Chapter 71: Relying on Instinct
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First, she bowed slightly toward her master in the spectator seats. Only then did Ye Qinghan turn around, clasping her fists: "You've been gracious."
A barrier separated the combat arena from the spectator seats. Though Ye Qinghan could largely ignore such a fragile barrier, she obediently circled around from behind to return to her master's side.
"Master, I've disappointed you."
Ye Qinghan genuinely hadn't expected that the Snow-Shattering Technique would prove even harder to grasp than the Frost-Piercing Sword Art…
She believed her movements mirrored her master's perfectly, yet in reality, her master's strike was far swifter—and the sword qi itself remained entirely invisible!
Even so, Ye Qinghan held no doubt about her master's claim that "even mortals can slay gods." She understood that its power was absolutely beyond her comprehension!
There must be something about the Master's execution that she hadn't noticed!
Li Shiyao and Dongfang Jue beside her both froze in surprise. Why did Ye Qinghan return from winning the duel looking less than thrilled?
They didn't know that Ye Qinghan had intended to show off her skills to Su Cheng, but had ended up revealing too much…
"It matters not. Qinghan has grasped it to this degree—that is already quite remarkable."
【As for Snowflake Strike, I learned it by observation too. Teaching it? I couldn't possibly instruct you. This technique relies entirely on instinct—there's nothing tangible to pass on.】
【Though I cannot teach it, I can still discern where the mistakes lie.】
Hearing this, Ye Qinghan quickly spoke up: "Please enlighten me, Master."
Since the master had said he would only demonstrate once, she naturally dared not pester him further. But pointing out a mistake surely wouldn't be too much to ask.
"It's hardly guidance. Each practitioner wields Snowflake differently. You must grasp its essence through your own dedication, Qinghan."
"But I see you mimic my movements too much when you strike. That's unnecessary. The essence of Snowflake lies in lightness and ease—relax your body. The sword has form, but its intent is formless…"
"Do you understand?"
Ye Qinghan's fox-like mind went blank. Who am I? Where am I?
The earlier part wasn't too hard to grasp—so it meant wielding the sword in whatever posture felt comfortable?
But what did he mean by tangible and intangible?
But if she admitted she didn't understand, wouldn't that make her seem stupid?
Yet she truly hadn't grasped it…
The fox, not much shorter than Su Cheng, nuzzled up beside him and began to act coy…
"Master… Are you saying Qinghan should relax her body more?"
[Now, your master wishes to relax the body…]
"Um… Qinghan, don't be impatient. Just focus on cultivating the sword technique I've taught you."
"Does Master think this disciple is too dull? Have you given up on teaching me?" Ye Qinghan's pouting expression looked ready to burst into tears.
【Nonsense! How could your master ever scorn his precious disciple? Alas, this technique can only be grasped gradually—even I cannot hasten your progress.】
"Oh, not at all. Snowflake is no ordinary technique. If one rushes for quick results, it's like pulling up seedlings to help them grow—it won't lead to true mastery."
Dongfang Jue and Li Shiyao stood by, utterly stunned!
Dongfang Jue was practically mesmerized! And that sword technique wasn't even the most formidable one!
Master Su still had a secret technique—one even Ye Qinghan struggled to grasp!
"Could this be Master Su's family-transmitted secret technique?"
"Shiyao wants to learn too! Master, please teach Shiyao as well!"
Ye Qinghan hadn't really cared before. Even after watching her master demonstrate Snowflake Fling, she couldn't master it! There was no way those two could understand it!
But when Li Shiyu asked the Master to teach her too, Ye Qinghan instantly felt resentful!
The cat, perched haughtily in the master's embrace, declared, "This technique was passed down to Qinghan by the master. Learn something else. Don't compete with your senior sister!"
Dongfang Jue was stunned. She truly hadn't expected that Ye Qinghan would actually…
acknowledged Li Shiyao?
She knew how fiercely Ye Qinghan guarded his territory! He wouldn't even tolerate others glancing at his master!
And now he just accepts this Li Shiyu?
