikes can be launched from a distance instead of only encasing objects. Long Aotian fired strikes 2 and 3 at two distinct rows.
TwistingGunn's blade, the Qi blast was parried quickly enough by Gunn. The second row was too far away. Lee Shun leaped in front of the attack. He never stood a chance and blasted a distance away. Rolling across the ground, Lee Shun screamed from the pain.
Luo Ning appeared next to him. "Idiot, why risk your life?"
"The Gardener called me a dummy, too," responded Lee Shun with a bloody grin.
"This place is special. I must pro...." Lee Shun coughed up blood.
"How dare he mess up my plan!" shouted Long Aotian.
Luo Ning turned around and walked toward Long Aotian.
"Mr. Gunn, it is my duty to protect this place too. Please let me face him."
Looking at the girl, he agreed he was at the end of his ropes Qi-wise and wouldn't last much longer. Gunn nodded. That action was enough for her to charge at Long Aotian.