After confirming his appearance, he began to cleanse his face and body. Suddenly, someone called out to him.
"Ryujin, are you awake?"
Ryujin promptly placed his blindfold back over his eyes and responded to the voice, which belonged to his senior disciple, Laura Yun.
"Yes, I am awake, sister," Ryujin replied as he stepped out of the bathroom.
"May I come in?" Laura Yun asked from behind the door.
"Yes, please come in, senior sister," Ryujin replied.
Laura Yun opened the door and found that Ryujin had just finished cleaning up. She paused for a moment, noticing that Yun's clothes weren't properly fastened, revealing a portion of her chest, and there were still droplets of water clinging to the ends of her hair. This sight caused Laura Yun's face to flush.
"What is it, sis?" Ryujin broke the silence.
"Cough... Well, Ryujin... I've come to bid you farewell, as I must go to a certain place to obtain something."
Ryujin still had no idea that Laura Yun was leaving for a place to acquire an item called the Dew of Transcendence Tree in the Tranquil Valley region.
For how many days, sis?
"It will take 1-2 months, brother."
"Why is it so soon, sis? We just arrived at the sect though," Ryujin said to her.
"Well, for some reason, the item will be available in 17-20 days later."
"I see. Be careful, sis... I will wait for you here," Ryujin replied with a hint of sadness.
Although Ryujin and Laura Yun had only recently met, she was the first person who had shown care for Ryujin in his lifetime. Ryujin, realizing this sense of care, considered Laura Yun to be one of the most important people in his life, both as a martial arts partner and a close friend.
"Thank you, Junior Brother. And here is a sword for you. I hope you like this sword. Even though it's not a spirit-tier sword, I hope it can be of help to you."
"Thank you, sen... Sister. When you come back, I will show you my swordsmanship."
"You're welcome, and I can't wait for the next time you show me."
Ryujin accepted the sword given by Laura Yun, feeling incredibly happy as it was the first gift he had ever received from someone. Although the sword was of mortal-tier quality, it felt better than the primordial-tier sword he had. The sword was made of iron, with a long, matte black blade that was incredibly sharp. Ryujin, who was highly satisfied with the sword, couldn't stop smiling. Laura Yun noticed this expression, and she herself was moved by seeing Ryujin holding the sword with such joy.
"I really love the sword you gave me, sis."
"You should give it a name, since it's yours."
"Hmm, how about 'Yun's Secret Sword'?"
"Hahaha... Your naming talent is not the best, but that does sound cool with my name in it."
"Then I will call it 'Yun's Secret Sword,' sis."
"Alright. Anyway, it's almost time for me to go, brother. And don't forget to keep practicing."
"Of course, I'll become stronger, sis."
"Brother, I'll scold you if you're not getting stronger..."
Ryujin then accompanied Laura to the courtyard of the house. After a moment of silence, she asked something.
"Um, little brother, can you give me a hug?"
"Ye... yes?"
"If you don't want to, then it's okay," she said with a disappointed tone.
"No, it's okay, senior sister, because I'll miss you so much," Ryujin said while opening his arms wide.
Laura Yun immediately hugged Ryujin for 10 minutes, and after that, Ryujin said, "Um, sister, you should go, it's been 10 minutes."
"Ahem, sorry, junior brother. Anyway, I will come back next month for sure," she quickly released the hug with a flushed face.
"I will wait, sister. Just be careful on your way," Ryujin replied.
Laura began to descend the stairs, and Ryujin waved his hand as she started to leave to complete her mission.
As Laura descended the stairs, she saw Ryujin waving his hand. She was reminded of the hug that had just happened. She thought, "What is happening to me? Ryujin and I only met yesterday, but why do I feel like we've known each other for a long time..." Her face turned red once again.
Meanwhile, Ryujin walked to the center of the courtyard to test his new sword.
"Inspection."
[YUN SECRET SWORD]
TYPE: SWORD
TIER: MORTAL ENCHANTED
EFEK: +25 Strength
[SKILL: None]
[Description: A Precious Sword from Senior Sister Laura Yun made from Steel and got enchanced with black powder as a symbol of Love.
The description of his training made him smile. "Well, let's not disappoint senior sister about my swordplay," Ryujin thought to himself.
Recalling the technique, he focused his senses and received a notification that his Enchanted Sense had reached level 2.
[Enchanted Sense Lv. 1 >>Lv.2]
Although he couldn't feel a noticeable difference, he continued to use his Enchanted Sense until he received several more notifications to stop.
[Enchanted Sense Lv. 2 >>Lv.3]
...
...
[Enchanted Sense Lv.9>>Lv.Max]
[+20 Sense, +20 Intelligent]
Still not detecting any significant change, he wondered, "Could it be because of my blindfold?"
