Wei Yu was breathing heavily, sweat glistening on his forehead as he practiced under the fading light. Though he felt tired, he kept going, determined to master the sword techniques that had been challenging him. Each swing felt stronger, but his footwork still needed work.
"Just one more time," he thought, clenching his jaw. He had been practicing all day without any water, but he refused to give up. The idea of making his shixiong, Yu Chen, proud kept him going.
Getting back to his feet, Wei Yu gripped his sword tightly, a faint but powerful energy surrounding him. He jumped into the air, and this time his movements were smoother, his footwork almost perfect. Each swing was fierce and strong, unlike Yu Chen's graceful style. While Yu Chen moved like an immortal, Wei Yu's technique was still rough, a reminder that he hadn't yet reached a high level of cultivation. Yet he felt a sense of pride in how far he had come.
"Your footwork has improved," a voice said, breaking his focus. It was Yu Chen, standing nearby and watching him closely. Seeing Wei Yu's hard work stirred something in Yu Chen—a mix of admiration and hope. Maybe his shidi could still succeed in the tough world of cultivation. With the right guidance and some better techniques, Wei Yu could really shine. The thought filled Yu Chen with determination; he wanted to help his younger brother achieve greatness.
"Yu Shixiong." Wei Yu did not expect his shixiong would come back soon, according to him, he thought only four hours had passed.
"Your footwork may have improved, but what's wrong with your sword swing? Are you angry at me for leaving you behind?" Yu Chen teased, a playful grin on his face. He found it amusing that his junior brother never seemed to get upset with him. In fact, he wished Wei Yu would show a little more emotion—especially anger.
"Shixiong, I can really improve! If you don't teach me, I—I—" Wei Yu's voice caught in his throat, and tears began to well in his eyes. He didn't want to disappoint Yu Chen; he felt the weight of that pressure deeply.
"Aiya! Why are you crying? Even if you fail, I won't be disappointed," Yu Chen quickly interjected, a bit flustered by the sudden turn of events.
"Y-you won't?" Wei Yu sniffled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Just don't cry! I don't know what to do if someone cries," Yu Chen admitted, feeling awkward. He had never been good at comforting others and often ended up making things worse.
But Wei Yu couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his cheeks. His vision blurred, and he felt overwhelmed by the fear of failure.
Seeing that he was making things worse, Yu Chen sighed and decided to shift gears. "Okay, let's focus on your training. I noticed your moves earlier—they were strong but a bit too wild. Maybe I'm not teaching you the right techniques," he said, trying to sound more encouraging.
Wei Yu looked up at him, puzzled. "Is there a difference in swordplay?" he asked, curious.
"Definitely!" Yu Chen replied, his tone growing more serious. "Here are some sword techniques I think will suit you better. If you practice hard, you can master them easily." He handed over a few scrolls filled with instructions, hoping this would help lift Wei Yu's spirits.
Wei Yu looked at the scroll in his hands, feeling a little better even though he was still crying. Hope sparkled in his eyes as he turned to Yu Chen, silently asking for help.
"How could I ignore that look?" Yu Chen laughed, his smile wide. "You rascal! Of course I'll teach you. If not me, then who?" He ruffled Wei Yu's hair playfully. "Let's get started. The first technique I'm going to teach you is called 'Blooming Flowers.' Don't let the name fool you; it's a fierce style that's all about destruction. I think it's perfect for you!"
As Yu Chen showed him the moves, his sword slicing through the air, Wei Yu watched in awe. He took in every detail: the footwork, the angles, the energy behind each strike. But he knew this technique wouldn't be easy; it needed hard work and focus.
For the next two days, they trained non-stop. Early mornings turned into late nights as Wei Yu practiced under Yu Chen's watchful eye. They pushed each other hard—Wei Yu wanted to prove himself, and Yu Chen wanted to give him his best guidance.
The sound of steel clashing filled the training hall as Wei Yu fought against wooden dummies, his strikes becoming sharper and more controlled. He fell many times, but each time he got back up with even more determination. Yu Chen's encouraging words pushed him to keep going.
"Remember, it's not just about the moves; it's about your heart!" Yu Chen would remind him, fixing his stance or adjusting his grip. They took breaks to eat simple meals, talking about strategies and how to improve.
