Chapter 16: Steeling the Foundation
The training courtyard buzzed with energy as members of the Sūn family practiced their forms and techniques. Daniel stood at the center of the courtyard, twin swords in hand, awaiting his next lesson.
Lily approached him, her expression calm but intense. "Today, we'll focus on combat fundamentals," she said, her longsword gleaming in the morning light. "You've made progress, but your technique still has gaps. Those gaps can be exploited in a real fight."
Daniel nodded, gripping his swords tightly. The sparring session against Lily in the tournament was still fresh in his mind. He had learned a lot from her movements, but he knew there was more to uncover.
The Family Head watched from the edge of the courtyard, his arms crossed. "Lily, show him how to control the flow of a fight. And Daniel, pay attention. Strength and speed mean little without control."
Lily nodded, raising her sword. "Daniel, let's start simple. Attack me with your best strike."
Daniel took a deep breath and stepped forward, swinging his right sword in a calculated arc toward her. Lily moved like water, her blade deflecting his strike with ease. Before he could recover, she stepped in, the flat of her blade tapping his shoulder lightly.
"Too slow," she said, stepping back.
Daniel gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. He tried again, this time leading with a feint from his left sword before bringing the right around in a diagonal slash. Lily sidestepped, her blade knocking his attack off course before lightly tapping his ribs.
"Good attempt, but predictable," she said.
For the next hour, Daniel attacked again and again, each time meeting Lily's precise defenses. She pointed out his mistakes as they sparred, guiding him to refine his movements. The Family Head occasionally chimed in with observations, his sharp eyes catching details that even Lily missed.
"Your strikes lack fluidity," he said at one point. "You're thinking too much about each movement. I once said that technique is more important than instinct. This is only partly true. Your techniques must be so refined and natural that they are your instincts. Hone your body to the point where you can trust your body to follow through with a technique."
Daniel took the advice to heart, focusing on letting his sword have intent and calculated precision, but also make sure it felt natural and flowed. By the end of the session, he was drenched in sweat, but he could feel the difference in his movements.
Lily nodded approvingly. "You're improving, but there's still a long way to go."
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As they took a break, the Family Head approached Daniel with a thoughtful expression. "You're adapting quickly," he said. "That's good. But there's one more thing I want you to understand before we continue."
He picked up a wooden sword from the rack and held it out. "Strike this with everything you have."
Daniel frowned but did as instructed, slashing at the wooden sword with both of his blades. The impact was solid, but the wooden sword didn't budge.
"Your strikes have force, but they lack intent," the Family Head said. "True mastery comes not from strength alone, but from the will behind your blade. When you reach the Qi Refining Realm, your aura will manifest, and with it, Sword Light."
Daniel's eyes widened with excitement, giddy to learn more about Sword Light.
"Sword Light is the physical manifestation of your intent and aura, condensed into your blade. It can cut through defenses far stronger than your current strength allows. It's a technique that only becomes possible once you reach the Qi Refining Realm. However, preparing for using it wouldn't be harmful if you still focus on mastering your foundation. Without a strong foundation, even Sword Light will be meaningless."
Daniel once again felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of wielding such a technique, but he quickly tempered it. The Family Head was right—he wasn't there yet. He could prepare, but he needed to focus on the basics.
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Later that evening, Daniel sat in his room, replaying the day's lessons in his mind. He picked up one of his swords and began practicing the movements Lily had shown him, letting his body flow through the forms.
As he moved, he thought about the path ahead. The tournament showed him the difference between raw strength and skill. But it had also given him a glimpse of his potential.
With each swing of his blade, he felt a growing determination. He wanted to surpass all those around him. To do that, he would need to refine himself and his skills.
The night grew darker, but Daniel continued practicing, his resolve as sharp as the blades in his hands.