Chapter 8: Chapter 8 The Junior Sister is Very Spirited
Editor: Henyee Translations
Xu Yinglian’s anger shot straight up to her forehead following the bloodstream.
“What instruction does Senior Brother have for me?” she all but squeezed the words out through gritted teeth, one by one.
Yet Qiu Changtian did not answer her, merely hearing Kunlun Mirror say:
[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]
Feeling certain, he then slowly and seriously said:
“In a few days, it will be the foundation day of the Kunlun Taiqing Sect.”
“At that time, the Immortal Seekers who can complete the path to ascension will become the two hundred and eightieth generation disciples of Kunlun.”
“Due to the reasons of our innate talent for cultivating the Dao, we were accepted early within Kunlun’s gate.”
“If we cannot overwhelmingly surpass the other disciples, how shall we command respect in the future?”
Xu Yinglian’s eyes widened as she spoke with a hostile tone:
“Are you suggesting that I won’t be able to stand above the other junior brothers and sisters, to be a worthy Second Senior Sister?”
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“I did not say thus,” Qiu Changtian responded with a smile resurfacing, “I only observed that your swordsmanship has many flaws, and I was somewhat concerned for a moment.”
“Flaws?” Xu Yinglian’s pupils constricted, and she asked sharply, “The swordsmanship I’ve practiced is the orthodox Kunlun Sword Technique, how could there be any flaws?”
“Even if everyone practices the orthodox sword technique of Kunlun, their individual understandings will differ, leading to disparities,” explained Qiu Changtian with a smile, “Why don’t you perform the ‘Pine Welcomes the Guest’ so I can see.”
Xu Yinglian made no reply but merely pinched the Sword Technique, and the Feather Jia Sword suddenly flew up, drawing a sharp arc, and attacking Qiu Changtian directly.
Nowadays, the three major Orthodox Sects, Kunlun, Shushan, and Penglai, all originated from the Ancient Clarify Cult over ten thousand years ago, and thus their overarching sword control doctrines are inherited from the foundational swordsmanship of the Ancient Clarify Cult.
The Kunlun Sword Technique’s opening move is also the “Pine Welcomes the Guest,” identical to what is outlined in the general principles of the Shushan Swordsmanship Scripture.
However, after practicing the Shushan Seven Kills Sword Technique with Senior Sister An Zhi Su for many days, from a broad perspective, he could see that the foundational sword technique of the Clarify Cult has undergone a great deal of omission and simplification to allow beginners to adapt quickly.
It’s like the Shaolin Long Fist in martial arts novels; it’s sufficient for laying the groundwork, but not so great for actual combat.
Using the standard Pine Welcomes the Guest attack, Qiu Changtian only needed a glance to spot five or six flaws in it.
The Jade Smoke Sword shot out like lightning, arriving even before its departure. Xu Yinglian aimed to control the Feather Jia Sword to block it, but the angle of Senior Brother’s Flying Sword was so tricky, it entirely surpassed her predictions, and the Feather Jia was directly knocked away by Jade Smoke.
“This part, this part, and this part…” Qiu Changtian retracted the Jade Smoke, then copied Xu Yinglian’s earlier sword move and pointed out several flaws in the swordsmanship, leaving Xu Yinglian stunned.
How had I not noticed this before?
Well, what Senior Brother said was indeed not incorrect…
“But this is the general outline of the Kunlun Sword Technique,” Xu Yinglian argued with a frown after he had finished explaining in detail, “According to what you’re saying, could it be that the general outline was designed with so many faults and defects from the beginning? Hasn’t anybody improved it over the years?”
“Improvements have been made, of course,” Qiu Changtian said with a slight smile, “For instance, the first flaw I pointed out, if targeted by an enemy, you need only make a slight adjustment here…”
He demonstrated the moves for countering and counter-countering the flaw, and upon looking at Xu Yinglian, she already wore a look of sudden realization.
“Thus, blind faith in the manuals is worse than having no manuals at all,” Qiu Changtian concluded, “Although the Sword Technique outlines it this way, if you were to follow it to the letter, you would in fact be at a disadvantage. You must have your own understanding and adjustments.”
“So it is, I have learned something new,” Xu Yinglian came to her senses and expressed her sincere gratitude to him.
Unlike the resilient softness of An Zhi Su, Xu Yinglian was outwardly tough but inwardly tender.
