The peak of the Falling Sunset, where Luyao resided, was separated by a mountain from the outer sect. After learning of Luyao's whereabouts, Jiang Yun headed straight there.
Among the inner sect disciples, apart from the true core disciples, most were under Luo Qi's surveillance. Naturally, Jiang Yun's attempt to inquire about Luyao's residence didn't escape Luo Qi's notice. Even before Jiang Yun found Luyao's location, Luo Qi had already learned of the news.
"This fool never learns. It seems the lesson I gave him last time has been almost forgotten," muttered Luo Qi to himself. After speaking, he leaned over and said a few things to the inner sect disciple who had informed him. The disciple then hurriedly left.
Falling Sunset Peak was where Luyao usually stayed. Maple trees covered the mountain, their leaves creating a starry red carpet when autumn arrived, resembling a crimson sunset draped over the peak.
As it was currently autumn, Jiang Yun admired the scenery of Falling Sunset Peak along the way. At the halfway point up the mountain, he heard the sound of sword practice. The sound intertwined with the rustling leaves and the wind before reaching Jiang Yun's keen ears.
Following the sound, Jiang Yun walked deeper into the maple forest and saw Luyao practicing sword techniques amidst the falling leaves.
It is often said that a person's swordsmanship reflects their personality. Luyao's sword technique was a reflection of her character as well. Her style didn't pursue intricate details like that of a woman, nor did it feature the grand sweeps of a strong man. Instead, she stripped away some of the finer details, but it wasn't completely unrestrained. Her sword technique was spontaneous, just like her, limited by certain societal norms.
Considering the Solitary Wind Twenty-One Sword Techniques that Luyao was currently practicing, she emphasized the "wind" aspect with a graceful and elegant quality. However, she neglected the arrogant connotations of "solitary," causing her execution of the Solitary Wind Sword Techniques to be light and agile, while lacking the aloof arrogance.
As Jiang Yun approached the forest, Luyao was in the midst of practicing her swordsmanship with great enthusiasm. While Luyao's senses had already detected someone approaching, she didn't stop her practice. The maple leaves falling around her formed an unopened lotus shape, swaying left and right, up and down, in response to her sword movements, exuding an agile and slightly unconventional demeanor.
Just as Jiang Yun was about to approach within twenty paces of Luyao, she suddenly spun around. Her back had been turned to him initially, but she was now facing him. The lotus-shaped leaves, caught in the flow of her sword movements, changed direction along with her, flying towards Jiang Yun.
Unperturbed by the change, Jiang Yun calmly observed the lotus-shaped leaves, accompanied by more maple leaves, flying toward him from a distance. Taking a step forward with his left foot, his right hand gripped the hilt of the Qingping Sword, and sword energy surged forth as he struck precisely twenty-one times, forming a dance with the lotus shape in the leaves' flight path.
The lotus seeds in Jiang Yun's twenty-one sword strikes instantly bloomed into the shape of a lotus flower and once again flew towards Luyao. When the lotus seeds were less than twenty centimeters away from Luyao's face, they suddenly dispersed in the air, scattering around her.
Luyao's eyes gleamed with excitement. Jiang Yun's Solitary Wind Twenty-One Sword Techniques were incredibly fast and elegant, surpassing her own. Even the pride associated with the term "solitary" was perfectly demonstrated in his execution. Especially, the way Jiang Yun sheathed his sword immediately after each strike exemplified his confidence and arrogance in his technique.
"Nothing happens without a cause. Are you here for something?" Luyao's smile was far from restrained. The slight favor she had felt towards Jiang Yun a few months ago had disappeared due to his cold attitude. Facing Jiang Yun again, she seemed much more carefree.
Luyao's directness swept away Jiang Yun's initial awkwardness. They conversed like ordinary friends, and Jiang Yun didn't feel as much pressure. Smiling lightly, he replied, "Yes, I've come to find you this time because I'd like you to accompany me to the library. I've encountered a little problem in my cultivation."
Luyao's eyes twinkled as she tilted her head slightly, and her smile deepened. "So, you're asking for my help, aren't you? Last time, you helped me at the Qingyang Cave, and then I introduced you to the Sword Sect. I think we're even, right? Now, you want my help. It's not fair if I gain nothing in return."
Jiang Yun furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and said, "You're right. Since I'm seeking your assistance, it wouldn't be fair if I didn't offer something in return. How about this? I noticed some parts of the sword technique you were practicing just now that seemed a little unclear. What if I share my insights based on my understanding? Would you be interested?"
Luyao's smile twisted mischievously. "So, you do know this sword technique? Last time in the Green Sun Cave, you helped me. Later, I introduced you to the Sword Sect. Now, you're asking for my help. It's only fair that I gain some benefits from this."
Jiang Yun sighed and contemplated for a while before continuing, "You're right. Since I'm seeking your help, it's only fair that I offer you something in return. How about this? I watched you practice this sword technique just now, and although I haven't seen it before, I think I've grasped some of the underlying principles."
Luyao raised an eyebrow, her face revealing her skepticism. Although the Solitary Wind Twenty-One Sword Techniques weren't the pinnacle of the Sword Sect's techniques, they were still beyond the reach of an outer sect disciple like Jiang Yun. If it weren't for the similarity between Jiang Yun's recent display and this sword technique, and his confident words just now, Luyao might have dismissed him as an exaggerator.
"I've never seen it before, but I got a rough idea of the principles from watching your practice just now," Jiang Yun said with a light chuckle. While the Solitary Wind Twenty-One Sword Techniques might be considered exceptional on this continent, for someone like Jiang Yun, who had deeply studied sword techniques in his past life, they were nothing challenging.
"Talk is cheap. Instead of discussing it, how about you demonstrate it to me? If you can genuinely provide insights into this technique and help me improve, then helping you won't be a problem," Luyao replied, still skeptical that Jiang Yun could grasp the essence of the technique with just one observation.
"That sounds like a plan. I'll demonstrate it then." Jiang Yun said nonchalantly. He drew the Qingping Sword and continued, "Although my execution might differ slightly due to potential variations in the forms, the underlying principles are similar. You can verify that."
After Jiang Yun's demonstration, Luyao no longer doubted that Jiang Yun had a deeper understanding of the Solitary Wind Twenty-One Sword Techniques than she did. While there were differences between Jiang Yun's sword forms and the original technique, Luyao could see that he wasn't incapable of reproducing the original forms. Instead, he adjusted the technique according to his perception of her previous demonstration, making it more suitable for her.
The original Solitary Wind Sword Technique emphasized elegance and loftiness, as if an enlightened hermit detached from the world, embracing solitude with an air of magnanimity, while Luyao's interpretation of the technique was more akin to a carefree person living in the world. Though yearning for freedom, she remained burdened by responsibilities, unable to escape the secular realm.
As Jiang Yun practiced this technique, he didn't exhibit Luyao's seemingly casual yet confined style. Instead, he exuded a resolute determination driven by converting pressure into momentum, manifesting an unwavering resolution. By the time he reached the last seven forms of the technique, he deviated from the original Solitary Wind Sword Technique, combining seven forms into three. Although these new forms looked drastically different, the principles behind them were even more aligned with Luyao's original intent.
Even as Jiang Yun finished his demonstration and stood amidst the falling leaves, Luyao continued to fix her gaze on him. Inside, a storm of emotions raged, as Jiang Yun's comprehension of the sword technique left her feeling awestruck and humbled, as if he stood as a towering peak she couldn't hope to scale.