Chapter Ten: Finding the Blade
The training courtyard was spacious, its stone tiles worn smooth by years of rigorous practice. Under the faint glow of the lanterns, the Sūn Family Head stood with arms crossed, watching Daniel attempt to hold the longsword he had selected from the family's armory. The blade was exquisite, a testament to fine craftsmanship, but Daniel's movements were clumsy.
"You're holding it wrong," the Family Head said bluntly, stepping forward. He adjusted Daniel's grip with practiced ease. "Strength means nothing if your technique is flawed. A proper stance channels your energy efficiently—both physical and, eventually, spiritual."
Daniel nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had thought the stories of heroes wielding swords in cultivation novels would make this easier. Reality, however, was proving far more difficult.
"Swing," the Family Head commanded.
Daniel obeyed, slicing the blade through the air. The sound was satisfying, but the Family Head frowned. "Again. This time, control your breathing. Swordsmanship isn't about brute force; it's about rhythm and flow. Breathe in as you prepare, exhale as you strike. Your aura will align with your movements once you advance further."
"Aura?" Daniel asked, his curiosity piqued.
The Family Head's eyes glinted with understanding. "Aura is the manifestation of your Qi. Right now, you're in the Pre-Cultivation stages, refining your body to prepare for Qi Refining. But once you reach the Qi Refining Realm, you'll be able to release your aura. That's when true swordsmanship begins."
He paused, gesturing for Daniel to lower the blade. "When your aura is strong enough, you can form Sword Light."
"Sword Light?" Daniel repeated, his excitement bubbling over.
The Family Head's lips curved into a faint smile. "It's the technique of projecting your sword's energy outward. With enough mastery, your blade's reach is no longer limited by its physical length. You can cut down an opponent from a distance."
Daniel's eyes widened. The idea of slashing an enemy from afar with a single swing was something straight out of the cultivation stories he loved. "How do I learn it?"
The Family Head chuckled softly, the sound resonating with the weight of experience. "You can't—yet. Sword Light requires you to harness and release Qi. That's something only those in the Qi Refining Realm or higher can achieve. For now, your focus should be on the fundamentals: mastering the blade in your hands."
Daniel's excitement dimmed slightly, but he nodded resolutely. "I'll get there."
"You will," the Family Head said firmly. "But it will take time, patience, and dedication."
As the Family Head stepped back to observe, Lily joined Daniel on the training ground. She carried a wooden practice sword and stood across from him. "You're not going to get anywhere if you only listen," she teased. "Let's spar."
Daniel smirked, gripping his blade tightly. "Bring it on."
The clash of their blades echoed through the courtyard. Daniel's movements were still unrefined, but Lily adjusted her strikes to guide him, showing him the importance of timing and positioning. Occasionally, the Family Head would interject with advice, correcting Daniel's stance or pointing out an opening he had missed.
By the end of the session, Daniel's arms felt like lead, and his muscles screamed in protest. Yet, a small spark of pride burned within him. He was far from mastering the sword, but he was learning, step by step.
As they wrapped up for the night, the Family Head handed Daniel a smaller, lighter blade to try the next day. "Experiment with this. You need to find the weapon that feels like an extension of yourself. Only then will you truly begin your path as a swordsman."
Daniel held the blade in his hands, the weight and balance already feeling more natural than the longsword. His journey with the sword was just beginning, but he couldn't help imagining the day he would unleash Sword Light, his aura blazing as he carved through obstacles with ease.
The Family Head's words echoed in his mind as he headed back to his guest room: Time, patience, and dedication. He would get there, no matter how long it took.