As the day progressed, Shen Yuan organized the information from Lian Fang.
He meticulously sifted through the data, highlighting key strengths, weaknesses, and known techniques of the Ironwood Mountain Clan’s disciples.
After finalizing the summary, he inscribed everything onto a jade slip, sealing it with a trace of his spiritual energy.
“That should be enough for now,” he murmured to himself, satisfied with the result.
He went ahead and decided to give the jade slip to Han Qingyu directly.
Placing the jade slip securely in his sleeve, he left his residence and headed toward her mansion.
The sect grounds were lively, with disciples engrossed in their training—the anticipation for the upcoming competition evident in their focused expressions.
Upon reaching Han Qingyu’s abode, he lightly knocked on the door and waited for some time, but seeing no response, he frowned and pushed open the gates.
Once inside, he found her in the garden, gracefully practicing her swordsmanship.
Azure flames danced along the blade of her sword as she moved, each strike more refined than the last.
Not wanting to interrupt her training, he watched silently from outside the garden, appreciating the elegance of her form and the significant improvement in her technique.
Sensing his presence, she completed her final movement before turning to face him.
A radiant smile bloomed on her beautiful face. “Brother Yuan, what brings you here?”
He calmly approached her, his face forming a small smile involuntarily. “I have something that might help you out in the upcoming competition.”
He handed her the jade slip. “It’s a summary of the information I’ve gathered about the Ironwood Mountain Clan’s participants.”
Her eyes widened slightly as she accepted the jade slip. “You’ve already gathered this information? Did Big Sis Huo Rong give this to you?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “No, I have my own means. Anyways, this should be helpful for you, so look thoroughly inside of it.”
She looked at him gratefully. “Thank you, truly. This will help me out a lot during the competition.”
He nodded. “If you have any questions or need clarification on any of the details, feel free to ask me anytime.”
Her eyes softened. “I appreciate that. Perhaps we could go over it together later?”
He chuckled softly. “I’d like that. But for now, I need to head out to visit Wan Ling; she requested to spar with me. I promised to give her some pointers.”
Han Qingyu’s expression turned playful. “Ah, you’re quite popular these days, Brother Yuan. Don’t let me keep you.”
He chuckled softly. “I’ll see you later then.”
“Take care,” she called after him as he left her mansion.
Leaving her residence, Shen Yuan made his way to Wan Ling’s mansion to meet up with her for the spar.
As Shen Yuan approached Wan Ling’s residence, he couldn’t help but admire the serene beauty of her home. The vibrant flowers and meticulously trimmed shrubs added a tranquil charm to the surroundings. Arriving in front of the wooden gate, he softly knocked on it.
The gate opened promptly, revealing Wan Ling’s bright smile. “Senior Brother Shen Yuan, you’re right on time,” she said cheerfully.
He nodded with a calm smile. “How could I let my cute junior sister wait here?”
She gestured for him to enter. “Haha, please, come in. I thought we could spar in the garden. It’s peaceful, and we’ll have plenty of space.”
“That sounds perfect,” he agreed, following her along a stone path that led to a spacious clearing surrounded by tall bamboo.
She walked a bit further and turned around; they both looked at each other serenely.
Wan Ling drew her slender sword, its blade gleaming in the sunlight filtering through the leaves. “Shall we begin?” she asked, her eyes reflecting both determination and a hint of excitement.
He tilted his head slightly. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Taking a deep breath, she settled into her stance, her posture sharp and focused.
With a swift movement, she launched herself forward, her sword slicing through the air with precision.
Shen Yuan effortlessly sidestepped her initial strike, observing her form carefully.
She followed up with a series of quick attacks, each executed with increased precision and grace.
He parried her blows with ease, noting the improvements in her technique.
“Your footwork has become more stable,” he remarked, deflecting another strike.
She smiled lightly. “I’ve been practicing diligently since our last session.”
“Good,” he replied, increasing his speed slightly to challenge her reflexes as he took out a sword as well.
She adjusted accordingly, her movements fluid as she matched his pace.
They exchanged blows for several minutes, the rhythmic clashing of their swords harmonizing with the natural sounds of the garden.
The scent of blooming jasmine filled the air, adding to the enchanting ambiance.
Noticing a slight opening in her defense, Shen Yuan seized the moment to disarm her gently, sending her sword spinning softly into the grass.
She gasped softly, surprise evident in her eyes.
“Your left side remains a bit vulnerable,” he pointed out, lowering his weapon.
She nodded, catching her breath. “I thought I had corrected that.”
He stepped closer, his gaze attentive and focused. “May I?” he asked, gesturing to adjust her stance.
“Please,” she replied, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
He moved behind her, his hands lightly resting on her arms as he guided her posture.
“Shift your weight slightly forward, and keep your shoulder relaxed. It will give you better balance and allow for quicker reactions.”
She felt the warmth of his touch, his proximity causing her heart to flutter unexpectedly. “I see… I indeed feel my body stabilizing more naturally,” she agreed softly.
He lightly stepped back, looking at her from top to bottom before saying, “Try it again.”
Retrieving her sword, she faced him once more.
This time, her movements were more stable, and her defenses became much stronger and more precise.
They continued sparring, with Shen Yuan gently guiding her, offering tips and encouragement.
After a while, they paused. Wan Ling felt the toll on her body, yet she felt invigorated at the same time.
“Quite the talent you have. You’re improving rapidly,” he praised, sheathing his sword.
She beamed. “It’s thanks to your guidance, Senior Brother.”
He shook his head modestly. “No amount of guidance would have been helpful if you didn’t have the talent for it and weren’t working hard to achieve your goal.”
She smiled brightly at his praise, gesturing toward a shaded pavilion nearby. She asked, “Would you like to rest and have some tea?”
He nodded his head with a gentle smile. “That would be nice.”
They walked together to the pavilion, where a delicate tea set awaited on a carved wooden table.
The gentle sound of water cascading over stones added to the peaceful atmosphere.
Wan Ling poured the fragrant tea into two cups, the aroma of lotus blossoms filling the air.
“I hope you like it,” she said, handing him a cup filled with fragrant tea.
He blew on the cup and took a sip; the warm liquid slid down his throat smoothly. “Oh, it tastes really nice.”
She smiled, her eyes reflecting the soft light filtering through the leaves. “I’m glad that you like it, Senior Brother.”