The echoes of the applause still clung to the air hours after the exhibition had ended. Li Tian stood alone in one of the quieter courtyards of the Academy, the cool breeze ruffling his robes. The weight of the day hadn't yet settled in. His students had performed beyond expectation—not perfect, but inspired. Each match, each victory, even their struggles, carved a path toward something greater. And most unexpectedly, the visiting masters had taken notice.
He recalled the whispers that followed each success as his students stepped off the platform, exhausted yet triumphant. "A teacher who knows how to teach. Rare," one of the masters had said softly but not softly enough to avoid being overheard. The words weren't lavished with excessive praise, but their weight carried more than enough. It was respect, given grudgingly to someone from whom little had initially been expected.
"Teacher Li Tian." The voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see Master Yue of the Verdant Blade Sect approaching, her steady stride and piercing gaze unmistakable. Among the visiting dignitaries, she had remained the most difficult to read throughout the day. There was no hostility in her expression, but neither was there warmth.
Li Tian bowed slightly, his tone polite but measured. "Master Yue. To what do I owe the honor?"
She studied him for a moment before speaking. "You surprised many today, including myself. Your methods are… unconventional, to say the least, but the results are difficult to ignore."
Li Tian waited, sensing there was more.
"There is a secluded training ground an hour's flight north of here," she continued. "Our sect often conducts advanced cultivation sessions there, inviting promising disciples from certain allied sects to participate. I've decided to extend the invitation to you, not as a participant but as an observer." She gave a faint, almost dismissive tilt of her head. "You might gain some insight into deeper forms of cultivation, technical mastery... or perhaps see where your own methods fall short."
The challenge in her words was subtle but unmistakable. Li Tian met her gaze steadily, his expression calm. "I would be honored to observe, Master Yue. Thank you for the opportunity."
"Good." Her tone carried a note of finality. "We leave at first light."
The following morning, the flight to the training grounds left little time for conversation. Li Tian trailed the group of Verdant Blade Sect disciples, their emerald robes fluttering as flying swords sliced through the skies. The training grounds, nestled deep within a grove of towering crystal trees, glimmered faintly under the dawn light, their branches radiating an ancient vitality.
The disciples landed gracefully, chatting amongst themselves while casting furtive glances at Li Tian. Their curiosity was palpable, though many masked it with cool indifference. He hadn't missed the looks of skepticism some had given him. A Foundation Establishment cultivator? A mere teacher? What could he hope to learn here?
Master Yue wasted no time, commanding the disciples to begin their practice. Techniques of such precision and ferocity unfolded before Li Tian that even he couldn't help but feel a flicker of awe. Blade techniques that split the air, qi manipulations that seemed to bend light itself—these were heights of cultivation vastly beyond what his own students had achieved.
And yet… as Li Tian watched, his mind, aided by the faint hum of the Enlightenment System, began to pick up subtler threads. There was hesitation in a disciple's movements, almost imperceptible. A clash of qi midway through a paired technique, disrupting what should have been flawless synchronization. Lingering imbalances that even the well-trained eyes of their instructors seemed to miss.
He observed quietly for hours, absorbing the nuances. The Enlightenment System remained active, feeding him insights that sharpened his understanding not just of cultivation techniques but of the broader principles of the Teaching Dao. His role here wasn't to compare himself to these experts; it was to learn, to grow, to refine the path he had chosen.
It was during a paired sparring session that an opportunity presented itself. A young Verdant Blade disciple named Xun Wei repeatedly failed to execute a critical finishing strike, his frustration growing with each botched attempt. His partner, equally skilled but impatient, muttered sharp criticisms under his breath, further souring Xun Wei's confidence.
Master Yue frowned but made no move to intervene. It wasn't her way to coddle failure.
Li Tian saw his chance. Approaching slowly, he bowed politely to Master Yue. "If I may, Master Yue… could I offer some guidance?"
Her expression remained neutral, but the faintest flicker of interest crossed her eyes. "You may try," she said simply.
Xun Wei looked up as Li Tian approached, his brow furrowed with frustration. "You're not from Verdant Blade," he said bluntly, his tone edged with irritation.
"No," Li Tian replied, his voice gentle but firm. "But I've seen the issue. Your footing is strong, your blade precise, yet your qi wavers at the critical moment. Why?"
Xun Wei hesitated, surprised by the question. "That's… I—"
"It's hesitation," Li Tian interjected, his tone understanding but direct. "You're thinking too much about your next move. Trust yourself. Trust the energy beneath your blade. It should act as an extension of your will, not something you control."
Xun Wei blinked, his expression conflicted but intrigued. Li Tian continued, placing a small stone in the disciple's hand. "Draw your blade, but focus only on keeping this stone balanced on your palm. Forget striking. Forget the finish. Just focus on the flow."
The Enlightenment System stirred as Li Tian guided him, subtly bolstering his ability to pinpoint the disciple's energy flow. Adjusting Xun Wei's stance here, a slight redirection of his qi there—it was as though Li Tian could see the solution forming in real-time.
When Xun Wei swung next, the result was immediate. His movements flowed seamlessly into the finishing strike, the stone never leaving his hand. His partner stumbled back, stunned by the flawless execution.
For a moment, there was silence in the grove. Then, the gathered disciples murmured among themselves, the skepticism in their gazes giving way to something resembling respect.
Master Yue approached, her expression unreadable. "It seems your methods are… effective, even among those not your own," she said after a long pause. There was no grudging irritation in her voice this time—only acknowledgment.
Later, as the day wound down, Li Tian found a quiet spot beneath one of the glimmering crystal trees. The events replayed in his mind, each lesson he had observed intertwining with his understanding of the Teaching Dao. The Enlightenment System thrummed softly, as though approving of his progress.
It was then, in that stillness, that a new insight struck him. The Teaching Dao wasn't just about adapting to the strengths and weaknesses of others—it was about unlocking harmony, finding the silent rhythm that tied cultivator, qi, and technique into an unbroken whole. His gaze sharpened as the realization sank in. This was the next step.
The breeze stirred the leaves overhead as Li Tian closed his eyes, his mind already planning how to return to his students and pass on everything he had learned that day. For now, he had only scratched the surface of what he could achieve… but he was certain he was heading in the right direction.