Following his father's command, Bai Yu took a deep breath and began his demonstration in the courtyard. First, he moved through the Azure Cloud Steps. His footwork was surprisingly light, possessing an elusive grace as he weaved and shifted, feet barely seeming to kiss the ground. Imperfections remained – a slight stumble here, a moment's hesitation there – but the fluidity was already remarkable for less than a day's practice.
Next, he transitioned to the Crescent Moon Kick. Drawing upon his Qi, he chambered his leg, rotated his hips, and unleashed the powerful, sweeping arc against a sturdy training post. The impact was solid, infused with Qi, but the preparation and execution still felt slightly disjointed, lacking the instantaneous, seamless quality of a truly mastered technique.
Bai Feng observed in silence for a full ten minutes, his sharp eyes missing nothing, his hand methodically stroking his beard. When Bai Yu finished, breathing a little heavier but focused, his father nodded slowly.
"Truly remarkable," Bai Feng admitted, genuine admiration in his tone. "To achieve such proficiency with the Azure Cloud Steps in less than a day speaks volumes of your current affinity and comprehension. Many talented disciples would dedicate weeks to reach this level." He paused, his expression turning critical as he addressed the kick. "However, your Crescent Moon Kick, while possessing power, lacks finesse. The execution is too slow, too predictable. Your success against Zhao Wei hinged entirely on the element of surprise and his gross underestimation of you. Against a prepared opponent of similar strength, or even a faster one of lesser cultivation, that opening would be fatal."
For the next thirty minutes, Bai Feng didn't just offer advice; he actively helped Bai Yu refine the techniques. The Martial Grandmaster demonstrated subtle shifts in balance for the steps, corrected the angle of Bai Yu's hip rotation for the kick, and offered pointed tips on integrating Qi more smoothly into the motion, making it faster and less obvious. Bai Yu absorbed every word, every movement, feeling his understanding deepen considerably under his father's expert guidance.
Satisfied for the moment, Bai Feng prepared to depart. "Practice these points diligently," he instructed. But before leaving, he paused near the courtyard edge. "One more thing," he said, turning back slightly. "Your unarmed skills are developing well, but as you saw today, they have limitations, especially against armed opponents. I believe it is time for you to select a weapon. Don't rush the decision. Go back to the Repository, take your time, explore the weapon techniques available. See what resonates with your instincts and complements your current abilities." With a final nod, Bai Feng left.
"Thank you, Father," Bai Yu said sincerely, bowing deeply towards his departing father.
"Choosing a weapon, huh?" Bai Yu mused aloud once he was alone. The confrontation with Zhao Wei's spear had made the necessity clear. He hadn't seriously considered specializing in a weapon before, given his previous inability to cultivate effectively, but now, it was undoubtedly time to begin that training.
Resolved, he immediately made his way back towards the Repository. His path took him past the main training ground again. A sizable crowd had gathered, watching two teenagers, both around fifteen, locked in a spirited spar. Both radiated the aura of the Mid Qi Refining Realm.
Bai Yu recognized them instantly. The first teenager, broad-shouldered and employing an aggressive Bai Clan fist style, was Bai Zhan, grandson of the First Elder. The second, moving with greater precision and speed, using swift finger-strikes, was Bai Ying, daughter of the newly appointed 8th Elder. They were only sparring, pulling their blows before causing real injury, but it was clear from Bai Zhan's overly flashy maneuvers and lingering gazes that he harbored a significant crush on Bai Ying, who remained focused and composed.
As Bai Yu walked past the edge of the onlookers, Bai Zhan spotted him. A malicious sneer instantly spread across his face. Abruptly breaking off the spar he shouted across the training ground, his voice dripping with condescension:
"Well, well! Isn't it the famous Trash of our Bai Family? Heard you got lucky against that Zhao fool, Bai Yu, but don't think it changes anything! Hey, today happens to be my little brother's 13th birthday. He's still working hard at the Peak of the Body Refining Realm – just like you used to be! How about you spar with him? Give him some practice against someone his own level!"
Bai Zhan openly mocked him, playing to the crowd, deliberately twisting Bai Yu's past struggles into a fresh insult. The surrounding junior disciples, many aligned with Bai Zhan or simply accustomed to looking down on Bai Yu, immediately began to laugh out loud.
Bai Yu merely paused his stride, his golden eyes sweeping over Bai Zhan with cool indifference. He offered only a faint, dismissive smirk, then continued walking towards the Repository, completely ignoring Bai Zhan and the laughter as if they were beneath his notice.
His utter lack of reaction seemed to infuriate Bai Zhan more than any retort. "Ignoring me?! Still acting like trash!" Bai Zhan shouted after Bai Yu's retreating back, though his laughter now sounded slightly hollow.
As Bai Yu walked on, the sounds fading behind him, his expression hardened. Laugh while you can, Bai Zhan, Bai Yu thought, his resolve solidifying like tempered steel. The annual Clan Tournament is next month. It's held specifically to seek out the strongest disciples of the younger generation. By then, you will not be my match. We'll see who the real trash is.