Li Shiyao wore that "I'm the wife" look, acting all "I'm so capable!" (￣へ￣)
"Shiyao just wants to learn this! It sounds so powerful. Senior Sister can't master it, so once Shiyao learns it, she'll protect Senior Sister!"
Ye Qinghan was furious the moment she heard it! What's going on? You haven't even mastered the basics yet! And you dare compete with your senior sister?
"Bullshit! Who says I can't learn it? I'll study it at home and master it for sure! And I don't need Shiyu to protect me!"
【Ugh… Truth be told, this master only knows this one move. Nothing else…】
The preliminary round ended, with the next competition scheduled for ten days later. Ye Qinghan planned to head back home, intending to find an opportunity to probe her master's thoughts. Regarding the rules of the Heavenly Dao, Ye Qinghan knew very little.
"Wait, Li Shiyu, you haven't even joined the sect yet—ugh, I mean, you're still an initiate? And you? Forget Li Shiyu, why did you tag along too?"
Ye Qinghan glared at Dongfang Jue. While he didn't dislike him outright, Ye Qinghan harbored no particular fondness for Dongfang Jue either. He simply found Dongfang Jue overly calculating and harboring ulterior motives.
Most crucially, that demonic witch couldn't be killed. According to his master's words, Dongfang Jue was likely also blessed by the fortune of the human race, making him probably impossible to kill…
"Hey, could you stop being so cold? It makes me look like some kind of villain."
Dongfang Jue looked utterly exasperated. Ye Qinghan was the biggest obstacle standing between her and joining the Lingxian Hall, yet Dongfang Jue was completely powerless against her…
Not only did Su Cheng treat his First Disciple Ye Qinghan like his own child, showering her with indulgence, but Dongfang Jue was simply no match for Ye Qinghan in combat.
Ye Qinghan sat in the center of the courtyard, circulating her cultivation technique through a Great Circulation Cycle before beginning the Ling Frost Sword Art.
Li Shiyao had initially intended to practice as well, but witnessing Ye Qinghan cultivate for the first time, his aura overwhelmed her, making it impossible to enter meditation. Thus, Li Shiyao and Dongfang Jue simply observed from the sidelines.
As Ye Qinghan rose, the gentle gaze he usually bore in the Lingxian Hall now flashed with fierce, piercing intensity!
Instantly, the four dummies sprang into action, closing in to attack Ye Qinghan!
The divine-grade sword struck the dummies, producing a metallic clang that sent shivers down both their spines…
"Sister Dongfang, aren't those dummies made of wood? And their movements are so agile, their techniques so fluid…"
"Honestly, I don't understand either… but that dummy is probably way stronger than both of us…"
"Really?"
"Of course. Didn't you see your sister Qinghan wielding the Frostshattering Sword?"
The two chatted back and forth as they watched Ye Qinghan locked in a fierce battle with the four dummies, occasionally finding herself at a disadvantage…
"Shiyao, what realm do you think that dummy is at?" Dongfang Jue looked utterly stunned. If Ye Qinghan's sword strike from just now had been unleashed outside, it could have cleaved a mountain in two!
Yet against the dummy, it left only a faint sword mark…
"At the very least, late Nascent Soul stage…" After observing for a while, Li Shiyu realized the dummy's cultivation level was far higher than it appeared…
Dongfang Jue reckoned it was at least late Nascent Soul stage… Probably even more formidable than Xu Zhanfeng…
Damn it, didn't Ye Qinghan say she rarely cultivated? Didn't she claim she spent most of her time attending to her master?
So your cultivation routine is single-handedly taking on four Great Perfection-stage powerhouses? Judging by Ye Qinghan's expression, Dongfang Jue even suspected this was merely her morning workout…
Just keep cultivating! Who could possibly outdo you?
"Qinghan! Stop fooling around and come help your master!"
Dongfang Jue looked utterly stunned. Play? Master Su, where did you get the idea Ye Qinghan was playing?
Ye Qinghan's focus wavered, and he was forced back by the dummy's palm strike. He decided to halt his cultivation.
He pulled two pills from his robe, popped them into his mouth, and replied, "Coming!"
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