Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Taking on an Apprentice

Upon hearing that Lu Chen also wanted to spar with him in swordsmanship, Lu Chen let out a disdainful snort.

“You? You’re not necessarily qualified.”

Lin Hongye also spoke up to persuade him, “Master, his swordsmanship is indeed exceptional.”

Lin Hongye had witnessed Lin Yang’s swordsmanship.

If one were to compare Lin Yang’s swordsmanship to that of children swinging wooden sticks by the roadside, the only difference was that Lin Yang held a proper-looking sword; otherwise, there was almost no distinction.

Lin Yang ignored Lin Hongye’s advice. He glanced at the ground and then picked up a wooden stick.

“I’m not used to using a sword. I’ll use this to spar with you.”

Lin Yang said calmly. Seeing the wooden stick in his hand, Lu Chen immediately scoffed with contempt.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you—if I defeat you, it’ll be a real embarrassment.”

Lin Yang paid no mind and smiled gently, “I’m ready.”

Lu Chen snorted coldly and returned to his previous position.

“Very well, then let’s begin!”

Lin Hongye snapped her fingers, and instantly, Lu Chen charged at Lin Yang.

“Boom!”

Before Lu Chen could even get close, Lin Yang swung his sword, instantly stopping it at Lu Chen’s neck.

The sword’s aura rippled wildly. Although it didn’t injure Lu Chen, it stirred the dry branches and fallen leaves on the ground, as if caught in a fierce storm.

Both Lu Chen and Lin Hongye froze in astonishment, while Lin Yang smiled softly and retracted his wooden stick.

“My swordsmanship is alright, isn’t it?”

Cold sweat broke out on Lu Chen’s forehead. He hadn’t even been able to track the movement of the wooden stick, much less notice when Lin Yang had actually wielded it—or rather, his “sword.”

What kind of swordsmanship could raise the speed of drawing a weapon to such a level?!

Snapping back to her senses, Lin Hongye immediately retorted with the very words Lu Chen had just mocked her with.

“If my master had wielded a real sword just now, you would have been dead.”

Although she didn’t understand why Lin Yang, who previously knew nothing of swordsmanship, had suddenly become a master of the sword, did it matter? Not at all. Lin Yang had brought her too many surprises.

A cultivator capable of raising the Immortal Fire Path to its peak—would it be strange for him to know a bit of swordsmanship?

Not in the slightest!

Lu Chen gritted his teeth, unwilling to accept defeat. “Impossible! No one’s swordsmanship can surpass mine!”

“Again! I don’t believe it!”

—

With that, Lu Chen launched a frenzied, wild attack on Lin Yang, but every sword stroke seemed anticipated by Lin Yang, effortlessly parried each time.

“Your speed is too slow.”

Saying this, Lin Yang deflected Lu Chen’s wooden sword and pointed the tip of his stick at Lu Chen’s neck.

Lu Chen swallowed instinctively. Had Lin Yang taken even a half step forward just now, the stick would have already pierced his throat.

Lin Yang smiled, then tossed the wooden stick aside and stretched lazily.

“Not bad. It’s been a long time since I last wielded a sword. It’s quite enjoyable now.”

Having thrown the stick aside, Lin Yang was about to turn and leave when Lu Chen, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke.

“Master.”

Lin Yang raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him. “What did you call me?”

Lu Chen hesitated, then knelt down and respectfully bowed to Lin Yang.

“Master, please accept me as your disciple and teach me swordsmanship.”

Lu Chen wasn’t asking to become Lin Yang’s disciple because of a celestial sword. He knew that no matter how fine a weapon was, without excellent swordsmanship, it was nothing but an ordinary tool.

But Lin Yang’s swordsmanship had completely won him over.

Lu Chen had always thought his swordsmanship was unmatched in the world.

Yet Lin Yang’s casual display of sword techniques showed him there was a higher realm beyond swordsmanship.

No matter what realm it was, the one who had reached it was his master. Regardless of Lin Yang’s cultivation level, his swordsmanship was superior—that was the reality.

A faint smile curved Lin Yang’s lips. After clearing his throat, he nodded.

“Rise. I will reluctantly accept you as my disciple.”

[Notification! Host has recruited a disciple with the aptitude of an Emperor! Activating ten-thousand-fold return!]

Suddenly, all of Lu Chen’s sword comprehension surged into his mind at ten thousand times the usual rate.

Feeling the overwhelming sword comprehension flooding his consciousness, Lin Yang slowly opened his eyes after a long moment.

When Lu Chen opened his eyes, countless sword intents shimmered within them. Meanwhile, his mind, infused with this magnificent sword comprehension, grasped the grand Dao of the sword uniquely his own.

“Supreme Sword Dao… interesting.”

Lin Yang murmured softly. Lu Chen got up eagerly and looked toward Lin Yang with anticipation.

“Master, when will you teach me swordsmanship?”

Lin Yang stretched lazily and answered casually, “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. I have just perceived a path of the sword; I must return to contemplate it thoroughly.”

With that, Lin Yang turned and left, while Lu Chen’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

“To casually perceive the Path of the Sword?! What true sword genius looks like! This is what a sword genius really is!”

—

At this moment, Lu Chen could find no words grand enough to describe Lin Yang. To casually perceive the Path of the Sword—that was true genius.

Lin Hongye was equally astonished, but then she snapped back to reality, flicking Lu Chen on the forehead.

“Since you have joined Chiyang Peak, you must call me Senior Sister from now on.”

“When dealing with your Senior Sister, you must show some respect.”

“If you dare to casually critique my swordsmanship again, I’ll show you what ‘Senior Sister’s love’ really means.”

Lu Chen covered his forehead in grievance, muttering, “I’m just speaking the truth…”

“Try saying that one more time, I dare you.”

Lin Hongye raised her hand as if to strike, and Lu Chen, seeing this, immediately ran away.

…

The next day arrived swiftly. Lin Yang had just gotten out of bed and opened his door, not yet stretching when he saw Lu Chen standing there respectfully greeting him.

“Good morning, Master.”

Lin Yang was startled. Looking at the sun high in the sky, he sighed helplessly.

“You’ve been waiting here all this time just to say good morning?”

Lu Chen chuckled softly, then looked at Lin Yang with burning enthusiasm.

“Master, can you teach me swordsmanship today?”

Just as Lu Chen finished speaking, two tasks suddenly appeared before Lin Yang’s eyes.

[Task 1: Help Lin Hongye advance her swordsmanship to perfection.]

[Task 2: Help Lu Chen advance his swordsmanship to the pinnacle.]

Seeing these tasks, Lin Yang nodded and then spoke to the eagerly expectant Lu Chen.

“All right. I’m in a good mood today. I’ll go fetch your Senior Sister, and I’ll personally give you both a lesson in the Way of the Sword.”

Hearing this, Lu Chen’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, “Great, Master! I’ll go get Senior Sister right away!”

With that, Lu Chen ran toward Lin Hongye’s dwelling.

Before long, the two arrived at the training ground. Seeing both present, Lin Yang cleared his throat and said,

“All right, since everyone’s here, let’s begin the lesson.”