Behind Mount Yu, in a secluded training cave, Chen Yin and Ye Huang sparred with their swords, their movents a blur of motion.
They weren’t using spiritual energy, just pure swordsmanship, their blades clashing silently, like a dance perford in a dream.
After a while, Ye Huang stopped, his eyes shining with admiration.
“Your swordsmanship has reached perfection, Brother Chen.”
“I can feel it. You’ve reached a level that every sword cultivator dreams of. I could barely keep up with you before, but now, I can’t even find a single flaw in your technique.”
Chen Yin remained silent, his sword still in hand.
“My swordsmanship is no longer of any use to you, Brother Chen. It’s who’s learning from you now. It feels like you’re just indulging .” Ye Huang chuckled sheepishly.
Chen Yin shook his head. “It’s just practice. There’s no winner or loser.”
Ye Huang noticed his unusual quietness. “Brother Chen, is sothing troubling you?”
Chen Yin looked up at him. “Ye Huang, do you think my swordsmanship is truly strong?”
Ye Huang thought for a mont, then said seriously, “In terms of pure skill, you’re the best in the world, Brother Chen.”
…The best in the world? Chen Yin suddenly chuckled wryly.
He sheathed his sword and walked out of the cave in silence.
“Brother Chen?”
Ye Huang watched him go, confused.
As he walked along the mountain path, Chen Yin’s eyes were downcast, lost in thought.
…Ye Huang was right.
Sparring with a master swordsman like him had made him realize just how close he was to that threshold.
The threshold of the Sword Dao. He had almost reached it.
Which ant his Sword Dao alone was enough for him to break through to the Grand Clarity Realm, even the Immortal Realm.
So, the reason he was stuck at the peak of Supre Clarity was because of the “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra,” the Dao of Life and Death…
He pondered this.
Indeed, ever since he had comprehended the Three Swords from the scroll, his progress with the “Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra” had slowed down.
Although his regenerative abilities were mostly due to the Sutra, his blue spiritual energy also played a significant role.
According to Master, no one had ever comprehended more than one Dao.
But if he could master both the Sword Dao and the Dao of Life and Death, he should be able to reach Grand Clarity.
…Ti is running out. He thought to himself.
Even if it was dangerous, he had to try.
He had to find a way to push his understanding of the Dao of Life and Death to the point of comprehension.
He rembered Master’s hesitant expression, her unspoken warnings.
No matter the risk, even if it ant a Qi deviation…
…he wouldn’t let her face the Triennial Day alone.
Back at his hut, Chen Yin pushed the door open.
The room was empty.
He stood there for a mont, looking around, when soone suddenly covered his eyes from behind.
“Who does Senior Brother like the most?”
“That old hag, Master,” Chen Yin replied without hesitation.
“No! That doesn’t count!”
“Then Senior Sister.”
A sharp pain shot through his ear as soone pinched it hard.
“Ouch!” Chen Yin yelped, turning around to see Xiang’er glaring at him, her lips pouting.
“Stinky Senior Brother! You’re back and the first thing you do is tease ?!”
Chen Yin chuckled awkwardly.
“Last chance! Who do you like the most?”
He didn’t answer, just pinched her cheek playfully. “Stop it, it’s ti for dinner. What do you want to eat?”
“Fish soup, braised eggplant, stead pork ribs, fried corn…”
Chen Yin listened to her long list of requests, his smile slowly fading.
“…We’re not running a pig farm, Xiang’er.”
“That’s what you get for bullying .”
Xiang’er sat down, sulking, her legs swinging playfully.
Chen Yin sighed and went to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients.
As soon as he left, Xiang’er peeked around the corner, watching him.
Seeing the mountain of ingredients he had taken out, she panicked and whispered, “Stupid Senior Brother! I was just kidding! You don’t have to make so much! We can’t finish it all—”
“It’s fine,”
Chen Yin smiled. “We’ll eat together. I’ll finish whatever you can’t.”
