Totally Freaked Out! . . .
In the morning, as was her routine, the young girl practiced her sword techniques in the yard. Since Song Jue's wounds had been healed, he had a desire to spar with her. He assumed she was just an ordinary girl and thought he could provide her with some valuable lessons.
Bing-Er eagerly accepted the opportunity to spar. She had been training on her own for some time, and having a sparring partner, especially someone she believed to be strong, excited her.
However, Song Jue didn't end up teaching Bing-Er anything. In fact, he was thoroughly outmatched and was on the receiving end of kicks and blows throughout the match.
At first, Song Jue restricted himself to the fourth level of the Human Origin Stage, believing that the girl, despite her apparent progress, was a novice who had only practiced for a few days. He assumed his extensive combat experience and strength would easily prevail.
To his surprise, Bing-Er's very first strike nearly shaved off his hair.
Song Jue then raised the limit to the fifth level of the Human Origin Stage, yet he was struck down by a single blow once again, this time losing a sleeve.
Perplexed by the girl's rapid progress, Song Jue raised the limit to the sixth level, but it proved futile. He couldn't fathom how Bing-Er had made such extraordinary advancements in just a few days. What bewildered him further was that Bing-Er, when he had indicated he would restrict his cultivation to the fourth level, had agreed, seemingly content. However, he later realized she had covertly raised her level one step above his own.
Frustrated, he raised it to the ninth level, assuming this would give him the upper hand. Yet, Bing-Er kept pace, and every time he increased his level, she followed suit. Song Jue had been continually outmatched, as Bing-Er never revealed her true strength during their battles.
Finally, when Cha Eun Xiao returned, Song Jue was still unable to overcome Bing-Er.
Cha Eun Xiao was flabbergasted. "So, you've been at a disadvantage this entire morning, and you couldn't even land a hit? That's... unbelievable..."
Song Jue sighed. "And that's why I called her a monster. A girl who has practiced martial arts for only one month... Achieving level one of the Human Origin Stage would make her a genius. I had no idea she was this extraordinary. I increased my level all the way to the ninth stage, but I still couldn't best her."
Cha Eun Xiao inquired, "Then what happened when I returned?"
Song Jue explained, "When you came back, she stopped suppressing her strength. I don't know how much she's been hiding..."
Cha Eun Xiao sympathetically replied, "Uncle Song, if you want to truly test her abilities, perhaps start at the second level of the Earth Origin Stage. It'll be a more reasonable challenge for both of you."
Bing-Er, however, was dissatisfied with Cha Eun Xiao's suggestion. She muttered, "Who gave you permission to say that? Who do you think you are..." She then leaned in and whispered proudly to Cha Eun Xiao, "Even if he fights at the second level, he'll still lose. I'm already at the fourth level now..."
Cha Eun Xiao was once again taken aback. "How is that even possible?"
Song Jue expressed his disbelief, asking, "How could she advance so rapidly? Is she unwell?"
Bing-Er retorted, "You're the one who's unwell!"
Cha Eun Xiao and Bing-Er shared an incredulous look directed at Song Jue.
"Could there really be such a prodigy in the world? Have I been living in ignorance?" Song Jue mumbled, appearing distraught.
In the Qing-Yun Realm, many extraordinarily talented individuals had risen to fame, but none of them had exhibited such rapid advancement in their cultivation. Moreover, they had all been significantly stronger than Bing-Er at her age. These individuals had started their cultivation as infants, receiving guidance from accomplished masters and possessing a wealth of resources, including abundant dan beads to support their progress. In stark contrast, Bing-Er had never had such advantages and might never encounter them in her life. She had only been practicing in the yard for less than two months, yet she had already reached the Earth Origin Stage. Such a feat would astound the martial world.
Song Jue was astonished, and his perception of Bing-Er had undergone a complete transformation.
Cha Eun Xiao was perplexed by Bing-Er's newfound proficiency. "Bing-Er, there's something different about your sword techniques. It doesn't quite align with what I taught you."
Bing-Er looked worried and replied, "Master, did I make mistakes?"
Cha Eun Xiao assured her, "No, you didn't make mistakes. It's just that your techniques have a different quality. Did someone else teach you?"
"No," Bing-Er replied with fear in her eyes. "I tried to follow your teachings after you instructed me. But while practicing, I felt that it might be better if I adjusted it slightly, so I made some changes. Then, Uncle Song came to spar with me."
Cha Eun Xiao was left baffled. He had taught Bing-Er a nearly invincible sword art from the Qing-Yun Realm, one that was traditionally used by men. Making alterations to this ancient and potent technique was no simple task, as it had been refined over countless generations. Even the smallest changes could diminish its effectiveness. Yet, Bing-Er had managed to adjust it successfully, imbuing it with a more feminine, yin attribute and making it even sharper and more difficult to defend against. This sword art had stood the test of time, and many great martial artists had made improvements to it, but Bing-Er had achieved what seemed nearly impossible: making it stronger through her modifications.
It was as though she had inadvertently created a groundbreaking work of martial art history, all the while thinking she had done something wrong.
Cha Eun Xiao was dumbfounded, and Song Jue could only mutter in disbelief, "What kind of prodigy are you..."
Uncle Song, his eyes filled with confusion, questioned the world he thought he knew, saying, "Is this still the world I know? My God..."