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the land, Ryujin decided it was time to retire for the day. He returned to his room, the sword — a token of camaraderie and trust from Laura Yun — in hand. Upon entering, the aroma of a freshly prepared meal greeted him, a comforting presence on the table. He indulged in the meal, savoring each bite, allowing the flavors to wash away the day's fatigue.
After his meal, he cleansed himself, the water cascading over him as if to wash away not just the grime but the worries of the day. Wrapped in the tranquility of the night, he settled onto his bed, his hand instinctively reaching for the sword that lay beside him. In the quiet of his room, he marveled at the reality of his situation — the astonishing truth that he had transcended worlds, that he was now a part of a narrative far grander than any he had known.
As sleep began to claim him, his thoughts drifted to the sword, 'Yun's Secret Sword,' a name that now held a place in his heart. It was more than a weapon; it was a reminder of a bond, a symbol of a promise to grow stronger.
Outside his window, unbeknownst to Ryujin, a shadow lingered. A maid, silent as the night itself, stood with the poise of an assassin, her eyes fixed on the slumbering figure. A smile played upon her lips, one of secrets and silent acknowledgments, as if she knew the untold potential that rested within Ryujin. And with that enigmatic smile, she too faded into the night, leaving Ryujin to his dreams.
Ryujin woke up early in the morning and quickly went outside to practice the sword technique, driven by his impatience to learn it. Ryujin's determination to master the Sword Shadow technique was palpable in the crisp morning air. With his sense skill honed to its peak, he was ready to embrace the next challenge.
"Yesterday, I already leveled up my sense to the max. Let's master the Sword Shadow technique today!" Ryujin declared enthusiastically.
He first tried to recall the Sword Shadow technique from his memory, and then he grabbed his sword to follow the technique's movements.
First, he executed a horizontal slash with his right hand, followed by a vertical slash with his left hand. He smoothly transitioned into a diagonal slash and a thrust. He repeated the sequence over and over. While he received notifications about mastering the technique, he ignored them and continued to repeat the motions until the sun set and night fell.
Ryujin lost track of how many times he had repeated the swordplay. The Shadow Sword he wielded displayed a hint of illusion—each slash seemed to carry the essence of multiple strikes: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal. The attacks were flawless and real, making it nearly impossible to discern the true strike. After his final attack, Ryujin stopped due to exhaustion.
"Huff...," he sighed, feeling incredibly satisfied with his sword practice. It had brought him so much joy that he had lost track of time. Soon, he realized that several notifications indicated his mastery of the Shadow Sword technique had reached its maximum level.
[Shadow Sword Technique Lv. 1 >>Lv.2]
....
[Shadow Sword Technique Lv. 9>>Lv.Max]
[+20 Strength, +10 Endurance, +10 Agility ]
"Woah, I feel stronger!" Ryujin exclaimed, leaping and slashing his sword through the air. A moment later, a presence approached—it was his master, Xiao Minhwa. Her voice carried a note of pride as she addressed him.
"Ryujin, your progress is commendable. To think you've already mastered the Sword Shadow technique to such a degree," Xiao Minhwa said, her words acknowledging his dedication and skill.
Thank you, master. It's because of your guidance and teaching that I was able to comprehend them faster," Ryujin replied as he sheathed his sword.
"Xiao Minhwa nodded, her expression warm with approval. 'You have natural talent and a dedicated spirit, Ryujin. I have no doubt that you will continue to excel.'"
Xiao Minhwa had been observing her new disciple for nearly a day, astonished that Ryujin had learned Enhanced Sense and the Shadow Sword technique, and had even mastered both of them within a single day. This rapid progress was a surprise, especially considering that Ryujin was merely a mortal.
"By the way, Ryujin," Xiao Minhwa began, her expression becoming more serious, "we need to register you at the Disciple Hall as a servant of this house."
Ryujin Reply his Master sambil cupped his both of his hand " Yes, master.. this Disciple will do it."
Xiao Minhwa nodded. " Don't Worry It's just a formality, and it will help establish your identity within the sect. You see, there's an upcoming examination that new disciples must undergo. It's scheduled nine months from now. Since you wish to stay within the sect during this time, registering as a servant will provide you with the necessary privileges and accommodations."
he trusted his master's judgment and understood the importance of fitting into the hierarchy.
"I understand, master. If that's what needs to be done to continue my training and remain here, then I'll do it."
Xiao Minhwa's smile returned, conveying a mixture of pride and reassurance. "Good. It's not just about rank; it's about positioning yourself for growth. Remember, every step within the sect has its purpose."
Ryujin nodded in acknowledgment, grateful for the guidance. He understood that his journey within the sect was just beginning, and each decision he made would play a part in his future development. As he looked back at the day's training, he felt a renewed sense of determination, eager to continue his path of growth within the sect, both as a servant and a martial artist.