Time passed in the blink of an eye. In just over ten days, Luo Lingmiao had reached the peak of Qi Refinement. Yet, standing in her way were two monumental obstacles: the Heart Demon Tribulation and the inherent difficulty of opening her Violet Palace due to her mutated Ice Spirit Root.
The thought of confronting her inner demons left Luo Lingmiao hesitant. Despite her progress, she remained indecisive, unable to take that final step into seclusion for her breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Lu Bingxuan was steadily mastering several techniques from Xuanming True Understanding.
Among them was the visualization technique Xuanpin's Universal Intent, which strengthened the divine soul. A robust divine soul extended the range and power of one's divine sense, crucial for his Xuanming Divine Light. Additionally, it protected the Violet Palace from external interference—a safeguard against mental attacks and a prerequisite for forming a Golden Core.
Next was a secret art: Frozen Mind Suppresses Souls. It was designed to immobilize foes, first targeting their joints before freezing their very souls. The art, deadly and rare, was part of his preparation for the infamous system-mandated check-in at Xiao Yao's "grave."
Lu Bingxuan also dabbled in practical techniques. His primary offensive technique, Severe Winter Sword Technique, could later transition to the advanced Frostbound Will Sword Canon at the Nascent Soul stage. He also explored methods for concealing his divine sense, mastering invisibility techniques that could elude even the most perceptive of senses.
These new techniques demanded a great deal of focus and effort, leaving Lu Bingxuan no choice but to dedicate most of his time to practice. By now, he had achieved basic proficiency in all of them, though mastery remained a distant goal.
Just then, the formation around the small courtyard rippled, signaling a visitor.
"Senior Brother, here's the Earth-based technique you requested," Luo Lingmiao announced, sending a jade slip his way.
"Thanks, Junior Sister," Lu Bingxuan said, halting his visualization practice as he caught the slip.
The Earth-based techniques were an essential component of his plan. He aimed to combine them with other arts to create a specialized "grave construction" secret art—one tailored for the rather macabre task of fulfilling the system's requirements.
"Senior Brother…" Luo Lingmiao hesitated, then spoke softly. "I plan to attempt my breakthrough today. Before that, could you… spar with me? Just one more time?"
Lu Bingxuan raised an eyebrow, sensing her unease. "Are you sure you're ready to face your Heart Demon Tribulation?"
Luo Lingmiao averted her gaze, offering a vague nod. "I think so…"
Her uncertainty didn't escape him, but he followed her out of the building.
Standing in the courtyard, the two faced each other, wooden swords in hand.
Compared to Lu Bingxuan's calm composure, Luo Lingmiao's hands trembled as she gripped her weapon.
"Be careful, Junior Sister," Lu Bingxuan said, suppressing his strength with Frozen Mind Suppresses Souls to match her level.
He lunged forward with a precise thrust aimed at her face. Luo Lingmiao instinctively sidestepped and parried, retreating immediately to maintain distance.
Her movements were cautious, her strategy defensive. Instead of engaging, she retreated further with each clash, avoiding prolonged exchanges.
After only thirty strikes, Lu Bingxuan disarmed her, sending her wooden sword spinning to the ground.
He frowned. She usually lasted at least forty moves before faltering. Today, something was off.
"I've lost again…" Luo Lingmiao muttered, her shoulders slumping as she retrieved her sword. Bowing slightly, she turned to leave. "Senior Brother, I'll go into seclusion now to attempt my breakthrough."
"Stop."
Lu Bingxuan's tone was firm, stopping her in her tracks. He moved swiftly, his wooden sword pressing against her neck before she could take another step.
"What's this?" he asked sharply. "You're willing to dodge when you hold a sword, but without one, you can't even move?"
He withdrew his blade, his gaze piercing.
Luo Lingmiao remained silent, her head lowered. For days, she had practiced tirelessly, swinging her sword thousands of times. Yet every time she faced her Senior Brother, she lost within moments.
"I'm too clumsy," she finally murmured. "I'll never master the sword."
As she turned to leave again, Lu Bingxuan stepped forward, blocking her path. He could see her spiraling into despair. If she went into seclusion in this state, her Heart Demon Tribulation would surely claim her life.
"You call yourself clumsy?" Lu Bingxuan chuckled. "If you, who have trained with such discipline, are clumsy, then what does that make the rest of the world?"
"Your foundation is impeccable. Every strike is textbook perfect. Your grasp of the Severe Winter Sword Technique is exceptional. You are not clumsy—you are capable. But you're right about one thing: you don't know how to use a sword."
Luo Lingmiao hesitated, turning back to face him. Her eyes sought answers she couldn't articulate.
"Your heart is clouded. Your intentions are scattered. Without clarity, how can your sword carry your will? Tell me, why do you wield a sword?"
"I…" Luo Lingmiao opened her mouth but found no words.
Lu Bingxuan sighed, stepping closer. He gently placed one hand on her waist and the other over hers, guiding her grip on the wooden sword.
The sudden proximity made Luo Lingmiao stiffen. The warmth of his touch, the faint scent of pine on his robes—she could feel her composure unraveling.
"Speak honestly," Lu Bingxuan said, his breath warm against her ear. "Why do you practice the sword? Don't give me excuses—tell me the truth."
The intimacy of his tone and touch sent a shiver through her. Her ear turned scarlet, and her knees felt weak.
Yet his words struck deeper than the physical contact.
"I… I don't know…" she whispered, her voice trembling. Tears welled in her eyes as she clenched the sword tighter.
"Is it that you don't know, or that you're afraid to find out?" Lu Bingxuan asked, his tone unwavering.
"Every day you swing your sword—what are you thinking? Are you fighting against the marriage contract? Against the royal court? Against those who seek to control you?"
"Is your sword driven by rebellion? Every step you've taken, every decision you've made—it's all been about defiance. But where in all of this is you? Why is there nothing you do for yourself?"
"You live to resist. But tell me, Junior Sister—what is it you're really resisting?"
"The Taiyan Royal Court? Or the timid, submissive version of yourself from the past?"