Xiang’er stared at his back, a worried expression on her face.
Although he was still smiling, his eyes seed to be hiding sothing.
She was suddenly afraid that he was truly angry.
“Senior Brother…”
She walked over to him and tugged at his robe, her voice soft. “How about… Xiang’er cooks for you today? It’s been a while since you’ve had my cooking.”
“It’s fine,”
Chen Yin ruffled her hair gently. “I’m not going anywhere. You can cook for anyti.”
“Not today. Just wait.”
Xiang’er nodded silently, glancing at him hesitantly.
His expression was calm and focused as he prepared the ingredients, as if he was completely absorbed in the task.
But what was going on in his mind, no one knew.
In the end, Chen Yin made seven or eight dishes.
Looking at the feast before her, Xiang’er felt a pang of guilt, but she tried to act normal.
“I’m starting now, Senior Brother.”
“Wow! Did you secretly learn so new cooking techniques while you were away? This is even more delicious than before!”
As they ate, Xiang’er chattered excitedly, trying to find topics to discuss with him.
“Senior Brother, look! I’ve reached the Grand Clarity Realm! And I’ve even comprehended the Dao! Master said it’s a very powerful Dao, the Dao of Yin and Yang!”
“Really?” Chen Yin smiled, his eyes filled with pride and affection. “It seems Xiang’er has been working hard while I was away. I should reward you. Is there anything you want?”
Xiang’er thought for a mont, then said softly, “The sachet you gave before… can I have another one?”
Chen Yin paused. “Did you lose it?”
“No!”
Xiang’er quickly shook her head and pulled out the sachet from her pocket. “I’ve been keeping it safe! I would never lose it!”
“But…” she lowered her head shyly, “I want another one to hang by my bed. So I can sll your scent when I sleep.”
Chen Yin nodded. “Alright.”
A sachet wasn’t difficult to make.
Xiang’er smiled sweetly, her eyes as soft and gentle as the Mist Yu flowers.
They couldn’t finish all the food, despite Xiang’er’s best efforts.
Most of the dishes remained untouched.
“Senior Brother…” Xiang’er looked up at him with a pitiful expression. “I can’t eat anymore.”
“It’s fine, just eat until you’re full.”
Chen Yin said slowly, “Go and rest. I’ll take the leftovers to Master and Luo Luo. I’ll wash the dishes later.”
Xiang’er stood up obediently, glancing at him hesitantly before leaving.
Chen Yin continued eating, his movents chanical and repetitive, his gaze fixed on his plate.
As Xiang’er entered her room, she peeked out from behind the door.
“…Senior Brother.”
“What is it?”
“Tonight,” she whispered, her face flushed, “are you coming to see ?”
She blinked at him expectantly.
Chen Yin hesitated for a mont, then nodded.
“I’ll be there.”
Xiang’er blushed and quickly closed the door.
Chen Yin’s smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.
He continued eating, his mind preoccupied.
He ate for an entire hour, even after the food had gone cold and he was no longer hungry.
Finally, looking at the empty plates, he chuckled wryly.
“I was going to take so to Master and Luo Luo,”
“But I almost forgot.”
“…I’ll make them another al.” He thought to himself, standing up to clear the table.
After he left, carrying the dishes, Xiang’er peeked out from behind the door, her eyes following his retreating figure.
“Is he… really alright?” she wondered, her voice filled with concern.
“But even if he’s troubled, he would never tell , he wouldn’t want to worry.”
“What should I do… he won’t tell if I ask directly…” She sighed, frustrated.
She didn’t know how to help him.
But she couldn’t bear to see him like this.
She straightened her back, her eyes filled with determination.
“No.”
“I can’t let him keep everything bottled up inside.”
“I have to find a way to know what’s bothering him.”
“Even if I can’t figure it out myself…” she bit her lip, her eyes filled with a mix of anxiety and resolve.
“I’ll ask for help.”
She quickly wrote a letter and sent it off with a jade slip.
The light flashed, disappearing into the night.
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