***
Finally, the night before the competition arrived. The air was thick with nerves. Wei Yu's hands shook a bit as he held the scroll, tracing the characters that held the secrets of the 'Blooming Flowers' technique. He felt the weight of expectations—not just from himself, but from Yu Chen too.
"Are you ready?" Yu Chen asked, his voice calm but excited. He wore elegant robes, his robes fluttering in the air.
"I think so," Wei Yu replied, though a little doubt crept in.
"Just remember everything we practiced," Yu Chen said, placing a reassuring hand on Wei Yu's shoulder. "Trust yourself. You've worked hard for this moment."
With that he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave. "Lets go."
The sun warmed the arena, casting long shadows across the ground. Competitors gathered, their faces showing both anxiety and determination. The crowd was there to cheer them on. Yu Chen whispered to Wei Yu. "You see that man on top , that's my shizun!" He said proudly. Wei Yu looked at the direction Yu Chen pointed, heart racing but mind clear. The person sitting was quite....boring.
Not like how Wei Yu had imagined, but he felt like he had met this person somewhere...
"Shhh! It's about to start." A person exclaimed.
As the sun climbed higher, the atmosphere in the arena crackled with tension. Two unknown cultivators faced each other, each radiating a sense of focus and determination.
The first, a tall figure dressed in dark robes, gripped his sword tightly, his eyes narrowed with intent. The second, shorter and dressed in lighter colors, held a slender blade, his stance light and agile.
With a sudden rush, the dark-robed cultivator lunged forward, launching an aggressive series of slashes. The air around him seemed to ripple with energy as he aimed for his opponent's torso. But the lighter-robed cultivator was quick, deftly sidestepping the strikes and countering with swift, precise thrusts of his own.
"Not bad!" the dark-robed cultivator taunted, a smirk on his face as he dodged a particularly close strike. He twisted his body and spun, bringing his sword down in a powerful arc.
The shorter cultivator ducked low, the blade barely missing him. He rolled to his feet and retaliated with a flurry of quick jabs aimed at his opponent's legs, forcing the taller man to shift his weight back.
"Is that all you've got?" he shot back, a grin of confidence appearing as he continued to press forward.
Their blades clashed, sending sparks flying as they exchanged blows, the sound echoing through the arena. The crowd watched in rapt attention, gasping at each near miss.
Suddenly, the dark-robed cultivator unleashed a powerful kick, knocking his opponent off balance. Seizing the opportunity, he launched a series of rapid slashes, pushing the lighter-robed cultivator back.
But the shorter man was far from defeated. He stumbled back but quickly regained his footing, channeling his energy into a swift counterattack. With a graceful spin, he dodged another strike and delivered a powerful upward slash that caught the dark-robed cultivator off guard, knocking his sword aside.
"Impressive!" the dark-robed cultivator shouted, narrowing his eyes. "Let's see how you handle this!" He gathered his energy and launched a burst of force, sending a wave of pressure toward his opponent.
The lighter cultivator braced himself, but the force knocked him back a few steps. Regaining his composure, he focused, drawing on the energy within him. With a fierce yell, he dashed forward, his sword glowing with a faint light as he executed a combination of fluid strikes, each one aimed to exploit any opening.
The two warriors continued their dance of offense and defense, neither willing to give an inch. The air was thick with tension, each movement calculated and precise. They exchanged blows, parries, and counters, the intensity building with every clash.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they paused, both breathing heavily. The crowd erupted in applause, but neither fighter lowered their guard.
"Let's end this," the dark-robed cultivator said, a steely glint in his eyes. With a fierce battle cry, he charged forward, sword raised high.
The lighter-robed cultivator mirrored his stance, determination shining in his eyes. As they collided one last time, the sound of their blades ringing out filled the arena, a powerful testament to their skills and the spirit of the competition.
Suddenly a powerful sound was heard. The sound of declaring the winner. "This round winner is Xian Yu, Lian Wei has lost!" Exclaimed an elder.
Wei Yu gulped, looking at the fight scene.
"Wow, Xian Shixiong is so awesome, imagine becoming recognized by someone like him." A girl exclaimed.
"Hmmph, you haven't seen our Yu shixiong yet. His sword skills are more amazing then this loser."
Wei Yu watched as the two bickered with each other. He gulped. He could not let his shixiong down.
***
After a while a series of matches were held and finally his name was called, Wei Yu stepped forward, gripping his sword tightly. He recalled every lesson, every struggle, and all of Yu Chen's encouragement. This was his moment to shine.