Chapter 20: Master and Disciple Break Through Together A Double Celebration
In the training grounds, a young boy dressed in black was swiftly swinging his twin blades, launching relentless attacks at the figure before him.
The figure clad in a long azure robe held a wooden staff infused with soul power, effortlessly blocking or deflecting every strike. Seizing each opening, he would deliver precise strikes to the boy's chest and wrists, forcing him to drop his weapons or struggle to continue his offensive.
"Your forward strikes lack power, your backhand swings are unrefined, your footwork is sloppy, and your reactions are slow. Are you using those twin blades to chop vegetables? At this level, you couldn't even kill a chicken. The moment I restrict your ranged blade energy, you turn useless. Stand up and attack me again!"
The two figures were none other than Han Li and Qing Luan. Three months had passed since Guang Ling had entered seclusion.
From the day after Guang Ling secluded himself, his loyal followers arrived, marking the beginning of Han Li's grueling training regimen.
His schedule was packed from dawn to dusk, leaving no room for laziness. Those under Guang Ling's command were somewhat lenient, allowing occasional breaks during cultural lessons to help him relax.
Qing Luan, however, was far stricter. Upon noticing Han Li's overreliance on ranged blade energy in his twin blade stance, he decided to personally train him, using a small wooden staff to relentlessly discipline the boy.
Thud!
Han Li could no longer endure. After receiving another strike to his leg, he collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily, too exhausted to care about the dirt beneath him.
"Alright, that's enough for today. After your medicinal bath tonight, have them give you a proper massage, or you won't be able to get up tomorrow," Qing Luan instructed as he looked at the exhausted boy.
Wiping away the sweat trickling into his eyes, Han Li grumbled, "Master, you're too ruthless. Not only do you hit me, but you also trash talk me like my teacher does."
Having spent three months with Han Li, Qing Luan had grown accustomed to his mannerisms. He chuckled and replied, "Didn't you teach me that? You challenged your blade instructor despite being weaker, spewing nonsense. If this were anywhere else, and he weren't one of your teacher's followers, you'd have lost your head by now."
Han Li grinned sheepishly, countering, "I did apologize afterward, didn't I? And I even paid him a hundred gold soul coins. You saw how eager he was for round two the next day!"
Qing Luan shook his head. "Always full of excuses. Still, you lasted a minute longer today than yesterday. Go clean yourself up and resume training. Later, I'll take you to your teacher's seclusion chamber he caused quite a commotion yesterday, so I expect he'll be emerging soon."
"Alright! Let me know when we're heading over. I need a massage first my whole body is killing me."
Han Li struggled to his feet, bid farewell, and hobbled toward his quarters.
Qing Luan watched the boy's retreating figure, shaking his head before leaving as well.
With a small splash, Han Li sank into the warm medicinal bath, emerging with a deep breath of satisfaction as the heated water soothed his battered body. The herbal scent filled the air, and as the medicine seeped into his wounds, he couldn't help but let out a pleased sigh one that might have been mistaken for something else entirely.
From the doorway, a faint creak sounded, followed by silence.
Without turning around, Han Li called out, "Come on in, Xiu'er. This isn't the first time. If you keep hesitating, I'll absorb all the medicinal effects myself."
After a pause, Xiu'er's voice came from behind the screen, tinged with embarrassment. "Little Li, you're so bad… I just finished changing."
After another moment's delay, she finally stepped out from behind the screen, her face flushed as she entered the bath. Though she kept a respectable distance, she kept stealing glances at Han Li. Whenever their eyes met, she quickly looked away.
Han Li sighed internally. Sister, it's just a medicinal bath why so shy? You're even wearing clothes.
Ever since Xiu'er broke through to Rank 10 and successfully absorbed her first soul ring a 380 year old Crystal Bear ring provided by Qing Luan things had changed.
Perhaps it was because she was already nearing ten years old, or maybe because girls developed faster than boys at that age. Regardless, the soul ring had caused her to grow significantly. Her feminine features had become more pronounced, and spending time chatting with the maids had clearly influenced her. Now, whenever they were alone, she couldn't even look at him without blushing.
Trying to break the awkward silence, Han Li spoke, "By the way, Xiu'er, after we're done here and I finish my evening training, we'll go see Teacher. He should be coming out of seclusion soon."
Hearing something serious, Xiu'er finally snapped out of her daze. "Little Li, should we prepare a gift?"
"Hah, no need. Everything we have is from Teacher what would we even gift him? Just showing up is enough."
"Alright, if you say so."
"Okay, enjoy your soak. Be mindful of the time, though don't pass out in there."
Seeing her slowly stand up, Han Li pointed at her before quickly escaping under her embarrassed glare.
After receiving a massage and further treatments, Han Li returned to his cultivation.
Though these past three months had been grueling, they had instilled in him a strong discipline. He never skipped his training sessions.
With such an excellent cultivation environment, his progress had been rapid. Over a month ago, he had reached Rank 14, and now he was on the verge of Rank 15. During his earlier sparring session with Qing Luan, the sensation of an impending breakthrough had intensified, making him even more eager.
As time passed, night fell, but atop the mountain where the Worship Hall stood, the area remained brightly illuminated.
Qing Luan, who had planned to knock on Han Li's door, suddenly sensed a surge of soul power from within the room. He paused, then scanned the room with his spiritual sense. A smile appeared on his face.
"This boy advances quickly. You and your teacher really have a knack for picking your moments."
He raised a hand to stop the approaching Xiu'er, signaling that Han Li was breaking through and that she should wait. Both stood quietly outside.
Only when the fluctuations inside the room settled did Qing Luan push the door open and step inside.
"Master Uncle, I've reached Rank 15! Took a bit longer than expected. Teacher hasn't come out yet, has he?" Han Li asked excitedly as he leaped off his bed.
"Not bad. As for Guang Ling, he's…"
Before Qing Luan could finish his sentence, an intense, sharp aura erupted from a distant residence. The sky itself seemed to brighten as the energy dispersed the clouds.
Qing Luan paused mid sentence, then smiled.
"Come, I'll take you two over. Your teacher has also broken through."
Without waiting for their response, Qing Luan enveloped Han Li and Xiu'er in his soul power and swiftly carried them toward the source of the energy surge.
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