"Your basics are excellent," Master Li commented as he effortlessly parried my sword strike, a rare smile curling on his lips.
"However, you can take it a level further," he continued, thrusting his wooden sword toward my chest. My eyes widened in surprise as I quickly moved to block the strike, using earth aura to bolster my defense.
Yet, his sword seemed to change direction mid-strike, bypassing my defense and striking me in the exposed abdomen.
"Ugh!" I groaned in pain, shuffling back a few steps to regain my balance.
'What was that?' I thought, 'That wasn't just a feint.'
'That was quite impressive,' Luna transmitted mentally, 'You found a good master, Arthur.'
Before I could ask her to elaborate, Master Li began to explain. "What I executed is part of the Illusion Sword art. It's only a Grade 3 art, but that's because the art itself isn't strong; it's meant to augment the power of basic strikes."
He paused, evaluating my stance. "Your feints are incredible already. I have no doubt you'll reach a high level of mastery in this art quickly," he added before striking again.
This time, it seemed as though his sword became three, each one attacking from different angles. The illusion was so convincing that I had to strain to discern the true strike.
His sword once again hit me, causing me to groan in pain. The fluidity and unpredictability of his movements were mesmerizing. His sword seemed to dance, weaving patterns in the air that kept me on the defensive. I felt the weight of his experience and skill pressing down on me, pushing me to my limits.
Master Li smiled lightly again before swinging his sword at me. "I don't wish to train you in Mount Hua's techniques since you don't have nearly enough time for that. Instead, learning this will be much more beneficial for you."
I nodded, determined to counter the Illusion Sword. Despite my best efforts, his strikes continued to find their mark, leaving me battered and bruised. Each blow felt like a lesson, each strike a harsh reminder of the gap between us.
"As they say, no pain, no gain," Master Li laughed heartily before using ambient mana to lift me up, guiding me to the healing bay. "But you are better than I thought at first glance," he remarked, his tone thoughtful. "You are akin to a high-quality blank canvas, ready to be painted with any swordsmanship techniques."
I stayed silent, absorbing his words, feeling a mix of exhaustion and anticipation.
"Thus, rather than learning Mount Hua's techniques when you haven't mastered a single art properly, I want the canvas itself to become better so that any technique you learn in the future will be that much more effective," he concluded.
He carried me past the private training area to the med bay, where the healers greeted us. The room was serene, filled with the soft hum of healing auras. Master Li's presence commanded respect even here, and the healers quickly set to work on me.
As I lay there, feeling the soothing warmth of their magic mending my bruises, I reflected on his words. The path he proposed was rigorous, but it resonated with me. The foundation of my swordsmanship needed to be unshakable, capable of supporting any style or technique I chose to learn in the future.
Master Li watched over the process, his gaze unwavering. "Remember, Arthur, strength comes from within, but the way you wield it shapes your destiny. Today, you begin the journey of refining your inner sword. Embrace it, and you'll become a true master of the blade."
After my healing session, I got up, and Master Li led me further into the sect.
"First, take this Illusion Sword manual that you will be learning to advance further," he said, handing me a notebook with a brown cover labeled "Grade 3: Illusion Sword."
"Won't learning this paint over my blank canvas?" I asked, tying back to the metaphor he had used earlier.
He smiled before replying, "Your talent is much too great to be tainted by a mere Grade 3 art."
My eyes widened in shock as I followed him. My talent was so remarkable that even a Grade 3 art would only serve to strengthen my basics?
He guided me to a massive wooden building with an Eastern architectural style, touched with modernism. The structure stood impressively against the backdrop of the snowy mountain, its presence both commanding and serene.
"This is where you will be staying," Master Li said, pointing to the residence hall.
The manor itself was luxurious, exuding a blend of traditional elegance and contemporary comfort. It featured a sizable porch and three balconies facing different directions, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Two entrances, one main and one at the back, offered convenient access. In the center of the property, a lush garden filled with blooming plum blossoms thrived despite the cold, a testament to the meticulous care it received. The vibrant blossoms added a splash of color to the snowy scenery, creating a breathtakingly beautiful contrast.
I walked up to the main doors after crossing the porch, and to my surprise, the doorknob turned easily. The doors were unlocked.
With a casual shrug, I swung open the entrance and stepped inside the manor.
The interior was adorned with furniture crafted from the most expensive rosewood, giving it a rich, warm feel. I wandered around, exploring the space. The layout of the manor was elegant and understated, yet it exuded a quiet luxury.
A gallery extended from the entrance, leading into the main hall. To the right of the main hall was a kitchen, while on the left, two more galleries branched off into various rooms. Each room was tastefully decorated, balancing simplicity with sophistication. At the end of each gallery was a lavish bathroom, equipped with modern amenities and styled with traditional elegance. By the side of the main entrance, a staircase led to the upper floor.
The second floor had a similar layout to the first, minus the kitchen and entrance. It featured more rooms and another gallery that offered a breathtaking view of the garden below.
"Hmm, this place is pretty good," I muttered, taking in the serene ambiance. Suddenly, I turned around and found Seraphina standing there, brushing her long silver hair.
"Arthur?" she asked, tilting her head in surprise. "Why are you here?"
"Oh, Master Li told me to come here," I replied, trying not to sound flustered.
"Uncle told you? Hmm, okay then," she said with a shrug, "Make yourself comfortable. There are a few guest rooms here."
"Is this your manor?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied, "I suppose Master Li didn't want to put you in with the other disciples and thought it would be better if you had my company."
"I suppose," I said with a smile, "Thanks for bringing me here, Sera."
She looked a bit surprised at my smile before her lips curled into a small smile of her own. "It's fine, I just hope you can benefit from this."
"Is your brother not here?" I asked cautiously. I knew Seraphina didn't like her adopted brother, but I also had to be careful of Sun since he seemed to have raised his guard against me the last time we met. Of course, I hoped he had forgotten about me already and moved on with his life.
"No," she replied, her stoic face darkening ever so slightly, "He is with my father."
I nodded, beginning to think. Seraphina's father's bias was showing so clearly. Did her father not love her? He did. That was the reason he adopted Sun—to raise him to become strong enough to protect Seraphina.
However, he didn't realize Sun's true feelings towards his sister. Seraphina thought her father didn't care for her because he didn't intervene, but rather, he simply didn't know what was happening. He was a bit aloof. The reason for that was because, even when compared to other Kings, he spent more time training than anything else.
'No wonder since he has that ghost chasing behind him,' I thought.
Seraphina's father was a legend, but his obsession with becoming stronger left him detached from the more subtle dynamics within his own family. It was clear he saw Sun Zenith as the perfect guardian for Seraphina, never suspecting the tension and hostility that brewed between them.
Seraphina sighed softly, breaking my thoughts. "Let's get you settled in," she said, turning towards the guest rooms. "You'll be staying here," she added, opening the door to a spacious room with a large window that offered a stunning view of the garden.
"Thank you, Sera," I said sincerely.
She nodded, her expression softening slightly. "If you need anything, just let me know. And don't hesitate to ask Uncle Li for guidance—he's harsh but fair."
"I will," I promised, feeling a surge of determination. This was my chance to grow stronger, and I wasn't going to waste it.