Her usual demeanor was distant and aloof, but as she was born into the Xu Family of Southern Heaven, an Immortal Cultivating Clan, her behavior and mannerisms still bore the cultivated grace and charm of a classical lady from her upbringing.
At this moment, as she bowed slightly to express her thanks, the graceful curves revealed by the bending of her Daoist robe, and the fair neck visible inside the collar of her robe, all stirred a slight emotion in Qiu Changtian.
“You’re welcome,” Qiu Changtian said, suppressing the stirrings of his heart, turning around with hands clasped behind him and spoke indifferently, “As your Senior Brother, it’s my duty to guide your cultivation and prevent others from laughing at us.”
[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]
Hmm? Qiu Changtian thought to himself.
So there was such a way to act impressive; it turns out that even being a good mentor could increase the synchronization rate.
Xu Yinglian had yet to respond when Qiu Changtian spoke up with urgency once more:
“If you have any other questions, ask them all, and quickly!”
“You are my junior sister, I won’t allow you to lose face in front of the other disciples!”
Xu Yinglian: ………
Anger flared in her eyes, but a cold smile formed on her lips:
“Elder brother sure talks big. Can you really answer any question?”
“Of course,” Qiu Changtian said indifferently, “Otherwise, how would I be fit to be your elder brother?”
Xu Yinglian: !
Upon hearing this, her fighting spirit ignited instantly.
So that means, if I raise a question about swordsmanship and Qiu Changtian cannot answer, then it proves he isn’t fit to be my elder brother?
It means he has lost!
Hmph, heeheehee, hahahahaha, this time elder brother will surely lose to me…
“Alright.” Xu Yinglian lowered her gaze, concealing the wariness in her eyes from her elder brother, “Then your junior sister indeed has a few questions that she needs to ask elder brother thoroughly…”
From her daily practice of the Sword Control Technique, she had already accumulated many questions, which she now rattled off in succession.
This brings up the point that the records of Shushan Swordsmanship are far more detailed than those of the Kunlun Sword Technique.
This is largely because the general principles of the latter contain many ambiguous descriptions, leaving cultivators perplexed even after several readings, unaware of their true meaning.
Xu Yinglian’s questions mostly pertained to the vague sections of the Kunlun Sword Technique, which were clarified in the Shushan Swordsmanship.
Therefore, Qiu Changtian answered without hesitation: “What’s so difficult about that?”
He deconstructed Xu Yinglian’s questions into key points, one by one, explicated them clearly and concisely, and provided utterly perfect responses.
Xu Yinglian listened as if enlightened, her previous mental blocks surrounding her cultivation issues dissipated like fog under the sun.
Yet she was not happy.
“Leaving sword techniques aside, I still have some questions regarding the ‘Nine Heavens Clear Entrance True Mantra’ that I would like to consult elder brother on…”
Xu Yinglian struggled to maintain composure as she continued to press her elder brother, while the Kunlun Mirror in her mind intoned:
[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]
“What’s so difficult about that?” Qiu Changtian inwardly cheered and said aloud again, “Just listen to my detailed explanation…”
With each point he made, Xu Yinglian’s face grew paler. By the end, she was as pale as gilded paper, her figure swaying unsteadily.
Could it really be that my understanding of Qi Refining Technique is that much inferior to elder brother’s?
Impossible!
It’s impossible!!
It’s absolutely impossible!!!
“Regarding the derivative Daoist Magic of the first level of the Qi Refining Technique, the ‘Universal Pure Tone Minor Illumination Technique,’ your junior sister still has a few questions to ask…”
Xu Yinglian was in turmoil, her emotions fluctuating wildly, and even a hint of plea she herself hadn’t noticed seeped into her tone:
“… If elder brother cannot answer, it doesn’t matter… I can consult other seniors…”
“Consult what seniors?” Qiu Changtian impatiently said, “The issue couldn’t be simpler, let me explain to you…”
Having elucidated thoroughly, Xu Yinglian finally collapsed, turned around and left, saying:
“Elder brother explained very well, your junior sister has matters to attend to and shall not disturb elder brother any further.”
She held back her tears, stepped onto her Feather Jia Sword, and in an instant, flew away out of sight.
[Invincible Character Setting, Synchronization Value +1.]
Qiu Changtian watched Xu Yinglian leave in the distance, unable to help but reveal a smile.
This junior sister, she’s really adorable.