After Jonathan made his choice, the woman waved her hand, and the remaining two weapons vanished. She didn't bother to help him up but simply sat on the rock he had been using, watching the scene unfold with satisfaction.
Watching Jonathan struggle to move the staff even slightly brought a smile to her face; she seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.
"Master, why are these weapons so heavy?" Jonathan gasped, breathing heavily.
"Did it occur to you to let go of one?" she replied, inspecting her nails with disinterest.
"But if I let go, won't I lose it?" Jonathan asked, concerned.
"I don't remember saying that," she answered, barely looking up. "If they're too heavy, release one. You've already bonded with them by touching them."
Hearing her words, Jonathan hesitated, weighing his options. If I let go of the sword, I can focus on mastering the staff first. Then, once I'm stronger, I'll reclaim the sword and combine them both for a powerful attack, he thought.
The woman watched him silently, curious about his choice.
Finally, Jonathan released the red sword, and as soon as he did, it floated away. The woman waved her hand, and the sword disappeared.
"Get up," she commanded, her tone sharper now. Jonathan tried to lift the staff, but it still weighed him down as if it resisted his very touch.
"Master, the staff is still heavy," he complained, feeling his energy drain rapidly.
---
Meanwhile, in the valley…
A group of men from the Black Tied Sect strolled arrogantly into Jonathan's family home. They looked around and quickly realized the place was deserted.
"So it's true. They've left," one man sneered.
"Yeah, I guess they knew they couldn't beat us, so they ran with their tails between their legs," another added, and the group burst into laughter.
"Maybe they left this place for us," one said with a sinister smile. "It'll be a perfect base for new recruits."
They continued discussing their plans to occupy the home, feeling confident and untouchable.
---
Back on the mountain…
Jonathan had finally managed to pick up the staff and swing it, though with some difficulty.
"Open your mind and let it take over," the woman advised. "Let it become part of you, and it will respond to your movements."
Jonathan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused entirely on the staff. Clearing his mind, he felt the weight lessen. He swung it easily, moving freely, his heart racing with excitement as he performed a few basic moves, though they lacked polish.
"Now that you can handle it, we'll move on," the woman said, her tone encouraging.
"Yes, Master," Jonathan replied, standing at attention.
The woman waved her hand, and a scroll appeared before him.
"Study this," she instructed.
Jonathan unfolded the scroll, absorbing its descriptions and illustrations, nodding with a grin.
"Are you going to teach me this?" he asked, clearly excited.
"No, you'll teach yourself," she answered calmly, not even looking at him.
"What?" Jonathan was stunned.
"Relying on others for everything won't make you strong. I'll guide your control of internal energy as it grows, but the skill with weapons is yours to cultivate."
Jonathan wanted to protest but held his tongue, sensing her seriousness.
"Tell me, do you want revenge for your family?" she asked sharply.
"Yes, Master," he replied, a deep frown crossing his face as memories surfaced.
"Then use that drive. Let it fuel you. Master these techniques, and you'll ascend to an adept cultivator."
Her words struck Jonathan deeply. He looked at her, astonished. "Master, could I really reach that level?"
"Yes, but only as a one-star adept," she replied, unfazed.
Jonathan didn't hear the rest of what she said. The thought of gaining the power he needed for revenge lit a fire in him. He sat on a rock, eagerly studying the scroll and its illustrations.
The woman watched with a faint smile, sensing his renewed purpose. She knew he was ready to embrace the spirit wind movements fully.
After a while, Jonathan stood and practiced the moves. He gripped the staff, swinging it left and right, releasing gusts of wind with surprising force.
"Look, Master! I performed the first move!" he exclaimed joyfully.
The woman smiled, amused by his excitement.
"If only he knew how powerful he truly is.", she thought.